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WWE has had to make many adjustments to deal with the global pandemic during 2020. Changes to their television presentation and structure of matches have been very apparent this year. Whether on TV or pay-per-view, WWE's in-ring product has stayed at a high quality through it all.
Throughout the year, some of the top WWE Superstars have been involved in a wide variety of enjoyable matches. Not only has WWE delivered inside the squared circle, but they have also embraced the cinematic style of professional wrestling to great success.
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There has been plenty of awesome performances throughout 2020. With marvelous back and forth wrestling to top-notch spectacles, WWE has regularly produced Match of the Year candidates despite everything that has worked against them.
In this article, let's look at the top five best WWE matches of the year.
Honorable mentions
- The Royal Rumble Match - WWE Royal Rumble 2020
- Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair - WWE WrestleMania 36
- Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre - WWE Survivor Series 2020
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso for the Universal Championship (WWE Clash of Champions)
Ever since returning at SummerSlam, Roman Reigns has become one of the most enthralling characters in recent history. His heel turn as "The Tribal Chief" and alliance with Paul Heyman has allowed him to put on the best work of his career, which has also brought some of his best matches.
His first truly magical in-ring performance was his WWE Universal Championship match against his cousin, Jey Uso. The buildup saw the two family members telling a tale of the tag team specialist looking to gain respect as a singles wrestler, while Reigns wanted him to respect him as the head of the family.
At Clash of Champions, the storytelling was absolutely amazing with Roman gradually increasing the hostility in his aggression towards his cousin. Jey Uso's babyface comeback was engrossing and made fans want to see him succeed. However, Reigns' need for Uso to acknowledge him as the "Tribal Chief" was too much for him to overcome.
This was one of the best WWE main event showdowns of the year and recent memory. These two family members told a superb story that mixed the real-life elements into their in-match story. Roman and Jey was a masterclass in in-ring storytelling and deserves to be one of the top matches of 2020.
#4 Edge vs. Randy Orton - Greatest Wrestling Match Ever (WWE Backlash 2020)
The most anticipated match heading into WrestleMania 36 was the clash between the returning Edge and Randy Orton. Following Orton's shocking betrayal and subsequent promos, the two men had crafted a story that truly entranced the WWE Universe. Because of the global pandemic, the match we thought would happen at the Showcase of Immortals was not meant to be.
The heavily criticized Last Man Standing Match at WrestleMania 36 was long, drawn-out, and did not feature the most exciting action in an empty Performance Center. However, the two all-time greats did not allow that to burden their engaging feud. The former Rated RKO set up for a rematch at WWE Backlash 2020, but this time it was the creative that built an obstacle to overcome.
Despite WWE's decision to call the straight-up wrestling "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever", Orton and Edge delivered a tremendous encounter that was one of the year's best. It was a thoughtful love letter to professional wrestling in presentation. From the ring introductions by the voice of Howard Finkel to enhanced camera angles, this was different from many in-ring matches in 2020.
The two men also brought their A-games, with Edge showing little ring rust, while Orton brought his working boots in one of his best matches of his illustrious WWE career.
The 45-minute barnburner lived up to the impossible expectations set. The cinematic nature of certain spots keeps it from our top spot, but no one can deny that it is deserving of an inclusion on this list.
#3 The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles - Boneyard Match (WWE WrestleMania 36)
WrestleMania typically gives us some of the biggest matches of the year. Due to the global pandemic, WWE's had their backs against the wall as they were forced to host WrestleMania inside an empty Performance Center. With those obstacles, they persevered and brought an entertaining two-night event. The biggest highlight of the entire weekend was the Boneyard Match between Undertaker and AJ Styles.
The buildup saw AJ Styles take personal digs at The Undertaker, even namedropping Michelle McCool on numerous occasions. This forced The Phenom to bring out the "Unholy Trinity" version of himself at The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The presentation of the Boneyard Match was imaginative in every way, right from the Metallica-themed entrance of The Undertaker to the graveyard set.
The dialogue between Styles and Undertaker elevated the movie fight scene action. The addition of Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and druids gave Taker more obstacles to overcome, making him seem like an even bigger force. This was the Undertaker that the WWE Universe have wanted the past few years and gave a fitting end to Night 1 of WrestleMania 36.
This was arguably the greatest cinematic match that WWE has ever produced. The story, action, and unbelievable camera work gave fans an unforgettable encounter. The Boneyard Match will be remebered as The Undertaker's final match in WWE after The Phenom decided to hang his boots at Survivor Series 2020.
#2 AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan in the Intercontinental Championship Finals (June 12th episode of WWE SmackDown)
AJ Styles once again proved himself to be one of the best performers in the entire WWE. From his stunning effort in the Boneyard Match to great contests against the likes of Riddle and Keith Lee on TV, The Phenomenal One has consistently produced what we expect from one of the modern-day greats.
AJ Styles' best match of the year came against Daniel Bryan for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship after Sami Zayn vacated the title in May. The two individuals had different roads to the finals, with Bryan competing against Gulak and Sheamus, while Styles received a bye.
In the finals of the Tournament, the two former world champions battled in a technical wrestling clinic. The sequences between Bryan and Styles were brilliant and delivered the first memorable bout of the pandemic era on WWE TV.
The near 40-minute contest was highly entertaining throughout. It had a little bit of everything from high-flying innovation of Styles to ground-based offense of Bryan.
Aj Styles and Daniel Bryan had a stellar match that should stand as the best in-ring wrestling output from WWE in 2020. However, there was one match that had a greater buildup and story involved that just edges this one out.
#1 Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women's Championship - Hell in a Cell Match (WWE Hell in a Cell 2020)
During this rollercoaster of a year, no two Superstars were as consistently entertaining as Bayley and Sasha Banks. The duo became the highlight of the WWE main roster during the pandemic era. From Bayley's trash talk during matches to Sasha Banks' expertise between the ropes, they put on solid performances in every aspect.
Their eventual breakup brought out a lot of emotion, and there was a lot of anticipation heading into their SmackDown Women's Championship encounter at WWE Hell in a Cell 2020. Heading into the match, Banks' had a woeful record inside the Cell, while, on the other hand, had never stepped inside the demonic structure.
With years of history, the two ladies put an all-time classic at Hell in a Cell. The innovative offense of Sasha Banks using tables and kendo sticks to her advantage showed her experience inside the Cell. On the other hand, Bayley was at her conniving best, using every trick in the book to inflict damage on Banks. Both the Superstars used the Cell very well to craft a deeply engaging story.
The steel chair that Bayley used to betray Sasha became the catalyst for the final culmination of this thrilling contest. The longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in WWE history became obsessed with using the chair, which Banks used to reverse and used the chair to lock her in the Bank Statement for the win.
Bayley's 380-day reign brought so many good matches, but nothing came close to her final defense. The years of investment in their feud combined with a standout 2020 for the two Superstars led to a fantastic blowoff of their rivalry. This was one of the best Hell in a Cell matches in history that put a bow on one of the best feuds of 2020 and the best WWE match of the year.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
