25 Worst Wrestling Moments Of 2024

20. Cope's AEW Rah-Rah Speech

Chris Jericho

Yet another case of AEW trying in vain to wave away the spectre of CM Punk less than a year removed from his firing, Adam Copeland's April 2024 rah-rah speech came as result - or was at least indirectly linked - to the 'Straight Edge Superstar' offering some rather incendiary thoughts about the challenger brand's viability as a business.

Punk's long warts-and-all interview with Ariel Helwani predictably generated weeks of debate and discussion about pretty much everything he touched upon, and a couple of the points were enough for those within All Elite Wrestling to address or reference them on camera. 

On the last Dynamite before WrestleMania (the very same WrestleMania Punk was drawing hype for with Helwani), Copeland asked for and was given mic time to profess his earnest love for all the challenger brand had to offer. Unfortunately, and to no real fault of 'Cope', it felt forced and - by the end of quite a weak edition of the flagship show - without much merit.

The soul of AEW has been fought for more times than the International Title in 2024. Copeland was smiling and growling his way through words that merely echoed greatness rather than personified it.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett