Velveteen Dream, actual identify Patrick Clark Jr., was as soon as certainly one of WWE’s most promising skills, identified for his fascinating character work and standout performances in NXT. Nevertheless, his profession took a dramatic flip when allegations of inappropriate conduct surfaced, resulting in his WWE launch and a collection of authorized troubles. Right here’s a complete take a look at the controversies surrounding Velveteen Dream.
Allegations of Misconduct
In April 2020, Velveteen Dream confronted accusations of sending specific photographs to minors through Instagram. The allegations emerged in the course of the #SpeakingOut motion in June 2020, the place extra claims surfaced about inappropriate communications with underage people. Regardless of WWE conducting an inside investigation and reportedly discovering no proof, the harm was completed. The hashtag #FireVelveteenDream started trending each time he appeared on tv, making him a public relations legal responsibility.
Whereas chatting with Chris Van Vliet in 2024, Dream addressed the allegations immediately, denying any misconduct. “No, these aren’t conversations that I’ve ever had with anyone, minor or grownup, authorized, unlawful, consensual, or non-consensual. These phrases, these texts, these photographs which were pushed on the market on the web—they’re all false,” he said.
Dream clarified that the accounts making the accusations had been taken down and are not accessible. He admitted to talking with an individual named Jacob Schmidt on Instagram however insisted that he by no means mentioned or typed something inappropriate. “I did communicate to a Jacob Schmidt on Instagram. We truly had a cellphone dialog over Instagram. At no time limit did I ever sort something or say something that ought to have or may have been misconstrued as an advance of any sort,” Dream defined.
Nevertheless, regardless of his denials, it ought to be famous that there stays no concrete proof proving his innocence. On the Chris Van Vliet present, Dream solely supplied his aspect of the story with out presenting any proof. In the meantime, there’s video proof of Dream chatting with minors, in addition to photograph proof exhibiting him allegedly sending nude photographs. Including to the skepticism, the interview with Van Vliet has since been set to personal on his YouTube channel, additional elevating questions in regards to the credibility of Dream’s statements.
Authorized Troubles, Arrests and Suspension
Dream’s controversies didn’t finish with the allegations. In August 2022, he was arrested twice in Orlando, Florida. The primary arrest on August 20 concerned costs of first-degree battery and trespassing after he allegedly bit and punched a fitness center worker at Membership Orlando. Simply days later, on August 26, he was arrested once more for possession of drug paraphernalia.
These incidents occurred whereas he was serving a 12-month probation sentence from a earlier arrest in November 2021 for possession of cocaine. He spent 25 days in Seminole County Jail and was launched on September 13, 2022.
Dream was additionally concerned in a separate indecent the place he allegedly used cocaine whereas employed by WWE, resulting in a quiet suspension. It was reported that Dream admitted to utilizing cocaine with different NXT wrestlers, elevating additional considerations about his conduct throughout his time with the corporate.
Lavatory Filming Allegations and EC3’s Accusations
In 2022, former WWE Celebrity EC3 publicly accused Velveteen Dream of trying to movie different wrestlers within the rest room throughout a celebration at his residence. In response to EC3, he discovered Dream’s cellphone positioned in a means that prompt it was recording. Whereas talking on The Wrestling Outlaws with Dr. Chris Featherstone and Vince Russo, EC3 said, “I’m not making the claims. There was actually a digital camera in my rest room that belonged to him, on his mobile phone, that was filming the bathroom, okay? It’s not a declare.”
EC3 went on to explain what he noticed, alleging that the cellphone was strategically positioned to file folks utilizing the lavatory. “The cellphone was propped up, like it’s on this desk at Al Snow’s visitor home, filming the bathroom, selfie mode fashion, like bafflingly loopy. I’m so aghast and shocked that I couldn’t imagine I used to be watching my very own phallus tinkle on another person’s cellphone to see the file button going,” he mentioned.
Velveteen Dream addressed these accusations throughout a 2024 interview with Chris Van Vliet, denying that he was making an attempt to movie anybody. Dream claimed that whereas his cellphone was within the rest room, it was not set to file something. “I feel in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the evening, EC3 walked into the lavatory the place my cellphone was laying flat, noticed it, and perhaps had some interpersonal battle on how he wished to take care of that, however that was by no means true,” Dream mentioned.
Dream additionally accused EC3 of bringing medication to the social gathering and setting a chaotic scene. “EC3 brings out a framed black and white image of Tom Selleck with a pile of cocaine on this image of Tom Selleck and he places it down on his eating room desk and, like, let’s social gathering boys,” he claimed.
