5 Best Pro Wrestling Pay-Per-Views Of 2020 So Far

It all began with such promise, like any other year. WrestleMania season was upon us, and with it came the annual intrigue in the Royal Rumble. NXT was looking to continue its momentum through its TakeOver events, while AEW progressed the build to Revolution in Chicago. A nice start to what looked to be a potentially big year in professional wrestling.

And then, just like that, the air billowed out from the tire. A global pandemic took away wrestling crowds, causing WrestleMania to shelter inside a glorified studio setting, and all other events to pretty much adhere to the same pared down circumstances. WWE and AEW have both managed to make as good of the crappy situations as possible (in terms of commercial output), and this includes their pay-per-view offerings.

When you take on the whole ball of wax, what *has* been the greatest pay-per-view so far this year? At the halfway point of 2020, let us consider each of the contending choices, including supercards with crowds, as well as those without.

It all began with such promise, like any other year. WrestleMania season was upon us, and with it came the annual intrigue in the Royal Rumble. NXT was looking to continue its momentum through its TakeOver events, while AEW progressed the build to Revolution in Chicago. A nice start to what looked to be a potentially big year in professional wrestling.

And then, just like that, the air billowed out from the tire. A global pandemic took away wrestling crowds, causing WrestleMania to shelter inside a glorified studio setting, and all other events to pretty much adhere to the same pared down circumstances. WWE and AEW have both managed to make as good of the crappy situations as possible (in terms of commercial output), and this includes their pay-per-view offerings.

When you take on the whole ball of wax, what *has* been the greatest pay-per-view so far this year? At the halfway point of 2020, let us consider each of the contending choices, including supercards with crowds, as well as those without.

5. WWE WrestleMania 36

A crowd of 70,000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa just wasn't going to happen, so Vince McMahon and company were forced to settle for less. The circumstances were leagues away from ideal, but all told, WrestleMania 36 didn't completely tank - in fact, it was mostly enjoyable.

Highlights included Drew McIntyre winning the WWE title, the Triple Threat Ladder Match, Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley, and a compelling Boneyard Match that may be Undertaker's swan song. As for the FireFly Funhouse, well, it was interesting.

4. WWE Royal Rumble

Let's hearken back to more comforting times, when WWE could put 40,000 strong inside a baseball stadium, and deliver two forms of the greatest gimmick match it's ever created. From enjoyable matches to crowd-pleasing moments, this is definitely one of the stronger Rumbles.

Edge's return after a nine-year layoff was the front page, just acing out Drew McIntyre's conquering of a seemingly-indomitable Brock Lesnar in the titular bout. Also boosting the Rumble were a brutal Daniel Bryan-Bray Wyatt Strap Match and an excellent Becky Lynch-Asuka bout.

3. AEW Double Or Nothing

AEW's first pay-per-view offering post-pandemic was (according to Cody) pretty much what the planned card was designed to be, minus the Vegas setting and maybe an intended match or two. After the insanity of Stadium Stampede, however, few were poking at unfortunate hindrances.

The Stampede was a chaotically demented coda to an event that featured a little bit of everything, from great pure wrestling (MJF vs. Jungle Boy) to heated brawls (Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee, Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose). We can't forget Adam Page on his trusty steed, either.

2. NXT TakeOver: Portland

In the running for "Best TakeOver of 2020" so far, it's safe to say that In Your House hasn't even caught up to Portland's dust yet. Of course, the west coast show had a frenzied crowd to work with, and that's just the tonic that TakeOvers run smoothly on.

When you're finishing the night with Adam Cole and Tommaso Ciampa at their most sadistic, you're guaranteed a killer ending. A tremendous Tag Team title bout and Finn Balor vs. Johnny Gargano preceded it, so, yeah, it was pretty much in line with prior TakeOver greatness.

1. AEW Revolution

Perhaps the North American match of the year took place that night in Chicago, as Kenny Omega and Adam Page retained the World Tag Team titles by defeating estranged allies The Young Bucks, in a match heavy on frenzied action and highly-wrought emotion.

If that weren't enough of a PPV-cost justifier, you had Jon Moxley downing Chris Jericho in a well-told main event brawl to win the World title. Add Sammy Guevara and Darby Allin's wild stunt show, and a Cody/MJF bloodbath, and it's another epic Windy City outing.