10 Best Moments Of WWE WrestleMania 33 Weekend

4. Neville Vs. Mustafa Ali

Lesnar Mania 33
WWE.com

The match between Neville and Mustafa Ali on the post-'Mania RAW was sublime.

It was essentially everything the WWE Cruiserweight division is decried for not being - a lightning-paced and ultra-stiff contest that was so dramatic it rendered the predictable outcome doubtful. Neville dropped Ali on his head with a frightening deadlift German suplex. He almost knocked his head off with a devastating lariat. Ali roared back with a Springboard Spanish Fly and sick reverse Frankensteiner, but the King retained his crown.

And still, the obnoxious crowd - the same crowd who would doubtlessly complain that 205 Live isn't very good - ignored it to instead throw a b*stard beach ball amongst themselves.

It's important to give credit where proper credit is due. Neville and Ali deserved far more than the ignorant crowd they performed in front of - so they are getting due credit here.

The finish was sublime both in itself and on a meta level. Neville ascended the top rope and feigned to deliver the Red Arrow, but he rightly surmised that the audience was not worthy of it. He shot to the canvas and wrenched Ali in the Rings of Saturn.

Beach ball: popped.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!