Pop Break is not shy about its love for pro wrestling. Since we opened our doors back in 2009, we’ve been all in (pun intended) on wrestling. Whether it’s WWE, AEW, New Japan, Ring of Honor, MLW, TNA, Chikara, GCW or the American or European independents — we’ve covered them all and will continue to do so until the wheels falls.
As we do every year, we gathered a panel of past and present Pop Break writers and editors, as well as friends of the site to contribute to our annual match of the year column. Enjoy!
Is there a match you think that should be mentioned in this column? Let us know in the comments.
The Match: The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) vs Sting and Darby Allin
The Show: AEW Revolution – March 3, 2024 at The Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
Chosen By: Kimmy Sokol (Retired Pop Break Senior Wrestling Writer)
One of the many perks of my job is being able to travel the world and see a lot of cool matches in person. This year, I went to Mania and Summerslam as well as a bunch of AEW and TNA shows. But nothing will compare to the feeling of watching Sting’s last match in person. Being able to work with Sting a handful of times over the last couple of years has shown me that he is one of the nicest guys to work with, even if he tells me I can not count, and his new nickname for me is a troublemaker.
From the amazing video tribute of an entrance, his sons getting involved at the beginning of the match, as well as one last victory for the icon, this was the perfect send-off for Sting. The electricity in the building was unmatched multiple people traveled in for this event just to watch this legendary performer take one final bow in North Carolina. To me, this is the match of the year for the feeling alone, this match wasn’t perfect and that Allin spot through the glass was petrifying enough. However, being a wrestling fan is about feeling something, and all of the people who were in the Coliseum that night felt something.
The Match: 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble
The Show: WWE Royal Rumble 2024 – January 27, 2024 at Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, Florida
Chosen by: Steve Miller (Rutgers University Legend)
I am fully aware that this is about the quality of a single confrontation and did not reach the heights of any Osprey match, Swerve vs. Hangman, etc. In fact, the most impactful result coming out of 70 minutes of action had nothing to do with how well the wrestlers did. No, the most important in-ring occurrence of the year was the biceps injury to CM Punk and subsequent audience reaction to Cody Rhodes’s second Rumble victory. Both of these served to up-end Paul Levesque’s 2024 booking plans and sent the company in an entirely different direction. No Punk meant no Punk vs Seth Rollins and led to what may have been the best feud of the year vs Drew McIntyre. The Rhodes victory led the audience to give a middle finger to Dwayne Johnson’s attempt to hijack the company and turn it into another of his bad movies.
The truth is that 2024’s most significant event didn’t happen in the ring and was announced at the time of the Rumble: The $5 Billion WWE/TKO deal with Netflix. The company that at one time was only running it’s television in the New York area on Spanish language UHF stations and doing shows in high school gyms was now a trendsetting, multi-billion dollar organization that was a leader in abandoning traditional media.
The Match: WWE Undisputed Universal Championship (Bloodline Rules) – Roman Reigns v. Cody Rhodes
The Event: Wrestlemania 40 (aka Wrestlemania XL) – April 7, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
Chosen by: Amanda Rivas (Co-Host of Socially Distanced & Anime x Pop)
After Cody Rhodes lost at Wrestlemania 39 to Roman Reigns, I thought, “How on earth will Cody Rhodes ever finish his story?!” So much work had gone into the build-up for Wrestlemania 39 with Cody having all the momentum in the world on his side, and I was worried Cody would never finish his story and The Bloodline would become stale. Well, Wrestlemania 40 proved me wrong and I am glad.
I chose this match as my Match of the Year 2024 for several reasons. First, the return of The Rock with the twist of him acknowledging Roman as Tribal Chief and joining The Bloodline added so much drama and excitement and raised the stakes behind Wrestlemania 40’s main event. A Final Boss for Cody to overcome on his way to the top with a tease of a “will he, won’t he,” turn on Roman made this perfection for me. Second, adding Seth Rollins to the mix by tagging with Cody for Wrestlemania 40’s night one main event was brilliant as it made Wrestlemania press tours livelier, resurrected The Shield connection with Roman, and added another potential obstacle for Cody to overcome in the mistrust both had in each other. I enjoyed the night one main event match content and felt it did a great job hyping up how epic night two would be. The buildup for my match of the year was well executed.
