As a lifelong wrestling enthusiast who has witnessed countless matches over the years, I must say that the year 2024 truly stood out among them all. The sheer variety and quality of matches we were treated to were nothing short of extraordinary.
2024 stood out as a remarkable year for professional wrestling, far surpassing mere description. Over the last 12 months, I was privileged to see Sting gracefully conclude his outstanding career with one of the finest retirement matches ever staged, marveled at Cody Rhodes’ conclusion of his tale in one of the most unconventional WrestleMania main event matches, and invested countless hours enjoying exceptional matches both on screen and live.
Instead of asking about the ten most memorable matches, let’s delve into some significant title changes in WWE, Sting’s emotional farewell in AEW, and many other exciting moments. Ready to explore them together? Let’s embark on this journey!
Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 40, Night 2)
23 hours post Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s cryptic message following the thrilling finale of WrestleMania 40 Night One, WWE didn’t disappoint! Cody Rhodes took on the Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules match, surpassing all expectations. This main event had everything a WrestleMania fan could dream of – a gripping one-on-one wrestling battle that lasted about 20 minutes, multiple surprise appearances from Solo Sikoa to John Cena to the Undertaker, and a heartwarming conclusion to one of WWE’s most compelling stories in years.
Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay (AEW Dynasty)
Approximately three weeks following Cody Rhodes’ conclusion at WrestleMania, AEW delivered an alternate instant classic to wrestling enthusiasts by arranging Bryan Danielson versus Will Ospreay in a much-anticipated singles match during the Dynasty pay-per-view. This encounter has been added to Ospreay’s current list of 44 five-star matches, making him the record holder among wrestlers. It was the finest wrestling performance I’ve witnessed this year and possibly ever. Sharing the same space with thousands of energized wrestling fans while these two ring legends presented a 32-minute masterpiece is an experience that will linger in my memory for quite some time.
The Women’s Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble 2024)
Next up is the Women’s Royal Rumble match from the WWE premium live event of the same name. Back in January, Bayley joined a list that includes Ric Flair and Bianca Belair when she became only the third competitor to win the rumble at number three. Setting a record at a little over 63 minutes, Bayley put on a clinic that night, outlasting Jade Cargill in her WWE in-ring debut, Liv Morgan’s return from injury, and 27 other fierce competitors. Plus, it kicked off Bayley’s “Road to WrestleMania” where she’d challenge a former ally in another wonderful match.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Bad Blood)
Speaking about the most heated rivalry of the year, it’s hard to find another contest that matches the intensity of the protracted battle between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, which spanned nearly a year. These two wrestling adversaries seemed to genuinely dislike each other, exchanging victories and defeats throughout the summer before culminating in an exceptional Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood in October 2024. This fight was packed with action: bloodshed, weapons (even a toolbox was employed), high drama, and the destruction of a friendship bracelet into a pile of beads. Notably, it marked CM Punk’s first five-star match in WWE since the legendary “Summer of Punk” back in 2011.
Sami Zayn vs. Gunther (WrestleMania 40, Night 1)
At WrestleMania 40, I had assumed WWE intended to let Sami Zayn face off against Gunther, with the aim of boosting the heat for the record-breaking Intercontinental Champion. However, I was pleasantly taken aback when Zayn managed to outperform the “Ring General” in a match that ranks among their finest performances. The entire contest is priceless, but the final minute or so where Sami executes a Brainbuster from the turnbuckle and finishes off Gunther with two Helluva Kicks, marking an end to his 666-day title reign, is truly legendary.
Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks (AEW Revolution)
Sting has been one of my favorite wrestlers since I was a kid watching him during his surfer days, and so watching him wrestle his final match when he and Darby Allin teamed up to defeat AEW World Tag Champions The Young Bucks at Revolution in March was a bittersweet moment. The match, which had no right being this good, was everything you’d want in a send-off and then some. Callbacks to Sting’s old gimmicks (played by his sons), all of his finishing moves, and some death-defying stunts from Allin made this a match, and a night, that’ll live on forever.
Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed (Monday Night Raw)
Described as a “Survival of the Fittest” bout, the clash between Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed on the September 30, 2024 episode of Monday Night Raw was undeniably one of the most intense “heavyweight combat” encounters in recent times. It’s astonishing that WWE aired this on cable instead of a Pay-Per-View event, making it both surprising and incredibly thrilling. The spectacle of these two titans trading blows and demolishing everything from the barriers to the ring (yes, they really did) was nothing short of spectacular.
Cody Rhodes Vs. AJ Styles (Backlash France)
Hearing “Il est vraiment!” instantly transports me to Backlash France, where Cody Rhodes held onto his Undisputed WWE Championship against A.J. Styles. The crowd’s enthusiasm for the ex-Bullet Club leader was off the charts, causing the camera to sway during his entrance. Once the match commenced, it continued to build excitement throughout.
The OG Bloodline vs. The New Bloodline (Survivor Series: WarGames)
In the Survivor Series: WarGames main event, three out of ten competitors suffered injuries that have kept them sidelined for an unspecified duration. However, the internal feud within The Bloodline was a spectacle adored by wrestling enthusiasts. This tension, which had been brewing for months following Solo Sikoa’s usurpation of the stable during Roman Reigns’ absence, culminated in an intense, physically demanding, and violent match that included weapons, jaw-dropping stunts, and some amusing exchanges between The OTC and CM Punk.
Iyo Sky vs. Bayley (WrestleMania 40, Night 2)
It’s no secret that WWE’s women’s division has improved over the past decade, and that trend continued well into 2024 with some outstanding matches. One of the best, and most memorable, has to be Bayley defeating WWE Women’s Champion and former Damage CTRL stablemate Iyo Sky during the second night of the historic WrestleMania 40. Years after her shocking heel turn, Bayley became a fan favorite once more in the early part of the year, and her babyface status was confirmed in this career-defining co-main event match.
It goes without saying that this rundown doesn’t cover every fantastic wrestling match from the last year across WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, and more. However, I can’t help but feel pumped about the promising events that the upcoming WWE PLEs and major AEW PPVs have planned for 2025.
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2024-12-11 01:37