Few issues spark a larger debate than rating the best wrestlers of all year: Sammartino or Inoki? Rhodes or Aptitude? Hogan or Savage? Stone Chilly or The Rock? Cena or Punk?
That discuss sparked a realization: At ESPN, we love to construct annual ratings, however the activity had by no means been implemented to skilled wrestling.
To start out the method for 2024, we accumulated our staff of mavens and requested a query to aid them type in the course of the superstars thriving throughout promotions like AEW, NJPW and WWE: Which wrestler could have the most productive 2024 efficiency in line with drawing energy, recognition, abilities and roster place?
Expectancies are only for 2024 and are supposed to expect attainable excellence instead than life efficiency and profession frame of labor. Accidents and attainable to change promotions — similar to Seth Rollins’ knee shock and Mercedes Mone’s sovereign company — have been considered.
This is WrestleRank, a projection of the peak 60 wrestlers in 2024, with Brandon Caldwell, Mike Coppinger, David Dennis, Arda Ocal, Marc Raimondi and Eddie Maisonet offering research.
1. Roman Reigns, WWE
Flow undisputed WWE common champion
He would possibly now not name himself the Bulky Canine anymore, however in the case of skilled wrestling, there is not any one larger at the moment than Reigns, the Undisputed WWE common champion, and that doesn’t determine to switch in 2024. He’s the peak man at the marquee for WWE, a valid draw in the case of tv rankings and price ticket gross sales. Reigns is the fresh in a protracted series of promotion-carrying WWE stars — even though he doesn’t combat up to some fanatics would really like at this juncture — and the face of the best storyline WWE has done in years, The Bloodline.
There’s deny making improvements to upon this Incorrect. 1 spot for Reigns. Nonetheless, he can solidify this rating in 2024 with extra name defenses, lengthening his ancient name run and including compelling tale beats with The Bloodline, which is in quite of a preserving development. A WrestleMania 40 fit in April with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is being teased. That’s the type of fit that would rush Reigns from essentially the most impressive wrestler of this presen to immortality in wrestling historical past. — Raimondi
2. Cody Rhodes, WWE
2:04
Cody Rhodes: ‘The Rock is likely one of the leading causes we’re right here as of late’
Cody Rhodes displays on his go back to WWE and provides Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns their due proclaim.
Rhodes spent maximum of 2023 as the largest babyface in wrestling and telling a near-impossible tale within the procedure. He went from a heroic Royal Rumble winner on his approach to finishing Roman Reigns’ championship run at WrestleMania to a celebrity convalescing from being not able to achieve this purpose. Losses like the only Rhodes confronted at Mania can derail careers. However Rhodes used to be undeterred, the use of the life 12 months as a redemption tale and a anticipation to create a larger reference to the fanatics.
His 2024 turns out destined to complete the tale. A abundance Rock-sized barrier perhaps stands in the best way of him completing that tale at WrestleMania. Then again, even though Dwayne Johnson supplants him towards Reigns at Mania, the 12 months can nonetheless belong to the American Nightmare. Whether or not that occurs at WrestleMania or SummerSlam or some alternative year is left to be ambitious. Nonetheless, it’s strenuous to believe the 12 months going by means of with out Rhodes being champion and cementing himself as the largest attract wrestling — which he already may well be. — Dennis
3. MJF, AEW
In a 12 months of ups and downs in AEW, MJF used to be a stalwart — the constant determine on the peak of the playing cards, preserving the AEW international championship belt. He went from hated heel to attractive, but extraordinarily fallacious babyface all the way through a reign that lasted till Dec. 30, compiling implausible in-ring performances and remarkable promos alongside the best way. MJF’s rivals-to-friends-to-rivals storyline with Adam Cole used to be the most productive AEW had in 2023. Few wrestlers can mix MJF’s paintings between the ropes and his talents at the microphone.
