Saturday Night’s Main Event recap & reactions: A star is born – Cageside Seats
Filed under:Jacob Fatu left a lasting impact on fans with his brutal dismantling of Braun Strowman.WWE returned to NBC and Peacock this weekend with another nostalgic revival of Saturday Night’s Main Event, live from San Antonio, TX — the hometown of Shawn Michaels. The latest Saturday night offering from the sports entertainment leader featured three title matches, a hoss fight, and a heated contract signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder Match at the Royal Rumble.Despite a brief buildup, Saturday Night’s Main Event showcased a star-making performance and a hard-hitting women’s match, all within a retro vibe, continuing the momentum set by the show’s return in December.If WWE’s goal was to get Jacob Fatu over, then mission accomplished. Though not the main event, Fatu’s match with Braun Strowman was a highly anticipated hoss fight. And while it didn’t quite live up to expectations, the closing moments of this segment did far more for Fatu than any five-star classic could.As is customary now during his entrances, Fatu was walking backstage with Tama Tonga. After Tonga hyped him up, Fatu dropped some sweet street poetry on viewers. He promised to beat Strowman’s ass from post to post as millions watched on NBC from coast to coast.Once the bell rang, what seemed like a match designed to showcase Fatu turned into the Braun Strowman show. Fatu bumped and sold like a cruiserweight for the former Universal Champion, who was dominant early. However, that particular layout helped set up the finish where Fatu went into beast mode.Despite two shoulder blocks sending Fatu careening into the barricade and, later, over the announcer’s desk, it wasn’t enough to keep the “Samoan Werewolf” down. As Strowman attempted a third strike, Fatu hoisted Strowman up and leveled him with a Samoan Drop onto the announce desk. After bashing his head into the steel steps, Fatu threw him back in the ring, where the carnage continued.Jacob Fatu is unstoppable… #SNME pic.twitter.com/Ku2uuE6fTiWith Strowman propped up in the corner, Fatu unleashed a series of hip attacks, eight in total, before tossing the referee from the ring. With Strowman bloodied, announcer Michael Cole speculated that Strowman either had internal injuries or a broken nose. As security attempted to stop Fatu, he assaulted the guards while SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis and other officials tried to reason with him.But Fatu was unhinged. He squashed Strowman with two leaping moonsaults before Tama Tonga pulled him off. As the fans chanted “One More Time,” Fatu granted their wish and charged back into the ring. After crushing Strowman with a third moonsault, a massive “Fatu” chant erupted.While Fatu deserves credit for seizing the moment, Strowman deserves equal recognition. Like Big Show did for him in 2017, Strowman sold a beating that elevated Fatu’s presence. The future for Fatu is uncertain, but one thing is clear: everyone wants to see what comes next.Contract signings rarely go smoothly, and the one between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens for their Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder Match at the Royal Rumble was no exception.NXT boss and San Antonio’s own Shawn Michaels presided over the affair. He made it clear that he was there to ensure the contract was signed and that Rhodes and Owens’ respective title belts were surrendered. Immediately, Rhodes signed the contract.But when it was KO’s turn, he balked. He took issue with what Rhodes said last Friday on SmackDown, accusing Owens of always taking the easy way out. Yet, as Owens pointed out, he could have taken the easy way to win the WWE Championship at the Bash in Berlin. Instead, he chose to show compassion for an injured Rhodes.
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But Cody wasn’t hearing it and demanded that Owens sign the contract. Again, Owens stalled, promising to take away everything Rhodes had earned, which Owens felt he deserved. Michaels then called Owens out, accusing him of being jealous of Rhodes’ success.SWEET CHIN MUSIC! @ShawnMichaels had to remind @FightOwensFight who he was dealing with #SNME pic.twitter.com/yHqACq7Ar9Owens then went off on Michaels. He said he made the Winged Eagle belt more valuable than Michaels ever did and bragged about never losing his smile. After Owens signed the contract and both belts were handed over, Owens cheap-shotted Rhodes and then tried to hit Michaels with a package piledriver.But Rhodes and Michaels fought him off. Michaels got the last laugh with Sweet Chin Music to Owens. It was a bizarre ending that left Owens looking flat. It stands to reason that KO will try to rectify that, possibly as soon as this Tuesday on NXT.The show kicked off with the Women’s World Title match between Nia Jax and champion Rhea Ripley. Things picked up where their wild brawl from last Monday’s Raw left off, as Jax head-butted Ripley during ring introductions.Come on, Nia Jax! Couldn’t even let @LilianGarcia finish the introductions smh…#SNME pic.twitter.com/wsRG3OoWOPFollowing a commercial break, the already physical match between Ripley and Jax stepped into high gear. Ripley wiped out Jax with a top-rope dive to the arena floor. However, Jax battled back with bone-rattling power moves. But her undoing came as she went to the ropes one too many times.After crushing Ripley with an Annihilator to her spine, Jax went for a second attempt but stopped to pose. Ripley recovered and dropped her with an electric chair drop. A kick to the head and a massive Riptide followed as Ripley retained.Fans in San Antonio showered these two with “This Is Awesome” chants. A demolition derby from start to finish, this was indeed awesome and arguably the match of the night.Once again, Sheamus fell short in his pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship. However, he could be in line for a rematch, thanks to the commentary of former Minnesota Gov. and WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura.With Ventura calling the match, the story focused on referee Shawn Bennett. After a high knee by Sheamus netted him a near fall, Ventura insisted it was a three-count and that Bennett had hesitated.Later, Sheamus caught Breakker with a Brogue Kick as the I.C. Champ attempted a spear. Sheamus moved in for the pin as Breakker rolled over to the ropes. As Bennett began to count the pin, it appeared that his hand came down for three just as Breakker draped his foot on the bottom rope.Again, Ventura accused Bennett of hesitating. Regardless, Breakker recovered, finishing “The Celtic Warrior” with a head-first spear to the chest. Breakker won, but Ventura’s issues with ref Bennett could lead to a rematch with higher stakes.Jey Uso fell short in his quest to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Gunther. However, he seemingly earned “The Ring General’s” respect by the end of the match. Speaking of the end of the match, the finish felt rushed, and for good reason.As Jey mounted a final comeback, there were approximately two minutes left in the show. After a superkick and spear, Uso scored a big splash for the falsest of false finishes. Immediately, referee Rod Zapata began talking to Uso. Gunther could then be seen mouthing something to Uso as Zapata began talking to Gunther.Immediately, cameras cut to a replay of Jey’s final salvo. Upon returning from the replay, Uso tried for another spear. Instead, he was caught by Gunther and powerbombed twice as the champ scored a clean win over his challenger.This edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event saw several legends in attendance: Ted DiBiase, Alundra Blayze with that WWF Women’s Title, Texas’ own Mark Henry and Dory Funk Jr., inaugural Royal Rumble winner “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard of the Four Horsemen. Also in attendance was WWE superfan and comedian, Fluffy.Overall, this episode wasn’t a bad way for a wrestling fan to spend their evening. For those who missed it, however, the Women’s World Title match and Fatu’s barbaric post-match assault on Strowman are the two must-see features of the program.Now, it’s your turn, dear readers. What did you think of this 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.
