Slated to battle Austin Aries at WWE Payback, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville faced the unorthodox challenge of Gentleman Jack Gallagher on WWE 205 Live. Having squared off before, The King of the Cruiserweights and Gallagher are familiar with one another, a point highlighted by Neville tossing William the Third – the English Superstar’s trusty umbrella – up the entrance ramp.
Although Gallagher defended his umbrella’s honor with a dive through the ropes, the Cruiserweight Champion took control back inside the ring, displaying his unbridled ruthlessness. The King of the Cruiserweights took his time decimating his opponent and denying any offense that Gallagher could muster.
Never one to back down, Gallagher fought back with the WWE Universe behind him and put Neville on the defensive for the first time in the contest. The momentum shifted back and forth until Gallagher used his head as a battering ram to Neville’s sternum and nearly claimed victory.
Gallagher hoped to derail the Cruiserweight Champion with a high-risk move from the top, but Neville wisely struck his opponent in the face, regaining control of the match. With his mercilessness taking over, Neville unleashed a flurry of kicks to the back of Gallagher’s neck in the corner of the ring before claiming victory with The Rings of Saturn.
Determined to send Austin Aries a message, the Cruiserweight Champion attacked his vanquished opponent, moving to once again apply the Rings of Saturn. Fortunately for Gentleman Jack, Aries attacked Neville, executing a Discus Five-arm and applying the Last Chancery to The King of the Cruiserweights.
Will Austin Aries finally dethrone Neville and claim the WWE Cruiserweight Championship? Find out this Sunday at WWE Payback, streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network.