Neville Talks Money in the Bank, WWE NXT, John Cena and More

Sunday’s edition of WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view was full of memorable moments, and one star who left his mark on the wrestling industry in the ladder match for the briefcase was The New Sensation, Neville.

At 28 years old and a veteran of the business for over a decade, Neville wrestled all over the world before signing with NXT in 2012. He spent three years in WWE’s developmental territory before making his debut on the main roster at the end of March.

Since jumping to Raw and SmackDown, Neville has been consistently putting on the best matches of the night using his unique and breathtaking high-flying style. He has held his own against some of the best veterans on the roster and has proved those who doubted him wrong.

Earlier this week, Neville spoke with Ring Rust Radio (quotes courtesy of the News of Delaware County’s Joe Arcidiacono) about his participation in the Money in the Bank match, the transition from NXT to WWE’s main roster, his United States Championship match against John Cena and much more.

Speaking before the PPV took place, Neville was prophetic. Not only did he understand the magnitude of being in the event’s namesake bout, but he also embraced the pressure of a multi-man ladder match and took it upon himself to steal the show. With several memorable high-risk spots, Neville made sure every fan who purchased the show was entertained when he was on the offensive.

Neville’s excitement leading into Sunday’s PPV resulted in one of the best performances of the night:

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Absolutely. I feel like it’s a match that suits me. With these types of matches you always remember the winner, but you also remember the guys that put everything on the line. The ones that took the risks and did these things to put themselves on the map. I look to win and that is the priority but I realize in a match like these there are chances to put yourself ahead in the game. I am certainly prepared to go the lengths to do that. I am really pumped and ready to perform Sunday.

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There is no questioning Neville’s in-ring ability, but there were serious questions when he made the jump from NXT to the main roster. With smaller wrestlers having a harder time in the past making it to the top of the sport, Neville admits he was a bit nervous but fully prepared for the call-up to Raw and SmackDown:

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I think NXT prepared me for Raw and Smackdown more than I ever could have hoped for. I was with NXT for about two years, so by the time I debuted on Raw I felt very much ready. There was a level of concern but I was lucky in the sense that I got the chance to wrestle some of the top guys early on. Guys like Seth Rollins, Sheamus, and more recently John Cena. So it was a concern that I wouldn’t get those types of opportunities when I came in but I was fortunate enough to get them and grab them. I was very happy in the way I transferred and the opportunities I got.  

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While the jump may have been huge in Neville’s career, there was no bigger moment than his match against John Cena for the United States Championship last month. The New Sensation talked about what it was like to step into the ring with a 15-time champion and how it has impacted his career since the bout:

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That match was huge for me. It was very surreal to be standing across the ring from John Cena on Monday Night Raw. I think it really did a lot for me. It was a real opportunity I needed and John is a WWE Superstar. He has been the top guy in the WWE for years and years. So the fact that I had that opportunity and went toe to toe with him was amazing. It put me in front of the eyes of the WWE Universe and the world. That was a really cool experience, it was so much fun and it was priceless.

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Wrestling fans should have so much respect for a man who steps onto a stage like the one he has been given this early in his career and embraces the pressure. Neville could have folded in a marquee match against Cena, but instead he stole the show and almost beat the 15-time world champion.

Neville also has put on incredible matches against Kevin Owens, Bo Dallas and everyone else he has stepped in the ring with, making him one of the most reliable workers on the roster. With the roster thin at top with the injury to Daniel Bryan, Neville deserves to be fighting the top stars in the business on a weekly basis.

What makes Neville’s future so bright is that he has kept his composure and a level head throughout his career. He understands exactly what it took to get where he is today and is not letting success get to his head, as it has many other wrestlers in his position.

There is little doubt Neville is a top star in the making, and the WWE Universe is ready to embrace The Man that Gravity Forgot as a future champion in the company.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).