3 Best booking decisions AEW made in 2024
AEW has had another stellar year when it comes to spectacular matches and storytelling as well. Now as 2024 comes to an end, let's examine the booking decisions made by Tony Khan and his company that shaped this year as another standout for All Elite Wrestling.
Here are AEW's three best booking decisions from 2024:
#3) Mariah May turning heel on Toni Storm
Mariah May's long-running storyline with Toni Storm this year was regarded by fans as one of the finest pieces of storytelling content in professional wrestling. From Storm taking her under her wing and labeling herself as her mentor to hints being dropped about the eventual betrayal.
Fans knew the time would come when Mariah May would finally turn on her mentor, and when it finally happened it was gloriously violent. May would beat down Toni Storm in front of fans and would call it "the night that Timeless died."
She would then proceed to challenge her for the AEW Women's World Championship at All In London 2024. May would come out on top as the victor, eventually sending Timeless Toni Storm on a hiatus for the better part of this year.
#2) Bryan Danielson finally winning the AEW World Championship
Bryan Danielson has had a rollercoaster of a year in 2024 and stood out yet again as one of the best in-ring performers of this generation from his outstanding matches with the likes of Will Ospreay, and Swerve Strickland.
The American Dragon had announced that he would retire from full-time professional wrestling the next time he lost before heading into his world title match against Strickland at AEW All In London. So, a lot was on the line as he went to battle against an outstanding performer such as Strickland as fans were concerned whether it would be the last they saw of Danielson.
Thankfully, he would live to fight another day and more as he captured the World Championship from Swerve after making him tap out in a brilliant match. Danielson would then proceed to celebrate with his wife in the ring in a wholesome moment for him, his family, and the fans.
#1) Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page's feud
One of the best decisions from AEW was to consistently let the feud between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Adam Page escalate week after week. Both stars were permitted to go all out to channel their hate and anger for one another, with both of them only settling once the other had been finished for good.
The whole feud had outstanding moments from Hangman admitting he would rather see his enemy lose the title than win it for himself and then going as far as burning down Strickland's house.
It would all come to an end in one of the most brutal matches in AEW's history in a Light Out Steel Cage match at All Out. Hangman Page would ultimately be the victor but both stars would come out worse for wear from the war. However, one thing's for sure: fans enjoyed all the drama in the rivalry that AEW threw at them every step of the way.