As we say goodbye to 2020, we get to look back on an unprecedented year that has given us many things, but thankfully, in this case, it was a plethora of amazing women’s wrestling matches.
From the beginning of the year (which feels an age ago) to now, wrestlers worldwide have provided us with some excellent wrestling performances.
When COVID-19 took over and wrestling continued without live crowds in attendance, fans didn’t know what to expect from the in-ring action and what we got was beyond expectations.
Every wrestler put their health and safety on the line (more so than ever this year) to deliver some of the greatest wrestling matches throughout the twelve months. In the crowd-less environment, wrestlers elevated their performances, upped their game, and emphasised their performances between the ropes.
This year gave us an incredible amount of excellent women’s wrestling matches from which to choose and the list has altered many times, but it is finally complete. So without further delay, let’s get to the top 10 women’s wrestling matches of 2020.
10. Hikaru Shida vs Thunder Rosa – AEW All Out
After months of waiting and even issuing an open challenge, AEW Women’s World Champion, Hikaru Shida finally got a worthy challenger in Thunder Rosa.
The match was a show-stealing, hard-hitting and highly intense affair. Shida and Rosa absolutely beat the stuffing out of each other from the start to finish. The offence was stiff, fierce and fantastic.
A beautiful mix of Japanese and Lucha Libre styles, executed by two wrestlers at the top of their game. Shida proved that she is one of the toughest players in the game by overcoming her biggest challenge to date. Thunder Rosa put on an incredible star-making performance and showed that she is more than ready for the big time.
9. Jordynne Grace vs Deonna Purrazzo – Emergence
Deonna Purrazzo and Jordynne Grace clashed in IMPACT Wrestling’s first-ever thirty-minute Iron Woman match with the Knockout’s Championship on the line.
This was an excellent technical encounter in which Purrazzo’s submission prowess shone through with Grace matching her every step of the way. The match was well-paced, well-structured and built to a brilliant crescendo, which was edge of the seat stuff.
Champion and challenger had great chemistry together and pushed one another to their limit. The result solidified Purrazzo as the top heel in the comapny and legitimate champion.
8. Allysin Kay vs Thunder Rosa – NWA Hard Times
This magnificent match took place way back in January when the world was a different place, but remains one of the best of the year.
Kay and Rosa had been on a collision course since Rosa made her NWA debut. The lead up to the match featured Marti Belle turned on Kay to join with Rosa and Melina. This betrayal brought the fire and intensity into the match, which was a strong, super-stiff and hard-hitting affair. Kay and Rosa threw everything they had at each other with some heated exchanges, counters and reversals. They left it all in the ring and started 2020 with a bang.
Kay was fantastic as always, and Thunder Rosa established herself as one of the world’s best workers. Rosa had arrived as the match, and title win put Thunder Rosa on the map and into the spotlight.
7. Charlotte Flair vs Io Shirai vs Rhea Ripley – NXT TakeOver: In Your House
Three of the best wrestlers in the world going at it tooth and nail in a Triple Threat match for the NXT Women’s Champion.
The dynamics of the match were excellent as all three styles meshed perfectly in the ring. Ripley was the powerhouse with a point to prove. Charlotte was the veteran heel with a superiority complex, and Shirai was the fast-paced risk-taker waiting to break through to the main event level.
The action was wild, as Ripley and Flair brawled all over the place. Shirai brought the high-octane offence and insanity when she dived off the set to take out her opponents. Each wrestler played their part to prime perfection and put on a thrilling and highly-entertaining main event.
