10 Biggest WrestleMania 33 Missed Opportunities
9. Neville Vs. Aries On The Kickoff Show
Though WWE’s Cruiserweight division has improved since Neville vs. Austin Aries became the title program, 205 Live is still far from what it could be. The general lack of care given to the division means Aries and Neville’s demotion to the WrestleMania Kickoff Show wasn’t a surprise, but it turned out to be mistake.
Unsurprisingly, the duo put on an excellent match. Full of big bumps, danger, and fast-moving action, it left the sense that Neville and Aries were leaving fuel in the tank for a second showdown, but still ended up being one of the night’s stronger matches. It was more entertaining that at least half the main card, and thus deserved a better spot.
WM33 was top-loaded, with the first half excelling, and the second struggling. Throwing Neville vs. Aries into that second portion would have broken-up the drudgery of matches like Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt, thus nullifying a number of the show’s major complaints. Timing was obviously an issue, but WWE could have fitted Aries & Neville in by shaving a few minutes from the night’s more tedious, over-long matches, and demoting another. Sadly, it was left on the pre-show, and didn’t reach the audience it deserved.