The Worst Wrestlers of 2024: Why Ricochet Takes the Top Spot
By WrestlingChimp
In 2024, the world of professional wrestling saw a lot of incredible action, jaw-dropping matches, and unforgettable moments. But like any year, it also witnessed some rather disappointing performances—wrestlers who failed to deliver, didn’t live up to expectations, or simply seemed out of place in the ever-evolving industry. This list isn’t about disrespecting wrestlers, but more about calling attention to where things went wrong for these individuals, with one man standing above the rest in a year where he couldn’t seem to catch a break: Ricochet.
1. Ricochet – The Fall of a High-Flyer
When Ricochet first entered WWE, fans were immediately enamored with his high-flying ability and electrifying style. But somehow, in 2024, Ricochet’s career has plateaued to the point of disappointment. What was once seen as one of the brightest futures in WWE has now become a case study in underutilization and wasted potential.
Let’s break down the key issues with Ricochet’s 2024:
Inconsistent Booking
For most of the year, Ricochet was caught in a whirlwind of confusing storylines, with little direction or clear purpose. One moment he was being thrown into meaningless multi-man tag team matches, and the next he was inexplicably in feuds that led nowhere. Fans started to lose faith in his ability to ascend the ranks when WWE itself didn’t seem to know what to do with him. There were a few bright spots, like his matches with Logan Paul and some sporadic tag-team efforts with stars like Braun Strowman, but overall, his booking left a lot to be desired.
Inability to Evolve
Ricochet’s wrestling style, while still impressive, hasn’t evolved much since his debut. In 2024, fans began to notice a growing issue—Ricochet was simply doing the same moves over and over again, with no new tricks up his sleeve. In a time when the wrestling world is constantly evolving, with wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, and LA Knight continuously reinventing themselves, Ricochet’s lack of new techniques or character development has made him feel stale. Fans no longer get excited for his matches in the way they once did.
The “Falling Star” Effect
Despite his athleticism, Ricochet has struggled to capture the attention of the WWE Universe. His failure to break through the main-event scene or even sustain a meaningful spot in mid-card feuds has led many to wonder if he’s simply destined to be a mid-carder, caught in the endless cycle of losing streaks and poorly executed storylines. The “falling star” effect is real, and Ricochet’s inability to break through it in 2024 is one of the most unfortunate storylines of the year.
Fans were hoping Ricochet could build on the momentum he had in 2023, but instead, 2024 served as a reminder that even the most talented high-flyers need more than just impressive flips to succeed. They need compelling storylines, character depth, and consistency. Unfortunately, Ricochet has been lacking in all of these areas this year, making him the most disappointing wrestler of 2024.
2. Nia Jax – The Return That Should Have Stayed in the Past
Nia Jax’s return in 2024 was meant to be a big deal. WWE brought back the monstrous woman with hopes of adding some heavy-hitting chaos to the women’s division. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for fans to realize that Nia’s return had more negatives than positives. From botched moves to a lack of in-ring chemistry with opponents, Jax just didn’t live up to the hype. Her character felt outdated, and her presence in the ring was a constant reminder of the things WWE’s women’s division had moved past.
3. Dominik Mysterio – The Hate That’s Becoming a Joke
Dominik Mysterio, while improved in some ways, spent most of 2024 riding the wave of cheap heat. While it’s clear the young Mysterio has natural heel charisma, his reliance on outside interference, taunting, and drawing heat from the crowd has turned him into more of a comic relief character than a legitimate threat. The “Daddy’s Boy” gimmick has been played out, and in 2024, it’s clear that Dominik is still trying to ride the coattails of his father’s legacy rather than establishing his own identity. While he’s getting heat, it’s not the kind of heat that’s going to push him to the top in the long run.
4. Chris Jericho – The King of Overexposure
Chris Jericho is one of the greatest of all time—no one can deny that. But in 2024, Jericho’s constant presence on AEW programming became less of a celebration of his legacy and more of a case of overexposure. Jericho, who was once known for reinventing himself with each phase of his career, has started to feel like a character stuck in reverse. His feud with Ricky Starks, his endless involvement in factions, and his apparent need to be involved in every major storyline have left fans feeling fatigued.
A Lack of Freshness
Jericho’s gimmicks, while often brilliant, have become repetitive. The “Jericho Appreciation Society” angle dragged on for far too long, and his 2024 storyline with Adam Cole failed to recapture the magic of his past feuds. His in-ring work, while still decent, isn’t quite what it used to be, and it’s hard to ignore the fact that Jericho has become more about the spectacle of “Chris Jericho the Brand” rather than the compelling wrestling character he once was. Jericho, in his prime, was a dynamic force that could carry any company. In 2024, he seemed more content to coast on his legendary status rather than push new boundaries.
The Age Factor
It’s no secret that Jericho is not getting any younger, and while he’s maintained a solid physical condition for a man of his age, 2024 was the year when it became glaringly obvious that his days as an active in-ring performer should be winding down. Jericho’s legacy is secure, but his reliance on nostalgia-based angles and gimmicks in 2024 has begun to feel like an unnecessary drag on AEW’s younger talent, who could benefit from more screen time and storylines that push the company forward.
5. Shayna Baszler – The Queen of Missed Opportunities
Shayna Baszler was once regarded as one of the most dominant forces in WWE’s women’s division. But in 2024, she has been reduced to the role of a jobber, caught in a series of lackluster feuds with little to no real stakes. It’s honestly a tragedy considering Baszler’s potential. From being part of a groundbreaking NXT run to becoming an afterthought in the main roster, Baszler’s 2024 is a perfect example of what happens when the WWE fails to capitalize on a wrestler’s strengths. With Ronda Rousey’s departure, Baszler had a perfect opportunity to rise, but the company hasn’t pushed her as they should have.
Conclusion: Ricochet—A Symbol of 2024’s Missed Potential
While Ricochet has undeniably displayed some of the most jaw-dropping athleticism in wrestling, his inability to evolve, lack of consistent booking, and missed opportunities in 2024 have made him the #1 Worst Wrestler of the year. It’s not that Ricochet isn’t talented—he absolutely is—but 2024 will go down as the year that reminded us that talent alone isn’t enough to thrive in professional wrestling.
If WWE (or any other promotion) wants to get the best out of Ricochet, they need to reevaluate how they book him, give him a clear direction, and allow him to show growth both in and out of the ring. Until that happens, Ricochet will remain the symbol of missed potential in 2024—a year where he simply couldn’t get out of his own way.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts on the worst wrestlers of 2024 in the comments below!
