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.
Both men’s world titles will be on the line, with Cody Rhodes defending his undisputed wwe championship against Kevin Owens and Gunther putting the world heavyweight championship on the line against Damian Priest and Finn Balor.
On the women’s side, Liv Morgan will defend the Women’s World Champion against former champion Iyo Sky and the first-ever American Women’s Champion will be crowned in a tournament final that will feature the winners of a pair of matches scheduled for Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
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)
US Women’s Championship: TBD (Bayley Winner vs. Chelsea Green) vs. TBD (Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin Winner)
I anticipate that Bayley and Stratton will get their tickets for the wwe SmackDown finals. Stratton is the most inspired option. She is athletic, charismatic and fans adore her. The US title is designed for someone with his advantages, but I don’t think he will win singles gold until he cashes in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Bayley is a decorated workhorse and a reliable choice to hold the title. Maybe Stratton will collect his briefcase from Bayley after losing the tournament. Other than that, I think Bayley adds another accomplishment to her resume as the inaugural United States Women’s Champion. Pick: Bayley defeats Stratton to win the title – Mahjouri
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 Stratton 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)
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