At simply 27 years impaired, MJF is the youngest male wrestler within the peak 10. The Lengthy Island, Pristine York, local will probably be sidelined for the foreseeable hour with a sinister shoulder shock, so early 2024 is non-transperant. But when and when he returns, MJF has a readymade storyline with Cole and his unutilized staff looking ahead to him. AEW spent a superb trade in of 2023 construction it and must wait a couple of months to money in, however that MJF vs. Cole rematch will have to have a fantastic quantity of warmth round it. — Raimondi
4. Seth Rollins, WWE
Flow WWE international heavyweight champion
2:43
Seth Rollins main points how he injured his MCL
Seth Rollins talks in regards to the MCL shock he suffered towards Jinder Mahal and when he hopes to be again at complete energy.
Rollins has been a significance performer for WWE who is outstandingly over with the fanatics and delivers fine quality fits weekly. The founding of the sector heavyweight championship has aided Rollins simply up to he’s legitimized the unutilized name. Rollins has established himself, 12 months nearest 12 months, as one of the vital peak stars in all of professional wrestling, between his over-the-top outfits, self assurance at the mic and his high-flying taste.
Rollins faces a lofty layout to go into the peak 3, bearing in mind the celebs who occupy the ones spots, and it’s going to grow to be all of the more difficult because of his fresh shock. Rollins observable on Monday’s “Raw” that he suffered a torn MCL and in part torn meniscus that docs mentioned will sideline him. Then again, Rollins vowed to shield his championship at WrestleMania 40 anyway sooner than being faced by means of Gunther, perhaps surroundings the level for a matchup on the Exhibit of the Immortals. — Coppinger
5. Jey Uso, WWE
The YEET motion rolls into 2024 as Uso seems to be in a position for even larger and higher issues. Few wrestlers around the globe have extra attainable dream fits that would land than Uso.
Jey vs. Roman
Jey vs. Jimmy
Jey vs. The Rock?
That extreme one may well be slightly presumptuous, however Uso’s transition to leading eventer and solo business additionally signifies that titles might be at the horizon post-WrestleMania. Would it not be out of series to suppose he may secure an Intercontinental, United States, or international heavyweight name? In fact now not. However observing the continuing transformation of Uso will probably be simply as thrilling as any name chase he makes. — Maisonet
6. CM Punk, WWE
2:35
CM Punk on WWE go back: ‘I’m house’
CM Punk delivers a passionate promo on “Monday Night Raw” about why he returned to the WWE nearest just about 10 years.
Punk’s shocking return to WWE turns out to have rejuvenated and determined “The Best in the World” to turn out he’s precisely that. Nearest 10-plus years clear of a WWE ring, the whole thing impaired is unutilized once more, and Punk is arguably WWE’s peak big name along Roman Reigns. All of this with out in truth wrestling one fit outdoor of a house-show victory over Dominik Mysterio.
His paintings in AEW greater than justifies this rating, however he’s virtually certain to leap up a couple of spots with the cotton of systems he’s headed for in WWE. Punk’s section with Cody Rhodes on “Raw” used to be most likely his perfect promo paintings but since his go back, and it would supremacy to a fit at WrestleMania between two of the largest stars in wrestling. Up to the go back of Punk has buoyed WWE, he, too, appears to be playing wrestling greater than ever sooner than. — Coppinger
7. Will Ospreay, NJPW and AEW
There’s arguably deny wrestler on the earth higher within the ring than Ospreay.
He gave with reference to everybody he confronted in 2023 their perfect fit of the 12 months. His two bouts with Kenny Omega have been so just right that they attach for ESPN’s Fit of the Life — with every alternative. To proceed together with his paintings in AEW, Ospreay had implausible performances in Pristine Japan towards Yota Tsuji and Shota Umino and in Have an effect on towards “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Ospreay has as a lot upside as any individual in this checklist as a result of he’ll be a fixture on American tv for the primary year in his profession in 2024. Past due extreme 12 months, Ospreay introduced he had signed a full-time agreement with AEW, and he’s anticipated to begin as a familiar for the promotion in a couple of weeks. Moment his persona paintings and promo abilities will probably be examined greater than sooner than, the checklist of fighters with whom he can tear ailing the home with is lengthy. — Raimondi
8. Rhea Ripley, WWE
Flow girls’s international champion
1:09
How being unique has helped Rhea Ripley resonate with WWE fanatics
Rhea Ripley explains why being authentic has helped her and alternative WWE superstars resonate with the target market.
