10 Best Wrestlers Of 2020

3. Bayley

Drew McIntyre smiling
WWE

2020 was a remarkable year for WWE's 'Role Model', considering how unconvincing and unsure of herself Bayley looked upon first turning heel in late 2019. That she has powered through these growing pains so diligently made her an easy candidate for this list's upper echelons.

Bayley is unrecognisable from what she used to be. It's hard to believe the 'Hugger' and 'Role Model' were even played by the same person, though heel Bayley now feels even more natural than babyface Bayley. She is a perfectly obnoxious, annoying, and snotty personality whose mere presence immediately makes any babyface in her vicinity more sympathetic, and it's heartening to see WWE finally recognising her ability to connect. Once the undercooked black sheep of the company's Four Horsewomen, Bayley's 380-day reign as SmackDown Women's Championship has pushed her to the top of that illustrious pile.

But Bayley's ascension goes beyond character work and promos. Her in-ring was never weak, but even it has improved. Tightening the remaining few nuts and bolts has made Bayley a great carrier capable of elevating lesser talent above their natural level. Elsewhere, high-end work with Sasha Banks (including the best Hell In A Cell match since The Undertaker vs. Triple H) completes an excellent 2020.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.