In almost any other time in World Wrestling Entertainment history, we’d probably be reflecting on 2024 as a year that would be impossible to top headed into the next.
And it would be hard to argue. The year that started with The Rock returning to what practically amounted to a full-time run in WWE that culminated with his first WrestleMania match since WrestleMania 29 (his six-second match at WM32 against Erick Rowan doesn’t count) when he and Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
A night later, Cody Rhodes “finished the story” in a dream main event match, unseating the Tribal Chief Reigns to become the Undisputed WWE Universal champion in one of the most, if not the most, memorable storylines in pro wrestling history.
In July, the iconic John Cena returned to announce that he is planning to put his Hollywood career on hold to have one final full-time run in the WWE, which begins next week.
CM Punk, who returned in November 2023 to the WWE after a decade-long absence, produced an absolutely amazing year, overcoming a serious injury and delivering one of the matches of the year at Bad Blood versus Drew McIntyre and this past Monday delivered one of the greatest promos of all time to promote his match against Seth Rollins next week on Raw.
Other notables this year included Rollins working on one good leg at WrestleMania to deliver a classic alongside Rhodes against The Rock and Reigns. Bo Dallas, the brother of the late Bray Wyatt, established his Uncle Howdy character and Wyatt Sicks faction, setting the stage for what should be a bright future.
McIntyre emerged as arguably the MVP of the WWE roster, having huge matches with Punk and building himself to new heights in the process. Canadian Sami Zayn continued to prove why he’s a top-end talent, working more than anyone. Canadian Chelsea Green emerged as one of the most beloved women’s wrestlers in the company, winning the inaugural women’s United States Championship.
Jey Uso emerged as a giant in the fan popularity department. The Samoan faction led by Solo Sikoa added more members. Canadian legend Natalya signed a new contract and returned… the list goes on and on.
And all that while the company dodged the controversy surrounding former chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, who sold the company, stepped down, returned, and stepped down again following sexual misconduct allegations that are still before the courts.
But nothing that happened in an eventful and amazing 2024 even remotely compares to what happens this coming Monday, when WWE’s $5-billion Netflix deal kicks in and Monday Night Raw, and eventually SmackDown, move to the world’s largest streaming platform.
The magnitude of the Netflix deal, not only for its monetary significance — $5 billion to broadcast professional wrestling is unthinkable – but for the platform, the most dominants streaming platform on this planet, by far.
As of Monday, WWE’s reach, the potential audience it now has access to, effectively becomes infinite.
The potential to reach new fans and new places is practically limitless, and a value cannot be placed on it.
And rightly, the company has directed all of its efforts to absolutely bring it on Monday during the Netlix debut, from new logos to kickoff parties to stacking the card like it’s WrestleMania.
Rollins will face CM Punk in a match that was made even more intriguing when both cut promos on Monday night that became instant classics.
Solo Sikoa faces Roman Reigns for tribal chief bragging rights.
Cena returns to what we can only guess will be enter the Royal Rumble to kick off his final run.
The inaugural women’s Intercontinental champion will be crowned.
Liv Morgan defends the women’s world championship against Rhea Ripley.
There are also expected to be surprise appearances, with names like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan being tossed around.
The hype is there. The matches are set. Now, it’s simply time to make history.
Jan Murphy is a reporter and editor with The Kingston Whig-Standard and a lifelong wrestling fan and Monday Night Raw watcher.