The Superlink Party: Big Praise For Velveteen Dream, AJ Styles Is Fine

Today’s “Superlink Party” piece takes a look at Michael Cole’s praise for one of professional wrestling’s most magnetic characters, another big women’s match outside WWE, recent live event developments, and Goldberg’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

Let’s start with the Velveteen Dream, because who knows what a dude who bench presses a disgusting amount of weight would do to me if I didn’t give him the courtesy of going first.

There’s no doubt that the Velveteen Dream is one of WWE’s fastest rising stars, and I named him one of the best characters in all of pro wrestling. The man put together one of the greatest feuds of 2017 against Aleister Black, his work with Kassius Ohno at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia was underrated, and if a recent NXT Live Event match is any indication, he could forge a memorable rivalry with new signing Ricochet.

Raw announcer Michael Cole appeared on Sky Sports’s “Lock Up” podcast, and he gave several NXT superstars some lofty praise. Aleister Black, the Iconic Duo, Andrade “Cien” Almas, and Ember Moon were among those praised, which comes as no surprise. They are among the most captivating performers in the world today, and they are all potential candidates to get call-ups at some point in the near future.

However, Cole’s most effusive praise was perhaps saved for the Velveteen Dream, as transcribed by Wrestling Inc.’s Doric Sam:

"“I’ll tell you a sleeper in all of this, who I believe is going to develop into a big star, he’s got star written all over him – The Velveteen Dream. This kid has everything. He’s young, good looking, he’s got incredible charisma. He’s a hard worker, great work ethic. He has a very unique character, and he lives and breaths that character. A lot of times, in this day and age, that’s become a lost art. When the cameras are off and you are living the rest of your life, but he is that character, and lives it 24/7, so that is what I think makes him a real up and comer, and a star in the making the next couple of years.”"

I don’t think there’s a single superstar in WWE who commands the spotlight like the Velveteen Dream, and he truly does live and breathe the gimmick. The guy is also one hell of an athlete, and his Purple Rainmaker finisher and Cartwheel Death Valley Driver are two of the most breathtaking moves in all of professional wrestling.

If the Velveteen Dream isn’t one of WWE’s crowning jewels within a few years, then someone screwed up hard. He’s just that talented.

Sting And Rey Mysterio

The rumblings that Rey Mysterio will sign with WWE at some point have become so loud that a move feels almost inevitable. Mysterio is nursing a torn bicep, but it truly does seem like his amazing return at the 2018 Royal Rumble wasn’t just a one-off.

Here’s a picture of him and Sting. Now tell me that isn’t a legendary pic.

AJ Styles Is Fine, Sami Zayn And Kevin Owens Don’t Give A Damn

At a WWE Live Event in Trenton, AJ Styles teamed up with The New Day to defeat a team comprised of Rusev, Aiden English, Chad Gable, and Shelton Benjamin.

https://twitter.com/xBlackStarPunkx/status/977925308811808768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

At this point, I wouldn’t have any worries about AJ Styles’s status for WrestleMania 34 when he is set to defend the WWE Championship against familiar foe Shinsuke Nakamura. I’m not even sure why there’s uncertainty around Styles or why this is a story, but it would be wise for the WWE to continue to milk this a little bit. In my view, if he’s at a live event and competing, he’s fine. And even if he is hurt, he’s probably going to be like most athletes and play through the pain in a match as big as this one. That’s just how it goes.

During the same live event, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupted the proceedings with a promo before being put in their place by Nakamura, who defeated Baron Corbin shortly afterwards. Owens and Zayn brutalized Daniel Bryan last week in his return, as Bryan fired the dastardly duo. Just a week prior, Owens and Zayn demolished commissioner Shane McMahon, and the tag match involving all parties looks locked in for WrestleMania 34 as the long-awaited pay-off to this months-long saga that was criticized frequently at points by the WWE Universe.

Big Match

On Apr. 20 in Fairfax, Virginia, NOVA Pro Wrestling will have its “Old Dominion Rumble”, and they’ve announced a significant match for the event. Jordynne Grace, who recently had a heavily praised match with Tenille Dashwood at WWR Pro, will face Shazza McKenzie. These are two of the biggest names in women’s wrestling right now, so I’d recommend making an attempt to catching this match (or at least do your best to keep an eye on it).

Paul Heyman Will Induct Goldberg

In an announcement that surprised precisely nobody, the WWE posted an article on their site yesterday that Paul Heyman will be the one to induct Bill Goldberg into the Hall of Fame.

Goldberg’s final run with the company ended the sour taste of the way his first run went and ended, and he won over a lot of fans, including me. The story he and Brock Lesnar told over the course of several months was excellent. Goldberg’s initial win at Survivor Series was a truly shocking moment, which is honestly rare in WWE these days. Their match at WrestleMania 33 checked off all the boxes, and I gained a new respect for Goldberg, especially after watching his eye-opening WWE 24.

Because of the significance of Goldberg’s final run in WWE and Heyman’s involvement in this defining feud as Lesnar’s advocate (he did everything to hype this feud, including crying in an interview after Brock lost), the WWE couldn’t have made a better choice.

Around The Web

Here’s an interview Sky Sports conducted with Baron Corbin, who admitted to being “a little bit arrogant” before joining WWE as a former NFL player. It’s always awesome when WWE Superstars open up like this, especially those who have backgrounds in other sports before coming into pro wrestling.

Next: Ranking All Of Triple H's WrestleMania Matches

This review of OTT Wrestling’s “Contenders 7” show is worth your time, especially if you can’t get a chance to catch the show. There’s a huge title change in here, too, that caught me off guard when I read it.

The Chairshot’s Andrew Balaz had an entertaining review of WrestleCircus’s “Raise the Curtain” show.