100. Nicholas Jackson (21 ballots, 867 points)
Average Rank: 50.48
Last Year’s Rank: 95
High Vote: Jonas (5)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Dante Martin & Darius Martin (AEW, 2/14)
• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Darby Allin & Sting (AEW, 3/3)
• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen (AEW, 3/27)
• w/ Kazuchika Okada & Matthew Jackson vs. Daniel Garcia, PAC & Penta El 0M (AEW, 4/17)
• w/ Kazuchika Okada & Matthew Jackson vs. Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & PAC (AEW, 4/20)
• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood (AEW, 4/21)
• w/ Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada & Matthew Jackson vs. Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Darby Allin & Dax Harwood (AEW, 5/26)
• w/ Adam Page, Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada & Matthew Jackson vs. Anthony Bowens, Darby Allin, Mark Briscoe, Max Caster & Swerve Strickland (AEW, 7/24)
• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Quen & Zay (AEW, 10/12)
• w/ Matthew Jackson vs. Quen & Zay (AEW, 10/30)

“was there a lot of bad moments with the young bucks this year? Yes but when you have that sting match, you’re allowed to be bad. I’m sorry I don’t make the rules. “ ~ Padraig

99. Matthew Jackson (22 ballots, 868 points)
Average Rank: 52.68
Last Year’s Rank: 97
High Vote: Jonas (6)

Recommended Matches

• See #100

“Matt Jackson did not wear a white leather cap. So he had a worse year than his brother” ~ Padraig

“It’s oftentimes hard to discern between the Young Bucks the wrestling politicians (annoying, overbooked) and the wrestlers themselves (still incredibly talented). 2024 was one of their worst all-time years as far as their wrestling characters go, but when they want to go in the ring there’s still very few teams on their level. The Sting retirement match would have been magic regardless of opponents, but the Bucks gave the heel performance of a lifetime to get it over even more. That’s what’s most frustrating about them. They could do that all the time, but they seem to pick and choose when they lock in.” ~ Chris Gibbons

98. Drew McIntyre (22 ballots, 875 points)
Average Rank: 41.09
Last Year’s Rank: 127
High Vote: Jon B. (6)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Sami Zayn (WWE, 1/29)
• vs. AJ Styles (WWE, 2/9)
• vs. Cody Rhodes (WWE, 2/19)
• vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens vs. LA Knight vs. Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton (WWE, 2/24)
• vs. Finn Balor (WWE, 6/10)
• vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Sheamus (WWE, 7/1)
• vs. CM Punk (WWE, 8/31)
• vs. CM Punk (WWE, 10/5)
• vs. Sami Zayn (WWE, 12/14)
• vs. Sami Zayn (WWE, 12/16)

“I was a pretty high vote on Drew for someone who barely watches any WWE. But on the shows I did watch, Drew was easily the highlight. He was the first person to carry Damian Priest to a semi-interesting match since Bad Bunny; he played the proper foil to Sayi Zayn on the lead-up to Wrestlemania; most importantly, he and CM Punk found ways to operate within WWE’s rigid PG-esque parameters without it detracting from their blood fued, even figuring out how to hard way himself into the conversation for Best Gusher Of The Year after getting smacked in the head with a tool box in their Hell In The Cell match. He’s on this list because he was one-half of the best feud in major American wrestling last year, and that’s no small accomplishment considering the whole thing started over a friendship bracelet (I think).” ~ Orchid

97. Euforia (21 ballots, 882 points)
Average Rank: 47.1
Last Year’s Rank: 229
High Vote: Andrew S. (16)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Averno & Mephisto vs. Barbaro Cavernario, Dragon Rojo Jr., Terrible (CMLL, 3/1)
• w/ Soberano Jr. & Templario vs. Akuma, Villano III Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (CMLL, 5/31)
• w/ Averno & Mephisto vs. Esfinge, Mascara Dorada & Mistico (CMLL, 6/14)
• w/ Esfinge vs. Hechicero & Valiente (CMLL, 7/26)
• w/ Averno & Mephisto vs. Titan, Yota & Zandokan Jr. (CMLL, 8/24)
• w/ Averno & Yota vs. Esfinge, Mistico & Volador Jr. (CMLL, 8/30)
• vs. Esfinge vs. Hechicero vs. Valiente (CMLL, 9/13)
• w/ Averno & Mephisto vs. Mascara Dorada, Neon & Star Jr. (CMLL, 9/27)
• w/ Barbaro Cavernario & Soberano Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada, Mistico & Templario (CMLL, 10/25)
• w/ Mephisto & Soberano Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada, Star Jr. & Templario (CMLL, 12/10)

