AEW had the most impactful free agent signings of 2024

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Despite being overshadowed by tribal rivalries at times, the presence of two significant professional wrestling promotions within the U.S. has proven beneficial for the industry’s growth as a whole. This advantage is particularly evident in the increased mobility of wrestlers between these organizations.

As a grappler in the ring, I used to feel trapped with only a few choices for employment. It meant dealing with creative constraints and stifled income growth. But then All Elite Wrestling (AEW) came along and shook up the wrestling industry, challenging WWE’s dominance. Though AEW doesn’t magically solve all of our sport’s problems, it’s undeniable that we’re in a better place now, with more opportunities for creative expression and fairer compensation.

2024 marked the emergence of some favorable outcomes, as AEW and WWE successfully recruited several notable figures to their respective leagues.

But which of the two made the more impactful free-agent moves?

To find the answer, let’s examine the actions taken by both companies in the year 2024. Firstly, we’ll focus on the newer entity. By this time, many wrestling enthusiasts acknowledge AEW’s abundance of talent. However, CEO Tony Khan didn’t rest on his laurels; he continued to strengthen his team. It’s like if LeBron James decided to sign Kobe Bryant for his team! In fact, he managed to secure wrestlers such as Ricochet, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, The Hurt Syndicate, and Mercedes Moné – stars that are almost irresistible additions to any roster.

Absolutely, it’s understandable if you have disagreements about certain booking choices in AEW regarding specific names. However, these disputes don’t detract from the positive impact these individuals bring to the organization. For instance, Ricochet’s debut in AEW started a bit rocky (marked by an unconventional segment with MVP), but he has since transformed into an engaging villain and is preparing for an exciting feud with Swerve Strickland.

Despite many fans finding The Elite’s “corporate takeover” plotline unappealing during the summer months, they found themselves amused by Okada’s impeccable comic delivery and continued to appreciate his performance within the ring as New Japan Pro Wrestling’s veteran top star.

Immediately upon their autumnal entrance, the team consisting of Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin left an indelible mark. Much like in WWE (prior to Vince McMahon’s seemingly irrational separation), this three-piece group exudes star quality both on and off the stage, a trait that is evident in their matches.

Following his high-profile move to All Elite Wrestling after an intense bidding competition with WWE, Ospreay instantly proved that he was a valuable addition by delivering numerous matches worthy of being labeled “Match of the Year” and solidifying his position as one of AEW’s leading fan favorites.

Among all of them, Moné’s debut garnered the greatest anticipation. Initially, her portrayal of characters has received a mix of opinions, but she has compensated for this with her impressive in-ring performances, notably in her two iconic matches against Kris Statlander towards the end of the year. At the minimum, her entrance into the promotion compelled Khan and the company to focus more on the women’s division (there is still room for improvement in that regard). As a result, the female performers have emerged as the most reliable aspect of the program.

Furthermore, those were merely the significant additions. When you factor in lesser-known recruits such as MxM, who brought a touch of humor to Chris Jericho’s Learning Tree stable, the often underutilized Grizzled Young Veterans, and the immediate sensation Hologram, AEW’s midcard roster became even more robust.

WWE also did a nice job with their signings.

2024 WWE moves should not be trivialized. At the beginning of the year, the company reinstated Andrade, who, despite being stuck in repetitive storylines since his comeback (notably his prolonged feud with Carmelo Hayes that WWE attempted to rewrite as a “greatest hits” series), has significantly elevated any show he’s involved in with his high-energy performances.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to say, joining WWE was a big deal for me, Jacob Fatu – the ex-MLW World Champion. Ever since I stepped into the ring here, I’ve been breathing life back into the Bloodline saga that usually needs a revival after WrestleMania season ends. Some fans have had their doubts about Solo Sikoa as a main event player, but my intensity and agility have grabbed everyone’s attention to the point where most agree that my rise through the ranks is the real aim of this storyline.

2024 saw The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) as a highly significant tag team addition. Despite being caught up in WWE’s inconsistent tag team match planning, they still managed to hold the WWE Tag Team Championship, proving their knack for making even the least engaged audiences engage with their matches. This speaks volumes about their skill and consistency over the years.

From the female roster perspective, securing Naomi’s return to WWE following her successful stint in TNA where she established herself as a main event talent was another shrewd move. Despite being placed back into her upper midcard position, it demonstrates a change in the company dynamics, even though it may not be as drastic as one might assume due to Vince McMahon’s unflattering departure. However, her comeback after the manner in which she was let go and treated by the promotion serves as evidence of this transformation, though not quite as extensive as it seems.

WWE didn’t just strengthen its main roster, but also bolstered its NXT talent pool. By acquiring Guilia from STARDOM and signing Stephanie Vaquer fresh from her impressive match with Mercedes Moné in CMLL, the company elevated an already strong division – the NXT women’s division – to one of the best worldwide. The arrival of powerhouse Zaria (formerly Delta) further enhances this reputation, although her early bookings have been slightly unpredictable compared to the other two signings.

On the male side, WWE made sure not to overlook Ethan Page by bringing in this former AEW star as a seasoned presence to steady the team. Some may say he was given too much prominence immediately after joining (he was even granted the NXT Championship just weeks into his debut and his title matches didn’t live up to expectations), but it did provide him with a significant boost in credibility, which will likely benefit him as a key figure in the upper midcard for the brand.

WWE’s additional hirings have had their highs and lows, but overall they were beneficial. The recruitment of Guerrillas of Destiny from New Japan Pro Wrestling is a good move since it brings Tama Tonga into the company, yet it also includes Tonga Loa. Shawn Spears serves as a dependable midcard performer, but that’s essentially his role. Erik Rowan re-joined to contribute to the Wyatt Family storyline, however, the decreasing significance of this group on weekly television suggests that things might not be going well for them.

AEW gets the slight edge, but both companies get a thumbs up.

2024 saw remarkable talent acquisitions by both AEW and WWE, yet AEW’s top-tier signings such as Ospreay, Moné, and Okada truly stand out. Even with WWE securing wrestlers tailored to their in-ring style, the impact of these high-profile additions at AEW is hard to ignore. This underscores the advantage of having multiple significant wrestling promotions in the industry.

With multiple promotions available nowadays, wrestlers can choose the one that aligns with their performing style best, and they have the opportunity to bargain for better paychecks (which is typically a perk for the elite performers). This flexibility is something that wrestling enthusiasts can appreciate.

2025 may well witness more significant actions from these companies, and it remains to be seen which prominent figures join their ranks as the year unfolds. Even if the upcoming group of free agents isn’t as promising as the one in 2024, they will still reap benefits from the deals signed last year.

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2025-01-21 00:15