Ripley arguably had essentially the most dominant 12 months of any lady in WWE historical past. Past successful the ladies’s Royal Rumble in January, Ripley had a show-stealing fit at WrestleMania to grow to be WWE girls’s international champion and anchored one of the vital perfect factions within the corporate, The Judgment Past. The corporate “strapped a rocket” to her again, and now not best has she thrived, however she’s additionally increased the concept that of a “dominant, engaging star” to unexpected heights. Oh, and he or she’s additionally at the defend of the WWE 2K24.
Can Ripley succeed in the very best of highs in 2024? She would simply have to come back near to homogeneous what she did in 2023. There’s a possible marquee matchup at the horizon at WrestleMania looking ahead to her, and the Judgment Past’s buzz hasn’t fallen within the slightest. It’s Mami’s international, and we’re simply the gardens. — Caldwell
9. Mercedes Mone, sovereign agent
The previous Sasha Banks had her 12 months decrease decrease in 2023 because of an ankle shock sustained in a Pristine Japan fit in Would possibly. Prior to that, she used to be making waves international, heated a special path than the only she walked in WWE. Mone debuted extreme January in Pristine Japan at WrestleKingdom, received the unutilized IWGP Ladies’s name from KAIRI and nearest had a couple of skillful fits in Japan sooner than getting harm in a bout for the NJPW Sturdy girls’s name within the U.S.
Mone has now not wrestled in 8 months and is a sovereign agent. There were rumors about her eventual touchdown spot, however whether or not it’s WWE or AEW, again in Japan and even in TNA, only a few would renounce she’ll have an have an effect on. Mone is likely one of the perfect American girls’s wrestlers of all year, and at 31, she has year to develop that legacy. Irrespective of the place she finally ends up, Mercedes is cash — and you’ll rush that to the depot. — Raimondi
10. Gunther, WWE
Flow WWE Intercontinental champion
Gunther had a record-breaking 2023, shooting the longest unmarried Intercontinental championship name reign from the Honky Tonk Guy. Gunther is at the doorstep of surpassing Pedro Morales for many days as IC champ total, lower than a day clear of Morales’ mark of 617 blended days. Gunther spent all of 2023 as a champion and maximum of his five-year WWE tenure with a belt round his waist. The person’s ring paintings is outstanding.
Gunther is deservedly within the peak 10, however of any individual in this checklist, he has the possible to exceed his placement by means of the top of 2024. It’s essential to see him successful an international name, dealing with the largest field place of work points of interest and now not best belonging, however excelling. — Ocal
11. Kazuchika Okada, NJPW
Flow NEVER Openweight 6-Guy Tag Staff Champion
Professional wrestling in Japan is understood for the utility of fits above the whole thing else — interviews and angles are secondary to the tales advised between the ropes. Nobody has been higher within the ring — arguably ever, for the reason that context — than Okada. He used to be the IWGP international heavyweight champion early in 2023, his 7th reign with an NJPW peak name, and had skillful performances as a part of the NEVER 6-man name group in Pristine Japan for the left-overs of the 12 months. In 2024, he’ll grow to be a sovereign agent, loose Japan and show off his greatness to American fanatics in both WWE or AEW. — Raimondi
12. Swerve Strickland, AEW
A unmarried fit can’t construct a famous person, however Strickland’s Texas loss of life fit towards Hangman Web page at AEW Complete Tools is as near to a starmaking fit as you’ll ever see. Swerve is a main-event big name at AEW, primed to be the breakout family identify to develop the emblem round. He’s prone to be preserving an international name in 2024 and breaking into the peak 10 of this checklist by means of later 12 months. — Dennis
13. Adam Cole, AEW
