The year may be just over three months old, but 2024 is already shaping up to be one of the wildest in recent memory. From Sting's retirement and the debut of Mercedes Mone in AEW, to The Rock-related drama on the Road to WrestleMania 40 in WWE, what a year it has been so far.

With so much going on, there are bound to be Superstars taking advantage of the extra attention being paid to the wrestling industry, while other performers are folding under pressure or not being given the opportunity to succeed any longer.

With both AEW and WWE off to such a strong start, here are the early winners and losers from 2024.

Winners

AEW's Biggest Winner: The Women's Division

Since AEW's inception, the company's women's division has been criticized for a lack of character development and storyline continuity. While those gripes were justified at times, the arrival of Mercedes Mone is just the latest in a series of major improvements made in 2024.

In addition to adding a bona fide Superstar like Mone to the roster, characters like "Timeless" Toni Storm and Julia Hart have shined, while stars like Deonna Purrazzo, Ruby Soho and Saraya have brought attention to secondary storylines.

Tony Khan obviously knows the value of a star the magnitude of Mone, so booking the entire division to highlight her strengths will make everyone stronger. If booked correctly, the CEO can help get over most of the women on the roster in some form or fashion, which would be a significant win for the company.

WWE's Biggest Winner: Cody Rhodes

The biggest winner to start the year for WWE is, without a doubt, Cody Rhodes. The Rock's return to start 2024, coupled with Rhodes seemingly handing over his match against Roman Reigns, the American Nightmare looked like an absolute joke.

Thanks to backlash from the WWE Universe, though, not only did the Royal Rumble winner get back into WrestleMania 40's Night 2 main event he's almost guaranteed to win, but he also gets to fight The Rock on Night 1 in a tag team battle.

WWE bending the knee to the fans' pressure will give Rhodes the opportunity to complete his story on the grandest stage of them all. The American Nightmare will capitalize on the incredible start to the year and win gold in April.

Losers

AEW's Biggest Loser: Ricky Starks

The year may be new, but the tale of Ricky Starks falling out of favor in AEW is a tale as old as wrestling time. While Tony Khan confirmed Starks is still under contract, most believe his relationship with Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill makes him a prime candidate to jump to WWE when his deal expires.

If Starks is leaving AEW, expect to see him losing. A lot.

After losing the AEW Tag Team Championships to Sting and Darby Allin, Starks has been an afterthought. The run with gold was lackluster at best, which is an unfortunate end to Starks' long run with AEW as a foundational piece.

Booking a performer who is leaving the company can be tricky, as you don't want to waste momentum if they're going, but Starks was a loyal soldier who was excellent in the ring and on the mic. Khan should be booking him to put over wrestlers who are sticking around.

WWE's Biggest Loser: The World Heavyweight Championship

When it was introduced, wrestling fans mocked the World Heavyweight Championship as a secondary belt created because Roman Reigns was holding the company's two previous world titles.

If 2024 has taught us anything, it is that everyone was right.

Since the start of the year, Seth Rollins and his title have been an absolute joke. Acting as Rhodes' lackey in the battle against the Bloodline, he has no incentive to fight Reigns and The Rock, even with a possible heel turn looming.

Add in the fact that it also makes Elimination Chamber winner and No. 1 contender Drew McIntyre feel like an afterthought, despite his promo and character work being some of the best in the sport, and the World Heavyweight Championship has become a midcard attraction.

Rollins and McIntyre will put on a great match, but the booking leading up to the event has not done it justice.

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