It’s been ten months since reports first began to surface of WWE superstar Neville walking out on an episode of Raw. Since then, updates on the situation have been thin on the ground, with rumours of frozen contracts and heels dug in on both sides. But there has been little in the way of concrete information, and – perhaps tellingly – a distinct shortage of statements from both WWE and Neville himself.
During a media conference call with Triple H earlier today, Sean Ross Sapp was able to shed a little further light on the situation:
"“Triple H “isn’t 100 percent positive” about what’s going on with Neville. HHH says he’s one of the most talented guys in the world, and says he did a great job building 205 Live”"
Raj Giri of Wrestlinginc.com elaborated a little further:
"“You are 100% right, [Neville] is one of the most talented guys in the world,” Triple H admitted. “I love the time that he spent with us in NXT, he did a great job of building up the Cruiserweight division on 205 [Live]. Time will see where that ends up.”"
It’s the closest thing to an update since Fightful.com reported on Neville’s alleged frozen contract. And while we’re no closer to knowing exactly when – or indeed, if – Neville will step back inside a WWE ring, it raises a few interesting points for consideration.
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First, the implication that Triple H himself isn’t even certain of the state of play regarding Neville’s future – either he’s playing his cards close to his chest, or he’s genuinely not privy to the full story. The latter seems unlikely given that Triple H was put in charge of 205 Live in February of this year, which puts him on the front line of the contract situation.
Could this be a sign of new negotiations, or is it all just more stalling? It’s hard to say with such a cagey statement. But with Triple H now at the 205 Live helm, and the significant changes he’s already made to the show, the possibility of fresh progress can’t be discounted. Neville’s successful tenure in NXT is evidence of Triple H’s high opinion of him. If anyone holds the key to reopening a dialogue with Neville, surely it’s him.
Neville’s triumphant reign as Cruiserweight Champion marked an early high point for the purple brand, and the show initially struggled to find its feet in the immediate wake of his departure. It’s hard to argue against the belief that Neville deserved far better than to drop his title to Enzo Amore, particularly given Neville’s instrumental role in the creation of 205 Live – a fact to which Triple H attests.
An end to this almost year-long stalemate could potentially be in sight. Whether Neville agrees a new deal with WWE or is released – and promotions will be queueing to sign him up – his return to the ring is long overdue.