AEW had some really good feuds in 2024. Tony Khan even took a bump for his company. But before we look at what caused Khan to step into a physical role, let’s look at our honorable mentions.
- Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley: This would’ve made it to the main list if it wasn’t for the amount of time it lasted. Darby Allin and Jon Moxley delivered some killer promos on the road to AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2024. In the end, it was Mox who claimed Darby’s world title opportunity for himself.
- Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander: After having a Match of the Year contender with Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander gave Mercedes Mone the best back-to-back TBS title defenses on PPV since Mone’s outing against Stephanie Vaquer.
- Jeff Jarrett vs. Adam Page: Jeff Jarrett continues to deliver despite being 57 years of age. His match against Bryan Danielson followed by his feud against Hangman Page speaks volumes about Double J’s longevity and work ethic. The feud against Page is among the best AEW feuds on television for 2024.
The Elite vs. Team AEW
The Elite versus AEW began with Tony Khan taking a Meltzer Driver from EVP Bucks. Bucks, Okada and Perry would spend the next months taking over the company in hostile fashion. The power struggle forced wrestlers to take sides. Even NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi couldn’t help but make a cameo during the storyline.
Jack Perry and Darby Allin came out as the biggest stars of The Elite versus Team Elite feud. Perry’s commitment to the company needs to be studied. The former Jungle Boy was set on fire weeks before he recreated the iconic Raven and Tommy Dreamer’s chair shot to the head spot with Mark Briscoe.
Young Bucks vs. Private Party
The Young Bucks portrayed the villainous EVP’s on AEW television in 2024. This run saw Matthew and Nicholas Jackson feud with the likes of The Acclaimed and Private Party. While Bowers and Caster failed to beat the Bucks, Zay and Quen gambled on their future and won big time. Click here to read how Zay pranked his family before their AEW World Tag Team Championship win.
Putting Private Party through adversity before giving them the win over Bucks was a smart booking decision by Tony Khan. Fans rallied behind Zay and Quen because they were tired of seeing the tag team titles on EVP Bucks. As of this writing, Private Party are still the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions.
Toni Storm put over Mariah May big time at AEW All In
“Timeless” Toni Storm is one of AEW’s greatest gimmicks, period. This is the same person who literally walked out on WWE because she was burned out to the max. Creative freedom can be a good thing, sometimes.
Storm’s feud with Mariah May kicked off as a mentor-protégé storyline but turned ugly as soon as Mariah won the 2024 Owen Hart Women’s Tournament. The feud would culminate at All In with Toni passing the torch to Mariah May after a great match.
Kyle Fletcher betrayed Will Ospreay
Kyle Fletcher is this writer’s pick for AEW’s breakout star in their 2024 men’s division. The Protostar came into his own following his betrayal of Ospreay at WrestleDream. He would’ve been stuck in the tag team division if it wasn’t for paying heed to Don Callis’ advice.
A much-needed win over Ospreay at Full Gear would solidify Fletcher’s status as an upper mid-carder. The Aussie would even make it to the semi-final of the 2024 Continental Classic before losing to the Aerial Assassin in a great match at Worlds End.
Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland surpassed their 2023 AEW feud
Hangman Page versus Swerve Strickland is, without a doubt, this writer’s pick for one of the greatest AEW feuds to date, not just this year. Even Swerve considers his feud with Page to be the best story AEW has ever told. This rivalry just so happens to check all the boxes when it comes to long-term storytelling and great matches.
Swerve Strickland came out of it looking like a star despite losing his childhood home and his title. From Page’s monologue before he set Swerve’s house on fire to their Steel Cage match at All Out, this rivalry made fans feel all kinds of emotions – and that is what pro wrestling is all about.
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