WWE NXT Stock Up, Stock Down on the Brand's Prospects for Week of June 29

The WWE NXT women's division isn't Asuka and everyone else anymore. Nikki Cross has clubbed, clawed and crazied her way onto the same tier as the NXT women's champ.

Cross and Asuka both flourished in a Last Woman Standing match on Wednesday's NXT that was a work of brutal art.

The Scottish pit bull more than held her own with Asuka. She looked like a star amid the steel chairs strewn about Full Sail University. 

It was a good night for The Velveteen Dream and Hideo Itami, too.

For the former, panache was key to a strong performance. For the latter, a hard-nosed showing after spilling blood elevated his stock.

Read on for a look at how Cross, The Velveteen Dream and Itami upped their value on the latest edition of NXT.

Up: The Velveteen Dream

The Adrian Street-Prince combination persona may not be for everyone, but The Velveteen Dream is beginning to get a real hold on the character.

Against HoHo Lun on Wednesday's NXT, the former WWE Tough Enough contestant took a step forward on that front. He has seemingly fully embraced the role, ridiculous as it is.

The folks at Rumble Ramble tipped their hat to The Velveteen Dream for doing just that: 

That included him gyrating before the match and making kissy faces after his win.

The biggest difference in this bout, though, was that he was able to incorporate his gimmick into the actual in-ring action more. He showed a good balance of flamboyance and aggression. He put some sass on his suplex and some funk on his right hands. 

Even the cocky way he pinned Lun was an embodiment of the character.

He still has work to do, but The Velveteen Dream is heading in the right direction. He'll need a feud with a veteran to really showcase what he can do, and that's sure to come in due time.

Up: Hideo Itami

For a moment, it looked like Itami may not wrestle on Wednesday's NXT. Oney Lorcan bashed him in the corner, leaving him covered in blood. Medical staff led Itami out of the ring.

The warrior came storming back soon after, though.

Itami marched into the ring with cotton stuffed up his nostrils. His nose looked tender. His eyes seemed to water from the pain.

Then he got to work.

His match with Lorcan was a display of fire and fury. He battered the bruiser with hard kicks. His aggression elevated the match. His anger felt real.

This showing was certified proof of his toughness. Where Sin Cara famously called off a match because of a dislocated finger, Itami ignored the sting of a broken nose to put on a stirring slugfest. 

He continues to tease a heel turn. He waves from restrained, disciplined fighter to unleashed beast. Riding the fence between those sides of himself will allow him to show off some acting skills in the weeks ahead.

Up: Nikki Cross

Cross and Asuka's hold-nothing-back battle was a treat to watch.

The Last Woman Standing match for the NXT Women's Championship was a showcase for both women. Asuka looked resilient, full of heart and tough as all hell. Cross, meanwhile, thrived as the grinning madwoman set on destruction.

Asuka already has a long list of standout matches on her resume, so this meant more for Cross. The Sanity member made it clear she deserved the main event spotlight.

Before the match, Cross leaped onto Asuka's car. She buzzed around the vehicle like some escaped asylum inmate. 

Once the bell rang, Cross' momentum continued. She had the crowd whirring with vicious forearm shots to the chest and spills on to a pile of steel chairs. The bout was filled with great smaller moments from her, as well, including her telling the referee to shut up when he started counting to snuggling up to a fallen Asuka on the floor.

Cross laughed, smiled, cried and brayed during the slobberknocker. She showed off the full range of her acting ability.

NXT star Aleister Black called her an inspiration:

She has certainly taken the brand by storm. Cross has been the clear star of Sanity. She's been the one challenger that has believably pushed Asuka this year.

More and more, she's looking like championship material at NXT or elsewhere.