The Very Best of Saturday Night's Main Event

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The return of Saturday Night’s Main Event feels like it’s arriving at exactly the right time. Amid another boom period for the WWE, revisiting older concepts and shows that built the foundation of what we have today is an incredible opportunity to freshen up the formula and introduce a new generation of fans to a trailblazing event.

In its early days, Saturday Night’s Main Event was a trendsetter for professional wrestling. Generally positioned as a bi-monthly show, fans worldwide were treated anywhere from three to six times a year. While not entirely a random TV episode, nor a fully-fledged pay-per-view event, Vince McMahon used the show as a platform for the biggest angles and stars during WWE’s golden era. It suffered a fall off in the 1990s before a brief (and largely forgettable) return in the 2000s that few speak of.

Massive names like Hulk Hogan were often the center of most shows. That being said, what made these shows so much fun was the platform they gave to upcoming stars. They usually put on a host of underrated matches and moments. With the show’s 2nd modern-day revival upon us, let’s have some fun and recall a few gems from SNME’s early years.

The Debut of “Zeus” (May 27, 1989)

The less said about No Holds Barred the better. Like almost any WWE-produced movie attempt of the last two decades, you never want to see it again. Nor do I.

Ironically the most fascinating part of the film came outside of it. The story’s primary villain, Zeus (played by Tommy Lister Jr.) made his on-screen debut on this edition of SNME, standing in Hulk Hogan’s path during his entrance.

Showing the comical aggression that defined his character, Zeus shockingly knocked down Hogan with forearms to his shoulders. It isn’t exactly the kind of writing or comedy that current generations would praise. But for a product of its time, it’s often seen on highlight reels.

It marked the beginning of a long program that built to a tag team match opposing Hogan & Brutus Beefcake, with Randy Savage as his teammate. From a booking perspective, this probably falls into the “so bad it’s good” category. But, it remains hilariously iconic as time passes.

Bret Hart vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (November 28, 1987)

This might be the best example of pure professional wrestling aired on a Saturday Night’s Main Event. A heel vs. heel match pitting one of the key stars of the 80s, Randy Savage, against wrestling’s future, Bret Hart. While the heel vs. heel formula is often squandered and misunderstood, this is one of those rare occurrences where it succeeds. Partly due to the talent of the match, and partly due to its quality.

The storytelling was on-point, and the action was as smooth as you’d imagine. The ringside shenanigans from people like Jimmy Hart only added to a truly excellent contest. In the end, Randy Savage narrowly came away with the victory. It capped off what is easily one of the most memorable matches from the WWF in the 1980s.

Saturday Night’s Main Event Makes A Triumphant Return (March 18, 2006)

Speaking about the brief revival of SNME isn’t a topic that invites much positivity or depth… Especially considering its two-year run had little memorability. That being said, the initial re-launch episode ends up being the pinnacle of this brief period. A show planted in the build-up to WrestleMania 22 allowed this edition to play host to some of the key feuds leading into the “show of shows” and highlight some of the biggest names in the company.

Its key strengths lay in two fantastic marquee matches that opened and closed the show. Shawn Michaels faced Shane McMahon in a Street Fight as the show’s main event. Both WrestleMania World Championship Matches faced each other in a 2-on-3 Handicap Match where John Cena & Triple H faced Kurt Angle, Randy Orton & Rey Mysterio. Both matches were chaotic, fast-paced and perfectly fueled the drama between participants with WrestleMania only weeks away.

Elsewhere on the card was a fun beer-drinking competition between JBL and Steve Austin, a segment between Booker T & The Boogeyman, and a women’s tag team match hindered by the traditional 3-minute slot most these matches received during this time. A far from perfect show, however, one that was consistently entertaining.

“The Mega Powers” Form (March 10, 1987)

Is this not up there with one of the most iconic moments of the 1980s?

Following a failed effort to capture the Intercontinental Championship from the Honky Tonk Man, an ambush ensued alongside The Hart Foundation post-match that lead to Savage’s manager, Ms. Elizabeth, going out for help. Upon her return, she came with a classic former rival by her side with Hulk Hogan himself emerging.

What followed was an epic save, a traditional clearing of the ring, and an epic handshake that had the arena rocking at the company’s two biggest stars teaming up. Not only is this a classic moment on its own, it’s also one that set the stage for a match almost 18 months later at WrestleMania V. A match appropriately titled: “The Mega Powers Explode”. Moments like these, as well as what they lead to, are when professional wrestling is at its best.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts DDT’s Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (May 3, 1986)

Far and away the shortest entry on this list, it says something that a segment that reaches at most 5 minutes in length is as memorable as it is. Jake Roberts and Ricky Steamboat’s feud during this period was easily one of the best of the decade. Perfectly capturing the sinister, violent heel that was Roberts, against the charisma and resilience of Steamboat.

This angle saw Roberts ambush Steamboat before a scheduled match on a 1986 edition of SNME. Roberts’s attack is remembered for the horrific DDT executed on Steamboat right onto the concrete floor outside the ring. Without the padding and protection present in today’s environment the sound of Steamboat’s head bouncing off concrete was horrific. At a time when the DDT was a horrifying match-ender, this was one of its best moments. Additionally, setting the stage for one of the hottest feuds of the 1980s and a SnakePit match.

Shawn Michaels Strikes Gold Against Davey Boy Smith (November 14, 1992)

Coming off the infamous Barber Shop incident that saw him betray partner and friend Marty Jannetty, Shawn Michaels was on a hot streak which defined his career. It lead him to his first taste of singles gold.

This show saw “The Heartbreak Kid” collide with “British Bulldog” Davey Smith to win the Intercontinental Championship… A title Michaels constantly contended over the next three years as he ascended the WWF ladder. Like any match involving these two, it can be revisited at any time. An excellent, technical match possessing superb in-ring psychology and storytelling elevating the red-hot Michaels into more of a star.

It was the first of countless iconic moments in the career of one of the greatest of all time. It reaffirmed to everyone watching why Michaels would be the centerpiece of programming for the next six years.

Uncle Elmer Ties The Knot (October 5, 1986)

Wrestling weddings are often the payoff of a lengthy storyline. Or they are used to build drama and intrigue around a set of characters. On this occasion though, we got the real thing. A spectacle that brought legitimate public interest, considering this was a legitimate wedding. Both Uncle Elmer and Joyce Stazko were married on this night, but like with anything wrestling, something had to happen.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper, the hottest heel act in wrestling at that point, interrupted the proceedings. He hurled insults to the dismay of everyone. Wrestling at this stage was forming crossover appeal with audiences, blending entertainment and the sport into one complete package. This is one of the early mainstream examples we could find in a post-WrestleMania 1 world. A timeless moment that had everyone talking.