WWE Saturday Night's Main Event - Star rating for every match
Watching the latest installment of WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event felt like a glorified episode of RAW. The matches were fine for what they were, but most of the finishes felt like the easiest choice in the book.
However, both men's major title matches felt bigger than an episode of RAW. Chelsea Green's win of the Women's United States title was a great moment.
Jesse Ventura's return to commentary was a refreshing change from the sometimes confrontational nature of the usual product. Here are star ratings for each match at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event.
#5. Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn opens the show
McIntyre and Zayn kicked off the newest edition of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. As Drew McIntyre walked to the ring, some interesting facts accompanied him on the screen.
The Scottish Warrior eliminated Sami Zayn from the 2024 Royal Rumble, and he's never lost to Zayn. The match was finalized on RAW before the show, and it felt like it should have been saved for it.
The action was fine for an opening match—a few counters, a few power bombs, and Zayn getting tossed over the announce table. However, Michael Cole's commentary hurt the match since he always plays a fanboy for anyone opposed to Roman Reigns.
The finish was decent, with Zayn missing a Helluva Kick after McIntyre rolled out of the ring. Zayn chased but got hit with a Claymore on his way back into the ring.
Star Rating: ***1/2
#4. Women's World Championship Match - Liv Morgan (c) vs. IyYO SKY
Like most recent matches on RAW, Saturday Night's Main Event cut to a commercial two minutes into the action. Morgan hit some good moves, including a Codebreaker off the top.
IYO SKY was resilient as ever, hitting Three Amigos with German Suplexes instead of traditional ones. Both women are capable of more, so the showdown felt like it could have aired on a recent episode of RAW.
Morgan kicked SKY in the face as she came down from her signature moonsault. She blasted the challenger with Oblivion in the ropes to leave Saturday Night's Main Event with the title.
Star Rating: ***
#3. World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match
Finn Balor came out with a black bag over his face. It was probably supposed to be a mask, but it looked like JD McDonagh had kidnapped him and brought him to the ring.
Like most Triple Threats, the match was laden with several one-on-one pairings. Damian Priest paid homage to The Undertaker by walking the ropes. He also hit the Razor's Edge on Gunther, but Balor quickly hit a big stomp to prevent Priest from capitalizing.
All three men broke up pins like their lives depended on it. Priest was trapped in a choke several times but managed to hit the South of Heaven chokeslam on Balor.
Gunther pulled Priest out of the ring to bust up the pin attempt. He then powerbombed The Archer of Infamy onto the steel steps. The Champ returned to the ring, hit a shotgun dropkick and powerbomb on Balor to retain his title.
Star Rating: *** 3/4
#2. Crowning the first Women's United States Champ at Saturday Night's Main Event
Chelsea Green wore gear inspired by her husband's (Matt Cardona) first singles run (one-legged pants). Piper Niven interfered early on, hitting Michin with a Bossman Slam on the outside.
After returning the ring and gaining control, Michin hit both Green and Niven with a suicide dive. She also blasted Niven with Eat Defeat before re-entering the ring. Green also ate the kick but broke up the pin by reaching her leg to the rope.
Both women climbed to the top but Niven got on the apron to distract Michin. She kicked Green's partner down, allowing The Hot Mess to hit an innovative Unprettier off the top for the win. The two had good chemistry and made the Saturday Night's Main Event moment more important.
Star Rating: ***1/2
#1. Undisputed WWE Championship Match - Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
The match started with a good callback to Owens not taking advantage of Rhodes' leg injury at the Bash in Berlin. Neither man hesitated at Saturday Night's Main Event. The enemies fought in front of the announce table, with Owens trolling everyone after suplexing Rhodes onto the table.
Back in the ring, Owens hit a Swanton Bomb before trolling Cody with his father's signature punches and bionic elbow. The American Nightmare countered and hit the moves. When the action returned to the table, Rhodes hit an RKO on Owens, but the table didn't give.
Cody then got pushed into the ref, allowing Owens to hit a stunner for the pin. With the ref down and out, another one rushed down, but Rhodes kicked out at two. The second referee was hit with a Beautiful Disaster Kick when Owens moved.
Without a ref again, Owens sent Rhodes into the ring post. He grabbed a chair and swung, but Cody ducked. The Champ landed his Cody Cutter before hitting the Crossrhodes on top of the chair to close out Saturday Night's Main Event.
Star Rating: ****