10 Amazing (But Forgotten) WWE Pre-Show Matches You Need To See
1. Neville Vs Austin Aries (WrestleMania 33)
Kicking off their absorbing pay-per-view series in the blistering Orlando sun, Neville and Austin Aries' Cruiserweight Title clash represented an optimistic peak for the struggling division, thanks both to the Champion's incomparable work as a topline heel, and the challenger's own imbued confidence as a worthy foe.
Though the matches had been competitive, Neville's title reign was built on his merciless deconstructions of overmatched opponents, but the experienced and dynamic Aries offered a completely different threat. The Newcastle-born star's retention on this show after a gripping 20 minutes came with added relief, and promised future excellent clashes between the two.
But this match is Number One on this list not only because it was utterly sensational, but because the two performers in question were robbed of a place on any supporter's DVD shelf after the contest was unfairly cut from the expansive set.
Not only an insult from an artistic standpoint, the decision had a costly knock-on for both. Robbed of royalties from the millions of copies WWE will inevitably flog of this year's 'Show of Shows', 'The King Of The Cruiserweights' and 'The Greatest Man that Ever Lived' will be financially worse off as a result, despite delivering one of the best encounters on the mammoth mega-event. Amongst other gripes, Aries attributed this affront as a reason for his July departure from the organisation.