3 Most Disappointing WWE returns of 2024
2024 was a successful year for the Stamford-based promotion. From universally acclaimed storylines to attendance records to great in-ring matches, WWE reaffirmed its position as a juggernaut in the entertainment industry.
As has become the norm in The Triple H Era, returns have become commonplace to enhance entertainment value. CM Punk made his in-ring comeback in the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble match and arguably had the best feud of the year against Drew McIntyre.
The Rock also returned and turned heel to become "The Final Boss," producing some of the best work of his career on The Road to WrestleMania XL. Roman Reigns also began his redemption arc at SummerSlam upon falling to Cody Rhodes at 'Mania.
Unfortunately, not all returns generated the same impact. On that note, let's look at three of the most underwhelming WWE returns of 2024.
#3. The Authors of Pain could have done much more
Karrion Kross had an unpleasant surprise for Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits at the start of the year. The Authors of Pain, with their manager Paul Ellering, re-emerged to attack The Pride.
Many fans feel that AOP has been rather under-utilized as side-kicks to Kross, doing his dirty work. In this role, they have achieved limited success. The Final Testament lost to The Pride at WrestleMania XL in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
The Final Testament trod water on RAW before finding themselves in an odd alliance with The Miz and a feud with The Wyatt Sicks. This program has made the faction relevant but still leaves much to be desired.
Akam and Rezar have remained out of the tag title picture. They don't have many significant victories to their name. Their glorious days of dominance in NXT seem like a lifetime ago.
#2. Braun Strowman failed to surpass his initial WWE run
Braun Strowman's run in 2017-18 as The Monster Among Men put him on the map and solidified his position as a top superheavyweight in WWE. His popularity was sky-high and there was a persistent cry to feature him in prominent roles.
When Strowman returned from a neck injury in April 2024, there was some hope of a career renaissance. However, The Monster of All Monsters failed to create an impact.
He felt far from invincible. Braun Strowman lost to Damian Priest on WWE RAW and was brutalized by "Big" Bronson Reed in the parking lot during one of their encounters. Although he did win his feud with Reed, the win in the decisive Last Monster Standing match came because of Seth Rollins' timely interference.
Furthermore, his run was interrupted by a groin injury. The Monster of All Monsters recently returned to SmackDown where he is being positioned as an enemy of The New Bloodline.
For a man who made a career out of flipping vehicles, destroying rings, and wreaking havoc, Strowman has had a fairly uneventful year in WWE.
#1. The Wyatt Sicks
Uncle Howdy returned with The Wyatt Sicks (Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, and Joe Gacy). The initial presentation was brilliant. The faction had been created in memory of the late Bray Wyatt's legacy and all members explained their connection to the former Universal Champion.
Their motivations for joining the group were explained well. Chad Gable, who had betrayed The Alpha Academy (especially the friendly Otis), was their first victim. Gable and The Creed Brothers did a fine job putting the faction over.
However, things quickly turned sour when Howdy began pursuing The Miz, leading to an angle with The Final Testament. On paper, this should have been a mini-feud. WWE has prolonged the program and made The Wyatt Sicks look vulnerable.
Karrion Kross pinned Howdy in a tag team match. With all due respect to Kross, he had not been positioned as a top star and lacked momentum heading into his storyline with The Wyatt Sicks.
The Wyatt Sicks should have been a dominant force that haunted and terrorized the WWE locker room, chasing treacherous heels who wronged their friends and family. Instead, they have been relegated to a mid-card act.
