2024 was a great year for pro wrestling. So many things are going on, and so many options for whatever you enjoy. For me, pro wrestling felt fun again, especially as my son is now all about the special art form as well.
As 2024 comes to a close, and I begin placing together the traditional posts in the "Most Fascinating Things" and the "Year in Review", I felt it would be fun to drop a new Pondering 10.
In this one, I take a look at the overall landscape of pro wrestling, and fantasy move a wrestler to another company. Again, this is my list. For all of the company tribalists, don't come at me! All in fun!
With that said, here is my Pondering 10:
10. Jonathan Gresham to NWA
Gresham's style is unmatched. The dude is old-school and can make technical wrestling look like a modern science happening right before your eyes in storytelling. NWA is still grasping to establish that identity in the landscape by catering to the "old-style" presentation come to age, and I think Gresham in the world of the NWA could present some fun opportunities and moments.
9. Hammerstone to the NWA
Speaking of old-style presentation, Hammerstone's recent run in TNA has been, well, interesting. Hammerstone is a massive man, and he harkens some big-time resemblance to that period when massive bodies and charisma played well. The NWA would be an interesting move for him.
8. Will Hobbs to TNA
Sure, go ahead and enter your AEW-can't-book-big-guys narrative here. Whether you buy into it or not, Hobbs has shown potential to be something special, and I'm not sure AEW is the right stage for it. A TNA jump would provide Hobbs some creativity to build upon what he started in AEW.
7. Britt Baker to TNA
Look, at one point Baker felt like one of AEW's biggest stars. I'm not sure what happened. I don't get involved much in innuendo and backstage rumors. Regardless, my opinion is that Baker is the top draft pick that needs a new team. A TNA run, where there are available spots in the Knockouts division and space to rekindle that stardom, would be a great fit.
6. Josh Alexander to NXT
Josh is my guy. Big fan. I just think he's done everything he can in TNA. A jump to NXT on a bigger stage would provide him some opportunity to get settled in a broader environment, hopefully, before possibly making a jump to the main roster down the line. Alexander could immediately present interesting creative with Ethan Page, a veteran of the upcoming talent, and provide him a transition to the world of WWE.
5. Jordynne Grace to WWE
She has to go to WWE, right? It just feels like Grace is on her way there. And you know what, she deserves it.
4. Samoa Joe to TNA
This started low on my list and slowly crept up because of nostalgia. I'm not sure of Joe's opinion on TNA. But despite being everywhere else, I not only feel like Joe still has a TNA story to finish, but he also still feels like a TNA legend. Also, at this point in TNA's history, it would be so cool.
3. MJF to WWE
This is like Grace. MJF is special and feels that way. In 2024, I'm not sure he took a step forward. He still feels like the guy who needs to be pushed because of the ceiling, and the WWE is the only place to do it. MJF in WWE is so highly intriguing.
2. The Miz to AEW
Okayyyyyyyyyyyyy, now hear me out. Especially, the AEW tribalists who likely are closing out the browser on this one. AEW needs something different. There is no one more anti-AEW in my mind than The Miz to the AEW fan. The Miz is the ultimate professional and so vastly underrated. I would love to see a Miz run in AEW cosplaying his status as a sports entertainer (I know, it's been recently done much poorly with Jericho and crew). I just view Miz as the ultimate heel in AEW, playing to a style that is not the core of this brand, and in many ways, also giving the company some direction.
I want Miz to slow every match down, and hit every WWE-like move...ahhhhh, the nuclear heat this would present!
1. Will Ospreay to TNA
A personal favorite here at number one. Will Ospreay to TNA just felt like the right thing when he was a free agent, no? After a few months in AEW, I still stand by that. Ospreay could (and should) be this generation's AJ Styles. He would instantly be the hood ornament.