Rivalries & Legendary Matches in 2020
The second half of 2020 was filled with unprecedented challenges, unique storytelling, and career-defining moments. WWE continued to adapt to the pandemic era, creating compelling rivalries and unforgettable matches. Let’s explore the key matches and rivalries that defined July to December 2020—without spoiling the results.
📅 July – The Road to SummerSlam 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Championship – Extreme Rules)
- Sasha Banks vs. Asuka (RAW Women’s Championship)
- Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman (Wyatt Swamp Fight)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Drew McIntyre continued his championship reign in a match with unexpected rules set by his challenger Dolph Ziggler.
Sasha Banks and Asuka’s heated rivalry led to a controversial title bout, while The Golden Role Models began to draw intense scrutiny.
Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt took their rivalry into the surreal with the Wyatt Swamp Fight, blurring the line between reality and horror.
📅 August – SummerSlam: You’ll Never See It Coming 🎉
🔥 Key Matches:
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship)
- The Fiend vs. Braun Strowman (Universal Championship)
- Dominik Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins (Street Fight)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Drew McIntyre clashed with Randy Orton in a fierce battle between champion and legend.
The Universal Title scene became even more unpredictable after the match between The Fiend and Braun Strowman—with a shocking post-match twist that no one saw coming.
Dominik Mysterio stepped into the ring for the first time in an emotional confrontation with Seth Rollins, proving the Mysterio legacy was in good hands.
📅 September – Clash of Champions: Gold Rush 🏅
🔥 Key Matches:
- Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso (Universal Championship)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship – Ambulance Match)
- Jeff Hardy vs. Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles (Intercontinental Championship – Ladder Match)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Roman Reigns began a new chapter, demanding recognition from his family and facing Jey Uso in a power struggle within the Bloodline.
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton escalated their feud with a punishing ambulance match.
In the midcard scene, three top-tier athletes delivered a brutal and unforgettable ladder match for the Intercontinental gold.
📅 October – Hell in a Cell: Betrayals & Battles 🔥
🔥 Key Matches:
- Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso (Universal Championship – I Quit Match)
- Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (SmackDown Women’s Championship – Hell in a Cell)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship – Hell in a Cell)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso took their story to another level inside Hell in a Cell, where family ties were pushed to the brink.
After months of tension, Sasha Banks and Bayley finally collided inside the Cell, delivering a showdown filled with emotion and legacy.
The rivalry between McIntyre and Orton continued, leading to yet another high-stakes championship bout.
📅 November – Survivor Series: Brand Warfare ⚔️
🔥 Key Matches:
- Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre (Champion vs. Champion)
- Sasha Banks vs. Asuka (Champion vs. Champion)
- Men’s & Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Matches
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
In a collision of top champions, Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre faced off in a match that defined dominance.
Sasha Banks and Asuka clashed in a technical showcase of championship excellence.
The traditional elimination matches laid the groundwork for new rivalries across brands—and future stars emerged.
📅 December – TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chaos 🎇
🔥 Key Matches:
- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens (Universal Championship – TLC Match)
- Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles vs. The Miz (WWE Championship – TLC Match)
- The Hurt Business vs. The New Day (RAW Tag Team Championship)
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Roman Reigns faced a relentless challenge from Kevin Owens in a violent TLC Match, as his rule was tested in dramatic fashion.
Drew McIntyre defended his title against two skilled competitors, including an opportunistic Money in the Bank threat.
In the tag division, The Hurt Business continued their ascent, battling The New Day in a clash of dominance vs. legacy.
🔥 2020 Summary – The Second Half in Review
The latter half of 2020 saw the rise of dominant champions, emotional betrayals, and career-defining moments.
- Roman Reigns embracing his Tribal Chief persona and asserting authority 👑
- Drew McIntyre’s resilience as WWE Champion against all odds 🏆
- Sasha Banks vs. Bayley culminating in a brutal Hell in a Cell clash 🔥
- Cinematic matches and fresh talent adding new energy to WWE’s evolution 🎥
As WWE stepped into 2021, fans were left wondering: Who would rise to challenge the kings and queens of this new era?
