WWE Hall Of Famer Thinks It’s Time For Velveteen Dream’s 2nd Chance
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry wants to see one of the more controversial modern stars to have competed in the company given a second chance.
Velveteen Dream was once considered a top prospect in WWE when he was part of the NXT roster. He started out on WWE television as Patrick Clark on Tough Enough, but then he became this unique character known as Velveteen Dream and held the NXT North American Title while also impressing a lot of people with the charisma that he showed.
In May 2021, Velveteen Dream was released by WWE. In April 2020, Dream was accused of sending indecent images to a minor, and this was followed by more allegations later that year.
The former WWE superstar was arrested in August 2022 for First Degree Battery and Trespassing. Dream was arrested again just six days later on charges relating to possessing drug paraphernalia. This second arrest was reportedly tied to a conviction in November 2021 on drug-related charges. The battery and trespassing charges were subsequently dropped.
Since leaving WWE, Velveteen Dream has competed in just one independent match as many fans seem unwilling to look past the allegations made against him but Mark Henry wishes he could get another chance.
Mark Henry Advocates A Second Chance For Velveteen Dream
Speaking during a virtual signing hosted by K & S WrestleFest, Mark Henry was asked to put together a modern-day Nation of Domination which started straightforwardly enough:
So easy (to pick a new Nation of Domination). Number one draft pick, (Powerhouse) Hobbs, and then number two, Omos, and then I would go Carmelo Hayes and as much as I love Trick Williams, I think that Trick is — he’s too liked. I want people that people don’t like. I want Bobby Lashley. I want people that you just don’t like ‘em.
For Henry’s last suggestion, he picked Velveteen Dream and thinks he should be given a second chance in the business:
And there’s a lot of young guys that I think could hold up. But, my wildcard would probably be Velveteen Dream, would be Patrick (Clark). I think it’s time for his second chance. A lot of people in the world of wrestling love the talent. We’re in a cancel culture that is justified as so. We need a cancel culture.
But, at some point, you gotta have grace and forgiveness and you gotta see if that person is gonna bury themselves again because habitual line steppers, that’s exactly who they are. Once they get that second chance and they’re out, I ain’t cosigning for you no more. But, everybody needs their second chance. I think that would be my new Nation.
Looked great too (at the convention I was at). I saw him. A lot of people didn’t want to touch that and you know, I don’t get into the guilt or innocence. Even though, from what I’m understanding, there was a lot of confusion and judgment about male sexuality, which I’m not a politician and I’m not gonna cast judgment one way or the other but I do realize I’ve been lied on before, so I know what it feels like to not be able to defend yourself in the court of public opinion, and at some point, you gotta say, you know what? Whatever happened, happened.
But I need to make a living and I need another chance and I’m begging the fans for a chance. That’s what I would do. I would throw myself on the mercy of the fans, and say give me another shot.
Another WWE Hall of Famer has already urged Velveteen Dream not to quit pro wrestling but whether any company would want to take the chance on signing the hugely controversial star remains to be seen.