WrestleMania is approaching. But before the journey to it fully commences, WWE had Saturday Night’s Main Event as a starter for a monumental time of the year.
The second edition of the vintage show in as many months, Saturday Night’s Main Event was another opportunity for WWE to showcase its top stars to a national audience. Staying true to the show’s identity, three championship matches took place, and another bout between two of the dominating forces in the company ended in complete mayhem. Plus, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens faced off ahead of their rematch at the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Here is a recap of the highlights and analysis of Saturday Night’s Main Event:
World Heavyweight Championship match: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso
Gunther has made it clear he has a strong distaste for Uso, and he showed the animosity with a quick attack on the challenger to start the match. The champion, in typical fashion, controlled the first half of the match, and even tried a powerbomb for an early win, but it didn’t work.
Uso got some blows as he tried to fight off the vicious offense from Gunther, and he finally got something going when he landed a kick on the champion. Uso decided it was time to go for a pin, which wasn’t successful, but that wouldn’t be all from the challenger. He landed a big-time powerbomb on the man that loves to use it, and both stars laid in the middle of the ring. When they both got up, Gunther tried the powerbomb but it was reversed with a spear from Uso. He went for the pin and Gunther just kicked out. Uso got another spear, climbed the turnbuckles for an Uso Splash and looked primed for the win. However, the crowd was stunned when Gunther kicked out.
Uso tried to go for a third spear, and that would be the mistake; Gunther didn’t fall for it, landed a powerbomb and did a second one for good measure. The champion got the pin to retain.
Analysis: Jey Uso was oh, so close. It’s felt like the OG Bloodline member is really inching closer toward becoming a world champion, and it really appeared it would happen on Saturday. The spear-to-Uso Splash combination really looked like it was it and was one of the best near-finishes in the early part of 2025. However, there’s a reason Gunther has spent most of his time in WWE as a champion − it takes so much to take him down.
Gunther retains his title and while it’s unlikely the men’s Royal Rumble winner challenges him at WrestleMania, he’ll still get a strong opponent to face in April, one who could possibly dethrone him. Could it be Uso? He certainly is starting to look more capable in the ring, and WrestleMania could finally be the time he reaches the mountain top. But nothing looks clear until the Royal Rumble is finished.
Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu
In the battle of heavyweights, it was Strowman that started off with the blows to Fatu. However, the ‘Samoan Werewolf’ isn’t someone that stays down for long, and he was doing his usual wild displays of athleticism. Even when Strowman would counter, Fatu wasn’t letting his opponent dominate. Strowman did his Strowman Express around the ring and took down Fatu, but when he went to do it again Fatu got up and threw Strowman on the table.
Strowman was clearly rattled, and Fatu went off with numerous hits to Strowman in the corner of the ring. It was so vicious, the referee ordered Fatu to stop. Fatu didn’t like that, and he threw the referee out of the ring as he continued the assault. The referee stopped the match, with Fatu disqualified. Security came out to stop Fatu, and he used a steel chair on the help that came as Strowman began to bleed from his head.
No matter how many people were in the ring, no one could stop Fatu from going off. He launched himself off the top rope onto Strowman. Tama Tonga even came out to try and stop his friend, but it was no use. Fatu ended up doing it two more times, and Strowman got medical attention for the unleashed attack.
Analysis: What a true monster Fatu is. No one has made Strowman look so helpless like Fatu did, and that’s quite the achievement. Fatu’s destruction and no regard for life was the right way for the match to end, but the continued attack well after the match was over was truly a sight to behold.
With Solo Sikoa no longer the true Tribal Chief, it’s been a mystery as to what direction the new Bloodline was going to go. So far, it looks like Fatu is out to prove he is someone capable of wreaking havoc on his own. If Tonga can’t stop him from his brutality, could Sikoa do it?
Contract signing for ladder match for Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens with Shawn Michaels as moderator
Whether it was Owens wearing a ‘Cody sucks eggs’ shirt or Rhodes eyeing down his rival from the top of the ladder as the crowd did his signature ‘woah,’ it was clear the heat is reaching a boiling point. Rhodes signed the contract for the match at Royal Rumble, and Owens was about to before he ranted about Rhodes’ claim he takes the easy way out. Owens went on and on before Rhodes told him to stop talking, yelling at him that it’s enough. Owens then claimed once he wins next week, he’s going to take all the attention away from Rhodes.
Michaels butted in and said Owens ‘sounds jealous,’ angering the challenger even more. Owens then went on a rant directed at the WWE Hall of Famer. Owens finally signed the contract to make the match official. Michaels had a referee take each of their titles to hang above the ring for the upcoming ladder match. Michaels tried to shake both of their hands, but Owens went for a cheap shot on the champion. He then tried to execute a package piledriver on the ‘Heartbreak Kid,’ but Rhodes prevented it with a hit. Furious, Michaels took his jacket off and gave Owens some Sweet Chin Music to end the scuffle.
Intercontinental Championship match: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus
Described as an ‘unbelievable athlete’ by his opponent, Breakker quickly showed his rapid skills with a start that included some big blows. The champion took the challenger out of the ring, and the veteran Sheamus played it smart by getting Breakker over the barricade to slow down his momentum. Sheamus had the upper hand, but it didn’t last long after Breakker landed a vicious mid-air spear that was incredibly timed.
