The return of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 at the Nassau Coliseum in NY has been treated like a major event, and rightfully so. While not a formal premium live event, the two-hour NBC prime-time special had a retro vibe for its first installment in over 15 years. The five-match card featured four championship bouts, with the main event being the long-awaited championship match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Let’s look at how all these played out:
Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
The new chapter in the long-running rivalry between Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre was a highlight on the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 card. McIntyre resurfaced from his two-month hiatus from WWE TV on the Dec. 2 edition of Raw, targeting Zayn because of Zayn’s willingness to team with CM Punk and Roman Reigns—two men McIntyre loathes. He also attacked Jey Uso earlier and Jimmy Uso during the previous SmackDown.
The match was good, and both men looked fantastic. They both pulled out their signature moves early on, and the back-and-forth offense between them was brilliant. The ending showcased McIntyre’s smarts: as Sami set up for a Helluva Kick, Drew rolled out. Sami chased him, but upon re-entry into the ring, Zayn ate a sudden Claymore. McIntyre finally won clean—a great booking decision. Post-match, he signaled “1 Down,” suggesting he’s coming after everyone in the Original Bloodline.
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky
Iyo Sky earned a shot at the Women’s World Championship way back in November, making this showdown at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 highly anticipated. The match delivered as expected. Iyo Sky dominated most of it, pulling out moves reminiscent of her early days, including a good old-fashioned triple suplex. Liv Morgan showcased her counters, like transitioning moves into her signature Codebreaker.
The ending was dramatic: Iyo attempted a Moonsault, but Liv countered with two feet to the face before hitting Oblivion for the clean win. While Liv’s victory solidifies her position ahead of her eventual feud with Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky remains strong. WWE teasing Ripley vs. Iyo for WrestleMania adds intrigue to where this storyline is headed.
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs. Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest
The triple-threat match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 featured three men with something to prove. Gunther—the indomitable champion—faced his biggest challenge yet. Damian Priest looked to settle scores, and Finn Bálor sought redemption in his quest for singles gold.
The match was fantastic, with all three men contributing to the action. Damian dominated early, showcasing old-school moves inspired by The Undertaker. Finn had moments where he looked poised to win. Yet Gunther anchored the bout, seamlessly creating free-flowing offense. The finish was a classic sequence: Gunther powerbombed Priest onto the stairs before unleashing a flurry of finishers on Finn to retain the title. While the Bálor vs. Priest rivalry still has legs for one last one-on-one, Gunther remains on a clean slate. A fresh challenger could shake up the title scene moving forward.
Women’s United States Championship Tournament Finals: Chelsea Green vs. Michin
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 marked the culmination of the Women’s United States Championship tournament, pitting Chelsea Green against Michin. Both competitors were deserving finalists, and the stakes amplified an already fun match. While this bout didn’t quite match their recent dumpster match on SmackDown, the crowd’s energy and the championship stakes made it special.
The finish came when Piper Niven distracted Michin, allowing Chelsea to capitalize. Chelsea hit a flawless somersault into the Unprettier to secure the win and become the first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion. With pyro bursting and Piper celebrating alongside her, Chelsea’s win felt like a well-earned, feel-good moment. Now the challenge lies in how she makes this historic title reign her own.
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens
The marquee match of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 delivered in every sense. Cody Rhodes’ title reign has seen strong contenders, but this was arguably his biggest test yet. Adding to the nostalgia, Triple H teased the return of the vintage “Winged Eagle” WWE Championship belt—a nod to the old-school charm of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The commentary added to the throwback feel, with Jesse “The Body” Ventura reviving his pro-heel style, making the match even more entertaining. Both Cody and Kevin Owens delivered in-ring homages to Randy Orton: Owens hit a backdrop on the table and acknowledged Orton with a shoutout, while Cody executed an RKO onto the announce table.
The match was even until chaos erupted. A ref bump led to Kevin Owens hitting a Stunner and seemingly winning the match, but the referee was knocked out. Another ref came out—only to get taken out as well. Owens, frustrated, grabbed a chair, but Cody dodged and countered with a CrossRhodes onto the chair to retain his title. Post-show, Owens hit Cody with a piledriver and stole the Winged Eagle belt, walking away as he stared down Triple H. The layers to this story keep building, making it must-see WWE content.
Final Thoughts on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024
In the end, if someone calls WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 a glorified house show, they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Matches were kept short and punchy, catering to newer NBC viewers unfamiliar with WWE’s long-form matches. However, the booking decisions made sense, and the retro presentation—including the commercial interruptions—maintained a nostalgic charm.
While no 20-30 minute wrestling classics unfolded, the show was a success. Four championship matches and excellent storyline progression ensured that WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 wasn’t just a throwback but a meaningful event for WWE fans.
