It's been a banner year for WWE creatively, and that's certainly reflected in The Post's 2024 Pro Wrestling Awards.
WWE gave us one of the best WrestleManias of all time, passing the torch from Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes, and featuring performers like Liv Morgan, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and more, the company has announced that took things to a whole new level by signing a historic media rights deal with .
AEW still had a lot of highs, although not as many as in the past. Tony Khan's company saw the rise of Swerve Strickland and “Timeless” Tony Storm, and Will Ospreay, who gave Sting and Bryan Danielson emotional retirement moments, built on the hype. I watched it come true. AEW will be around for a long time after a major media rights renewal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
The rising tide is lifting all ships, and I feel like NXT and TNA are on the upswing as well.
Here are the best of 2024:
Male Wrestler of the Year
Cody Rhodes, WWE
Rose has moved into the “quarterback” position and WWE business continues to gain momentum. 'American Nightmare' wins Royal Rumble for second year in a row, WWE changes WrestleMania 40 main event, Rock vs. Roman Reigns due to fan support, Rose joins Tribal Chief for historic 1,316 days I watched him put an end to his reign as the world champion and end the story. The best main event of all time. Memorable feuds with AJ Styles, Logan Paul, Gunther, and Kevin Owens followed.
Honorable mention: Bryan Danielson (AEW). Gunther (WWE). Drew McIntyre (WWE); Swerve Strickland (AEW); Will Ospreay (AEW).
Female Wrestler of the Year
Tony Storm, AEW
Storm took the career of Hollywood's Golden Age starlet to the next level while creating Mariah May, one of the most unique characters in professional wrestling, a black-and-white character. 'Timeless' Toni Storm transforms from lone star heel to caring mentor babyface betrayed by May, who goes all-in and ends her 280-day reign as AEW Women's Champion Watching him do that was often the most entertaining part of an AEW show. Storm finally brought it all together by showing her personality in the ring, and by never breaking kayfabe, she brought a much-needed lightness to AEW, and it's already in its second act.
Honorable mention: Jordynne Grace (TNA); Liv Morgan (WWE); Mercedes Mone (AEW); Rhea Ripley (WWE). Roxanne Perez (NXT).
tag team of the year
Young Bucks, AEW
Matthew and Nicholas Jackson have had a great year and haven't missed a step. The Bucks gave Sting a retirement match of sorts, taking him to Anarchy in the Arena, defeating FTR to win his third AEW World Tag Team Championship, and the best of all-in with Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher. fought one of the matches. They ended 2024 by defeating Private Party to win the team's first AEW Tag Team Titles.
Honorable mention: Finn Balor and JD McDonough (WWE). Nathan Frazier and Axiom (NXT). Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards (TNA). Motor City Machine Guns (TNA/WWE); Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (WWE).
Faction of the Year
Judgment Day, WWE
On Judgment Day, I tried my hand at everything even while we were separated. The love triangle story between Rhea Ripley, Dominic Mysterio, and Liv Morgan was one of the best films of the year. Ripley, Morgan, and Priest all held world titles. Priest won Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 40, and Morgan ended Ripley's 379-day title reign at SummerSlam while simultaneously ascending to main event status. During that time, Finn Balor held the tag team titles with Priest and J.D. McDonagh.
Honorable mention: The Bloodline (WWE). Don Callis Family (AEW). Damage CTL (WWE); The Elite (AEW); System (TNA).
This year's storyline
Cody Rhodes ends his story at WWE's WrestleMania 40
The combination of real-life emotion, movie-quality storytelling, and star power may never be replicated. Fans have vocally expressed their desire to see Rose finally win the Undisputed WWE Championship. This led to WWE canceling the Roman Reigns vs. Rock match and giving Rose a rematch with the Tribal Chief. This made Rock one of the best heels in the business and changed the story of Bloodline. The match and pop when Rose won will stand the test of time.
Honorable mention: Bloodline split into Tribal Chief War (WWE). Liv Morgan-Dominik Mysterio-Rhea Ripley Love Triangle (WWE). Swerve Strickland vs. “Hangman” Adam Page Blood Feud (AEW). Drew McIntyre and CM Punk's personal feud (WWE). Mariah May conspires against Toni Storm (AEW). Bayley leaves Damage Control (WWE). JBL continues to support Nick Nemeth (TNA).
This year's promotion
Drew McIntyre and CM Punk set fire to each other on Raw, March 25, 2024
McIntyre and Punk gave us a memorable 10-month masterclass in promo and story billing, with the former producing elite mic work. But the heated exchange intensified and laid the groundwork for what would become, with McIntyre calling Punk “his muse.” It was also full of real-life references, including Punk's past attempts to become a leader and Vince McMahon's selection of McIntyre as the “Chosen One.”
