NXT: Velveteen Dream’s Secret TakeOver Weapon Is His Style
By Harmony Cox
The Johnny Wrestling Shirt
It’s easy to forget that Johnny Gargano has ever had a rival in NXT that wasn’t Tommaso Ciampa. However, Velveteen Dream and Gargano did clash for at least one episode of NXT. Due to an injury sustained at TakeOver New Orleans, Dream had to miss out on a number-one contender’s match to take on then-champ Andrade Cien Almas for the belt.
Gargano ended up being selected to take Dream’s place. Dream took exception to this, as he felt Gargano wasn’t ready for a title shot in the way that Dream was. So Dream challenged Gargano to a match for the number one contender’s spot. Gargano accepted, and the match was set for the go-home NXT before the championship bout.
A whole new set of Johnny-taunting gear would have been a big ask for a single episode of NXT, but that didn’t stop Dream from getting creative with his fashion choices for the evening. As the match began, Dream came out in his own customized Johnny Wrestling t-shirt, made Dream-ified by a midriff and sleeves cut to fringe.
There are a lot of ways you can put down an opponent in the ring, but looking better in their own merch than they do is definitely a legitimate burn. And while Dream didn’t come out on top that night, he still left an impression on the crowd. Honestly, if Dream ever wants to start a YouTube channel on how to make wrestling shirts look less boxy and weird, I think we would all be grateful.
As far as Gargano being ready for the title picture…well, I guess we’ll find out this Saturday. But so far, I think Dream was right about that one.