2024 was one of the most successful years in WWE history. The company continued to set records with ticket sales, the most significant gates, and new TV deals. Everything climaxed at the 40th anniversary two-day Wrestlemania event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rock wrestled in his first match in 11 years, Cody Rhodes finished his story, and The Bloodline story took many twists and turns to light the wrestling industry on fire.
In 2024, there were incredible matches and storylines, but here are my top five moments of the year.
1. Cody Rhodes beating Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 40
At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The American Nightmare finally finished his story! Rhodes’ catchphrase is from undesirable to undeniable, and he achieved that feat. When he was 22, he debuted in the WWE as a second-generation wrestler. He was known as Dusty’s son and Goldust’s brother. He has experienced the lowest of lows and, more recently, the highest of highs.
After his first character, just like Cody Rhodes, didn’t work out, he tried a new “Dashing” character. It was a weird experiment, and the WWE quickly pivoted to “Stardust.” A new character with face paint and a complete superhero ESC outfit. It was clear from the start that Stardust wasn’t going to work, and it seemed as if the WWE was forcing fans to watch it. So you might ask yourself, where does one go next after struggling to find oneself?
Doing something that a WWE superstar has never done before. Request their release from the most prominent professional wrestling promotion in the world. Then, reinvent yourself and become a new person. Cody’s dad was the American Dream, so now he is the American Nightmare. He created his own red, white, and blue logo and began taking over the independent wrestling scene.
2. Roman Reigns returning at Summerslam
On August 3, in Cleveland, Ohio, Roman Reigns made his long-awaited return to the WWE. After he lost his Undisputed WWE Title, he didn’t appear on television for four months. But it wasn’t the same Reigns returning. It wasn’t “The Big Dog” or “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns. It was The OTC (Original Tribal Chief). In Reigns’ absence, Solo Sikoa appointed himself the new Head of the Table of the Bloodline. But Reigns came back to make it a point that he is the real leader of the Bloodline.
This started the next chapter in the multi-year incredible Bloodline storyline. Since 2020, it has been the best story in all of wrestling, and it is the gift that keeps on giving. This moment of Reigns costing Sikoa the match against Rhodes at Summerslam has led to the Tribal Combat match for Raw on Netflix on January 6.
3. The Rock returning at Raw Day 1
On January 1, 2024, the pro wrestling landscape changed how we currently know it. The People’s Champion, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, returned to WWE Television for the first time since September 2023. He has made sporadic appearances throughout the past decade since his last match against John Cena at Wrestlemania 29, but this one felt different.
The Rock interrupted Jinder Mahal, hit him with the “People’s elbow,” and ended the segment with the perfect cliffhanger.
“When the Rock goes out to eat, should the Rock sit in a booth, or should the Rock sit at the bar, or should the Rock sit at the Head of the Table?” —The Rock
This set up the Bloodline storyline to take a new turn heading into Wrestlemania season.
4. The Undertaker returning at Wrestlemania 40
The Undertaker retired after his Boneyard match against AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 36 and hasn’t appeared much since. There aren’t many things that are equal to the gong hitting. At Wrestlemania 40, 75,000 plus fans were on their feet in shock and cheering when the gong hit Lincoln Financial Field and the lights went out.
The lights turned on, and the deadman stood behind The Rock in the center of the ring. The Undertaker then hit The Rock with his signature chokeslam.
5. CM Punk joining the OG Bloodline
After Punk beat Drew Mcintyre inside Hell in The Cell at Bad Blood in October, he disappeared from WWE TV for a while. But it was a perfect moment when Paul Heyman returned on Smackdown a week before Survivor Series. Reuniting Heyman and Punk on WWE TV for the first time in a decade felt inevitable.
After Punk helped the OG Bloodline defeat the new Bloodline on Smackdown, the closing picture, featuring a staredown between Punk and Roman Reigns with Heyman in the background, was an incredible cliffhanger for a potential match in the future.
Honorable mentions:
- Sami Zayn beating Gunther for the IC Title at Wrestlemania 40
- John Cena returning at Wrestlemania 40
- Dominick Mysterio turns on Rhea Ripley at Summerslam
- Damien Priest cashes in his MITB contract at Wrestlemania 40
- Jey Uso won the IC Title vs. Bron Breakker on Monday Night Raw
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