2020 was unlike anything NXT and the rest of the pro wrestling landscape had seen before. The arrival of the pandemic sent the world into literal chaos. The wrestling industry, just like every other spectator sport, suffered heavily. Still, WWE continued to push through during incredibly tough times.
NXT, like WWE’s other programming, resorted to closed-door tapings as the entire world tried to adjust to the new normal. Those were truly unprecedented times for every person on this planet. With that said, props should be given to all the sports entertainers and wrestlers who kept the business running.
Those men and women gave their hearts and delivered some of the best matches on television despite the absence of a live audience. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the best NXT TV matches of 2020:
Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong (WWE NXT – July 22)
These three men collided to determine who’d advance into the ladder match for the NXT North American Championship at TakeOver XXX. Gargano and Strong tried to outsmart each other in the early goings of the match.
Reed, on the other hand, wanted to decimate his smaller opponents. The Big Man used his tremendous strength to his advantage. He’d end up winning the match and advance to NXT TakeOver XXX.
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews vs. The BroserWeights (January 15)
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews arrived all the way from NXT UK to compete in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament. The former NXT UK Tag Team Champions competed against the odd pairing of Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne.
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews’ high-flying move sets meshed well with The BoserWeights mat game. Riddle and Dunne won the match with their Bitter End/Knee Strike combo finisher.
Riddle vs. Timothy Thatcher (NXT Fight Pit – May 27)
WWE’s attempts to recreate MMA-themed fights have been largely criticized, save for a few matches. The Matt Riddle versus Timothy Thatcher Fight Pit from WWE NXT in May 2020 is part of the latter.
Officiated by WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, this gritty battle pitted the two bitter opponents against each other. Riddle’s MMA background came in handy during this rope-less and steel-cage encircled match.
However, it would be his opponent who’d pick up the win with a rear-naked chokehold.
Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley (NXT Women’s Championship Match – November 18)
Io Shirai captured the NXT Women’s Championship in an incredible three-way at In Your House. The Genius of the Sky put her title on the line against former NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Shirai worked on Ripley’s arm. The Australian did a tremendous job selling the offense, although she did have her moments where she tried to make a comeback. The closing stretch did its job of showcasing the champion’s incredible in-ring awareness.
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne (WarGames Advantage Ladder Match – November 25)
Brutal is the word to describe this WarGames Advantage Ladder Match between Kyle O’Reilly and Pete Dunne. Both men targeted each other’s limbs in this high-risk match-up. Dunne had been wanting to take revenge for Undisputed Era’s betrayal from years ago.
The Bruiserweight had gotten the better of O’Reilly with a chair shot on the previous episode of WWE NXT. The WarGames Advantage Ladder Match featured some crazy bumps, including a brainbuster on the ladder.
Honorable Mentions
- Io Shirai vs. Shotzi Blackheart (WWE NXT – September 16)
- Grizzled Young Veterans vs. The BroserWeights (January 29)
- Adam Cole vs. Finn Bálor (WWE NXT Super Tuesday II)
Also read: Best NXT TV Matches Of 2021
