It's finally arrived. After months of back-and-forth between WWE cruiserweight champion Neville and top contender Austin Aries, they've reached a crossroads at Sunday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view that should finally give us a definitive answer as to who will come out on top.
After Aries finally got the submission win over Neville that he's so deeply craved -- Neville's first submission loss since 205 Live began, and just days before the Neville-Aries submission match at Extreme Rules -- Aries faced consequences Tuesday on 205 Live. After he rolled the footage of Neville submitting on loop, Aries was distracted by Neville, attacked from behind by TJP and then double teamed into submission. Unlike previous conflicts, "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher wasn't there to save him.
So where does that leave us for Sunday? And how did we get here?
This battle for the cruiserweight championship started just before WrestleMania when then-interviewer and commentator Aries hit a sneak attack on Neville. That set up a WrestleMania battle between the two biggest stars of the division, with that match ending via nefarious means as Neville's rake of the eyes broke up a submission attempt and led to him holding on to his championship.
The second meeting ended with an intentional disqualification, as Neville again resorted to desperate tactics to escape from Aries' Last Chancery. And that brings us to the rubber match Sunday at Extreme Rules. It seems time for either Neville to dispose of Aries as a challenger, or to finally pay off Aries with a title victory.
So what would each possible finish mean for the division?
Aries submits Neville
Aries started this feud by transitioning from a sarcastically lovable heel commentator who used to advocate for a thumb to the eye. He's now become a full-blown babyface, calling out Neville for using the same tactic at WrestleMania. A victory for him could cement his new position.
On the flip side, Neville would have fully fallen from his initial position as a dominant, unbeatable champion. It's been moving that way, as Neville is often the one left scrambling after impromptu brawls, but it's also given us a glimpse at how good a desperate, blown-gasket Neville could be. At the close of this week's 205 Live, he brutally locked in his Rings of Saturn submission as TJP continuously kicked Aries' knee.
A Neville rebuild could bring back what worked so well when he initially returned from injury. Aries, on the other hand, after a defense in Neville's mandatory rematch, would likely have to carry his next rivalry, as whomever challenges for the title next would likely not be as great as Neville is at playing the heel.
Neville submits Aries
With three unsuccessful title challenges to his name, it would be difficult for Aries to return immediately to a No. 1 contendership. In this case, why not move Aries to a combination wrestler/commentator? His next rivalry could be easily born from his slighting another superstar on-air. Why not let Aries thrive where he shined during 205 Live's infancy?
Neville, on the other hand, would regain some of his cache by forcing Aries to tap out, whether it's clean or through somewhat underhanded tactics. The next logical feud for Neville could be either of the two faces showcased on Tuesday's 205 Live -- Cedric Alexander, who won another quick match, or Akira Tozawa, who got a highlight reel.
A non-finish or dirty finish doesn't clear things up
Prepare for another month or two of tag matches featuring Aries, Neville, TJP and Gallagher.
Who looks strongest heading to Sunday night? That's a tough call. Aries got Neville to tap on Monday Night Raw, and he was not shy in his celebration on 205 Live, but some of that celebration rang hollow with what followed. Sure, he proved Neville could be forced to submit, but it screamed of winning the battle, not the war.
The final word was spoken, and the final blow was dealt by Neville, who immediately called out Aries for his celebration of "The Tap Heard 'Round the World."
"Like all the vermin here tonight, you have absolutely no decorum," Neville told Aries. "205 Live, this is my kingdom. This has always been my kingdom. And you have outstayed your welcome."
Frankly, a non-finish at Extreme Rules means that this feud, even between the division's top-two performers, would also have outstayed its welcome. The division is in good hands with either coming out on top -- but that's provided it's a clear finish.
Hits and Misses
- I'm always excited to see Rich Swann or Sasha Banks in action. But a mixed tag match always seems forced, especially when typical tag team wrestling goes out the window and you can't get quick tags and double teams. But I won't lie -- I'm a little tempted to steal a page from the Noam Dar-Alicia Fox playbook and refer to my girlfriend as my "fluffy button."
The campaign trail has been cut short for @DrewGulak! @MustafaAliWWE #205Live pic.twitter.com/2241YEasye
- 205Live (@WWE205Live) May 31, 2017
- Mustafa Ali and Drew Gulak had a short match, but it was impactful with its physicality and intensity. The #Dive online controversy has added real-life stakes to this feud, as has the underlying commentary that Ali's high-flying move-set has been costing him matches.
And wait, did Gulak shave his beard and become more of a heel? That's not in the facial hair playbook!
- Alexander won a quickie match against Corey Hollis, and while his size makes him an X-factor in the division, I'd like to see him showcase some different moves if he's going to win in a squash.