Top 5 WWE matches of 2020 so far

WWE has had some great wrestling matches in 2020.
WWE has had some great wrestling matches in 2020.

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2020 has been a weird year for WWE, as it has been for the entire world. While the first two months went as normal, the COVID-19 pandemic enforced a complete change in the aesthetic of their shows. And while the lack of a live audience of paying fans is a disadvantage, we have still witnessed some magnificent wrestling matches.

Every year, whether there are problems surrounding the company or not, we are treated to at least a handful of classics in the ring. This year is no different, as we have seen WWE put on their fair share of classics during the 'Empty Arena Era'.

And while the real magic from this period in WWE's history lies in their cinematic matches, they will not be considered in this list. Comparing the Boneyard match, for example, to a proper in-ring classic would not be fair to either of them.

Here, we will take a look at the five best in-ring matches that happened on WWE's main roster during the first half of 2020. But first, a couple of honorable mentions.

  • 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt vs Daniel Bryan (Royal Rumble)
  • Becky Lynch vs Asuka (Royal Rumble)
  • Drew Gulak vs Daniel Bryan (Elimination Chamber)

#5 Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania)

Given the circumstances, WrestleMania 36 was a tremendous success. Both nights had several memorable moments, with the Boneyard and Firefly Fun House matches being the particular highlights. We also saw several great matches at WWE's Performance Center, featuring the likes of Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Bayley and Sasha Banks, among others.

But the best one happened at the start of Night 2, with Rhea Ripley defending her NXT Women's Championship against Charlotte Flair. It was just an excellent back-and-forth encounter, with both Superstars fighting hard with ferocious intensity.

Charlotte targetted Ripley's knee throughout the contest, eventually making her submit. It was a great showcase for both women. Charlotte for her strategy, and Ripley for her courage, and while the Queen's run with the NXT Women's Title was not a memorable one, this match certainly was.

With performances like these, Rhea Ripley could become a major star on the main roster as well. Another match against Charlotte would be great, with the 'Nightmare' avenging her defeat and picking up the win.

#4 Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins (Money in the Bank)

One of the biggest successes of the year in WWE is Drew McIntyre, who has reigned as WWE Champion since WrestleMania. He has been excellent with the title, thanks to his authentic promo skills and in-ring ability. McIntyre makes his opponents look good, all while destroying them and retaining his aura.

One of the biggest examples of that came at Money in the Bank, as the Scot faced off against Seth Rollins. The two engaged in a captivating contest that would have undoubtedly been even better had an audience been present for it.

There were no outside shenanigans during this match, a pleasant surprise considering Murphy's constant involvement with the 'Monday Night Messiah' throughout the year. McIntyre and Rollins hit each other with their best moves, some of them looking especially lethal.

The dominant Scotsman retained his WWE Title, shaking hands with his challenger in the process. Even with the definitive heel and face alignments for both Superstars, this match and their chemistry were so good that they had to share a moment of respect. This was the best match of Drew McIntyre's title reign so far.

#3 AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan (SmackDown, 12th June)

Over the course of a month, WWE presented a tournament to crown the new Intercontinental Champion after Sami Zayn's decision to stay at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We got several twists and turns throughout the tournament, all leading to the best possible outcome- AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan.

The two engaged in a highly-anticipated showdown for the 'workhorse title' and tore the house down. The Phenomenal One and Bryan tried to wear each other down for close to 40 minutes.

This was a strategic battle, which saw Bryan target AJ's shoulder with a variety of innovative submission holds. Meanwhile, the Styles went after his opponent's knee throughout the contest. Many maneuvers were on display, but there were no finishers until the end of the match.

AJ Styles hit Daniel Bryan with a Styles Clash and a Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the victory. This was an absolute war between two of the best in-ring workers in WWE today, and a perfect way to rebuild the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship. Hopefully, WWE releases the uncut version of this match without any commercials in the future.

#2 Randy Orton vs Edge (Backlash)

Although it was edited at certain spots and featured a number of special effects, Randy Orton vs Edge at Backlash was an in-ring classic. The "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" tagline included by WWE may have been ridiculous, but it did seemingly motivate Edge and Orton to put on as good a match as they could. The occasion was also much grander for it.

Say what you will about the piped-in crowd noises, but the two WWE legends were able to craft an epic contest. We saw a multitude of counters for each other's moves, as the WWE Hall of Famer was able to hang with the Viper in his first proper singles match in over 9 years.

We also saw tributes to some of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, with Randy Orton hitting an Angle Slam and a Pedigree, while Edge hit a Rock Bottom and Eddie Guerrero's Three Amigos. It was a 45-minute celebration of wrestling, carried out through two stars who could live up to its unbelievable legacy.

The two fought tooth and nail with everything they had, with Orton's natural ability just about enough to overcome Edge's grit. The evil Legend Killer had to bring back the Punt Kick to claim the victory, which was one of the biggest of his career.

This was a ridiculous effort from both men, with the perfect storm of excellent action and compelling storytelling. Only one other WWE match this year was better than Edge vs Orton in that respect.

#1 Men's Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble)

A match so good that it was better than the "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever", the men's Royal Rumble Match has been WWE's best within the squared circle in 2020. It might also be among the greatest Rumble matches of all-time. There were several stories being told throughout the match, but the entire first half of the Rumble featured only one, the dominance of Brock Lesnar.

The Beast Incarnate entered the match at number 1, holding the WWE Championship while doing so. He cut through the field like nobody else, having entertaining bits against former rivals Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio, real-life friend Shelton Benjamin, and even an intense showdown with Keith Lee.

Lesnar carried the entire first half of the Royal Rumble, eliminating a record-equalling 13 competitors. That is not an easy task, even with how dominant he was. The Beast's night was ended at the hands of Drew McIntyre, whose Claymore sent him tumbling out of the ring.

From that point, the pace of the match changed. Edge made his shocking WWE in-ring return at number 21, lasting until the final three on his first night back. He and Randy Orton worked together, one night before the Viper would brutally turn on him.

We also saw Seth Rollins and his disciples crash the Rumble, with the 'Monday Night Messiah' entering at number 30 and eliminating the likes of Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe. The final few Superstars left were some of the best in the business today. Rollins was taken out by Edge, and the Rated-R Superstar, Orton, McIntyre, and Roman Reigns made up the final four.

The final showdown between McIntyre and the Big Dog was also really exciting, with the entire WWE Universe wanting the Scot to win. When he did win by eliminating Reigns, the crowd went berserk. It was a fantastic moment, capping off a fantastic Royal Rumble.

Another advantage this match has over the others on this list was that reaction from the crowd. Drew McIntyre may have won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania in front of zero fans, but he will always have his Royal Rumble victory. This was pretty much the perfect match, one that might remain the best that WWE has had to offer in 2020.

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