The Velveteen Dream’s quick, effective words to Aleister Black take home this week’s best promo in WWE.
Thirty seconds. That’s all it took for The Velveteen Dream, Patrick Clark to get his message across to his NXT TakeOver: WarGames opponent Aleister Black on this weeks episode of NXT. Shortly after decimating Brazilian Cezar Bononi, the former Tough Enough contestant took to the microphone (6:46 into the above video) and reminded “The Ominous Man From Amsterdam” that not only is he ready to compete with someone of Black’s level, he’s ready to take him down. It was short, sweet, and effective as Clark continues to show the WWE Universe that he’s one of the best prospects in the entire company.
For a WWE career that got off on the wrong foot, Clark is beginning to hit his stride as a character. His rough sledding began as a competitor on the aforementioned Tough Enough reboot back in 2015. Seen early on as a favorite to win the show based on his look, skill set, charisma, and experience, the then 19 year-old Washingtonian’s rise was short-lived. Labelled as arrogant and unable to accept criticism, Clark finished 9th overall in a field of 13, lasting less time than the likes of ZZ Loupe and GiGi Piscina.
Clark took his talents back to the independent scene but only briefly. The WWE went ahead and signed the young talent in October of 2015 and he made his in-ring NXT debut the following February. And just last May, Clark, who originally came off as a sure-fire baby face flipped the script, adopting “The Velveteen Dream” persona, a brash, Prince-like, heel character. The change has been well received and Clark has taken to the “bad guy” role beautifully. It’s been so good that it took just a short amount of time to get put into a high profile feud against Black, a guy that looks like a future champion.
The past month has been fun ride between the superstars as they are polar opposites and seemingly have a genuine distaste for one another. The two have traded words but nothing has been as good as Dream’s promo from Wednesday as he ended with his tag line “Say My Name”. The words from Wednesday night have managed to ramp up this rivalry even more and has the NXT faithful thirsty for their tilt on November 18th.
Clark’s promo was a microcosm of everything that is right about NXT and illustrates the shortcomings of the main roster booking. The Dream/Black feud has been very simple. A young man is looking to take a step up in competition and has found a willing dance partner in Aleister and the duo have spent each week simply, slowly building up the animosity before their eventual showdown. Ther’s been no silly, confusing, convoluted angles. Just pure, smart booking that is almost a throwback to promotions like the NWA and AWA who never needed to get cute with story telling.
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The main roster creative team needs to take a long look at how NXT books their shows. The Velveteen Dream just went out and ever so slightly turned up the heat on a feud that was already simmering. And he only needed a half minute to do it. That’s a very good use of television time and yet another reason why NXT: WarGames will be a can’t miss event.