“Never would I say I was a Euforia fan. And yet, here I am saying he was one of the best Big MF’ers of the year 2024. I think I mostly hated his mask. He looked like a man in a large rubber suit. Sans-mask, normal looking big dude. Anyway, filled a good role as the “second man up” for Averno and at times his son, Soberano Jr. Never put himself in a spot to overshadow them but always left a little mark on the match.” ~ Sam DiMascio

“Easily could be mistaken for a one match wrestler with the big apuestas match, but he brought a unique flavor to all of his CMLL work. Whether it was being the big guy in Infernales trios or working with his son Soberano Jr, Euforia always stood out as a force to be reckoned with. He showed the efficacy of a properly used big guy by just being a proper big guy.” ~ Conor S.

96. Mayumi Ozaki (21 ballots, 883 points)
Average Rank: 49.48
Last Year’s Rank: 146
High Vote: Dr. Stump (10)

Recommended Matches

• vs. Mio Momono (OZ Academy, 4/28)
• w/ Maya Yukihi vs. Mio Momono & Takumi Iroha (Marvelous, 5/3)
• w/ Maya Yukihi & Suwama vs. Chi Chi, Hideki Suzuki & ZONES (AJPW, 5/29)
• w/ Kakeru & Saori Anou vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Rina Yamashita & ZONES (OZ Academy, 7/28)
• vs. Takumi Iroha (Marvelous, 8/8)
• vs. Maya Yukihi (OZ Academy, 8/18)
• vs. Ryo Mizunami (OZ Academy, 10/27)
• vs. Saori Anou (OZ Academy, 12/30)

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t voting for Mayumi Ozaki 90% because of the Mio Momono rematch, but when the bitch queen of the universe (complimentary) is so good in that match I really find it hard to argue she shouldn’t be included. Add on to that very fun to good stuff through the year in her home promotion, and I can more than justify one of the 100 greatest wrestlers of all time’s spot on my ballot.” ~ Stephen W.

95. Dominic Garrini (23 ballots, 892 points)
Average Rank: 57.87
Last Year’s Rank: 71
High Vote: Cole (26)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (GCW, 2/9)
• w/ Kevin Ku & LaBron Kozone vs. Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor (DPW, 3/10)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Arez & Latigo (GCW, 5/25)
• vs. Lee Moriarty (BLP, 6/7)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Diego Hill & Ichiban (DPW, 6/16)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Dustin Waller & Kylon King vs. James Drake & Zack Gibson vs. Mansoor & Mason Madden (DPW, 7/7)
• vs. Manders (AIW, 8/1)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Malcolm Monroe III & Tommy Vendetta (GCW, 9/14)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood (DPW, 10/13)
• w/ Kevin Ku vs. Jake Something & Mike Bailey (DPW, 12/8)

“despite not having the singles success his tag partner Kevin Ku had this year. Violence is forever put up a very respectful year, which saw them win both the GCW and DPW tag titles. The match against Jake Something & Mike Bailey being the one that best showings off Dominic Garrini talents. “ ~ Padraig

94. Averno (22 ballots, 928 points) – HIGHEST 22 BALLOT WRESTLER
Average Rank: 49.73
Last Year’s Rank: 142
High Vote: Andrew S. (28)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Titan & Volador Jr. vs. Hechicero, Mascara Dorada & Mistico (CMLL, ½)
• vs. Mistico (MLW, 2/3)
• vs. Barbaro Cavernario (CMLL, 3/29)
• w/ Rocky Romero & Templario vs. Atlantis Jr., Mistico & Volador Jr. (CMLL, 4/5)
• w/ Euforia & Mephisto vs. Esfinge, Mascara Dorada & Mistico (CMLL, 6/14)
• w/ Volador Jr. vs. Michael Oku & Zack Sabre Jr. (CMLL, 6/21)
• w/ Euforia & Yota vs. Esfinge, Mistico & Volador Jr. (CMLL, 8/30)
• w/ Euforia & Mephisto vs. Mascara Dorada, Neon & Star Jr. (CMLL, 9/27)
• w/ Difunto & Zandokan Jr. vs. Mistico, Neon & Templario (CMLL, 11/15)
• vs. Neon (CMLL, 12/10)

