Some fans will remember 2024 for its countless five-star matches, but at its heart, pro wrestling is still about storytelling. Over the past year, Cody Rhodes finished his long-awaited story at WrestleMania XL, capturing the WWE undisputed championship; Swerve Strickland declared AEW his house by winning the promotion's world title; and Roman Reigns finally lost his place at the head of the Bloodline table. Yet, one feud overshadowed all others — and we’ll get to that.

There’s a reason why, when fans reminisce about the Attitude Era (late ’90s) or the Golden Age (late ’80s), it’s the feuds, not the matches, that often come to mind.

Take Bret Hart, for example. While he has countless technical classics, moments like his double-turn with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 or his controversial exit during the Montreal Screwjob are more iconic. This isn’t unique to Hart; it applies to most wrestling legends and still holds true today.

Will Ospreay’s 2024 in-ring performance is one for the ages, but years from now, will his accomplishments resonate more than the Bloodline Saga currently unfolding on "WWE SmackDown"? Wrestling is as much about the angles told on the microphone and outside the ring as it is about the action in between the ropes. And in 2024, one storyline stood above all others: Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk.

A rivalry born of circumstance

CM Punk’s return to WWE at 2023’s Survivor Series brought massive cheers, but it also sowed the seeds for his feud with McIntyre. Punk’s comeback overshadowed McIntyre, who stood in the WarGames cell as part of the victorious team. The animosity was palpable, but the feud didn't truly ignite until the 2024 Royal Rumble.

Heading into the match, Punk was the clear favorite. His lifelong dream of headlining WrestleMania — a goal that had eluded him in his first WWE run — seemed within reach. However, the night took an unfortunate turn. Midway through the Rumble, Punk tore his triceps after taking McIntyre’s double-armed Future Shock DDT. Though Punk fought on, he was ultimately eliminated by Cody Rhodes, who secured his second consecutive Rumble win and reignited his feud with Roman Reigns.

Meanwhile, McIntyre leveraged Punk’s injury to insert himself into the WWE heavyweight championship picture, setting up a match against champion Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL. Punk, sidelined and seething, took a seat at the commentary table to watch McIntyre’s attempt to win the gold.

WrestleMania XL: The spark that lit the fire

McIntyre defeated Rollins to capture the title, but his celebration was short-lived. As he taunted Punk, the former champ swept McIntyre’s legs, sending him crashing off the commentary table. Seizing the moment, Señor Money in the Bank Damian Priest cashed in his briefcase and pinned McIntyre to win the title.

The post-match chaos set the stage for a bitter feud between Punk and McIntyre, one that blurred the lines between scripted television and real-life tension. On TV and social media, McIntyre mocked Punk relentlessly, even using the bracelet Punk holds dear — engraved with the names of his wife AJ Lee and his dog Larry — as a prop to taunt him.

The summer of grudge matches

Punk and McIntyre’s animosity escalated throughout 2024. Punk cost McIntyre the championship at Clash at the Castle in Scotland and Money in the Bank. McIntyre retaliated with a brutal attack on "SmackDown," stealing Punk’s bracelet in the process. The feud reached a boiling point at SummerSlam, where Punk declared himself fully recovered and challenged McIntyre to a match.

Their SummerSlam clash, officiated by guest referee Seth Rollins, was the start of what wrestling insiders call a "blood feud." Punk's inability to control his emotions led to a McIntyre victory — and McIntyre kept the bracelet. But the feud was far from over.

Punk raised the stakes, challenging McIntyre to a strap match at Bash at Berlin. The brutal bout saw both men use the leather strap as a weapon, but Punk ultimately outmaneuvered McIntyre for the win. McIntyre responded by destroying Punk’s bracelet on RAW, further escalating their conflict.

The final chapter: Hell in a Cell

The rivalry culminated at Bad Blood in October with a Hell in a Cell match. Known for its unforgiving structure, the Cell provided the perfect setting for the feud’s conclusion. For more than 30 minutes, Punk and McIntyre delivered a masterclass in storytelling and brutality, crafting a match widely regarded as one of the best Hell in a Cell encounters of all time. Punk emerged victorious, his path to WrestleMania XLI clear, but both men left the feud stronger than ever.

2024's other great feuds

While Punk vs. McIntyre took the top spot, other storylines captivated the Uncrowned team in 2024:

2. Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page: Swerve’s journey from heel to babyface was cemented in this feud, highlighted by Hangman burning Swerve’s childhood home on "AEW Dynamite."

3. Cody Rhodes vs. The Bloodline: Rhodes finally toppled Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, but the story shifted focus to a civil war between the New Bloodline and the original faction, including The Rock.

4. Liv Morgan and The Judgment: Morgan's return sparked chaos, highlighted by injuring Rhea Ripley and stealing Dirty Dominic Mysterio, creating a feud that now bleeds into 2025.

5. Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page: NXT’s standout rivalry saw the title trade hands multiple times, with Page’s "losing my smile" angle paying homage to Shawn Michaels.

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s clear that wrestling is as much about the stories as the matches. Punk and McIntyre’s feud embodied everything great about wrestling: The personal stakes, the physical intensity, and the ability to captivate audiences both in the arena and on social media. Whether it’s Rhodes’ redemption, Strickland’s rise, or Morgan’s chaos, these storylines remind us why we love wrestling. As we head into 2025, the question isn’t whether wrestling will deliver more great matches — it’s whether it will tell stories that rival these.

Here is how the Uncrowned wrestling team voting for 2024 Feud of the Year.

Honorable mentions:

• Bronson Reed vs. Seth Rollins

• Christian Cage vs. Adam Copeland

• Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher

• Death Riders vs. AEW