Velveteen Dream Should be Challenging for the NXT Title

This week’s NXT was main evented by a match between Velveteen Dream and Johnny Gargano. I don’t think I need to tell you it was an excellent match with Johnny coming close to the brink of snapping before remembering who he is.

Dream picked up the win and while Johnny’s future is uncertain I know what Dream should do next: Challenge Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT championship.

Since Takeover Brooklyn 4 Ciampa has refused to appear in front of the Full Sail crowd until he has a new number contender. The story between him and Gargano are done at least for now and Black is out so why not give the Dream the title shot.

Dream’s too great as a wrestler and as a character to not be in the title picture. The only time he’s really challenged for a title is when he competed in the 6 man ladder match for the North American at Takeover New Orleans. I think he’s got even better since then that I think he’s too good for the North American title and needs to be going after NXT Title. Plus Ricochet is the champion and it’s too soon to go back to him vs Ricochet as good as that match was. Also Ricochet has his hands full already with a title vs title match against Pete Dunne in two weeks and unfinished business with Adam Cole.

With the next Takeover being War Games it’s almost like whoever is challenging for the title doesn’t really matter as the show is built around the gimmick match. Similar to the title matches at the Royal Rumble. Ciampa vs Dream is such a unique match up that it could steal the show away from the War Games match.

You know that the NXT faithful would be so into this match since they hate Ciampa with a passion and despite technically being a heel they love to cheer for the Dream. Like I said before anyone who goes up against Ciampa for the title will automatically be more over because fans want to see Ciampa get his and I think that would apply with Dream.

This match could also be a test for how Dream could work as a babyface. We’ve seen in the past his ability to stay over as a heel despite losing to Black and Ricochet but could he stay over despite losing to Ciampa. Sadly I do think he will lose as they’ll likely want to give Ciampa a lengthy reign because he’s got so much heat. He’ll hold until at least Black is able to get his rematch.

If Dream manages to remain over in defeat it will prove that the Velveteen Dream character can work both as a face and a heel. Although I wouldn’t object to a Dream title win. He’s still very young so he’ll be around for a while longer so he can have a long title reign.

For someone as talented as Dream I’m surprised he hasn’t got a title shot yet. When you think about the next Takeover if not Dream who else could be the number 1 contender? Dream’s got the most momentum with his win at Brooklyn 4 and his win this past week.