:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54037479/C8cHSzQUQAE_NKR.0.jpg)
Before WWE could go live on pay-per-view (PPV) tonight (Sun., April 2, 2017) with its WrestleMania 33 extravaganza from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida they had to get the night started on the Kickoff show with a cruiserweight championship match. That meant Neville, the self proclaimed King of the Cruiserweights, would be putting his title on the line against the greatest man (and journalist) that ever lived, Austin Aries.
That also meant they would be tasked with the getting the live crowd good and into the show.
They did just that:
#KingOfTheCruiserweights @WWENeville defends his throne against @AustinAries on the #WrestleMania #Kickoff, streaming LIVE on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/9QwhFVtOM0
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2017
That’s just a small taste. They spaced out their big spots, with Aries playing to the crowd well despite the fact that the crowd consisted of over 60,000 people. There were many flips but there were some fists too. And kicks. And suplex after suplex from Neville, though Aries survived through him all.
When he made his comeback he hit a 450 clean but only got a two count on it. Immediately after, he went for the Last Chancery. Neville, instead of tapping, dug his fingers into Aries’ reconstructed eye.
One Red Arrow later and Neville is STILL your cruiserweight champion.
Get complete results and coverage of WrestleMania 33 right here.