With Sheamus having clear pain in the midsection, Breakker went to work on the injured area. Sheamus still fought back − going with the Beats of the Bodhran and Celtic Cross − and avoided another spear by landing the Brogue Kick. Sheamus went for the pin. As the referee was about to hit three, the champion’s leg was on the ropes − preventing the loss.
Sheamus tried to go for another Brogue Kick, but the pain in his midsection was too much. He winced, and Breakker saw the opportunity to land a spear, go for the pin and retain the title.
Analysis: This is surely the surprise of the night. If there was any opportunity for Sheamus to finally capture the Intercontinental Championship, it was on Saturday night. He came incredibly close, but the young star got the best of the veteran.
Breakker continues to add wins against some established names on the roster, further proving he’s on a trajectory to eventually becoming a world champion. For Sheamus, you have to wonder if he’ll actually get another shot at the one title he hasn’t won in WWE. With two losses to Breakker, it’s tough to argue he should get a third chance, so he’ll either have to wait longer or accept it will be something he won’t capture.
Women’s World Heavyweight Championship match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax
In a rematch of Elimination Chamber 2024, Jax wasted no time trying to get to her opponent, headbutting Ripley before Lilian Garcia could introduce the champion. Ripley quickly got to her feet and got some shots in as the two stars traded massive blows in quick succession.
Ripley showed off her strength with a power bomb off Jax and she tried to go for a submission, but it didn’t work. Jax tried to go for the Annihilator, but the champion wasn’t going to let it happen, getting Jax out of the ring and launching herself off the top rope. Quickly getting in the ring, Jax recovered and did land her finishing move. She didn’t go for the pin, instead trying to hit it again. Ripley was able to get Jax off the ropes and both stars were on the ground.
Ripley was the one to get back on her feet first. She landed a kick and executed the Riptide, planting Jax on the mat and getting the pin to retain her title.
Analysis: There wasn’t any chance Ripley was going to lose her title that quick, but she put on another powerful performance against Jax, and the two stars work quite well together in the ring. They both possess strength and the ability to execute massive maneuvers, and given the show is only two hours, Jax and Ripley were able to keep up a fast pace while making sure they each got to showcase their talent.
Now, Ripley will await who wins the Royal Rumble, and she’ll be the favorite to be challenged at WrestleMania. As for Jax, get ready for ‘The Irresistible Force’ to put up another incredible showing in the Rumble match.
Ted DiBiase in attendance
The ‘Million Dollar Man’ is in San Antonio as the WWE Hall of Famer emerged with his infamous Million Dollar Championship title.
English, Spanish commentary heard simultaneously to start
It might have been tough for WWE fans to listen to the start of Saturday Night’s Main Event as the English and Spanish commentary could be heard at the same time.
WWE commentator Joe Tessitore gave the introduction to the night, but it was tough to hear what he said since the Spanish announcer was also talking at the same time. Fans complained about the start on social media.
The issue lasted for about the first seven minutes of the show before viewers had just the English commentary.
When is Saturday Night’s Main Event?
Saturday Night’s Main Event is Saturday, Jan. 25 beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
How long will Saturday Night’s Main Event be?
It will be a two-hour event.
Where is Saturday Night’s Main Event?
The latest edition will take place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
How to watch Saturday Night’s Main Event: TV channel, streaming
There are two ways to watch the event on Saturday. It can be watched on NBC or can be streamed on Peacock.
Saturday Night’s Main Event match card
Matches not in order
World Heavyweight Championship match: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso
Women’s World Heavyweight Championship match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax
Intercontinental Championship match: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus
Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu
Contract signing for ladder match for Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens with Shawn Michaels as moderator
What is Saturday Night’s Main Event?
If there was an event that had WrestleMania-worthy matches not at WrestleMania and for a nationwide audience, it was Saturday Night’s Main Event.
As wrestling continued to grow across the country in the 1980s as WWE strengthened its position as the top company in the U.S., Saturday Night’s Main Event was a way to showcase the biggest stars, getting in the ring against each other.
Typically held on NBC, it allowed millions of people a rare opportunity to tune in to watch marquee matchups, and the show was a success — multiple showings took place from 1985-1992. After a hiatus, it returned in 2006 and a couple more shows took place over the next few years. It returned again in December 2024 and appears to be something WWE is going to try to hold continuously with the second edition of the return taking place in San Antonio.
Will Jesse Ventura be back for Saturday Night’s Main Event?
Expect ‘The Body’ to be back on the headset on Saturday night.
WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura will be back at the announcer’s table for the event. The former governor of Minnesota was a commentator for WWE after his wrestling career and was featured in the early editions of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Sheamus ‘needs’ elusive WWE Intercontinental Championship
Growing up in Ireland, one of the first memories Sheamus has of watching WWE is the Intercontinental Championship.
He remembered seeing ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage’s reign in the 1980s and all the people who held the title afterward. He saw it as ‘the worker’s title,’ with wrestlers consistently putting it on the line instead of only occasionally defending it. If he made it to WWE, he hoped he would be able to one day claim the championship.
Flash forward to 2025 and after a 15-year career filled with multiple championship reigns, the Intercontinental title is one the soon-to-be 47-year-old still is chasing. He’ll get one more opportunity to secure it when he challenges champion Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event in San Antonio.
And he is as hungry as ever for it.
‘It’s something I need, and it’s something that I want,’ Sheamus told USA TODAY Sports.
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