Lastly, the Bloodline Rules match had everything I was missing from recent Wrestlemania main events. I still got my epic entrances from both Cody and Roman but we had glorious chaos with expected interferences from Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, The Rock, and Seth with epic cameos from John Cena and The Undertaker. Cody and Roman actually wrestled in a good match prior to the glorious chaos occurring! Finally, the match finish was pure magic for me with Roman choosing to hit Seth with the steel chair instead of Cody as revenge for Seth turning on The Shield years ago which traumatized Roman so much that he became The Tribal Chief. Cody took advantage of this moment to move past his devastating loss last year and finish his story unlike Roman who could not let go of the past. I felt this match and its storytelling in my soul and that’s why it is my Match of 2024.
The Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay
The Show: AEW Dynasty – April 21, 2024 at The Chaifetz Arena in Saint Louis, Missouri
Chosen by: Julian Dimagiba (of Young Rising Sons)
When you ask wrestling fans to list who they feel are the best in-ring performers, there is a good chance some of those lists will have some overlapping. But what I can almost guarantee is the one name that would be on ALL of those lists:
Will Ospreay.
I don’t believe I have ever witnessed someone that has had a streak of consistent good-to-great matches as Will Ospreay has had this year. While he has always been someone to look forward to seeing in any wrestling show he has been part of, there is something absolutely untouchable about Will Ospreay’s career thus far in AEW. No offense to Sheamus, but the “BANGER, AFTER BANGER” moniker should really belong to Ospreay. His presence, promo delivery, and ability to hook you in is unmatched. To me, he truly is the best overall performer in professional wrestling today. Prior to what Ospreay has done this year that earned him that title in my eyes, there was one other wrestler that truly embodied that.
Bryan Danielson.
So, what happens when you put these two in a ring together and give them 34 minutes to do what they do best? You get is an absolute professional wrestling masterpiece, and my choice for match of the year in 2024.
The Match: Zach Sabre Jr. Vs. Orange Cassidy
The Show: AEW Forbidden Door 2024 on June 30, 2024 at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York
Chosen by: Evi Dworkis (Contributor to Pop Break)
Being in the live audience at Forbidden Door was an experience-of-the-year for me; so naturally my match-of-the-year pick was from this show! The show hit one amazing match after another with no promos and no unnecessary talking. Plus, the crowd was responding to every suplex, submission, and near pinfall in the ring. When it came time for Zach Sabre Jr. and Orange Cassidy to wrestle, I was hyped!
Any match with ZSJ always leaves me wanting more and leaves me talking about it for at least a week. This one was no different. The combination of ZSJ’s smooth reversals into (how the heck did he do that?) submissions and quick, devastating headscissors with Cassidy’s flipping, flying out of the ring, and jumping off the top rope made for a very entertaining competition. Mix in Casssidy’s rolling out of the ring to avoid ZSJ and ZSJ sarcastically putting his hands into his trunk’s “pockets,” and you’ve got yourself another delicious layer of entertainment. The best part of watching any ZSJ match is watching his opponent’s reaction to Sabre Jr. putting the Break’s Special on him. It’s a good thing Cassidy can wrestle without the use of his hands… ouch!
Fantastic match and fantastic show!
The Match: Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page
The Show: AEW All Out – September 7, 2024 at The NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois
Chosen By: Jeff Fountain – The Chairman, USDN
In a feud that lasted over a year and saw AEW crown its first Black champion in Swerve Strickland and saw one of AEW original’s fall from grace and literally rise again from ashes, although those ashes were from Swerve’s childhood home.
Swerve and Hangman faced each other five times during the feud that started in 2023 and culminated in what could be the most brutally violent Lights Out Steel Cage Match ever seen on Pay Per View in Chicago, Illinois at All Out.
