WrestleMania 33 provides a platform for the most anticipated match in the cruiserweight division ever since the technical highfliers made their way to Monday Night Raw in 2016. Despite a lacklustre start to life on Raw with TJ Perkins, Brian Kendrick and Rich Swan as champions, business has picked up since Neville claimed the title.
The King of the Cruiserweights has been a breath of fresh air with his no-nonsense heel work and has helped elevate the division during his run as champion - especially in his match against Gentleman Jack Gallagher.
Things have gone from good to great, though, with the much-anticipated return of Austin Aries. The former NXT man has been sidelined with an orbital injury but his debut on Raw proved to be worth the wait as he wowed the crowd with his excellent mic skills and superb wrestling ability.
Having won a Fatal Fiveway Elimination match for the right to challenge Neville for the Cruiserweight Title, Aries will be looking to complete his successful return from injury with a first title on the main roster.
So, without any further ado, here are 5 potential shocks that could happen in Neville vs Austin Aries:
#5) Neville doesn’t use the Red Arrow
The Red Arrow is one of the most impressive moves in all of professional wrestling and it is one that Neville very rarely pulls out of his arsenal not only due to the difficulty involved in pulling it off but also because when he hits it, the match is well and truly over.
It would be unimaginable. though, that Neville doesn’t use it on The Grandest Stage of Them All. WrestleMania 33 could very well be a decisive moment in the future of the cruiserweight division and it makes sense for the most impressive move the division has to offer to make an appearance and amaze the audience.
If he’s forced to pull it out and wins, then he has earned the victory. On the other hand, if Austin Aries kicks out of it, and manages to grab the win to dethrone The King of the Cruiserweights, then it immediately propels him into badass territory. Win win.
#4) It is a stiff match
Austin Aries’ orbital injury – suffered at the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura when Aries was still in NXT – has been well documented and has kept out of action for a long time. The primary reason behind the injury is believed to be a stiff attack he suffered at the hands of Nakamura.
Keeping in mind that Aries has only recently made his return to in-ring action, the match might well lack the stiffness associated with both his and Neville’s working styles. Sure, they’re both not up there with The King of Strongstyle, but the cruiserweight division has proved that it is a place where stiffness is on the menu.
It would quite the shock indeed to see an ultra stiff match that could injure one of the biggest names the division has to offer so soon after his recovery.
#3) Aries wins with the Discus Fivearm
No doubt about it, Austin Aries’ Discus Fivearm is a pretty great move. The impact that the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion generates with it lends credence to the fact that it’s a legitimate finishing move. So, what’s the problem? Why wouldn’t Aries pick up the victory with it?
Also read: 5 Superstars who are most likely to turn heel at WrestleMania 33
Well, that’s because the most devastating move in his arsenal isn’t the Fivearm but, his submission move, The Chancery. The choke manoeuvre is what Aries has come to be known for during his days with NXT.
He hasn’t used it yet since his move to Raw but it would be the right move to ensure he brings out in the fight versus Neville. Maybe not as impressive to see as the Red Arrow but it still deserves to be showcased at WrestleMania 33.
#2) Austin Aries turns heel
If you ask any longtime wrestling fan what Austin Aries’ natural behaviour is, they’ll tell you he’s a heel. The man is a natural villain and has done some of his best work in the indy scene as a heel. Hell, he was a bad guy in NXT as well.
The problem on the main roster is that the heel role is occupied by Neville who has done an exceptional job with his King of the Cruiserweights persona. There needs to be a babyface who can stand up to him and that face is Aries.
But, knowing how naturally heel work comes to him, there is an outside chance that Aries turns at the end of the match. Either because of the frustration of defeat or because of an inflated ego due to dethroning the King.
#1) Neville retains the belt
Neville has absolutely ripped through the competition since his debut as a heel. No one except Gentleman Jack Gallagher has come even remotely close to ending his era of domination...that is until the return of Austin Aries.
Aries has looked like he has had Neville’s number in all their encounters so far and with the immense fan support behind him, Aries simply must become the new cruiserweight champion at WrestleMania 33.
This will not only ensure that Neville doesn’t become stale but also sets up a nice rematch for the future between the two best cruiserweights on the roster today.
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