6 Ups & 4 Downs From NXT 401
3. The Velveteen Dream Looks Like A Car Wreck
It's uncertain how much is riding on the Velveteen Dream becoming a star, but with luck it won't be too much because he's shaping up to be a disaster. A combination of Prince, Goldust and RuPaul with better abs, he lacks the charisma and natural performing ability to carry off his pouty diva schtick.
His matches so far have been squashes so there's still a chance he's a good wrestler. His character, however, is neither original or particularly compelling. This episode's predictable heel promo didn't do anything to suggest he's destined for greatness, either. His lines could have come from an early 2010s Diva and the character is in danger of straying into caricature and stereotype territory.
A catty heel played without conviction or humour isn't what NXT needs right now. It's not quite time to write off the Dream yet as it's such early days, but it's going to have to get a whole lot better, if not change completely, if the character is to bring admiring eyes to NXT.