10 Insane Matches That You Forgot Happened In 2020

7. Adam Cole vs. Tommaso Ciampa – NXT TakeOver: Portland

Remember the days when the NXT Championship was defended in front of a roaring TakeOver crowd? 

Those days seem like distant memories now. Once you hear the audience during this match however, you’ll feel like you’re sitting ringside with them. 

After relinquishing his title due to injury, Tommaso Ciampa was back to challenge for the championship he never lost. Standing in his way was one of the most dominant NXT Champions in history, Adam Cole (bay bay).

Ciampa’s passion for reclaiming what he thought was rightfully his was contagious. No matter what crafty trick Cole attempted, The Psycho Killer was one step ahead. 

Cole and Ciampa having busy years may explain why many forget this instant classic. Because of the unpredictable final beats, this contest served a crucial role in NXT history.  

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6. PAC vs. Orange Cassidy – AEW Revolution

Orange Cassidy could put on a barnburner with his hands tied behind his back, or in his pockets, at least.

With Cassidy’s laid back facade, it was easy to forget that he’s a highly skilled athlete. This was until his jaw-dropping performance against PAC at AEW Revolution. 

In February, PAC was the more famous competitor, known for his world-class brutality. Orange’s showing shocked fans unfamiliar with the sunglasses-sporting star. Not only did he match PAC’s grappling skills, he’d also laugh in the face of his formidable opponent.  

PAC is as talented as he is vicious. When he was on top, fans never knew if a flip or a fist was heading OC’s way next. When Cassidy was on top however, the crowd knew that they wanted the underdog to win.

A surprising encounter from bell to bell, this star-making performance proved that Orange Cassidy has a promising future in AEW.

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5. Keith Lee vs. Dominik Dijakovic – NXT TakeOver: Portland

In 2017, Keith Lee and Donovan Dijak became the talk of the wrestling world after battling in PWG. 

Destined to be rivals forever, Lee and the newly named Dominik Dijakovic renewed their feud after signing with NXT. The duo had great matches, but none reached the high heights of their Battle Of Los Angeles clash.

This was until NXT TakeOver Portland when Keith and Dominik went to war over the NXT North American Championship.

6’7 Dijakovic and 340lb Lee performed maneuvers that wrestlers even half their sizes cannot pull off. 

Skill wasn’t the only quality that the heavyweight stars were displaying. Both athletes proved their fearlessness, executing daring dives, to the delight of all the fans in the Moda Center.  

Not only did this match prove Lee was truly limitless, Dijakovic was pointed out as a competitor to watch. Because they’re members of the Raw roster, there’s a chance that Lee and T-Bar could recreate this magic on Monday nights.

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4. Jon Moxley vs. Minoru Suzuki – NJPW New Beginning In Osaka

Minoru Suzuki might just be the scariest man in pro-wrestling. IWGP US Champion Jon Moxley might just be the toughest man in pro-wrestling. Because of their reputations, fans dreamed about the day that Moxley and Suzuki would battle.

When Suzuki ambushed Moxley at Wrestle Kingdom, it was clear that their eventual match wasn’t going to be conventional. Despite this, nobody could’ve predicted just how visceral this championship encounter ended up being. 

2020 would be the first year in almost a decade that Moxley wouldn’t compete in a WWE ring. Not wanting to be known as an ‘ex-WWE’ guy, Jon knew defeating this Japanese legend was crucial for his career. Suzuki, developing a hatred for new signees, headed into this contest with the cruelest intentions. 

With both brawlers needing the W, the stakes were higher than the wagered IWGP US Championship. Both men fought as if their futures were at stake.

This dream match may not have been the flashiest encounter, but you could feel each strike through the screen. 

• Match of the Year
• AJ Styles
• 2020
• Daniel Bryan

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