With 2024 in the rearview mirror and some big matches already announced for 2025, here are the top 10 matches we hope will officially take place next year in the professional wrestling world.
10. Hardys vs. Motor City Machine Guns WWE/TNA
We don't know if this will ever happen, and WWE and TNA's partnership only extends to NXT, but it would be a missed opportunity to not see two of the greatest tag teams of all time in the ring together for the first time. I feel it. The Hardys are currently the TNA Tag Team Champions, so either they do it after the Hardys drop them, or a match on both brands where the titles flip immediately.
9. Stefanie Vaquel vs. Julia, NXT
NXT has been slowly and subtly building up to this match, and if Roxanne Perez joins the main roster, these two will be two of WWE's biggest free agent signings, at least until 2025. will be the foundation of the women's division. There's history here, as Vaquere defeated Julia at the New Japan Pro Wrestling STRONG Women's Championship in March.
8. Bianca Belair vs. Jade Cargill, WWE
When the two worked for different companies, this match was on every wrestling fan's list of dream encounters, as Cargill is one of the few wrestlers who can claim to be bigger, faster, and stronger than Belair. They are two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Nia Jax has already hinted that Belair was the one who took Cargill out in the parking lot, so this could be a great heel turn opportunity for either of them.
7. Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley, AEW
This match should happen sooner than World's End or Wrestle Dream, so Moxley and the Death Riders can terrorize AEW until then. But it will have to be Allin, with the help of Bryan Danielson, Sting, Orange Cassidy, and perhaps others, who will ultimately dethrone Moxley as AEW World Champion. AEW Originals was always a thorn in Moxley's side, which he respected.
6. Mercedes Mone vs. Toni Storm, AEW
Two of the biggest female stars in the industry have never faced each other before, and we feel there could be no better opportunity. Monet needs to be creatively taken out of his bland comfort zone from time to time, and interacting with Storm's “timeless” persona could provide an opportunity to do just that. I don't know if AEW has any big stars other than Thunder Rosa that Mone could program with.
5. Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton, WWE
Stratton has not been shy about how much he respects Flair and how much he wants a match with her now that they are both on the main roster. The Queen has been sidelined for the entirety of 2024 as she recovers from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus she sustained in December of last year. There are many similarities in their move sets, looks, unparalleled athleticism, and charisma, and a clear generational story of up-and-coming stars and established stars.
4. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns, WWE
This match almost happened a year ago at WrestleMania 40, but fans pushed for Cody Rhodes to end the story in Philadelphia instead. Now that Bloodlines is fighting over who is the head of the tribe, it only seems right for The Rock to have his say. Reigns not being a world champion means his championship is far less certain than last year.
3. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, WWE
This has been pervasive since Rose returned to WWE in 2021, and has been a slam-dunk teacher-versus-student storyline since his Legacy days. Orton, a 14-time world champion, continues to subtly keep an eye on Rose's Undisputed WWE Championship, but the American Nightmare may be responsible for provoking Kevin Owens' attack. This is one of the richest stories WWE can currently tell.
2. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada, AEW
This is one of the most famous rivalries in wrestling history and has some of the best matches of all time. After winning Saturday's Continental Classic at World's End, AEW teased this match (which could also be All In) when Omega made a surprise return from diverticulitis surgery and returned the championship belt to Okada. . It's been over six years since their last one-on-one match in New Japan, and it feels like the perfect time for AEW to capitalize on the rivalry.
1. John Cena vs. CM Punk, WWE
Cena, who is scheduled to go on a year-long retirement tour with WWE, has one more chapter to fight against one of his biggest rivals before he calls it quits. It was a match that Punk believed would never happen again, as he had been away from wrestling for seven years and was in AEW as of last summer. They have not played a match together since 2013, when they played against The Shield.
