2024 has been an incredible year in wrestling. WWE has been on fire with greater talent freedom, exciting in ring action and compelling storylines. AEW/ROH has phenomenal match quality, especially on pay per view. Impact has seen a growth in popularity and attendance. The independent scene in thriving, especially GCW. New Japan is taking steps towards rebuilding following a loss of talent in 2023. CMLL/AAA are both getting hot crowds and increased interest. With this in mind, the 2024 Positive Wrestling award winners have been difficult to select but below are the winners.

Women’s Wrestler of The Year

Winner: Liv Morgan

Runners Up: Toni Storm, Roxanne Perez, Jordynne Grace, Rhea Ripley

This was the most competitive category as you could make a case for any of the runners up to have won. Timeless Toni Storm was one of the most unique and interesting characters in AEW history. Roxanne and Jordynne dominated NXT and TNA respectively. Rhea has been the most popular women’s wrestler for years.

In the end it was Rhea’s nemesis Liv Morgan who won the award. Thriving as a heel champion alongside her beau, the chicken tender loving Dirty Dominik Mysterio. Confident and composed on the microphone, great matches in the ring and such loud crowd reactions.

Men’s Wrestler of The Year

Winner: Cody Rhodes

Runners Up: Will Ospreay, Sami Zayn, Zack Sabre Jr, Gunther

There was a story to finish and against the odds, the story had a happy ending. At the start of the year it looked as if Cody wouldn’t get his rematch at WrestleMania, but popular opinion changed the card and Roman’s record breaking reign was ended. Cody became a fighting champion and true inspiration to millions of fans worldwide.

In terms of in ring match quality no-one has the consistency of Will Ospreay. Sami defeated Gunther for the Intercontinental title and reunited with Roman and The Usos. Gunther recovered from his loss to Sami to become a world champion. Zack had a standout year winning the G1 and becoming IWGP champion.

Tag Team of The Year

Winner: Axiom and Nathan Frazer

Runners Up: Violence is Forever, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, DIY, The System

A category with no obvious standout nominee saw Axiom and Nathan win the award for their impressive run as NXT champions. Consistently good matches and an interesting dynamic made them must watch.

Violence is Forever dominated the tag division in GCW. Bianca and Jade were the dominant women’s team prior to Jade’s injury. DIY reformed and became two time Smackdown tag team champions. The System team of Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers ruled the TNA tag team division for most of the year.

Match of The Year

Winner: Sami Zayn v Chad Gable (April 15th)

Runners Up, Bryan Danielson v Swerve Strickland (August 25th), Cody Rhodes v Roman Reigns (April 7th), Mariah May v Toni Storm (August 25th), Josh Alexander v Will Ospreay (January 14th)

The two most emotional matches were Cody versus Roman and Bryan versus Swerve. Both saw a fan favourite overcome the odds in front of stadium crowds. Mariah versus Toni was a great match and the culmination of a great storyline.

A number of Will Ospreay matches could have been on the runners up list with great bouts against the likes of MJF, Swerve, Pac, Okada and Kyle Fletcher. The best of all of his matches in 2024 though was the match from TNA against Josh Alexander.

The winner of this award was the match on Raw between Sami Zayn and Chad Gable. Gable, somewhat justifiably, felt Sami had stolen his WrestleMania match but the two were still friends when Sami granted him a title opportunity. After suffering another close defeat in a fantastic match, Chad finally snapped which led to the memorable moment where Chad suplexed Sami from his wife’s arms.

Feud of The Year

Winner: CM Punk v Drew McIntyre

Runners Up: Cody Rhodes v The Bloodline, Toni Storm v Mariah May, Liv Morgan v Rhea Ripley, Mance Warner v Effy

The final 2024 award goes to individuals involved in a feud over a bracelet. From Drew inadvertently injuring Punk at the Royal Rumble to Punk costing Drew the world title to Hell in a Cell. This feud was believable, intense and delivered in ring.

Cody had a constant thorn in his side throughout 2024 from different versions of the Bloodline. Toni and Mariah played the star and understudy storyline perfectly but with an added twist. Liv and Rhea feuded over the title and a lothario. Mance and Effy was heated and involved a number of other GCW competitors including a dastardly heel turn from Allie Katch,

Congratulations to all of the winners. One thing is certain, the 2025 awards will be equally as hard fought.