25 Best Wrestling Moments Of 2024

21. Jeff Jarrett’s Babyface Turn

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AEW

Jeff Jarrett was a delight across 2023 - the skits, angles and endless twist-heavy interference of his act elevated an unfocused midcard scene with a load of incident and entertainment value. The knowing overbooking was plain fun when AEW badly needed an escape from the relentless scrutiny. 

It did get to be a bit much, and AEW sensibly scaled it all back. 

AEW fans developed a sense of respect for Jarrett, whose 2024 babyface turn was measured to absolute perfection. He entered the Owen Hart Foundation Cup and, in a haunting nine-minute promo - if it can even be analysed through the lens of pro wrestling - pledged to win the whole thing on behalf of his fallen brother and best friend. This wonderful, heart-wrenching speech was incredible. In one unbearable layer, Jarrett, as many wrestlers have, quoted Toby Keith’s immortal lyric “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was”. 

Keith had died earlier that year, and was Jeff’s friend. This was an ingenious combination of character work and real pathos. 

Jarrett was canonised as wrestling royalty through a “promo” that also drove the sensational heel turn of Hangman Page. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!