From The WWE Rumor Mill: Neville edging closer to WWE exit?

What's the story?

Neville hasn't been seen on WWE TV since October when it was reported that the former Cruiserweight Champion was unhappy with his position within the company.

He has since refused to make a return.

In case you didn't know...

Neville is a former NXT Champion and was seen as one of the brands hottest prospects before he was promoted to the main roster and then pushed into the Cruiserweight Division. Neville saved the 205 Live brand when he won the Championship at The Royal Rumble in 2017 but was never given the spotlight that Enzo Amore was allowed when he took the title from Neville back at No Mercy.

The Cruiserweight Championship match was relegated to the kickoff show at WrestleMania 33 as well, which was said to have cost both Neville and Austin Aries their royalties for what was easily one of the better matches on the show.

The heart of the matter

WWE has attempted to hold talks with Neville a number of times over the past seven months, but to no avail, Bodyslam.Net is reporting that the former Champion moved out of his home in Florida a long time ago and has since returned to the UK but has allegedly attempted to keep the move quiet.

Another source also stated that Neville's name hasn't been mentioned by backstage officials in a while, which means that the company could have given up on trying to bring him back. When CM Punk walked away from the company in 2014, WWE waited just five months to fire him for breach of contract

It's interesting to note that Neville has now been in breach of his current deal for seven months without a reaction from WWE.

What's next?

Neville is still under contract with WWE and it was revealed a few months back that the company had the power to freeze this deal until he returned much like with Paige and Rey Mysterio, so it is still unknown what the future holds for the British star.

Author's take

Neville obviously doesn't want to return to WWE. The company had no desire to allow him to compete outside of the Cruiserweight Division and 205 Live has moved forward in the months that he has been gone.

If Neville has moved back to the UK then it's unlikely that WWE will be able to persuade him to move back, since they have failed with all the meetings they have held with him in recent months.

Neville could still pick up where he left off on the UK independent circuit if the company grants him his release, which could be what he's waiting for.

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