“I was more of an evangelist for so many other wrestlers but no wrestler making the top 100 warms me inside as much. Averno feels perennially underappreciated, a true glue guy in any trios match who always shows up in his singles opportunities. CMLL has a number of “week-to-week” type wrestlers who by merely not phoning it in can put on good years. Averno was one of the better floor setters. He’s a little shithead and could always throw in plenty of wrinkles in that vein.” ~ Sam DiMascio

93. Shane Taylor (24 ballots, 928 points) – LOWEST 24 BALLOT WRESTLER
Average Rank: 56.08
Last Year’s Rank: 245
High Vote: Timothy Robert Buechner (27)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Lee Moriarty vs. Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean (ROH, 1/6)
• vs. Jon Moxley (AEW, 1/20)
• vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW, 3/7)
• w/ Lee Moriarty vs. Chris Jericho & Hook (4/3)
• w/ Lee Moriarty vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Orange Cassidy (AEW, 4/21)
• w/ Lee Moriarty vs. Daniel Garcia & Katsuyori Shibata (AEW, 4/27)
• vs. Will Ospreay (AEW, 5/16)
• vs. Jay White (AEW, 10/26)
• vs. Roderick Strong (AEW, 11/2)
• w/ Lee Moriarty vs. BEEF & JD Drake (ROH, 11/7)

“Finally people stand-up and take notice. Don’t want to get too thrilled for a billionaire but Tony buying ROH had so many positive side effects for me personally. A gargantuan one being Shane Taylor enters the AEW orbit. The man has presence like few wrestlers. He’s a big dude who wrestles even bigger. The match Roddy is really darn good and I think every bit with Shane Taylor Promotions has a certain character that gets my motor running.” ~ Sam DiMascio

“Probably the most underrated TV wrestler in North America. Taylor had a strong resume of matches as both a singles and tag wrestler in 2024.

Two factors put a ceiling on his ranking in lists like this . In some ways he’s blighted by being too good as an enhancement guy-he let’s his opponent shine, while also seeming insurmountable. He is also limited by  AEW’s habit of heavily using someone to take losses on TV, then rotating them out for months.” ~ Nick Yeoman

“When I talk about “maximizing your minutes”, Shane Taylor is who I would use as an example. For the limited time we got to see him, he made every match feel important. It’s not easy to stand out in the famed Bryan Collision run when some of the other opponents include Shibata and Akiyama, but Shane made that match memorable. Throw in the tags with Moriarty and the solid heel work against guys like Roddy and Ospreay, and you see him literally maximize those minutes. STP was a huge highlight of ROH as well, for those who partake in it. “ ~ Andy/Shrimp

“One of the most underrated big men and trash talkers going right now. While his STP Lee Moriarty may have been given more chances, Taylor still shines whne called upon even against opponents like Mox and Danielson. There’s a real roughness to his work that makes him stand out in the current landscape, and I would love for him to be a regular fixture going forward for AEW as well.” ~ Greed

“Every single opportunity Shane Taylor got in 2024, he knocked it out of the park. And he got some big opportunities, too; singles matches against main eventers like Bryan Danieson, Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay, tag matches against BCC and FTR, no matter who Taylor matched up against, he stood out in a big way between his hard hitting style and the brash shit talking he’s known for.” ~ Stephen W.

