Since its introduction in 1985, Saturday Night Main Event has offered wrestling fans exciting programming, occasionally taking the time slot usually designated for reruns of NBC’s beloved Saturday Night Live. Featuring iconic figures such as Hulk Hogan, Randy “Macho Man”Savage, and Andre the Giant, the event has garnered a devoted following.
Over the past 19 years, the show’s main events have boasted big-name grapplers like John Cena and Jey Uso. While often criticized for resembling glorified house shows, lacking significant championship shifts, recent storylines have breathed new life into the event.
In this article, we will explore the top 17 matches from the modern iteration of Saturday Night Main Event, spanning the years 2006 to 2025. Matches will be ranked based on a combination of official ratings and personal insights, providing a comprehensive overview of this wrestling staple.
17 Zelina Vega Vs Chelsea Green
Botch-Filled Match Leads To Bloody Nose
| Date | May 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Zelina Vega |
| Rating | 2.72/10 |
The encounter between Zelina Vega and Chelsea Green can be described succinctly: a complete disaster. Vega was defending her United States Championship, which made her victory feel somewhat predictable, as title changes are rare on Saturday Night Main Event.
Wrestling enthusiasts are often disheartened by matches shorter than five minutes, particularly given the interruptions from commercial breaks. Unfortunately, the wrestlers delivered an underwhelming performance, underscoring the need for stronger character development—especially for Zelina as champion—and recognizing Chelsea as one of the roster’s underappreciated talents.
While Zelina retained her title, Chelsea ended the match on a sour note, walking away with a likely broken nose after a botched 619 from Vega inadvertently struck her face, resulting in significant bleeding—something she reportedly found amusing backstage.
16 Jey Uso Vs Logan Paul
Thank God For Cody
| Date | May 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Jey Uso |
| Rating | 4.21/10 |
From the outset, apprehensions surrounded this match, as Jey Uso had yet to prove himself as a solo wrestler capable of captivating the audience against an opponent like Logan Paul. The weight of expectation was heightened with the World Heavyweight Championship at stake.
Could the WWE genuinely crown Logan Paul as their champion in 2025? Such a move would undoubtedly create viral sensations but could threaten the credibility of the title. A moment of doubt arose during the match when John Cena intervened to attack Jey while the referee was incapacitated.
Fortunately, Cody Rhodes made a momentous return, having not been seen since his loss at WrestleMania 41, to assist Jey Uso in retaining his championship.
15 Braun Strowman Vs Jacob Fatu
Two Monsters Collide in DQ Finish
| Date | January 25, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Braun Strowman |
| Rating | 5.20/10 |
For fans seeking an explosive clash, the match between Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman provided just that, as these two heavyweights unleashed chaos within the ring. Their ongoing feud had seen continuous physical altercations leading up to a sanctioned showdown.
Despite having faced prior difficulties, Strowman put forth an impressive effort and played a pivotal role in elevating Fatu’s status. To fans’ disappointment, the highly anticipated outcome resulted in a disqualification after Fatu ruthlessly threw the referee from the ring, ending the match on a bitter note despite the action-packed nature of the bout.
14 John Cena Vs R-Truth
Ron Cena Gave It His All
| Date | May 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | John Cena |
| Rating | 5.29/10 |
In a surprising rematch from their 2011 duel at Capitol Punishment, John Cena and R-Truth faced off again, over a decade later. R-Truth delivered one of his finest promos before the match, insisting he would take the very essence of Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect from Cena.
Cena controlled the match despite its brevity and even delivered a comedic low blow before executing his signature Attitude Adjustment. R-Truth’s entrance, parodying Cena’s own persona and entering to his theme song as “Ron Cena, ”was undoubtedly a highlight of the event.
13 Chelsea Green Vs Michin
A Crowning Moment For Chelsea
| Date | December 14, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Chelsea Green |
| Rating | 5.42/10 |
The WWE has made commendable strides towards empowering its female talent by introducing opportunities such as the new Intercontinental and United States Championships. A tournament concluded with a showdown between Chelsea Green and Michin, with the winner crowned the inaugural United States Champion.
With the women’s division often dominated by a few key figures, this title offered varied chances for an array of wrestlers to showcase their skills. While Michin entered the match as a favorite, Chelsea emerged victorious, delivering an impressive performance during her championship run.
12 Liv Morgan Vs Iyo Sky
An Excellent Title Defense for Liv
| Date | December 14, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Liv Morgan |
| Rating | 5.66/10 |
The December 14, 2024 edition of Saturday Night Main Event is celebrated for its exceptional lineup, with both the Green vs. Michin and Iyo Sky vs.Liv Morgan matches delivering quality performances that are indicative of the evening’s success.
Whenever Iyo Sky enters the ring, the quality of the match rises, as she stands out as one of the premier female wrestlers in the industry today. Despite her lower tier ranking in this event, the bout against Liv Morgan did not disappoint, with Morgan successfully defending her title—a testament to her dedication and improvement as a competitor.
11 Damian Priest Vs Drew McIntyre
Damian Pays Tribute to Old Mentor
| Date | May 24, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Damian Priest |
| Rating | 6.22/10 |
The cage match between Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre generated mixed reactions, especially from guest commentator Jesse Ventura, who found the ending particularly egregious. The ongoing rivalry had seen both competitors exchanging victories and significant physical altercations leading to this pivotal showdown.
Priest secured the win by using a con-chair-to maneuver before exiting through the cage door, to Ventura’s chagrin—a humorous irony considering his earlier commentary advocating larger wrestlers should use the door to escape.
10 Edge Vs Jeff Hardy
The Rated R Superstar Wasn’t The Real MVP
| Date | July 28, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Edge |
| Rating | 6.50/10 |
This match catered to fans of the Attitude Era, featuring two of the decade’s leading stars, Jeff Hardy and Edge, as they clashed in a highly anticipated showdown. Their recent background included a draft change that propelled them into direct competition.
The chemistry demonstrated in this match resulted in a thrilling confrontation, with MVP’s interference paving the way for Edge’s surprise victory via spear, ultimately setting the course for an ongoing feud involving Hardy.
9 Rhea Ripley Vs Nia Jax
Surprisingly Better Than The First Time
| Date | January 25, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Rhea Ripley |
| Rating | 6.50/10 |
Rhea Ripley’s rematch against Nia Jax was one that no one truly desired, given their previous encounters had not received the best reception due to a lack of chemistry. Fortunately, Jax showcased a better performance this time around, delivering an exciting contest alongside Ripley that redeemed their prior bouts.
With this match, Ripley maintained her dominance in the women’s division, while Jax continued her pursuit for the WWE Women’s Championship, bringing her rivalry with Tiffany Stratton back into focus.
8 Cody Rhodes Vs Kevin Owens
The American Nightmare Steals Victory
| Date | December 14, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Winner | Cody Rhodes |
| Rating | 6.51/10 |
Despite the criticism regarding his championship reign, Cody Rhodes delivered a compelling rivalry against Kevin Owens leading up to their Saturday Night Main Event match. Their verbal exchanges ignited anticipation for this showdown, showcasing their complex history.
In the match, Rhodes secured a victory with a Cross Rhodes, utilizing a chair provided by Kevin—a move that left fans torn over the morality of their beloved babyface employing dubious tactics to win.
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