10 PPV Quality Wrestling Matches Given Away On Weekly Television In 2020

3. Johnny Gargano Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (Unsanctioned Match) - NXT, 8 April

Shaw Spears Cody
WWE

Yes, these two have already fought on pay-per-views before. Yes, fans have already seen these two fight in an Unsanctioned match. Yes, this duo have been battling on and off ever since Ciampa infamously turned heel by demolishing Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, three years ago. But this was their blow-off match.

If there was any fight this year that fans would have expected to see on PPV, it would be have been the final chapter in the Gargano-Ciampa saga. Booking this fight for NXT, two weeks after The Show Of Shows, was a sure-fire way to prevent any post-WrestleMania dip in viewership.

Given Ciampa and Gargano had already put together a five-star Unsanctioned Match two years prior, it was always going to be difficult to meet expectations. This match was a hard-hitting affair, which involved fire extinguishers, tables, crutches, and two superstars who seemed driven to force their opponent into early retirement. The finish involved Candice LeRae coming out to try and restore the peace, only to turn on Ciampa and hand her husband the win, solidifying the couple as mega-heels.

Cinematic matches aren't every fan's cup of tea, but the brutality in this fight and the numerous references made to their past encounters made this match entertaining and compelling. There is no question that the final chapter in WWE's best rivalry of the past decade was pay-per-view headlining material.

 
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Brady Coyle is a board game enthusiast, an outdoor enthusiast, a crossword enthusiast and doesn't understand the concept of synonyms. He saw a button that said "Contribute" and, presented with the opportunity to share his opinion, he will never say no. He lives in Toronto, Canada, a place where nothing ever gets done because everyone is too busy saying "sorry" to each other.