WWE RAW, like every other televised program, improvised to deal with the terrible pandemic. The unprecedented move to the ThunderDome during the first half of 2020 came with a series of new challenges.
Despite the initial setbacks, the sports entertainment juggernaut continued to move forward. Both WWE RAW and SmackDown found new hopes and opportunities in the videoconferencing era of televised programming.
In-ring action and storytelling also underwent a noticeable change due to the pandemic. While SmackDown excelled in in-ring action, RAW delivered on the storytelling front while also producing some quality matches.
Having said that, let’s take a look at the best WWE RAW matches of 2020:
Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy (January 13, 2020)
The second RAW of 2020 featured a solid encounter between Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy. The two NXT alums got a full 15 minutes to showcase their skills and they didn’t disappoint. The storyline had Murphy lose his previous two matches to Black.
Suffering a third loss was something Murphy would never accept. Even Murphy’s Law wasn’t able to stop the dangerous Black. Murphy would eventually join Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain in one of the most captivating storylines of 2020.
Asuka vs. Sasha Banks (WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match – July 27, 2020)
This match was better from a storyline perspective than Sasha Banks versus Asuka at Extreme Rules 2020. The former focused heavily on in-ring action. The WWE RAW outing put emphasis on the animosity between Golden Role Models and the Kabuki Warriors.
The count-out finish, in particular, protected the Empress of Tomorrow. It also brought major heat to Sasha Banks and Bayley. The pair walked out of the arena with the RAW, SmackDown and the Women’s Tag Team Championships on their shoulders.
Sheamus vs. Matt Riddle (October 26, 2020)
Sheamus, in 2020, proved he was one of the most reliable workers in WWE. The Celtic Warrior had an incredible hard-hitting match against Matt Riddle on WWE RAW in October. Both men belted each other with stiff strikes in this 13-minute battle.
The Original Bro demonstrated his MMA experience with some great submission work in the early goings of the match. He also did a terrific job selling his back injury, which led to a decisive win for the Celtic Warrior – and a spot in the Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match.
Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair (June 8, 2020)
This match may not be their best outing, but it stands out as one of the few great matches of WWE RAW in 2020. The pair already had a storied history by the time they met inside the ring for this match.
Flair is untouchable when she channels her destructive powerhouse persona. Asuka, on the other hand, is in her element as one of the best wrestlers with superb character work.
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (WWE RAW – November 16, 2020)
The Drew McIntyre versus Randy Orton feud was one of the best parts of WWE RAW in 2020. The pair had some great matches that encompassed WWE’s flagship show as well as various premium live events.
This outing, in particular, was for the WWE Championship. The fate of the title was to be decided under the No Count Out, No Disqualification stipulation. The match was heavy on the psychology side. The unexpected finish gave the Scottish Warrior his second WWE Championship win.
Also read: Best WWE RAW Matches Of 2022