92. Nigel McGuinness (23 ballots, 929 points)
Average Rank: 57.35
Last Year’s Rank: NR
High Vote: Cake (1)

Recommended Matches

• Casino Gauntlet (AEW, 8/25)
• vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW, 9/25)
• vs. Lee Moriarty (ROH, 12/20)

“does having only 3 matches hurt your VP100 case? The answer is no when you’re Nigle McGuinness. His return at all in where it looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. The match against his biggest rival that clamdigger bryan danielson which was one of the most honest matches of the year. Then a fun return to ROH against Lee moriarty  “ ~ Padraig

“100% hit rate. Nigel McGuinness may only have 3 matches in 2024, but all 3 of them are fantastic, and his performances are all so different but so perfect each time. All In 2024. Fuckin In The Bushes ringing out in Wembley. Talk about a pop. The best Rumble return of the decade. Nigel gettin the return hype but also putting his workin’ boots on is great. All the little interactions he gets in this one are so fun, and he really gets his moment of recognition even if he doesn’ win in the end. Grand Slam. Brittle Bryan Danielson. Nigel and Bryan tell a wonderful story here, and its one that requires Nigel to basically build it himself. Finally getting one more match with Dragon, this absolutely could have been a honorable, celebratory, “play the hits” kind of match that leaves everyone happy. Instead, we got Nigel vs Dragon 13. They forgo any real life joy or satisfaction to fully commit to each man’s character and the story already laid out. Nigel is truly selfless here. In what should be his big validation moment (in kayfabe and reality), he chooses to go full coward. Zero honor, zero shine, entirely cheap and shitty. The choice to essentially lay this match out with no regard for the real life importance of it also leaves them room to innovate. Sure they touch on the ring post spot, but some of the shit they do here is stuff I haven’t seen them do ever. And when Nigel does the “who’s the best in the world” only for Bryan to elect not to do it back to him, we see exactly how a “nostalgia act” match can be utilized. Call back, bring into the present, lay out the future. Vindication for our guy. And then Final Battle. Nigel Mcguinness, wrestling his favorite wrestler, for the Nigel McGuinness defined belt. It writes itself come on. It’s funny how this match feels like more of an honoring of Nigel than the Bryan one does, while somehow having the lowest stakes. The real ones saw this match, and they saw grounded grappling, commitment to the narrative ideas, and classic Pure Rules advantage taking. Nigel gets his flowers, putting over a future star who takes a lot after him. If 2024 is the true Last of McGuinness, then what a perfect three bows to tie on a beautiful career.” ~ Andy/Shrimp

“Nige’s return to the ring was one of my favorite things in wrestling in 2024. Time may have weakened his strikes, but everything else is as it used to be. He’s still the crafty bastard from over a decade ago and I’m sure he’s got one more full-on run in him. If those three matches are it for him though, I cannot believe how lucky we were to get them.” ~ Greed

91. Virus (26 ballots, 924 points) – LOWEST 26 BALLOT WRESTLER
Average Rank: 53.69
Last Year’s Rank: 96
High Vote: Sam DiMascio (3)

Recommended Matches

• w/ Negro Navarro vs. Hechicero & Solar I (Wrestling Brothers, 1/27)
• vs. Magnetico (Lucha Memes, 2/9)
• w/ Dr. Polux Jr. & Hechicero vs. Blue Panther, Kaoma Jr. & Xelhua (Indy, 3/27)
• vs. Star Jr. (MLW, 3/29)
• vs. Akuma vs. Disturbio vs. Dulce Gardenia (CMLL, 4/26)
• vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (CMLL, 6/24)
• w/ Hechicero vs. Bad Dude Tito & Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW, 7/13)
• vs. Satanico (CMLL, 7/23)
• w/ Hechicero vs. Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste (NJPW, 8/30)
• w/ Cancerbero & Luciferno vs. Capitan Suicida, Futuro & Max Star (CMLL, 11/12)

“It is illegal that Virus is 56 years old. This man can still go toe-to-toe with damn near anyone! He is still a Glue Guy in trios matches but we got at least two matches that I considered highlights of the year. The Zack Sabre Jr. one is part of slew of ZSJ Dream Bouts that actually deliver. The other is his match against Satanico that does not get talked about nearly enough. If you want to see two true maestros do their thing, there might not have been a better version of that in 2024.” ~ Sam DiMascio

“There are a lot of old man luchadores I love specifically because they are old men and wrestle like it. Virus is somehow not in that category. Despite being well over the age of 50, despite being booked most often as the wily veteran grappler, Virus still feels like he is somehow in his prime. He has been in his prime for decades. On any given night, he can out-wrestle guys a third of his age. Just another great year in an incredibly consistent, special career. Wrestling will be worse off when Virus finally does show signs of slowing down.” ~ Chris Gibbons