The Return of Saturday Night’s Main Event

This past Saturday, the WWE brought back a classic event that was most popular in the late 80’s, Saturday Night’s Main Event. The show is nationally broadcast on NBC and showcases some of the best WWE stars. In the 80s, guys like Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan were the superstars. Nowadays, we have Cody Rhodes, the son of SNME Legend Dusty Rhodes, leading the way for a new generation of fans to enjoy the event. With such a big audience expected, WWE knew they had to put on a good show, but did they play it too safe?

Should we have seen a title change?

I think a lot of fans were expecting a title change. Maybe not with Gunther, but possibly with Cody or even the Liv Morgan title fight.

This event was an opportunity for WWE to showcase its stars on cable television, and right now, the champions are the stars. It’s hard to believe Triple H would want to take moments away from the show’s current superstars. Some may have thought Cody would lose the title, but that was never the case. It feels most likely Rhodes would lose his title at Wrestlemania rather than at Main Event. However, he is currently the unmistakable face of the company and will probably hold the belt until everyone is sick of him.

As for Liv Morgan, she probably should have given up the title. Many fans don’t want to see her and Rhea fight for that belt anymore; that feud no longer needs it.  Let the belt elevate another feud in a Women’s division that desperately needs it right now. People were tired of Liv holding the belt before Saturday Night’s Main Event, and that problem will only worsen.

Another untelevised attack

After the show, footage leaked on social media of Kevin Owens hitting a piledriver on Cody Rhodes.

EXCLUSIVE: After narrowly losing to Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens brutalizes The American Nightmare with a Piledriver just moments after Saturday Night’s Main Event goes off the air.#SNME pic.twitter.com/cSYV89siX0

— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024

This is the second time KO has attacked Rhodes off-screen, and it feels exceptionally safe on WWE’s part. As I said before, Saturday Night’s Main Event was to help elevate the superstars. Of course, they wouldn’t want Cody to look weak to the casual fan; he is now the giant at the top of the mountain. However, I don’t think this show did much to wow first-time fans and intrigue them to watch Monday Night Raw. WWE has exceptional storylines helping carry the company right now. Why not include the KO segment to close the show? KO vs. Cody Rhodes had a ton of emotion attached; that moment should have been included on the broadcast to help further draw fans.

WWE played it safe, but can you blame them?

It’s hard to blame WWE for playing it safe. They are doing exceptionally well and have had an excellent opportunity to highlight the best in the wrestling business. Their most prominent events are just around the corner, and those belts will undoubtedly change hands around that time. Saturday Night’s Main Event was designed to help grow the casual fanbase, not to take away titles from some of the show’s biggest stars.

This is the first of multiple Main Event shows planned for next year. WWE has another scheduled for January 25th in San Antonio, Texas. Time will tell whether WWE decides to be more unpredictable in future Saturday Night’s Main Event shows.