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Sunday, Apr 2 | 7 PMET/4 PMPT

Orlando Citrus Bowl
Orlando, FL

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WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville def. Austin Aries

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville def. Austin Aries

ORLANDO, Fla. — To quote a line from the classic TV series, “The Wire,” “If you come at the king, you best not miss.” Well, Austin Aries connected at the WrestleMania Kickoff. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to pry the WWE Cruiserweight Championship away from Neville.

The WWE 205 Live Superstars left no stone unturned – or thrilling maneuver untried – as they battled to stand atop the Cruiserweight mountain. The King of the Cruiserweights attempted to wear down Aries, but A-Double – who had only recently returned to ring action after a severe eye injury kept him sidelined for months – was relentless in his pursuit of the purple and silver crown. Time and again, he fired back with reckless abandon, including a major Missile Dropkick that connected flush right on Neville’s royal chin.

Neville vs. Austin Aries - WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: WrestleMania 33 Kickoff

WWE Cruiserweight Neville defends his title against Austin Aries in the opening bout of the WrestleMania 33 Kickoff.

As the contest progressed, Aries survived two absolutely gnarly German Suplexes from The King and fought back with a Discus Five-Arm. The two kept scrapping until Neville found himself caught in Aries’ dreaded Last Chancery submission hold. The King, desperate to keep his crown, viciously gouged Aries’ previously injured eye and broke the hold, then connected with the Red Arrow for the victory.

Austin Aries gave it a noble try. However, on this night, The King stayed The King.

ORLANDO, Fla. — To quote a line from the classic TV series, “The Wire,” “If you come at the king, you best not miss.” Well, Austin Aries connected at the WrestleMania Kickoff. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to pry the WWE Cruiserweight Championship away from Neville.

The WWE 205 Live Superstars left no stone unturned – or thrilling maneuver untried – as they battled to stand atop the Cruiserweight mountain. The King of the Cruiserweights attempted to wear down Aries, but A-Double – who had only recently returned to ring action after a severe eye injury kept him sidelined for months – was relentless in his pursuit of the purple and silver crown. Time and again, he fired back with reckless abandon, including a major Missile Dropkick that connected flush right on Neville’s royal chin.

Neville vs. Austin Aries - WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: WrestleMania 33 Kickoff

WWE Cruiserweight Neville defends his title against Austin Aries in the opening bout of the WrestleMania 33 Kickoff.

As the contest progressed, Aries survived two absolutely gnarly German Suplexes from The King and fought back with a Discus Five-Arm. The two kept scrapping until Neville found himself caught in Aries’ dreaded Last Chancery submission hold. The King, desperate to keep his crown, viciously gouged Aries’ previously injured eye and broke the hold, then connected with the Red Arrow for the victory.

Austin Aries gave it a noble try. However, on this night, The King stayed The King.