During this feud, we saw more than one felony committed by both men to include; Hangman stabbing Swerve in the hand while signing their contract, Swerve breaking into and entering Hangman’s home and finally Hangman fulfilling his promise to burn Swerve’s world to the ground by literally burning Swerve’s newly bought childhood home. These two men could also qualify for feud of the year but we’re here because their Lights Out Steel Cage Match deserves Match of the Year for its brutality and violence that they were willing to do to each other. If you enjoy watching two grown men beat the hell out of each while using household items such as Staple Guns, Tables, Chairs, Center Blocks, or maybe a charred splinter from your childhood home then this could be the Match for you but wait there’s more…how about a finish to the match by Hangman stabbing a hypodermic needle into Swerve’s cheek followed by the hardest chair shot I’ve witnessed in my 35 plus years of watching wrestling. Did I mention Swerve stapled his family portraits to Hangman’s chest and face? Yeah…if you like a little wrestling mixed into your violence then Match of the Year is Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page at All Out.
The Match: Edith Surreal vs. Daniel Makabe
The Show: SHP x LOL presents EUPHORIA on April 4 at The Attic Brewing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Chosen By: Kenny Pete (aka DJ Gingerbeard, Pop Break & BCP+ Contributor)
I love that Bill Bodkin still asks me to contribute to this column. Sure, everyone is gonna talk about their Will Ospreay’s & Bryan Danielson’s & FTRs and their big stadium shows with high production values in front of screaming crowds of thousands. So, Bill asking me what my favorite match of the year is just like him saying “So what was your favorite ‘grimy indie’ match of the year that no one has heard of that everyone needs to see’?” NO PROBLEM YA’ll , I’ve got ya covered!!!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during Wrestlemania week in April. The entire industry converges on the host city for about 10 days around the two-day stadium wrestling spectacle and wrestling shows, conventions, live podcasts, comedy, magic and variety shows all wrestling themed go round the clock the entire time. If you are into professional wrestling on any level, you have to experience a ‘Mania Week’ at least once in your lifetime.
My favorite match of the year didn’t happen in a stadium, or an arena. It didn’t happen in a KoC or VFW building either. It happened on a Thursday afternoon under a tent in the courtyard of a Philadelphia brewery on the west side of town. This was a dream match I’ve wanted to see happen for about five years but never thought the stars would align to put these two pure technical combatants across the ring from each other. NJ independent wrestler Sean Henderson “gets it.” He teamed up with “Brave Billy Avery” who also gets it to host two shows of independent wrestling under the banner of Sean Henderson Presents x Labor of Love (LOL) that are available to view on independent wrestling dot TV (not a sponsor)
Two underground, cult favorite, independent professional wrestlers focused on the lost art of “Technical Wrestling.” The Grrapps. Catch as Catch Can. Gabeism. The kind of stuff that makes sports entertainment fans head to the merch stands. The kind of stuff that makes Professional Wrestling fans remember why they got into the raddest art form on the planet when done right.
I first saw Daniel Makabe wrestle on a trip to Seattle in 2018. Crossing the border from Canada to “visit friends” , Makabe was one of 8 wrestlers in a rental van traveling from Western Canada with hopes of getting enough buzz in front of a US audience to catch on, you know “Visiting Friends.” Immediately from his entrance I knew this dude meant business. The scowl. The fan interaction. The “I’m the best bad guy in the room with the title to prove it,” proceeded to put on an awesome match with PNW stalwart Cat Power. I was super impressed and wished more promoters would make that investment in his work because he was worth it and then some.
Edith Surreal. Wow. I’ve watched this performer from their literal day oOne in professional wrestling. A bit player in a faction, Still Life with Apricots & Pears, grew to outshine their contemporaries in the Artist Collective, went on a brilliant run as Young Lions Cup champion and retired the trophy undefeated. Outgrew their Still Life persona, set up a match where they would purposely change their gear, then make a new introduction to the world with an updated look as Edith Surreal. When I watch their matches now some seven years later, I see the most pure student of the classic Wrestle Factory on Wingate Street in Philadelphia and has grown into one of the coolest wrestlers I’ve ever seen. They are a pure joy for me to watch wrestle & have told them that every time I can. Seeing the journey of a real person learn to do the thing and then get really good and then make real money to fly around the country to perform is very real in the world of “Pro Wrestling” (you know, that “fake” stuff) will never ever ever get old to me.
