WWE: Ranking The 5 Greatest Masterpieces Of Neville’s Career

Neville vs. Sami Zayn – NXT TakeOver: R Evolution: 12.11.14

Neville and Sami Zayn tore up the ring when they competed against each other in NXT. Neville was the dominant champion and Zayn was always chasing after him to take that title. After many failed opportunities, he would finally get his hand raised in December of 2014 at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution. Ignoring what occurred after that with Kevin Owens; this was one of the best moments that Zayn has seen in the WWE.

NXT has become known for matches filled with high spots, fast action and intense story telling. This match between Neville and Zayn is perhaps the start of that trend that continues through today.

Four years ago, NXT was still working to become the brand that it’s recognized as today. Zayn and Neville were both faces at this time, but Neville was showing a bit of the dark side that he would embrace as the heel champion he’d become on the main roster. That played nicely against the clean babyface that Zayn was and played into during this match.

Neville and Zayn pulled out all of their big moves for what would be their final faceoff in NXT. When Zayn hit the Helluva Kick in the corner to get the win, the NXT crowd erupted. Neville delivered being the champion that was meant to help build the brand and handed that position over to Zayn.

Looking back at this match, it’s one of the best that Neville was involved in as a part of the WWE, and his entire reign as NXT champion was a showcase that he has the abilities to be the focal point of a brand or an entire promotion.