2024 was a successful year for the headquarters in Stamford. From universally acclaimed stories to assistance records and excellent fighting in the ring, WWE reaffirmed its position as a giant in the entertainment industry.
As the norm has become in the Triple H era, the returns have become common to improve the entertainment value. CM Punk made his return to the ring at the Royal Rumble Male 2024 and possibly had the best rivalry of the year against Drew McIntyre.
The Rock also returned and became Heel as “The Final Boss,” producing some of the best moments of his career to Wrestlemania XL. Roman Reigns also began his arc of redemption in Summerslam after falling to Cody Rhodes in 'Mania.
Unfortunately, not all returns generated the same impact. In that note, let's take a look at three of the most disappointing returns of the WWE in 2024.
#3. Authors of Pain could have done much more
Karrion Kross had an unpleasant surprise for Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits at the beginning of the year. The Authors of Pain, along with their manager Paul Ellering, reappeared to attack The Pride.
Many fans feel that AOP has been underutilized as Kross companions, doing their dirty job. In this role, they have achieved limited successes. The Final Testament lost against The Pride in Wrestlemania XL in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
The Final Testament remained afloat in RAW before being in a strange alliance with The Miz and a rivalry with The Wyatt Sicks. This program has made the faction relevant, but still leaves much to be desired.
Akam and praying have remained out of the scene of the titles as a couple. They do not have many significant victories in their history. Its glorious days of domain in NXT seem a distant memory.
#2. Braun Strowman did not overcome his initial career at WWE
Braun Strowman's pass in 2017-18 as The Monster Among Men put it on the map and solidified his position as a highly highlighted heavy superpent in WWE. His popularity was in the clouds and there was a persistent cry to include it in prominent roles.
When Strowman returned from a neck injury in April 2024, there was some hope of a rebirth in his career. However, The Monster of All Monsters failed to create an impact.
He felt far from being invincible. Braun Strowman lost to Damian Priest on WWE RAW and was brutalized by “Big” Bronson Reed in the parking lot during one of his meetings. Although he won his rivalry with Reed, the victory in the decisive fight Let Monster Standing was thanks to the timely intervention of Seth Rollins.
In addition, his career was interrupted by an injury to the groin. The Monster of All Monsters recently returned to SmackDown, where he is positioning himself as the enemy of The New Bloodline.
For a man who made a career, overturning vehicles, destroying rings and sowing chaos, Strowman has had a quite inconsequential 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 was created in memory of the legacy of the late Bray Wyatt and all the members explained their connection with the former universal champion.
His motivations to join the group were well explained. Chad Gable, who had betrayed The Alpha Academy (especially the friendly Otis), was his first victim. Gable and The Creed Brothers did a good job promoting the faction.
However, things deteriorated quickly when Howdy began chasing The Miz, leading to an angle with The Final Testament. In theory, this should have been a mini-reliance. WWE has extended the program and has made The Wyatt Sick look vulnerable.
Karrion Kross defeated Howdy in a team fight. With all due respect to Kross, he had not been positioned as a main star and lacked impulse when he entered his history with The Wyatt Sicks.
The Wyatt Sicks should have been a dominant force that will terrorize WWE's costumes, chasing the betrayal villains who betrayed their friends and family. Instead, they have been relegated to a medium level act.