Co-anchoring considered one of AEW’s greatest tales in 2023, Cole cemented his situation as considered one of wrestling’s perfect heels together with his long-awaited activate MJF at Global’s Collide. Prior to being hampered by means of a damaged ankle, Cole now not best “main-evented” AEW’s greatest PPV, but additionally opened it as one of the vital Ring of Honor tag group champs. Cole can best arise in 2024 as soon as he returns to in-ring job, the place there’s a tale with MJF to complete and every other Undisputed faction to supremacy. — Caldwell
14. Randy Orton, WWE
The grasp of the RKO — most likely modern day wrestling’s maximum common finisher — made his triumphant go back at November’s Survivor Sequence nearest a again shock sidelined him for 18 months. Few issues construct a wrestler extra in call for than a scorching go back, and Orton did so together with his notable body intact and his snark all the way through promos on complete tilt. His longtime tag group spouse Matt Riddle is now not with the corporate, and that’s freed Orton to go back to singles motion, the place he’ll face LA Knight, AJ Types and Roman Reigns for WWE’s peak prize on the Royal Rumble. At 43, it kind of feels Orton is primed for every other prolonged main-event run. — Coppinger
15. Bryan Danielson, AEW
Danielson remains to be one of the vital perfect wrestlers on this planet, and a few would believe him the best possible. 2023 noticed Danielson in two name fits: an Iron Guy towards MJF and a TNT name bout with Christian Cage. There have been reviews of an orbital shock round Halloween, however Danielson returned to the hoop forward of agenda, dressed in coverage over his left optical. It provides Danielson’s legend, nonetheless appearing as one of the vital perfect wrestlers in historical past — even though he can best see out of 1 optical. — Ocal
16. Konosuke Takeshita, AEW and DDT
Takeshita beat Kenny Omega cleanly in a singles fit on the AEW All Out pay-per-view occasion in early September, an accomplishment few were granted. On the year, it gave the look of a monster push for the Eastern emerging big name used to be construction, with him along side hated heel supervisor Don Callis. However Takeshita had one best extra singles fit nearest that during 2023, and he has but to ascend to the peak of the cardboard. Moment the reserving failed him, his attributes — a muscled, 6-foot-2 body with uncanny pace and explosiveness — and in-ring abilities by no means do. — Raimondi
17. Logan Paul, WWE
2:06
Logan Paul wins shennanigan-filled fit over Rey Mysterio
Logan Paul places on a reveal in a wild win over Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel.
Flow WWE United States champion
Paul had simply 5 fits in 2023: the Royal Rumble fit, a Wrestlemania fit towards Seth Rollins, a Cash within the Storehouse ladder fit, a superb opener at SummerSlam towards Ricochet (later on he flew around the nation to nook his brother Jake at his boxing bout), nearest defeating Rey Mysterio for america name in November.
Each look and each fit carries extra weight. Whether or not you favor him or now not, his paintings will get spotted. He makes use of display year out of WWE to glow consideration on what’s going to be later for him in WWE — like calling out Mysterio nearest defeating Dillon Danis in a boxing combat this life October. Paul will probably be an international champion one life, and it’s going to be a internet certain for WWE and professional wrestling. — Ocal
18. Adam Web page, AEW
A defining pace for Web page — and that is somebody who as soon as chased a wrestler past using a horse via a stadium — got here all the way through a November Texas loss of life fit towards Swerve Strickland. The brutal affair’s maximum memorable line used to be when Web page, nearest stapling his son’s fingerpainting artwork to Strickland’s face and ripping it off, grabbed Swerve’s head and laid ailing at the mat, permitting Swerve’s blood to drip into his mouth, ingesting Swerve’s blood like a wrestling vampire and reputedly relishing it.