I’ve wanted to see these two performers paint a masterpiece together For Years; Makabe played the dastardly villain, with Edith playing the hometown hero. Back & forth exchanges of hold reversals , counters for counters & the weird stuff that you only see unique performers do in their own unique style; this match had all of it & I got to stand three feet away from watching one of my dream professional wrestling matches. It reminded me that Wrestlemania week has everything to do with Professional Wrestling. Professional Wresting has nothing to do with Wrestlemania.
The Match: Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson
The Show: The Show: AEW Dynasty – April 21, 2024 at The Chaifetz Arena in Saint Louis, Missouri
Chosen by: Tyler Yasembousky
The reason this match is my number one is because it’s not often that a dream match not only lives up to expectations but exceeds them! Danielson also had an incredible match with swerve that most years could have won the award. Meanwhile ospreay has had 3 or 4 matches that could also be nominated. But the BEST was their match against each other
The Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston
The Show: AEW Revolution – March 3, 2024 at The Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
Chosen By: Michael Dworkis (Senior Pop Break Editor)
This one was too close to call. Between stellar matches featured on AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, I had a hell of a time trying to narrow it down. Trying to weed one out in a year full of Will Ospreay matches which easily earn eleventy billion stars was no easy task.
It was close. I finally narrowed it down to two matches, ultimately deciding on Brian Danielson versus Eddie Kingston at AEW Revolution. The reason why, was in-part due to an incredible wrestling performance, amplified by months of the best promos and hype for a grudge match years in the making. It’s no secret I’m a die-hard Eddie Kingston fan, but it should come as no surprise that I’m also a die-hard Bryan Danielson fan. With this being his final year as an active wrestler, it seems fitting to me to make this choice. The match itself was incredible from bell to bell, not only with the intensity of their wrestling holds, submissions, suplexes, and obligatory chop-fest, but with the facial expressions and probably a match with the highest level of emotional drama to date. Eddie won the match, not only retaining his Triple Crown, but a handshake from Danielson earning respect which was long overdue.
The runner-up was from a Dynamite I attended back on January 3rd, 2024. Konoske Takeshita defeated Darby Allin in an insane match.
The Match: WWE Undisputed Universal Championship (Bloodline Rules) – Roman Reigns v. Cody Rhodes
The Event: Wrestlemania 40 (aka Wrestlemania XL) – April 7, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
Chosen by: Rob Williams (Editor-in-Chief of The BCP+)
Although not a cinematic match by definition, what a piece of cinema Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules Match at Night 2 of WrestleMania XL truly was. All the necessary pieces were there, heading into a long-awaited rematch between two of the biggest stars in all of pro wrestling. Perhaps with some recency bias from being in the arena that historic night, cameos, hard hitting moves, and the amalgamation of multiple long-term storylines all contributed to this being my personal Match of The Year choice. The Avengers: End Game approach to a wrestling match was something I never knew I wanted to see, but a moment in time I’ll never forget. Flawless execution in timing, work rate, production, facials, and evoking tears from both those at the stadium and watching at home, this was art.
The Match: Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander – Chicago Street Fight
The Show: AEW All Out – September 7, 2024 at The NOW Arena in Chicago, Illinois
Chosen by: Bill Bodkin
To paraphrase my nephew Julian Dimagiba (he’s not actually my nephew, but he is), if there were two names in women’s wrestling this year that were constantly revolving around matches of the year — Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander. These two tore it as a team and as opponents throughout the year, including a tag team street fight (losing to Julia Hart and Skye Blue) and then against each other.
The fight between these two Chicago, while it could not rival the pure insidious violence of Hangman v Swerve in the main, was one of the best street fights AEW has ever seen. Willow is often the constant in street fights in AEW and has shown that she’s not all smiles and skipping, she is an absolute legend when it comes to bloody violence. Statlander is also no stranger to this world, and proved she can hang in this environment better than most. The intensity of the feud was so palpable you could drizzle it onto pancakes and the viscera spilled in the ring during this match was just as thick.
AEW has produced a litany of matches of the year, and I chose this one because it’s one you may have forgotten about — but if you revisit it, you’ll thank me.
