Velveteen Dream becomes the NXT North American Champion
Velveteen Dream has become the new NXT North American Champion after defeating Johnny Gargano at 20th February episode of NXT. The show was taped three weeks earlier and the news of his crowning was already over the internet since then. What made the things interesting is that WWE also shot an alternate ending with Johnny Gargano retaining the title.
Patrick Clark Jr. started his career with MCW and other independent wrestling promotions until he was selected for WWE’s Tough Enough show in 2015. After he was eliminated from Tough Enough, he signed a developmental contract with WWE before making his in-ring debut in Feb 2016 and television debut in July that year. He first appeared in his Velveteen Dream character on 24 May 2017.
Velveteen Dream won the first Worlds Collide Tournament which took place at the Royal Rumble Axxess event. As the winner, Dream got the opportunity to challenge a champion of his choice for the title. On 6th Feb. episode of NXT, Dream chose to challenge North American Champion Johnny Gargano and went on to beat him to win the title. No part of the alternate ending that WWE shot with Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa did not make it to the show.
Spoiler: In later episodes, Velveteen Dream is challenged by Adam Cole for the championship. Adam Cole was the inaugural NXT North American Champion.