It used to be a kind of uncomfortable moments in wrestling that fanatics is not going to overlook (whilst they’re repulsed by means of it). It displays you the lengths that performers like him will proceed to to bring to inform a tale within the ring. — Ocal
19. Becky Lynch, WWE
Lynch persisted to up her recreation in 2023. Whether or not it used to be a show-stealing feud with Trish Stratus or her sudden run as NXT champion, Lynch used to be striking on wrestling clinics. However now it’s year for The Guy to retake her spot as the principle occasion famous person she is with a possible WrestleMania (and past) feud with Rhea Ripley. The fit can scouse borrow the reveal at Mania and be the feud of 2024, with Lynch primed to have the most productive 12 months of her profession. — Dennis
20. Samoa Joe, AEW
Flow AEW international champion
Joe used to be considered one of AEW’s aces in 2023, conserving issues in combination past the whole thing gave the impression chaotic past the skin. He ended the 12 months because the 7th guy to secure the AEW international name nearest a ancient reign as ROH tv champ. Joe is in the midst of a profession renaissance with a bevy of challengers taking a look to rush him ailing and an interior hearth in him that hasn’t slowed since he made cloudless he sought after to be champion. 2024 is about as much as be every other banner 12 months for one of the vital perfect of his life. — Caldwell
21. LA Knight, WWE
At year 41, Knight’s combo of in-ring paintings, on-the-mic abilities and his trademark “Yeah” catchphrase, has boosted him to the peak of the cardboard. It wasn’t way back that Knight used to be toiling as the executive of the Most Male Fashions and not using a glow of hope to look at WrestleMania. Now, he’s one of the biggest faces in the entire company and as he continues his hot run towards a marquee placement at the greatest level, a name might be in his hour. — Coppinger
22. Jay White, AEW
2023 used to be for sure a roller-coaster journey for White. He joined AEW from Pristine Japan Professional Wrestling in April, and fanatics anticipated bulky issues upon his arrival. Many felt he may simply secure the group’s peak name. His rating in this checklist could be upper had he attained that, however nearest, at AEW Complete Tools in November, it gave the impression as though all of the momentum for White got here to a screeching halt, retirement fanatics to utter 3 phrases: “Poor Jay White.” — Ocal
23. Giulia, Stardom
Flow Stardom sturdy girls’s champion
Few girls wrestlers can fit Giulia’s “it” issue, bodily air of secrecy and depth. She used to be the Global of Stardom champion when 2023 started, had a sickeningly hard-hitting fit (her M.O.) within the spring with well-known rival Tam Nakano and ended the 12 months because the NJPW Sturdy girls’s champion. Giulia has been the face of Stardom, particularly for Western fanatics, over the extreme few years. In 2024, she is going to loose Japan and turns out most probably sure for WWE, the place she’ll get to turn the left-overs of the sector her plain big name energy. — Raimondi
24. Jon Moxley, AEW
Moxley began this 12 months in NJPW sooner than making his 2024 AEW debut on Strike on Jan. 20. His run with Blackpool Struggle Membership has been a a laugh journey, however a shake-up may put the team in a unutilized brightness with untouched storytelling led by means of Moxley’s colourful character. Moxley hasn’t ever been a bodily dominating wrestler, however few can fit his skill to construct a bulky fit really feel unhealthy, dramatic and chaotic. That skill is extra worthy than any body, and it’s why Moxley would possibly to find himself ranked even upper in 2024. — Maisonet
25. Solo Sikoa, WWE
Sikoa used to be at all times lurking in 2023. Although Roman Reigns and Jey Uso ruled the Bloodline tale, Sikoa remained dominant and an underlying ultimatum to in the end dethrone the Tribal Prominent. Sikoa used to be one-fourth of a vintage tag fit with Roman towards the Usos and reached his apex at Crown Jewel when he pinned John Cena blank. Sikoa is enjoying the supporting position for the main WrestleMania tales thus far, but if the mud settles, it kind of feels like he’ll be primed for a couple of singles titles in 2024 to lift his reserve and get ready him for pictures at international name gold in 2025. — Dennis
26. Adam Copeland, AEW
