He's using a modified gimmick but it's very cool, I can't wait to see what else he pulls off with this character.
It is the character that is most interesting. The levitation is cool, but not something that wins a competition like this. It was how he performed. He toyed with the audience. He bored then. He made them boo. He almost got buzzed off the stage. In the end, he knew exactly when to pull the trigger and throw everyone so far off their guard that they loved him.
You're right on with this; he's a clever guy.
Goes to show us all that an "effect" 100 years old can still play well if presented right.