5 must-haves for the next Saturday Night’s Main Event – Cageside Seats
Filed under:As Saturday Night’s Main Event blends nostalgia with modern flair, here are five elements WWE must introduce to keep fans engaged.If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Like its return to TV in December, the latest Saturday Night’s Main Event blended the charm of wrestling’s golden age with contemporary flair. The ring was adorned with red, white, and blue ropes, the refs wore dress shirts and bowties, and several familiar faces stopped by to say hi.After two episodes, Saturday Night’s Main Event has been, at least, a fun way for wrestling fans to unwind at home with some sports entertainment. However, there are some must-haves that the industry leader has yet to deliver. Here are five things WWE should showcase on Saturday Night’s Main Event, sooner rather than later.The return of Saturday Night’s Main Event has mostly seen positive reviews. However, a frequent comment among fans online is how the show feels like a glorified house show or live event. To shake that stigma, WWE needs to present something not commonly seen at live events: a title change.Ideally, a major upset for one of WWE’s top-tier titles would be significant. A Money in the Bank cash-in would achieve that effect and introduce newer audiences to the Money in the Bank concept. Either way, a surprise title change might just be what fans need to stay interested in future episodes.If WWE is reluctant to switch one of its major titles on a Saturday night, the alternative is to feature a match with championship implications. One way to do that while introducing new viewers to several stars is through a 20-person battle royal. And the prize? A world championship match at an upcoming premium live event.In its first airing on NBC, Saturday Night’s Main Event featured two battle royals. In 1987, Hercules Hernandez outlasted Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and 17 other superstars to win a monumental battle royal ahead of WrestleMania III. Four years later, Mr. Perfect flawlessly followed suit. As a nod to Hercules and Perfect, a heel is the ideal choice to win the first battle royal under Saturday Night’s Main Event’s new era.In what could be a ratings hit, a train wreck, or both, a confrontation between former friends Jesse Ventura and Hulk Hogan must happen. Many thought the two would come face-to-face at the most recent Saturday Night’s Main Event. Unfortunately, a family commitment kept Hogan away. Thus far, Hogan has yet to appear on the show he helped make famous, while the former governor of Minnesota has been a current staple.Most fans might scoff at seeing Hogan on TV again, given his colorful past and political leanings. If a previous report is true, Hogan might embrace the negativity aimed at him, as a verbal joust with Ventura could lead to Hogan’s comeuppance. Also, WWE could use their celebrity to sell a match between two rising stars, à la the “Battle of the Billionaires” angle from WrestleMania 23. If successful, a program between “The Body” and the Hulkster could yield a positive return.So far, WWE has done a good job of introducing first-time viewers and lapsed fans to Cody Rhodes and Gunther, its two world champions. Now it is time to introduce a couple of faces not yet seen on Saturday night.Whether he’s a champion or not, LA Knight and his old-school personality, which has drawn comparisons to Steve Austin and The Rock, is perfect for the retro ambiance that is Saturday Night’s Main Event. With a mic in hand and a BFT at the ready, Knight is tailor-made for this environment.Thus far, WWE has presented two Women’s World Title matches. Yet to make an appearance, however, is the WWE Women’s Champion. At 25 years of age, the current champ, Tiffany Stratton, stands to be one of the faces of WWE for years to come. Considering how quickly she has caught on since coming to the main roster, Stratton might be the perfect choice to attract a younger audience.Yet, one superstar who would likely have the most impact on Saturday Night’s Main Event is the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. While Cody Rhodes fancies himself as WWE’s quarterback, Reigns remains the company’s biggest draw. His presence could skyrocket the numbers, especially with his upcoming role in a new Keanu Reeves movie.In 1987, Hulk Hogan and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff put on a show that fans still talk about to this day. Famous for having a disputed finish that called for the match to be restarted, this cage clash between Hogan and Orndorff remains the highest-profile cage match in WWE history, and it happened on Saturday Night’s Main Event.Two years later, Hogan stole the show with the Big Boss Man. What made their encounter memorable was Hogan’s top rope superplex on the Boss Man as the wicked prison guard tried exiting the cage by going over the top.Those two matches, along with iconic battles at WrestleMania 2 and SummerSlam in 1994, helped make WWE’s big blue cage as popular as the superstars who competed within its confines. For kids, the big blue cage was a must-have accessory for their WWE play rings.While the wrestlers were not fans of the cage, audiences were. As WWE leans into the nostalgia of Saturday Night’s Main Event with legends and a retro look, it’s high time to bring back an unforgiving but familiar friend in ol’ big blue.Now, it’s your turn. What would you like to see on the next episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event? Share your thoughts in the comments section.Check your inbox for a welcome email.Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.
