10 Great Matches Hidden On WWE PPV Kickoff Shows
3. Neville Vs. Austin Aries (WrestleMania 33)
From a pure wrestling standpoint, Neville vs. Austin Aries might have been WrestleMania 33's strongest match. AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon, though entertaining, was a popcorn sideshow, as was the Raw Tag Team Title match, while Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar was a quick, brutal slugfest. There were other good matches on the card too, but none were as balanced as the Cruiserweight Title clash.
The duo's feud had been a real company-wide highlight up to this point, and they didn't disappoint on the biggest show of the year. With a great blend of high-flying stunts, methodical grappling, and first-class showmanship, Neville vs. Ares not only succeeded in warming the crowd up for the year's biggest show, but finished as the division's most enjoyable match to date.
Aries was over with the audience, but Neville stole his thunder, attacking the challenger's previously injured eye with ruthless efficiency. He eventually put his foe away with a Red Arrow at the end of a breathless closing stretch. The feud continued until June, but the duo were never able to top their WrestleMania bout, which was definitely strong enough to warrant a better place on the card.