We kicked off WrestleMania with Cruiserweight action and the crowd seemed ready for the occasion as ‘Austin Aries’ chants echoed through the arena. The two Superstars began slow but Neville eventually got an arm lock to get us started. Aries had no problems dealing with it and rolled out of it.
Aries seems to have had the upper-hand in most exchanges, early in the fight and planted Neville to the mat with a huge dropkick, which he followed up with a dive from the top rope. Aries went for a dive through the ropes, as he usually does, but Neville had an answer for him in the form of a boot that finds AA’s face.
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Neville seemed in control and even slammed AA on the apron until a moment of hesitation saw Aries capitalise with slaps to the chest and a pendulum elbow. Aries dived through the ropes and sent Neville into the barricade. AA then followed it up with a jump off the middle of the third rope and went for the cover, which Neville kicked out of.
When Neville finally regained control he had Aries on the rope and looked in control yet again until AA got him off the top rope. Aries then hit a hard drop kick that sent Neville flying.
A monstrous German Suplex that saw AA's neck feel the brunt of it, put Neville in control until a drop kick from the challenger. However, Neville quashed Aries immediately with another Suplex.
After stomping Aries several times the Champ went for the Rings of Saturn but Aries reversed it into a cover. Neville found the strength to land a standing Enzuguri but Aries replied with a discuss fivearm.
In what was perhaps the spot of the match Aries send Neville crashing to the mat with a Hurricanna off the top rope. Aries then capitalised with a 450 splash but the subsequent pin wasn't enough to put the Champ down. Neville seemed in trouble when Aries locked in the last Chancery but an eye-gouge gave the champ hope. He then put the encounter to bed with a Red Arrow.
This was an excellent encounter to kick off the card.
Winner: Neville wins to retain his title
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