WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2024 Predictions, Card, Matches, Start Time, Preview, Expert Picks

Saturday Night Main Event returns this weekend, marking the first time in nearly two decades that wwe has revived its classic show. Never a weekly show, Saturday Night’s Main Event aired on NBC at various times of the year from 1985 to 1992 and was briefly revived beginning in 2006.

Saturday’s card is designed as a major premium live wwe event, featuring four championship matches, as well as a grudge match between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. The main card sees Cody Rhodes looking to defend his undisputed wwe Championship against his old friend turned rival Kevin Owens.

World Heavyweight Champion Gunther will have to defend himself against two challengers in a triple threat match against Finn Balor and Damian Priest. The former allies turned rivals have been at odds for months since Balor cost Priest the title at SummerSlam and prevented him from regaining the title at Survivor Series. Plus, women’s world champion Liv Morgan defends her crown against number one contender Iyo Sky.

The first American women’s champion will also be crowned Saturday night when Chelsea Green faces Michin after both advanced in the tournament to determine a champion.

Let’s take a look at who the CBS Sports experts pick to win each game, which airs live on NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.

wwe Saturday Night Main Event Predictions 2024

Undisputed wwe Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens

If wwe wants to make Saturday night’s main event a must-see show, booking a title change in the main match sets the right tone. It is also the most interesting creative direction. But I don’t think the promotion is ready to part ways with the designated lead. Rhodes oozes the throwback feel of this event and this card is built heavily around it. Plus, there are still fights we need to see Rhodes in before he is dethroned. Choose: Cody Rhodes retains the title –Shakiel Mahjouri

I hope wwe makes Rhodes retain in a classic Saturday night main event “babyface goes over” move. But it would be much more interesting if Owens won the belt and extended the feud a bit. Rhodes can always get the title back in the months leading up to WrestleMania for whatever they have planned, but the issues with Owens have been the only time I’ve found Rhodes’ run with the belt interesting in quite some time. Owens’ victory returns Rhodes to the chase where he is most interesting. For that reason, despite being pretty sure Rhodes will get the win, I’m going to pick Owens anyway. Pick: Kevin Owens wins the title –Brent Brookhouse

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor

Adding Priest to the match makes sense as all three men have issues with each other. The crowd is also much more interested in Priest when he’s involved with Gunther than at any other time, so a little extra heat is a good thing. There doesn’t seem to be any chance of Gunther leaving without the title. Priest winning the belt back doesn’t make much sense, and while Balor is a fantastic wrestler, he’s simply not positioned to be world champion. Add in that the power struggle between Balor and Liv Morgan is a central storyline on Raw and a Balor loss only strengthens that dynamic and retaining Gunther appears to be the only play. Election: Gunther retains the title — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)

Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky

Sky has been off lately and I would love to see her get another run as champion. Morgan still has a lot of things to do as champion, including finally ending her long-running feud with Rhea Ripley. Not much more reasoning is needed as to why Morgan will retain Saturday night. Election: Liv Morgan retains the title — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)

United States Women’s Championship: Chelsea Green vs. Michin

I totally agree with Chelsea Green. She is a fantastic “sports cheerleader” in the best use of the phrase. Green has been consistently entertaining and is a great choice for the first woman to hold a new midcard title. A heel champion like Green creates so many fun possibilities moving forward that it seems like the right play. Pick: Green defeats Michin to win the title – Brook House

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn

McIntyre did the best job of his career against CM Punk. But like most of his major feuds in recent years, he lost. It’s time for wwe to reward McIntyre’s hard work with a solid winning streak. Zayn is almost bulletproof thanks to his beloved underdog status. McIntyre needs a show of hands in his first match since losing at Hell in a Cell. Pick: Drew McIntyre wins — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)