5 Best WWE Matches Of 2020 So Far

It was a year where WrestleMania was held without a crowd, NXT relied on a decades-dormant pay-per-view concept, and one match was billed as the greatest ever weeks in advance. There was also Bray Wyatt guiding John Cena through a fever dream which, while visually alluring and hilarious, isn't likely to make this cut. Because it's one of the strangest years in world history, it only makes sense that this is one of the most unusual years in WWE history as well.

Despite the pandemic throwing lots of wrenches into the whirring machinery, WWE still managed (sometimes through creative means) to put out entertaining matches. Maybe none of them quite ascended to "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" levels in any reasonable form, but nonetheless, WWE tried to make the best of a bad situation. And while their overall handling of said situation has raised many eyebrows, at least there was some goodness in there.

Here now are my totally subjective picks for WWE's five best matches of the first half of 2020, both main roster and NXT considered.

It was a year where WrestleMania was held without a crowd, NXT relied on a decades-dormant pay-per-view concept, and one match was billed as the greatest ever weeks in advance. There was also Bray Wyatt guiding John Cena through a fever dream which, while visually alluring and hilarious, isn't likely to make this cut. Because it's one of the strangest years in world history, it only makes sense that this is one of the most unusual years in WWE history as well.

Despite the pandemic throwing lots of wrenches into the whirring machinery, WWE still managed (sometimes through creative means) to put out entertaining matches. Maybe none of them quite ascended to "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" levels in any reasonable form, but nonetheless, WWE tried to make the best of a bad situation. And while their overall handling of said situation has raised many eyebrows, at least there was some goodness in there.

Here now are my totally subjective picks for WWE's five best matches of the first half of 2020, both main roster and NXT considered.

5. The Undertaker Vs. AJ Styles (WrestleMania 36)

WrestleMania had to make do without a crowd, so most of the matches were hindered by a lack of electricity. Two "cinematic" bouts benefited from changes of venue and aesthetic, with Undertaker and Styles' cemetery slugfest hailed by most as match of the weekend.

In what may well be Undertaker's final bout ever (we'll see), The Deadman overcame interference from Gallows and Anderson, as well as a druid army, to overpower Styles, leaving him for dead six feet under. But was 'Taker speeding off into the moonlight the true last ride?

5. The Undertaker Vs. AJ Styles (WrestleMania 36)

WrestleMania had to make do without a crowd, so most of the matches were hindered by a lack of electricity. Two "cinematic" bouts benefited from changes of venue and aesthetic, with Undertaker and Styles' cemetery slugfest hailed by most as match of the weekend.

In what may well be Undertaker's final bout ever (we'll see), The Deadman overcame interference from Gallows and Anderson, as well as a druid army, to overpower Styles, leaving him for dead six feet under. But was 'Taker speeding off into the moonlight the true last ride?

4. Charlotte Flair Vs. Rhea Ripley Vs. Io Shirai (NXT TakeOver: In Your House)

It's not quite a TakeOver without the generally-lively TakeOver crowd, is it? We'd grown accustomed to empty-ish shows for the past few months, but a TakeOver without 12,000 screaming maniacs is really weird, and it showed on June 7. Fortunately, the main event delivered.

Shirai's Women's title win came in a Triple Threat that saw the In Your House set weaponized, which is a sentence that sums up the oddness of the year. Bonus fact: this is the first time *any* women's title has ever changed hands at any In Your House.

4. Charlotte Flair Vs. Rhea Ripley Vs. Io Shirai (NXT TakeOver: In Your House)

It's not quite a TakeOver without the generally-lively TakeOver crowd, is it? We'd grown accustomed to empty-ish shows for the past few months, but a TakeOver without 12,000 screaming maniacs is really weird, and it showed on June 7. Fortunately, the main event delivered.

Shirai's Women's title win came in a Triple Threat that saw the In Your House set weaponized, which is a sentence that sums up the oddness of the year. Bonus fact: this is the first time *any* women's title has ever changed hands at any In Your House.

3. The Men's Rumble Match (Royal Rumble)

For many, the first half was the agony, just before the ecstasy. Arrogant WWE champion Brock Lesnar single-handedly ploughed through half the field in a show of superiority. Then he ran into Drew McIntyre, who halted the invincibility run by Claymore'ing The Beast to his doom.

Fans loved that development, as much as they loved the return of Edge, following nine years in what one assumed was permanent retirement. Overall, it was one of the more curiously-structured yet highly-entertaining Rumbles in a good long time.

3. The Men's Rumble Match (Royal Rumble)

For many, the first half was the agony, just before the ecstasy. Arrogant WWE champion Brock Lesnar single-handedly ploughed through half the field in a show of superiority. Then he ran into Drew McIntyre, who halted the invincibility run by Claymore'ing The Beast to his doom.

Fans loved that development, as much as they loved the return of Edge, following nine years in what one assumed was permanent retirement. Overall, it was one of the more curiously-structured yet highly-entertaining Rumbles in a good long time.

2. Adam Cole Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT TakeOver: Portland)

Ciampa's quest to reclaim Goldie was predictably brutal, as his sadism and remorselessness matched up well against Cole's innate ability to survive and advance (sometimes with help). This may have potentially set a record for most Air Raid Crashes in one bout.

As much as The Undisputed Era members tried to be the one to fell the challenger, it was Ciampa's longtime nemesis Johnny Gargano that did it himself. TakeOver show-closers almost always hit their mark, and the fans in Portland got a suitably-violent epic.

2. Adam Cole Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT TakeOver: Portland)

Ciampa's quest to reclaim Goldie was predictably brutal, as his sadism and remorselessness matched up well against Cole's innate ability to survive and advance (sometimes with help). This may have potentially set a record for most Air Raid Crashes in one bout.

As much as The Undisputed Era members tried to be the one to fell the challenger, it was Ciampa's longtime nemesis Johnny Gargano that did it himself. TakeOver show-closers almost always hit their mark, and the fans in Portland got a suitably-violent epic.

1. AJ Styles Vs. Daniel Bryan (SmackDown)

Edge vs. Randy Orton didn't even own the *weekend* in which it aired. The two rec center legends may be north of their respective primes, but both conjured up some of the old magic on network TV, in a match to determine a brand new Intercontinental Champion.

Reports coming out of the match's taping indicated that the title bout exceeded expectations (even considering who was involved). Any sceptics who watched the match figured it'd be good, but *that* good? Leave it to Styles and Bryan to adeptly turn back the clock.

1. AJ Styles Vs. Daniel Bryan (SmackDown)

Edge vs. Randy Orton didn't even own the *weekend* in which it aired. The two rec center legends may be north of their respective primes, but both conjured up some of the old magic on network TV, in a match to determine a brand new Intercontinental Champion.

Reports coming out of the match's taping indicated that the title bout exceeded expectations (even considering who was involved). Any sceptics who watched the match figured it'd be good, but *that* good? Leave it to Styles and Bryan to adeptly turn back the clock.