Top 10 Matches Of 2020
Which bout scored highest in your star-rating system?
Can pro wrestling work without an audience? No, but companies sure have tried this year. Three bouts on this list took place in front of no crowd, and they were damn fun to watch. You have to give credit to the performers for managing to get us wrapped into the excitement. Without further adieu, these were the top 10 matches of 2020.
10. Thunder Rosa vs. Allysin Kay, Hard Times
Easily the best match in the rebooted NWA’s short history. With both women having a background in MMA, it’s no surprise that they began with a slugfest. The intensity never dampened, as Thunder Rosa targeted the arm and Allysin Kay overpowered her. Going nearly 20 minutes and keeping the crowd hype the whole time, this showstealer put Thunder Rosa on the map.
9. Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara, Revolution
This could be AEW’s Triple H-Rock rivalry over the next few years. Both young guns went balls to the wall in a match that mostly happened outside the ring. Highlights included Guevara throwing a skateboard at Allin’s face and then putting him through a table with a 630. (We needed Joey Styles’ “Oh my God!”) Of course, Allin isn’t human and won’t stop until he or his opponent is dead.
8. Asuka vs. Sasha Banks, SummerSlam
Hidden gem of the year. In her second match of the night, Asuka let it all hang out, even being powerbombed to the floor in a sick spot. Sasha Banks was relentless, hitting the challenger with everything in her arsenal. Down the stretch, they traded submissions back and forth, leaving you breathless. Finally, the Asuka Lock was just too much for Banks to withstand, forcing the champion to give up.
7. Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak, Elimination Chamber
Drew Gulak claimed to have studied all of Daniel Bryan’s weaknesses, so Bryan challenged him to test his knowledge. Early on, it appeared that Gulak wasn’t bluffing, as he outwrestled the veteran. Surprised by Gulak’s skill, Bryan uncharacteristically took a breather outside the ring. Back inside, Bryan grew more frustrated and threw the first strike, which Gulak responded to with a flurry of his own. The rest of the match featured Gulak targeting Bryan’s neck and the former WWE Champion summoning the Yes! Movement to battle back.
6. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Young Bucks vs. Best Friends vs. Santana & Ortiz, Dynamite (Jan. 15)
This was before AEW’s tag team division went topsy turvy: Omega & Page were unlikely partners, Young Bucks were poised to win the belts, Best Friends were curtain jerk fodder and the former LAX still had street cred. Instead of breaking my fingers trying to type all the moves here, just know that everybody was on the same page and the crowd was going wild. Plus, Santana & Ortiz prevented the Best Friends’ hug. A superkick party broke out at the end, but Hangman picked up the scraps with a Buckshot Lariat for the surprising win.
5. Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso, Night of Champions
WWE rarely does Shakespeare well, but this Roman Reigns’ storyline has been masterful. The winner was never in doubt, but Reigns and Uso took us on a great ride. Reigns’ mean streak was unleashed here, as he battered his cousin, demanding that he acknowledge him at the head of the table. All the dialogue wouldn’t work in front of a crowd, but in the Thunderdome, it was perfect. Jimmy Uso reluctantly throwing in the towel was the cherry on top.
4. Best Friends vs. Santana & Ortiz, Dynamite (Sept. 16)
David Gibb disagrees, but this is the best parking lot brawl in wrestling history. After watching the Concrete Jungle, I knew what Santana & Ortiz were capable of, but I had no idea Best Friends had this in them. This was innovative, bloody violence, the likes of which we haven’t seen in AEW since Moxley vs. Omega. A senton on a truck, a slingshot into the tailgate, a spear through a door, a suplex onto a railing, a powerbomb through the windshield…good, gawd almighty!
3. WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov, NXT UK (Oct. 29)
When Jim Cornette praises a match in 2020, you know it’s special. These two international stalwarts added a few new chapters to the big man vs. little man playbook. Dragunov brought the fight right away, absorbing all of WALTER’s blistering chops and refusing to stay down, even after hurting his neck. WALTER’s physicality forces you to wince, reminding me of the quote Goodwillie loves using “I can’t make you believe everything else is real, but I can damn sure make you believe I’m real.” And the suspense, my God, every time you thought Dragunov was going to end WALTER’s reign, the champion kicked out.
2. Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs. Young Bucks, Revolution
Is it the greatest tag team match of all time? No. Is it up there? Absolutely. First of all, nobody was sure if Hangman was going to stab Omega in the back or vice versa. Secondly, it was preposterous that The Young Bucks had yet to be Tag Team Champions, so they were due. As usual, the Elite were on top of their game, hitting all kinds of wacky combinations and daredevil stunts plus, some good, ol’ fashioned cowboy shit. Foreshadowing the rest of the year, the Jacksons went heel and isolated Omega in a desperate attempt to strike gold. However, Hangman refused to stay down and unleashed the buckshot on both brothers to keep the gold. A half hour of brilliant storytelling that kept you on the edge of your seat.
1. Jordan Oliver vs. Myron Reed, Garden State Invitational
One of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in person.
In a nod to Jordan Oliver’s viral clip from earlier this year, he and fellow Injustice member Myron Reed opened with a lightning quick sequence that dazzled the capacity crowd (55 people as per the venue’s social distancing guidelines). As Oliver gained his composure on the outside, Reed pounced with a suicide dive that sent Oliver crashing into a chair. At this point, Oliver’s left shoulder was seemingly injured as he tucked it between his legs and tried to yank it back into place. Even though they’re brothers from another mother, Reed showed no mercy, immediately attacking the wounded body part. Wailing in agony, Oliver shouldn’t have expected any less from an Injustice member.
As the action continued, the masked crowd realized they were witnessing something special, chanting “This Is Awesome” and “Both These Guys” – acknowledgements not ubiquitous at Synergy Pro Wrestling. With adrenaline flowing, Oliver demanded Reed “man up” and take his chest protector off. Reed acquiesced and a chop battle ensued, ricocheting throughout the Garden State. Then, they knocked each other down with a roundhouse kick, only to kip up simultaneously and turn the heat up another notch. Drawing a rare “Holy Shit!” chant, Reed leapt over the ropes and RKO’ed Oliver from the apron to the floor. Tossing his dazed opponent back into the ring, Reed went for a 450 splash, but Oliver blocked with his knees and snatched Reed for the pin.
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