10 Best Raw Segments Of 2017 So Far

10. Austin Aries Interviews Neville (6 March)

Though Austin Aries had been an enjoyable presence at the cruiserweight commentary table, his return to in-ring action was hotly anticipated. The beginning of this interview is evidence enough, as the crowd repeatedly chanted his name just for asking Neville a question. Aries exhibited masterful crowd control throughout the segment, casually incorporating the ever-present 'What?!' chants into his responses and stirring the audience into a cheering frenzy with simple actions like a smile or removing his sunglasses.

Neville has been continually fantastic in his bitter, arrogant heel role, and that was no different whilst being interviewed, sneering at Aries and dismissing his legitimacy as a potential challenger. The jab about his real-life orbital socket injuries only sold the hostility between the two of them further.

Aries' cocky, egotistical demeanour had served him well as a heel, but recognising the man's undeniable humour and charisma, this interview cleverly shifted those traits into the enjoyable qualities of a fan favourite. The building tension as Aries continued to imply his own superiority was enthralling, but the breaking of this tension, when Aries finished his interview with "not a question... it's more of a statement" and smacked Neville in the head with the microphone, was expertly played out. The crowd gave the biggest pop in the small history of the reinvented cruiserweight division, and the action set up a red-hot feud that continued for months. A dynamic return to action from Aries that also showcased his fantastic verbal gifts; it was a hell of a way to reintroduce his character to the audience.