The Velveteen Dream Returns On WWE NXT

The Velveteen Dream last competed on the black and gold brand back at NXT TakeOver: In Your House when he faced Adam Cole for the NXT Championship in a Backlot Brawl. Dream ultimately lost the match after he taunted the champion and gave Cole the opportunity to hit a low blow and deliver a Panama Sunrise onto a mountain of steel chairs for the 1-2-3.

Dream then went on a two-month hiatus from WWE TV. While there was no official reason given for his absence, he was involved in a car accident on June 26 and a second allegation of sexual misconduct was levied against him on June 20.

The NXT Superstar returned to the black and gold brand last night as he was revealed as the mystery opponent in the final North American Championship Triple Threat Qualifying match. Dream's return didn't quite go to plan, however, as he struggled in the match and was almost forced to tap out by Kushida after the former New Japan star trapped him in the Kimura Lock. The former North American Champion managed to hold on, but Cameron Grimes took advantage as he caught Kushida with the Cave In and pinned the cruiserweight to advance to the Ladder match.

With another loss on his record, Dream snapped and beat down The Time Splitter, turning heel in the process. He then celebrated in the ring before Finn Balor confronted him to close out the segment. They will go one on one in a Second Chance match next week.