by David Joaqui
2020 is finally in the books, and it wasn’t without its trials and tribulations. Wrestling across the globe had to learn to evolve with the excruciating times or stop altogether. From empty warehouses to the Thunderdome, wrestling was able to stick around during Covid-19 and provide us with a much-needed distraction.
Although wrestling is still missing a key piece to their shows, a live audience, the superstars that went day in and day out deserve an enormous amount of credit for the job they did. Whether you enjoyed the product or not, all the men and women who risked their lives to entertain us have earned respect.
Wrestling in 2020 elevated many superstars to new levels, and this list is to commemorate the hard work and skill put in by them. As a heads up, there are no Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, or New Japan Pro Wrestling superstars included on the list. Nothing to do with the promotions, but most of them weren’t around the entire year or aren’t the easiest to find through your cable provider.
With that said, let’s look at the top 10 wrestlers of 2020!
Honorable Mention: Brodie Lee
The saddest news to hit the wrestling world in 2020 was the passing of “The Exalted One” Brodie Lee. Making his debut for AEW back in March, he made an instant impact as the leader of The Dark Order. His biggest moment came from capturing the TNT Championship by defeating Cody Rhodes on Dynamite, although some might say his biggest contributions came outside of the ring. All wrestling promotions felt the loss of Brodie Lee, and in 2020 the world saw why he had so much to offer.
10. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Whoever says kayfabe is dead hasn’t met or seen Maxwell Jacob Friedman work. The character he plays on television is the same one fans meet in person. MJF has elevated himself to the upper echelon of heels, and could easily be said that he’s the best heel in the business today. His year has included vying for the AEW World Championship, defeating Chris Jericho, joining the Inner Circle, winning the Dynamite Diamond Ring for a second year, and all by boasting an 11-1 record.
9. Asuka
The current Raw Women’s Champion has had herself a roller coaster of a year, to say the least. It began by losing back to back matches to Becky Lynch, followed by losing the Women’s Tag Team Championship to Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross at WrestleMania. However, things changed after winning the Money in the Bank contract where she became the Raw Women’s Champion. Since, “the Empress of Tomorrow” has been the face of the Raw women’s division. She pulled double duty on many Raw and Pay Per View’s and ended the year reclaiming the Women’s Tag Team Championship with Charlotte Flair. 2020 might have started off slow for Asuka, but it sure didn’t stay that way for her.
8. Keith Lee
In 2020 the world was able to bask in the glory of Keith Lee. His first mark of the year came when he and Brock Lesnar shared the ring during the Royal Rumble. That moment showed how Lee was ready for the main event move, as were the fans. The next big-time moment for Lee came during the Great American Bash, as he dethroned NXT Champion Adam Cole and became the first person to hold the NXT Championship and North American Championship at once. His inevitable move to the main roster happened shortly after and ended the year with an opportunity at the WWE Championship to kick-off Raw in 2021.
7. Bray Wyatt/The Fiend
Bray Wyatt and “The Fiend” were let in this year and it made for must-watch television each week. Wyatt racked up two Universal Championship reigns, two cinematic matches, and one new follower. His introduction of Alexa Bliss to the Firefly Fun House has been phenomenal. She brings a new light, or should I say darkness, to his character that will keep it fresh and exciting. His current feud with Randy Orton alone has shown that. Wyatt will remain a top star if he’s allowed to do what he did in 2020.
6. Bayley
It should be no surprise the role model cracked this list. Bayley became the longest-reigning Smackdown Women’s Champion at 380 days. During that time, she also held the Women’s Tag Team Championship and dominated both Raw and Smackdown for many months. Some might say they couldn’t get Bayley off their tv because of how much she was on WWE programming throughout the week. Like Asuka, she also had nights where she’d pull double duty. Bayley’s work ethic alone has earned her this spot. She not only grabbed the brass ring but took a stranglehold on it this year.
5. Kenny Omega
I’ll just name some accolades for Mr. Omega in 2020; current AEW World Champion, current AAA Mega Champion, longest-reigning AEW Tag Team Champion at 228 days, and a 9-0 singles record. Since becoming a singles competitor again, he has slowly reverted into “The Cleaner” persona everyone loved in New Japan and captured the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley. Now Omega is jumping into other promotions and is currently booked at Impact Wrestling’s pay per view, Hard to Kill, later this month. He’s doing what is best for the business and in 2021 might just see him at the top of this list.
4. Roman Reigns
He might be fourth on this list, but the Tribal Chief is still the head of the table. Reigns started off the year with a feud that felt never-ending against King Corbin and was leading to a match against Goldberg. Had Reigns not decide to take time off due to Covid-19 he might not be on this list at all. But thankfully he did, and the fans got what they’ve been asking for for years now, a heel Roman Reigns. His shocking return and pairing with Paul Heyman turned everything upside down. His character, in-ring work, and promos feel so natural now. Here’s hoping they don’t turn him face anytime soon.
3. Randy Orton
The 14-time World Champion claimed he was the greatest wrestler in the world and proved that respect needs to be put on his name this year. Orton easily has three of the best feuds in 2020; against Edge, Drew McIntyre, and currently with Bray Wyatt. Orton has coasted through for several years now, but this year he’s shown that the “Legend Killer” has become a legend. I’m not sure if it’s working once a week or if being at home more with his family has anything to do with it, but the viper is back and better than ever.
2. Jon Moxley
From the moment Jon Moxley stepped inside of an AEW ring he was destined for greatness. He was given the keys to the kingdom and allowed to run amuck. He took several shots at his former employer and began to run through the AEW locker room until he captured the AEW World Championship by defeating Chris Jericho. His reign was the longest at 277 days. Moxley is also the current IWPG United States Champion and the longest in New Japan history. His 2020 singles record ended at 21-1.
1. Drew McIntyre
There’s only one person who rightfully deserved to top this list and that’s none other than the “Scottish Psychopath” Drew McIntyre. McIntyre’s impressive year began at the Royal Rumble, as he not only eliminated Brock Lesnar, but won the entire thing, earning himself the main event at WrestleMania. He followed that by defeating Lesnar at the show of shows for the WWE Championship and defending the title with class the entire year. McIntyre has developed himself into a true champion and a real main eventer. He took 2020 by storm and it was all organic. McIntyre is the future we’ve all asked for in WWE developing talent.
And that is the top wrestlers of 2020. It was not easy to leave people like AJ Styles or Sasha Banks off, but every one of the superstars named above deserved their spot.
Let us know what you think and who cracked your top 10 list in 2020.