2024
has been a historic year for WWE, as the franchise has produced moments that will never be forgotten and displayed extraordinary talent for the fans to enjoy across the globe. A few
superstars
have climbed to the top and managed to leave a long-lasting mark on the audience with their outstanding performances.
This article features the top 5 WWE talents of 2024 —Roman Reigns,
Cody Rhodes
,
Seth Rollins
,
Rhea Ripley
, and Gunther—who have shaped the professional wrestling scene this year.
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1) Cody Rhodes
Image via WWE
Achievements in 2024:
- WWE Championship Victory: Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship at
WrestleMania 40 in a highly anticipated and hard-fought match, marking a pinnacle moment in his career. - Memorable Feuds: Engaged in high-profile feuds with
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, delivering some of the most compelling storylines and matches of the year. - Influential Promos: Known for his riveting promos, Cody has continued to captivate audiences with his storytelling abilities, further solidifying his position as one of WWE's top stars.
In 2023, Rhodes was the biggest babyface in wrestling, navigating a nearly impossible journey. He transitioned from a heroic Royal Rumble winner poised to end Roman Reigns' championship reign at WrestleMania to a star rebounding from that missed opportunity. Such a loss could have derailed his career, but Rhodes remained undeterred, turning the year into a redemption arc and deepening his connection with the fans.
2024 seems set for Rhodes to complete his story. A massive obstacle, potentially in the form of The Rock, might stand in his way at WrestleMania. Whether it happens at WrestleMania, SummerSlam, or another time, it's hard to imagine 2024 passing without Rhodes becoming champion and solidifying his status as wrestling's biggest draw.
2) Seth Rollins
Image via WWE
Achievements in 2024:
Money in the Bank Winner: Claimed the Money in the Bank briefcase in a thrilling ladder match, setting the stage for his eventual cash-in attempt.- Match of the Year Contender: His match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 was widely praised and considered a contender for Match of the Year.
- Reinventing Himself: Continued to evolve his character, maintaining his relevance and excitement among fans with his innovative in-ring style and engaging promos.
Rollins has been a consistent and popular performer for WWE, known for delivering high-quality matches weekly. The introduction of the World Heavyweight Championship has benefited Rollins as much as he has brought legitimacy to the new title. Year after year, Rollins has proven himself as one of the top stars in professional wrestling, thanks to his flamboyant outfits, confident mic skills, and high-flying style.
Entering the top 3 will be a significant challenge for Rollins, especially given the caliber of stars in those positions and his recent injury. Rollins disclosed on Monday's "Raw" that he suffered a torn MCL and a partially torn meniscus, which doctors said would sideline him. Despite this, Rollins vowed to defend his championship at WrestleMania 40 before being confronted by
Gunther
, potentially setting up a match at the Showcase of the Immortals.
3) Rhea Ripley
Image via WWE
Achievements in 2024:
- Women's Royal Rumble Victory: In January, Rhea Ripley kicked off the year with a monumental win in the Women's Royal Rumble match, earning a title shot at WrestleMania.
- WrestleMania 40 Championship Win: At WrestleMania 40, Ripley delivered another show-stealing performance, defending her WWE Women's World Championship and solidifying her dominance in the women's division.
- Judgment Day Leadership: Ripley continued to be the cornerstone of The Judgment Day, one of WWE's premier factions, guiding them through intense rivalries and keeping their momentum strong throughout the year.
Rhea possibly had the most influential and dominant year of any woman in the history of WWE. In addition to winning the women's Royal Rumble in January, she delivered a show-stealing performance at WrestleMania to become the WWE Women's World Champion and led one of the company's best factions, The Judgment Day. The company "strapped a rocket" to her back, and she has not only thrived but also redefined the concept of a "dominant, engaging star." Plus, she's on the cover of WWE 2K24.
Can Ripley reach even greater heights in 2024? She would only need to come close to matching her achievements from 2023. A potential marquee matchup at WrestleMania awaits her, and the buzz around The Judgment Day remains strong.
4) Gunther
Image via WWE
Achievements in 2024:
- United States Championship: Gunther captured the United States Championship early in the year, showcasing his dominance and technical prowess.
- Undefeated Streak: Maintained an impressive undefeated streak throughout 2024, solidifying his reputation as a powerhouse.
- Hard-Hitting Matches: Known for his intense and physical matches, Gunther has consistently delivered standout performances against top competitors like Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.
Gunther had a record-breaking 2023, capturing the longest single Intercontinental Championship reign from the Honky Tonk Man. He is now on the verge of surpassing Pedro Morales for the most days as IC champ overall, just shy of Morales' 617 combined days. Gunther spent all of 2023 as a champion and has held a title for most of his five-year WWE tenure. His in-ring work is exceptional.
Gunther is rightfully on this list of the best WWE Superstars, but of anyone on this list, he has the potential to surpass his ranking by the end of 2024. He could win a world title, face the biggest box office attractions, and not only fit in but excel.
5) Roman Reigns
Image via WWERomanReigns/X
Achievements in 2024
- Continued Universal Championship Reign: Roman Reigns has maintained his status as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion throughout 2024, further solidifying his dominance in WWE. His reign has continued to break records for longevity and has set new standards for championship tenures.
- Headline Match at WrestleMania 40: Reigns headlined WrestleMania 40 in a highly anticipated match against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. This match not only drew significant attention and viewership but also showcased Reigns' ability to compete at the highest level against one of wrestling's most iconic figures.
- Major Feud with Cody Rhodes: Reigns engaged in a high-profile feud with Cody Rhodes, delivering some of the most compelling and talked-about matches of the year. This rivalry has been a major storyline throughout 2024, captivating the WWE Universe and driving significant interest.
Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, is currently the biggest name in professional wrestling, and that title is projected to remain intact in 2024. Because of him, WWE's broadcast viewership and ticket sales have increased dramatically. Even though he doesn't wrestle as frequently as some fans would like, Reigns carries on the tradition of WWE stars carrying promotions. Additionally, he is the face of The Bloodline, the strongest WWE plot in recent memory.
While he might not go by the moniker “Big Dog” anymore, there isn't a position higher for Reigns to go than No. 1, but he can maintain his top spot in 2024 by making more title defenses, prolonging his historic reign, and bringing interesting storylines to The Bloodline, which is presently on hiatus. There are hints of a possible WrestleMania 40 match between Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Reigns might become a legendary figure in wrestling history and go from being the most significant wrestler of this period in the event of such a match.