Honorable mention: Swerve Strickland and “Hangman” Adam Page meet before All Out (AEW). Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods take on Big E (WWE). Sting and Darby Allin's last words before the revolution. Roxanne Perez explains heel action (NXT). Rhea Ripley, Dominik Myterio, Liv Morgan SummerSlam Fallout (WWE). MJF returns from injury (AEW).
pay per view of the year
wrestlemania 40, wwe
Both nights earned an A rating from the Post and were one of the best WrestleManias of all time, with plenty of feel-good moments. See the legends return to end the Cody Rhodes story, see the World Heavyweight Championship change hands twice thanks to Money in the Bank cash-in, and The Rock returns to the ring We saw Bayley win the championship in her first singles match at Mania, and Sami Zayn made an appearance. It ended Gunter's historic Intercontinental Championship reign.
Honorable mention: AEW revolution. AEW all in. AEW Wrestle Dream; Summer Slam; WWE Bad Blood; NXT Heat Wave.
Match of the year
Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson at AEW Wrestle Dynasty
This was the first dream match in history, pitting arguably the best wrestlers of their respective generations against each other, a match between two skilled in their respective crafts, and it exceeded the hype. The different wrestling styles on display were incredible and culminated in mat wrestling, counter wrestling, strong styles, and even aerial attacks. In the finish, the two gunslingers in both corners had their best shots, with Danielson's ugly knee winning.
Honorable mention: Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk, Hell in a Cell. Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland, all in. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes, WrestleMania 40; Chris Statlender vs. Willow Nightingale Street Fight. Bayley vs. Iyo Sky, WrestleMania 40; Young Bucks vs. Sting & Darby Allin, Revolution.
Manager of the Year
Paul Heyman, WWE
Roman Reigns is one of the biggest babyfaces in the industry, despite being off television for months thanks to Heyman taking most of the responsibility. Heyman did the best job of being a sympathetic figure for the first time, including powerbombing a table from New Bloodline. Couple that with his surprise return before WarGames and his debt to CM Punk, and Heyman continues to push the narrative forward.
Honorable mention: Don Callis (AEW). Prince Nana (AEW). Robert Stone (NXT). Stockley Hathaway (AEW).
Men's Breakout Wrestler of the Year
Bron Breaker, WWE
Breaker was called up in February and played every opportunity he was given. His Spear has become as must-see as Goldberg's Spear was at its peak. Breaker shined during his Intercontinental Championship program with Sami Zayn, ultimately winning the prestigious title at SummerSlam and securing his spot as a future main eventer.
Honorable mention: Jacob Fatu (WWE). Jack Perry (AEW); Joe Hendry (TNA); Jevon Evans (NXT). Konosuke Takeshita (AEW). Oba Femi (NXT).
Female Breakout Wrestler of the Year
Mariah May (AEW)
After her time on Stardom, May started out as a relative unknown to the majority of American audiences. She shined as the understudy for “Timeless” Tony Storm, keeping the audience spellbound as she watched every turn of the story leading up to one of the year's best betrayals. May bloodied Storm with the impact of her shoe, ending Storm's 280-day reign as AEW Women's Champion at All In. An aggressive ring style that matches May's heels.
Honorable mention: Harley Cameron (AEW); Jada Parker (NXT). Kehlani Jordan (NXT). Laura Bice (NXT); Stephanie Vachel (NXT/New Japan).
This year's best returns/debuts
The Rock returns to WWE on opening night
It was the moment and line that fans had been waiting years for The Rock to say after the Jinder Mahal fakeout. It set in motion so many things, including a heel turn for “Fina Voss” on the way to WrestleMania 40. The Rock made a surprise appearance and challenged his cousin Roman Reigns for the first time, asking if he should sit at WrestleMania 40 as the “head of the table”.
Honorable mention: Wyatt Sixx debuts on Raw. Mercedes Mone makes her AEW Big Business debut. Jacob Fatu makes his SmackDown debut. Roman Reigns returns to SummerSlam. Nigel McGuinness is all in on his return to wrestling.
Best OMG moment
Liv Morgan kisses Dominik Mysterio at WWE SummerSlam
It had been foreseen and built for over three months, but WWE gave the audience little indication that it would happen at SummerSlam. During the match, Mysterio appeared to be doing everything he could to support Rhea Ripley, and even his interference, which cost her the match, could be seen as an attempt to help her. There is a gender. But when Mysterio and Morgan locked lips, it was a huge payoff and poured gasoline on one of WWE's greatest storylines.
Honorable mention: New Day will disband at their anniversary celebration. Mariah May turns on Toni Storm. “Hangman'' Adam Page burns down Swerve Stickland's house. Ethan Page wins the NXT Championship. The Rock whips Cody Rhodes out of the bus. Sting's sons attend his retirement match in classic Sting attire.
the biggest story
Vince McMahon sexual assault allegations
This story rocked the wrestling world and changed it forever. Vince McMahon was accused of sexual assault and sex trafficking in a bombshell lawsuit by former WWE employee Janelle Grant in January. Two days later, McMahon resigned from the TKO board, no longer having any power or official relationship with WWE for the first time in 40 years. WWE distanced itself from its former CEO at WrestleMania 40, officially ushering in the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era.
Honorable mention: WWE's media rights deal is with Netflix. AEW simulcasts with Max in new TV deal. Partnership between WWE and TNA. Sting's retirement. Bryan Danielson is ending his career as a full-time wrestler. AEW contract drama.
