Saturday Night’s Main Event was live from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where four title matches filled a four-match fight card, bookended by the Rhodes-McIntyre world title match and the vacant heavyweight title affair between CM Punk and Jey Uso, made possible by Bron Breakker’s turn on former ‘Vision’ leader Seth Rollins. Breakker’s absence from the card has been criticized by fans, but the ramifications of his decision are still being felt across the brands.
With Post Malone and Pauly Shore in attendance, WWE reduced some of the nostalgia schtick, and the event was better for it.
CM PUNK VS JEY USO—VACANT WWE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
The face vs. face storyline was heightened by the entrances of Punk and Mr. Yeet, and the big fight atmosphere was built for the main event as both received spotlighted intros. Fans were seemingly divided, at least initially, and it felt like they would cheer for either man to become the new champion.
They both executed their moves with Jey landing super kicks and Punk hitting his finisher for near-falls; Punk also resorted to digging into Roman’s playbook with a spear. In the end, there were no shenanigans or schmozs booked for this one, as Punk won cleanly with a GTS.
The finish featured CM Punk holding the title over the shoulder of a defeated Jey Uso sitting outside the barrier. While some might find the finish flat, the entire ending will help to advance Jey’s current program with Roman Reigns—and the lasting image of tonight will likely set the stage for the next chapter in Jey’s evolution.
CODY RHODES(c) VS DREW MCINTYRE—WWE UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP
Going into this match, the program never felt 50/50, and Cody always seemed like the clear favorite to retain. The world title match opened tonight’s telecast, which was bad news for any chance Drew had at winning his second major title. Not to mention, the story surrounding Cody’s ‘undefeated record’ at SNME was heavily promoted before the bell rang, creating another great program where Drew steals the show only to fall short.
Cody won the title but not without adding to the ‘long-term’ storytelling that has seen the ‘face’ of the company flirt with a heel turn by using the world title belt. In the end, Cody did not ‘purposely’ use the title and instead performed a DDT on McIntyre, who landed on top of the strap to keep him down for the 1-2-3. The match helped warm up the crowd but did little to establish a truly believable threat to Cody’s reign—that will likely come during the ‘Road to WrestleMania,’
TIFFANY STRATTON(c) VS JADE CARGILL—WWE WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (SD)
This was one of the most interesting programs of the night, not just for their in-ring action but also for backstage gossip and dirt sheet news that helped shape this title feud. The storyline around Jade has long been whether she is ready, but Stratton’s recent booking hints at a possible ‘go-away angle,’ and this shakeup could boost her future star potential.
The match was given limited time but was well booked within the time frame, allowing Jade to establish herself as the ‘power champion’ after a clean pinfall victory. Her upset win marks a new reign for a potentially major rising star. Jade’s win of the world title continues the trend of ‘Nightmare Factory’ talents holding gold—Ricky Saints, Cody, and now Jade.
DOMINIK MYSTERIO(c) VS PENTA VS RUSEV—WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
After weeks of finding ‘creative’ ways to keep his title against competitors like Rusev and Penta, Dom was forced to figure out how to use his ‘veteran tactics’ (cheating) in a match with both men simultaneously. Dom was mostly outmatched in one-on-one scenarios against the brute Bulgarian and legendary Luchador.
Dom tried to pull a fast one several times during the match, but the most clever moment was when Rusev managed to lock in his ‘Cobra Clutch’ on Penta when the bell sounded. Rusev released the hold and expected to have his hand raised when he realized it was Dom who rang the bell and Penta never actually tapped out—pure genius.
Penta tried to use the same timekeeper’s hammer on Dom, but the champ ducked, and Rusev was struck on the head instead. With Rusev out of the match, Dom took advantage and hit the ‘Frog Splash’ on Penta to retain the title in a highly entertaining bout—the match’s producer certainly deserves recognition.
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