Where Next For Neville If He Quits WWE?

2017 hasn’t been kind to the Cruiserweight division. The already-beleaguered stable of 205 and under experienced another walkout last Monday. Neville reportedly left RAW and may be quitting the company. Plans had to change which led to Kalisto taking the belt from Enzo out of nowhere in the main event. We have a new champion while a former champ’s status with the company is up in the air.

Since he returned from injury and got drafted to 205 Live, Neville has been “the man” (“the guy” if you will) carrying the show. He grew a beard, turned heel, became more ruthless, doing everything he could to boost the Cruiserweights. Everyone saw he worked hard and all that hard work received the bare minimum of gratitude – less since Enzo burst onto the scene.

Neville follows in the footsteps of his old foe Austin Aries, who made the decision to abandon ship rather than tough it out on the roster earlier this year. Both men were said to be unhappy their match on Wrestlemania’s pre-show was left off the USA DVD release, and with overall creative direction. Both departures coming in such close proximity of each other in time leaves the impression not all is well between the locker room and the writers room. Wrestlers really feel undervalued across the board, and morale is worst among the Cruisers.

Aries is actually gone and weighing his options for better or worse, but Neville could re-negotiate and smooth things over. The situation is still developing and could go either way, but it begs the question: where will Neville go? What will he do if he indeed parts ways with WWE? Let’s go through the possibilities and their likelihoods.

 

1. GFW/IMPACT

First, he will probably sit through a 90-day non-compete clause at home. After that, his options are open relatively except for the obvious. Typically, ex-employees and castoffs from “up North” headed to Florida and the waiting arms of Dixie Carter and TNA. But Dixie is no longer in charge and the TNA name is dead. What’s left over has trouble re-branding, unable to make it stick for long. And for the past few years they’ve had difficulty paying people on time, if at all. Even if Neville can get over there and rise to the top, it may not be worth the hassle. It worked for Drew McIntyre – but he didn’t stay there, did he?

Likelihood: slim.

 

2. New Japan

New Japan Pro is on fire right now. They raise the bar match-wise. They have TV time in the States every Friday night on AXS. Most importantly, they are home to the most popular and prevalent stable in wrestling right now (perhaps ever), The Bullet Club. Like them, he gets cheers for being such an effective bad guy and can fly like the Bucks. Bearded heel Neville would fit right in. The money would be right and the travel a bit less hectic, although he would be outside the US about as frequently as he is with WWE. The problem: he runs the risk of getting lost in the shuffle.

He’d fit in with the BC, but would he stand out? New Japan, unto Western audiences, is the House Omega and the Club built. All fine athletes; is Neville on that level, that of a pedigree like Cody’s? In other words, would he be viewed the same way Cody is or as only a little better than an Adam Page? Good as he is, Neville might be just another guy there, if he bites the Bullet and joins the Club.

Likelihood: fair.

 

3. Ring of Honor

ROH works closely with NJPW but is nonetheless an autonomous entity with its own identity. They are also the veritable number two in North America in lieu of GFW’s doldrums. The company boasts accessible TV exposure, a devoted following (cultivated over two decades), and the backing of a major media firm (Sinclair Broadcasting). Steps were taken this year to add further legitimacy to the promotion by putting their biggest title on Cody and recently signing him to a huge deal. Having one of the greatest dynasties in wrestling as the face of your company is a boon to your profile. Likewise, he is a WWE expat made good. He lept into the great unknown, bided his time, and found his new home.

Neville could undergo the same resurrection. And he has graced their ring before so it would be something of a homecoming. His momentum would be hot, his matches with Cody, Daniels, and others would be epic. Capitalizing on the cheers differently and going face, Neville’s star renders him tempting to push to the Moon. Delirious (the booker) wouldn’t pass that up, especially for an old friend. Likelihood: high.

Neville has his money on his mind but he will, first and foremost, think about going where he’ll be appreciated and the fullness of his potential can be realized. And he won’t want to dilute his style to do it. ROH seems like the perfect place for him to maintain his profile in this part of the globe and have the matches within his abilities to wrestle. He could also pitch his tent there while working New Japan and other top indies. He might even get a world title out of the deal.

Far from being The Man Wrestling Forgot, he’ll become the next guy we all remember for telling WWE “I don’t need you!” and making it his own way.