In what was potentially a groaner of a match to many, due to the hatred for Enzo Amore in the Cruiserweight Division to begin with, this could end up in a shocking return and re-energize the division when this Cruiserweight title match is said and done.
It’s no breaking news that a lot of the internet fan base are livid at Enzo Amore’s arrival in the Cruiserweight Division. The division and it’s Raw-centric spin-off show, 205 Live, has been a sore spot for many for the better part of a year now, largely due to the show’s handcuffing of some of the former indie stars abilities as well as the lack of true star power. Sure, guys like Cedric Alexander, Rich Swann, Gran Metalik and Akira Tozawa are immensely talented individuals, but so far none have truly become break out stars in the WWE and often their storylines have been tragically understated. But to be fair, the division is stocked with a solid foundation of talent that has the potential to rival even WCW’s Cruiserweight Division of old (many of the legends that emerged from their division were also relative unknowns at the actual time). But there is truth in the notion that more recognizable names are needed to help bring over more of the WWE Universe who aren’t as familiar with their indie resumes or legacies, so that these new eyes can absorb what these men are capable of doing. And in most cases, the gripes still heard in forums and Facebook groups are still based off year old grumblings – the product has gotten progressively better now that more of the performers have developed characters and been used in more straightforward storylines more akin to the WWE style.
Love him or hate him, Enzo Amore has done a magnificent job of elevating the entire division to a level of exposure that simply didn’t exist prior to his joining. Enzo was one of the WWE’s top merch movers during his entire face run alongside Big Cass and even still, as a heel, finds a large portion of the live audience reciting his opening catchphrases and cheering his actions. 205 Live viewership has increased and Cruiserweight segments are now finding themselves in better positions on Raw as well – Enzo main evented Raw for three weeks in a row at one point. And while it’s true he’s the least athletically gifted member of the division, he more than makes up for it on the mic and as a heat magnet. Which is exactly what you want from a heel champion. With so many solid performers potentially chasing him, like Alexander, Swann, Mustafa Ali and others, the pop that one of these men will receive when they ultimately dethrone someone like Enzo will be a bigger reaction than if they took it from say Brian Kendrick or Ariya Daivari.
Kalisto was brought in to supplement Neville‘s face turn, but following the King of the Cruiserweights departure in protest, he was thrust into the unenviable position of the top face of the division. On the night Neville’s walkout was unveiled, Kalisto was given a distractionary feel good moment in winning the belt, only to lose it back in his first title defence. Kalisto is undoubtedly a talented high flyer – and a popular one – but he’s not as gifted on the mic to keep up with Enzo in a title feud of this caliber. And that caliber is to maintain the momentum of the division that Neville and Enzo had begun just weeks prior. Kalisto would be better suited against someone like TJP or Tony Nese, where their actions can speak louder than their fumbles on the microphone. That simply isn’t going to happen against Enzo.
Which leads to the potential shocking return. It was recently revealed by PWInsider that it appears that Neville’s protest has succeeded and the former 2x WWE Cruiserweight Champion has appeared to made up with the WWE (after a raise of course) and his return to TV is eminent. With this match-up most likely being the blow off to this short feud between the Certified G and Kalisto, it’s entirely possible that Neville could return as early as Survivor Series, possibly saving Kalisto from a post-match beat down from Enzo and his new minion, Drew Gulak.
Prediction: Neville return or not, Enzo is still too valuable as the mouthpiece for 205 Live and the Cruiserweight Division and will retain his belt this Sunday.
