WWE and AEW's Biggest Winners and Losers Thus Far in 2024

It may not seem like it, but we're already halfway through 2024 and so much has happened in professional wrestling.

WWE continues its hot streak, selling out shows worldwide and picking up more mainstream buzz than it has in recent memory. Meanwhile, AEW has carved out its niche in its first five years and made a positive impact on the industry.

Pro wrestling feels cool again, and viewers have an embarrassing wealth of content at their fingertips. No matter which company you prefer, it's hard to deny that this is a great time to be a fan.

Talent sharing and partnerships with smaller promotions have become a norm, and there are more avenues for performers to deliver their style of matches and storytelling. The emergence of healthy alternatives has also made free agency much more interesting.

With six more months left in the year, let's look at the biggest winners and losers in WWE and AEW so far.

Winner: Jon Moxley

Over the past five years, Jon Moxley has cemented himself as the most consistent AEW star, creating a new standard for a post-WWE run. Through highs and lows, the 38-year-old has been the heart and soul of the company.

The three-time AEW world champion started 2024 with an excellent performance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom. Then, he teamed up with Claudio Castagnoli to deliver one of the best tag team matches of the year with FTR at Revolution.

At NJPW Windy City Riot, Mox made history when he defeated Tetsuya Naito to become the first man to win a world title with WWE, AEW, and New Japan. It's a fitting accolade for the key figure in the partnership that led to Forbidden Door.

At the event, Moxley will effectively represent both companies as the only first wrestler from All Elite Wrestling to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the cross-promotional card.

Loser: Chris Jericho

Since Worlds End last December, Chris Jericho has become increasingly unpopular, and his current direction is not winning many fans over.

The Canadian star is undoubtedly one of the best wrestlers ever and a master of reinvention, but fatigue has set in with much of AEW's audience. This was abundantly clear at Dynasty as the St. Louis crowd lambasted him throughout his FTW title match with Hook and jeered when he ultimately secured the win.

Sure, one could argue that Jericho received the intended reaction for his new heel persona, but it was still hard to watch. The Learning Tree has also produced some of the worst segments on weekly television. This has been his most horrendous stretch with AEW by a wide margin.

Winner: Swerve Strickland

At AEW Dynasty, Swerve Strickland achieved his goal of becoming the first Black AEW world champion.

With this incredible accolade, he kicked off his third year with the company as one of its top stars and a workhorse for Collision and Dynamite. His feud with Christian Cage was a perfect way to solidify his face turn and draw out some of the consequences of his rise in 2023.

Strickland co-headlined Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and a high-profile matchup with Will Ospreay awaits at Forbidden Door. Outside the ring, the 33-year-old is building a brand as a podcaster, rapper, actor, and the subject of a documentary directed by The Lucas Brothers.

Loser: Shinsuke Nakamura

During his feud with Seth Rollins, WWE recast Shinsuke Nakamura as one of the most compelling antagonists on Raw last year.

The change of direction and new presentation was the shot in the arm The King of Strong Style needed. So, it's disappointing to see that led to a string of losses and a surprising absence during WrestleMania season.

Nakamura has not been seen much since the Apr. 22 episode of Raw, where he lost to Sheamus. So far, the legendary Japanese wrestler has only won one match this year, giving him an overall record of 1-40 in 2024. In case you're wondering, he has gone winless on television since Feb. 26.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

After the second-generation star dethroned Roman Reigns and finished the story, there was no bigger winner in 2024 than Cody Rhodes.

The American Nightmare remains one of the hottest babyface wrestlers in the industry, but his win at WrestleMania 40 minted him as the face of WWE. The first back-to-back Royal Rumble winner since 1998 has been a fixture at the event for three consecutive years, but this triumphant moment elevated him to another level.

Rhodes is arguably the catalyst for the company's current era and a refreshing change of pace after Reigns' historic run. With every win and raucous reaction, he has proven to be a game-changer and the undeniable superstar worth betting on in 2016.