25 Best Wrestling Moments Of 2024

19. The Nigel McGuinness Return

Nigel McGuinness
AEW

AEW, at its very best, is surreal. It is impossibly good. 

The Casino Gauntlet at All In: London ‘24 was pure, uncut AEW. When AEW first formed, the promotion told you, in as many words, that it was going to take a gigantic piss all over WWE creative. That match was something else: the Gauntlet completely bantered the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble off the face of the earth. That shouldn’t be possible. The Royal Rumble is the most venerated match type there is. 

The work was much better - Hangman Page countering Cassidy’s Orange punch into a seamless Deadeye, Zack Sabre, Jr. using a European clutch on Cassidy with what even his standards was a hermetic seal - but entrant number three was the most mind-blowing surprise in years and years. 

Nigel McGuinness was never meant to return. His tale was meant to end on a tragic note. And yet, after a hilarious hate campaign waged on the Collision commentary desk, he did - with the knowledge that, under all that bitter, calcified hate, his nemesis, the American Dragon, might win the AEW title. 

He looked incredible, his performance was more than respectable, and fittingly, given his secondary career, the moment - and that pop - was utter magic. 

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!