NXT superstar Dexter Lumis re-debuted a few weeks ago and was portrayed as a disturbing psychopath who never blinks and cradles his victims after choking them out. Yet on the April 22 episode of NXT, he was teaming up with Keith Lee and Velveteen Dream -- two of the promotion's biggest babyfaces.
Could Lumis, a scripted sociopath, be on pace for sustained push as NXT's next great good guy? If so, this new character development could be something huge for not just Lumis, but the entire yellow-and-black brand.
Lee and Dream were battling Undisputed Era members Adam Cole and Roderick Strong in tag match when Lumis came out of nowhere and inserted himself into the bout after Lee was taken out by rival Damian Priest. His inclusion was random, but strangely satisfying and seemed to work for all parties involved.
Disturbed characters have not just flourished in WWE as babyfaces, but several have experienced multiple reigns as heavyweight champion. Some stars that immediately come to mind include the Undertaker, Kane, Mankind/Mick Foley. Others that made names for themselves as crazy good guys include George "the Animal" Steele, Ken Shamrock, Al Snow and Heidenreich.
Switching up a wrestler's character has become customary in WWE over the years, so a lot of time, there will be a switch from bad to good and vice-versa. What makes Lumis' apparent turn so significant is the fact that he doesn't appear to be a typical, cut-and-dry babyface. He may have just been trying to get involved in the violence because that's how crazy he is. But then why not attack Dream or Lee? It may be that WWE wants to keep Lumis looking as unhinged as possible, while at the same time keeping the WWE Universe behind him.
Another thing that stands out about Lumis is that unlike the other great bad-guys-gone-good, he doesn't appear to be a comedic or soft-natured character. Many superstars didn't see their biggest success until after they started acting more wholesome and appealing while on screen. One name that stands out is Braun Strowman. During his initial singles run, Strowman was one of the most deranged and unbalanced personalities in the business. He flipped ambulances, destroyed jobbers, and continually attacked Roman Reigns -- even tossing him off a parking ramp while he was strapped to a stretcher during one segment. But WWE never pulled the trigger on a major title reign.
It wasn't until Strowman began softening up his character that he began seeing his greatest success. This included things like his on-screen fling with Alexa Bliss, and tag team title win at WrestleMania 34 with 10-year-old Nicholas. Gone were the random attacks and violent threats. He was turned into an Andre the Giant of sorts. Most recently, Strowman was given a chance to compete for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 against Goldberg, whom he defeated. So the sky could very well be the limit for Lumis, should he make it to the main roster.
If Lumis manages to win over the WWE Universe and continues to wreak havoc on jobbers and others, it could be a sign of a major shift in NXT. With Velveteen Dream dealing with his out-of-the-ring issues, the Wednesday night show could need another big babyface. Having Lumis feud with not just Adam Cole, but all of the Undisputed Era could be very entertaining television if done right.
Maybe Lumis could randomly show up during matches and make the group's lives a living hell. Perhaps he inserts himself into other bouts as a competitor, or begins attacking Cole and company backstage. If he sees success in NXT, then Lumis' gimmick would likely stay the same on the main roster. WWE needs more coldblooded, who-knows-what-they' re-thinking characters. And having one that does his evil bidding as a babyface could be huge for the company.