11 Ups & 7 Downs For NXT In 2018

5. Velveteen Dream's Development

velveteen dream hollywood hogan
WWE.com

If last year established Velveteen Dream as the most must-see prospect in modern wrestling, 2018 made him a bona fide star.

The former Patrick Clark gets it. Possessing swagger, assuredness, star power, and charisma far above his four years of experience, he exhibits several traits that kind be taught. Wrestlers spend years trying to project in the ways Dream does, yet most never come close to his level. Such is the 23-year-old's promise.

Botches can be ironed out. In-ring execution can be tightened up. New moves and transitions can be learned. Presence is another matter entirely, however, and given that Dream already has this in place, it's safe to say he has more superstar potential than anyone else on WWE's payroll - developmental or otherwise.

Dream failed to become NXT Champion at TakeOver: War Games, and it'd be great to see him hang around NXT for another year or two. A premature main roster call-up and the overexposure that would inevitably follow would squander his potential. Instead, WWE would be wise to let this up-and-comer grow in NXT, because as good as he has become, Vince McMahon won't have a clue what to do with a character this nuanced when he eventually gets his hands on him.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.