Dream additional prompt that substances are part of EC3’s life and that he struggles to regulate them. “Substances are a side of Mike’s life that he has an issue controlling,” he said.
Nevertheless, EC3 doubled down on his allegations towards Dream, calling out the previous NXT star for mendacity in regards to the incident. “Why was the cellphone within the rest room? Why was it mendacity flat? As a result of it wasn’t,” EC3 mentioned. “Is that believable deniability? Is that what we name that, Dr. Chris? That like if I kinda admit to half a reality, I can get away with a half a lie?”
In a separate interview with Steve Fall, EC3 claimed that WWE knew about Dream’s alleged actions however selected to guard him attributable to his perceived worth as a rising star. “It was identified. Expertise was concerned. It’s a wild story and lots of people did know… Generally, expertise is doing effectively and drawing cash, they’ll be protected,” he mentioned.
Mug Shot T-Shirt Scandal – Responsible by Affiliation
Throughout a current MCW wrestling occasion in January 2025, Dream made headlines by sporting a provocative T-shirt that featured mugshots of a number of the most recognizable names in wrestling historical past.
The again of the shirt learn “Responsible by Affiliation,” whereas the entrance displayed mugshots of Vince McMahon, Donald Trump, Booker T, Liv Morgan, Ric Aptitude, Roman Reigns, Andre the Big, Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, Scott Corridor, Chris Jericho, and even Dream himself.
The shirt instantly drew criticism from followers and trade insiders alike. Some seen it as a commentary on the wrestling trade’s checkered previous, whereas others felt it was a blatant try to stay related by exploiting the real-life authorized troubles and private struggles of these featured — particularly those that have handed away, resembling Eddie Guerrero and Andre the Big.
As an alternative of addressing the backlash, Dream doubled down, selling the shirt as official merchandise on Instagram. He posted images of himself sporting it with the caption: “GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION MERCH AVAILABLE #Heel.”
The response was overwhelmingly detrimental, with many calling the shirt “disrespectful” and “an affordable try at getting consideration.” Some followers argued that Dream is trying to capitalize on the darker moments of wrestling historical past to maintain himself within the dialog after a string of scandals practically ended his profession.
Public Apology and Makes an attempt at Redemption
In early 2024, Velveteen Dream launched an apology video, expressing regret for his previous actions and acknowledging his errors. “I wanna apologize for my conduct. Each professionally and personally… I take full accountability for my conduct during the last three years of my life,” he mentioned.
He addressed WWE immediately, saying, “First I wanna apologize to the WWE group for any undesirable consideration and detrimental press that I delivered to your model and product. I wanna apologize to the WWE followers and Velveteen Dream followers. As a result of once you talk about Velveteen Dream, it ought to have been spoken about in a productive and constructive mild.”
He additionally apologized to Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Shawn Michaels for any disappointment he might have brought on, acknowledging their steering and mentorship. “Paul, you might be such an understanding and affected person man and chief… I wish to apologize to you, Paul, I’m sorry. Additionally wish to say I’m sorry to Shawn Michaels… You haven’t [wasted your time]. I’m nonetheless a piece in progress. I’m nonetheless studying,” Dream added.
Dream additionally apologized to his household for the detrimental consideration they confronted due to his actions. “Nobody ought to have to clarify something for Patrick Clark… That’s my duty, okay? And I apologize to you all for any vitality. Adverse vitality that has needed to come your means due to me.”
The Quest for Redemption
Regardless of his efforts to apologize, Dream continues to court docket controversy. Lately, he posted a video on Instagram claiming he’s nonetheless higher than present WWE stars. “Higher promo, higher physique and higher workrate than all of your favorites nonetheless on TV,” he declared, insisting that he’s nonetheless being talked about regardless of his lengthy absence from tv.
Dream’s current social media outbursts, mixed together with his unapologetic perspective about his perceived greatness, have drawn combined reactions from followers and the wrestling group alike. Whereas some imagine he deserves a second probability, others really feel his actions are too critical to miss.
Velveteen Dream’s journey from NXT star to controversy-ridden determine is without doubt one of the most polarizing tales in wrestling. Regardless of his expertise and plain charisma, the allegations and authorized points have solid a shadow over his once-promising profession. Whether or not Dream will ever discover redemption or a path again to skilled wrestling stays to be seen.
What do you consider Velveteen Dream’s controversial previous? Can he ever make a comeback within the wrestling world, or is his popularity past restore? Please share your ideas and suggestions within the remark part beneath.