WWE Rumors: Backstage news on why Velveteen Dream wasn't in Royal Rumble Match

What's the story?

Heading into the Royal Rumble, many people thought The Velveteen Dream was an absolute stick-on to be in the match and called up to the main roster after his notable absence from the NXT card at TakeOver the previous night.

Well, according to PWInsider, the breakout star was in the building - but he was backstage in a neck brace, hinting that he may not have been in the match due to injury.

In case you didn't know...

While Velveteen Dream wasn't on the card for NXT TakeOver, he did make an appearance at the end of the night after the cameras stopped rolling for the WWE Network broadcast. Dream interrupted Gargano and Ciampa's celebrations with sarcastic applause before himself, Ricochet and Aleister Black brawled with the pair and Adam Cole.

After the brawl, Dream, Ricochet and Black seemingly said goodbye to the NXT crowd in the ring, suggesting that they may all be main roster-bound, but only Aleister Black appeared during the Royal Rumble from the trio.

Velveteen Dream, however, did wrestle yesterday before the event at the Worlds Collide tournament where NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live Superstars all competed against one another.

The heart of the matter

The WWE Universe was left dumbfounded last night after Velveteen Dream, who was thought to be a definite entrant in the Royal Rumble from the NXT brand, didn't make an appearance.

PWInsider have today reported that he was indeed backstage, but wearing a neck brace after wrestling in the Worlds Collide tournament earlier that day. [H/T Ringside News]

What's next?

Well, only time will tell if we see Velveteen Dream on the main roster or back in NXT any time soon. As for his "injury", we'll keep you updated.

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Would you like to see Velveteen Dream on the main roster? Let us know in the comments.