Copeland says he wouldn’t nonetheless be within the ring if he wasn’t having a laugh. Nearest his amaze AEW debut extreme October, the “Rated R Superstar” hasn’t bogged down, injecting himself into one of the vital corporate’s perfect feuds with endlessly buddy/foe Christian Cage. The query is, the place does he proceed from right here? Titles aren’t any primary topic for him, however developing unutilized reminiscences and stacking on a loaded profession is. The place he pivots later may constituent how AEW seems to be as an entire all over the left-overs of the 12 months. — Caldwell
27. Kevin Owens, WWE
There’s a case to be made that there’s now not a greater colleague within the trade than Owens, as he frequently places his frame at the series and is in a position to handing over a seering promo at any pace. Owens begins his 2024 marketing campaign with a Royal Rumble United States name fit towards Logan Paul. Owens vs. Paul will probably be an skillful fit, as a result of Ok.O. is a assured elevator of moments, fighters and drama. That’s why we adore him. — Maisonet
28. Christian Cage, AEW
Flow TNT champion
Cage already had a storied two-decades-long wrestling profession below his belt sooner than signing with AEW in 2021. However entering 2024, a case may also be made that “The Patriarch” is likely one of the peak heels in all of wrestling. Cage, now 50, is the whole thing we adore in an antagonist. He’s petty, sinister, unpredictable, subtle and downright cruel at the mic for any promo alternative. He’s the “role model” all of us like to dislike. — Maisonet
29. Carmelo Hayes, WWE
Hayes may well be the most productive pound-for-pound wrestler in WWE. He used to be in his bag in 2023 with a notable NXT championship reign nearest beating Bron Breakker in a barnburner of a fit. His layout with Ilja Dragunov proved that Hayes may also be brutal and high-flying. This later 12 months, it seems like it’s going to be his flip to have a blood feud with Trick Williams and sooner or later rush his playground amongst greats at the leading roster. — Dennis
30. Damian Priest, WWE
Flow Cash within the Storehouse briefcase holder, WWE undisputed tag group champion
Priest’s elevation from being “a guy” to one of the vital faces of “Monday Night Raw” isn’t misplaced on him, or his Judgment Past contemporaries. So long as he’s held the Cash within the Storehouse briefcase, he’s been a continuing within the name image, money in or now not. If Rhea Ripley is the faction’s maximum radiant big name, Priest is the glue, and it’s just a topic of year sooner than he’s preserving the unutilized “big gold” on “Raw.” — Caldwell
The later 30: Which stars may construct the peak 30 in 2025?
3:31
Perfect moments in Royal Rumble historical past
Take a look at one of the perfect moments from WWE’s Royal Rumble together with Stone Chilly Steve Austin successful it 3 times and John Cena making a stunning go back in 2008.
Our checklist consists of the peak 60 wrestlers on the earth, in honor of the 2 Royal Rumble fits that rush playground each January. From emerging stars to longtime legends, right here’s 31-60, with the flow champions in italics.
31. Dominik Mysterio, WWE
32. Sami Zayn, WWE
33. Jimmy Uso, WWE
34. Drew McIntyre, WWE
35. Jade Cargill, WWE
36. Bianca Belair, WWE
37. Ricky Starks, AEW (flow AEW Global Tag Staff Champion)
38. Tetsuya Naito, NJPW (flow IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
39. Hijo Del Vikingo, AAA and AEW (flow AAA Mega Champion)
40. Orange Cassidy, AEW (flow AEW World Champion)
41. Darby Allin, AEW
42. Iyo Sky, WWE (flow WWE Ladies’s Champion)
43. Trick Williams, AEW
44. Bayley, WWE
45. Kenny Omega, AEW
46. Zack Sabre Jr., NJPW (flow NJPW Global Tv Champion)
47. Bron Breakker, WWE
48. Toni Hurricane, AEW
49. Claudio Castagnoli, AEW
50. Grayson Waller, WWE
51. Ilja Dragunov, WWE (flow NXT Champion)
52. AJ Types, WWE
53. Eddie Kingston, AEW (flow AEW Continental Champion)
54. Santos Escobar, WWE
55. Brock Lesnar, WWE
56. Asuka, WWE
57. Dax Harwood, AEW
58. Austin Idea, WWE
59. Chris Jericho, AEW
60. Montez Ford, WWE
Word: ESPN’s WrestleRank panel, which integrated newshounds, editors, manufacturers and analysts — together with exterior trade mavens and insiders — consisted of Brandon Caldwell, Mike Coppinger, David Dennis, Arda Ocal, Marc Raimondi, Eddie Maisonet, Andrew Feldman, TK Trinidad, Cam Hawkins, Andreas Hale, Kendall Howard, Miller Safrit, Chandler MacKenzie, Andrew Davis, Cheyenne Leeman, Bob McClellan, Greg Wyshynski, Sach Chandan, Terrance Williams and Victor Lopez.
