With the coronavirus pandemic unexpectedly wreaking havoc to life from March 2020, WWE had to conjure up a plan to continue bringing weekly television. They used their Performance Center and even WrestleMania 36 took place there behind closed doors. However, from August, WWE stepped it up a notch by moving to the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, and the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Nonetheless, WWE tried their best by having fans appear on LED monitors around the arena to create some atmosphere. It was certainly better than complete silence in the Performance Center but nothing can replace live crowds. Moreover, a lot of WWE talent stepped up to the plate to provide entertainment for fans at home with several outstanding main events.
11 Braun Strowman Vs. The Fiend - SummerSlam 2020
Braun Strowman's Universal Championship title reign was incredibly underwhelming, and he defended the gold against The Fiend at SummerSlam 2020. They had a hard-hitting falls count anywhere match but it completely missed the mark.
They fought around the arena as expected but the ring got cut up by Strowman who used a box cutter. Ultimately, The Fiend captured his second Universal Championship after he nailed Strowman with a couple of Sister Abigails on the exposed wood. Nevertheless, Roman Reigns made his triumphant return and he laid out both men.
10 The Fiend Vs. Braun Strowman Vs. Roman Reigns - Payback 2020
Surprisingly, WWE decided to stage Payback a week after SummerSlam, and the Universal Championship took center stage once more. The Fiend's first title defense was against former champions Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match.
However, The Big Dog's heel turn was cemented as he did the bare minimum by entering the match late on. The Fiend and Strowman did most of the hard work, and Reigns picked up the scraps by Spearing Strowman to become a two-time Universal Champion.
9 Randy Orton Vs. The Fiend - TLC 2020
The final WWE pay-per-view main event of 2020 saw Randy Orton collide with The Fiend in a Firefly Inferno match. The Viper was taking no chances as he sported a jacket and pants to cover his exposed body. Moreover, Orton and Wyatt's matches have been hit and miss but this was one of their best encounters.
They told a compelling story as The Fiend's character is mysterious. Nevertheless, The Apex Predator continued his dominance over Wyatt by setting him on fire, although their match certainly wasn't the best match of the night.
8 Drew McIntyre Vs. Randy Orton - Hell In A Cell 2020
Hell in a Cell 2020 featured three excellent Hell in a Cell matches that were definitely worthy of main eventing the show. Randy Orton was aiming for his 14th World Title and he once again challenged Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
Orton and McIntyre definitely benefitting from having no fans present as they might have got sick and tired of their repetitive matches. Nonetheless, they utilized their surroundings and McIntyre fell through the side of the cell onto the announce table. Ultimately, Orton capitalized and recaptured the WWE Title in a superb battle.
7 Drew McIntyre Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Kofi Kingston Vs. Sheamus Vs. Jeff Hardy Vs. AJ Styles - Elimination Chamber 2021
Elimination Chamber matches sometimes fail to live up to the hype but at the 2021 Elimination Chamber event, the WWE Title bout fired on all cylinders. Drew McIntyre defended his coveted title against Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, and AJ Styles, who all held the WWE Championship in the past.
There was a contrast of styles but everyone meshed really well to make this an enthralling contest from start to finish. McIntyre and Styles were the final two participants, and Styles was close to winning the match but The Scottish Psychopath countered Styles' Phenomenal Forearm with his patented Claymore Kick. McIntyre's joy was short-lived as Bobby Lashley viciously assaulted him which allowed The Miz to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and win the WWE Championship.
6 Bobby Lashley Vs. Drew McIntyre - Hell In A Cell 2021
The rivalry between Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre was taken to new heights as The All-Mighty WWE Champion defended his title against McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell. There was a caveat as McIntyre would not earn another WWE Championship title shot as long as Lashley was still champion if he failed to win the title.
They hit a home run in a brutal Hell in a Cell match with both men using weapons to inflict punishment on the other. MVP was a constant presence in the match to help Lashley by distracting McIntyre. It proved to be pivotal as Lashley continued his dominance as WWE Champion.
5 Roman Reigns Vs. Jey Uso - Clash Of Champions 2020
Main Event Jey became a thing when Jey Uso earned a shot at his cousin Roman Reigns' Universal Championship at Clash of Champions 2020. Jey's twin brother Jimmy was on the sidelines with injury, and Jey grasped the opportunity with both hands by producing some of the best work in his career.
The Tribal Chief didn't have it all his way as Uso hung with him every step of the way. They told an excellent story with a lot of trash talking. Nevertheless, Jimmy saved his brother by throwing in the towel with Reigns retaining the Universal Championship.
4 Men's Royal Rumble Match - Royal Rumble 2021
The whole purpose of the Royal Rumble match is fan interaction with the nostalgia aspect of old-timers returning. However, the men's Royal Rumble match still delivered despite fans being absent. The roof would have been blown off the building when Christian made his return and it was a shame that fans did not get to have that heartfelt moment with him.
Nonetheless, Damian Priest had an exceptional outing but The Rated-R Superstar Edge was the MVP of the match. He entered the match first alongside Randy Orton, and Edge outsmarted his former tag team partner to win his second Royal Rumble match, 11 years to the day after his first triumph.
3 Roman Reigns Vs. Drew McIntyre - Survivor Series 2020
Survivor Series 2020 will fondly be remembered for The Undertaker's retirement, 30 years to the exact day that he debuted at the same event. However, there was a barnburner of a champion versus champion match that closed out the show. Universal Champion Roman Reigns and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre engaged in a mouthwatering affair.
This match definitely had fans guessing on who would prevail as McIntyre dominated most of 2020, whilst Reigns had a strong end to the year. The pendulum swung back and forth in an instant classic. Nonetheless, the night belonged to The Tribal Chief who's Guillotine Choke was too much for McIntyre to handle.
2 Roman Reigns Vs. Cesaro - WrestleMania Backlash
Roman Reigns was a fighting champion, and The Tribal Chief had a tough test in the shape of Cesaro in his latest Universal Title defense at WrestleMania Backlash. Again had fans been in attendance, The Swiss Superman would have received an almighty ovation as his supporters desperately believe that he should be a World Champion in WWE.
They hit a home run in a magnificent Universal Championship match with both throwing the kitchen sink at each other. There's no doubt that it was a courageous effort from Cesaro but Reigns showed why he is the reigning Universal Champion.
1 Roman Reigns Vs. Daniel Bryan - Fastlane 2021
Every time that Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan met (barring their match at Elimination Chamber) they tore the house down in remarkable battles. The Tribal Chief's Universal Title was in serious jeopardy and Bryan expertly worn Reigns' arms and legs throughout the match.
The match was remarkable, and Edge took a front-row seat as the enforcer for the match. Their Universal Title bout was definitely missing the WWE Universe as they would have been mesmerized at what they were witnessing. There were a few false finishes but Reigns held firm to retain the Universal Title.