The Saturday Night Main Event returns this weekend, marking the first time in nearly two decades that WWE has revived its classic program. Never a weekly program, Saturday Night’s Main Event aired on NBC at various times of the year from 1985 to 1992 and was revived for a brief run starting in 2006.
Saturday’s card is built as a major premium WWE live event, featuring four championship matches as well as a grudge match between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. The headliner sees Cody Rhodes looking to defend his undisputed WWE Championship against longtime friend turned bitter rival Kevin Owens.
World heavyweight champion Gunther will have to fend off two challengers in a triple threat match against Finn Balor and Damian Priest. The former allies turned rivals have clashed for months since Balor cost Priest the title at SummerSlam and prevented him from regaining the title at Survivor Series. Additionally, women’s world champion Liv Morgan defends her crown against No. 1 contender Iyo Sky.
The first U.S. women’s champion will also be crowned Saturday night when Chelsea Green faces Michin after both advanced in the tournament to determine the titleholder.
Let’s take a look at who the CBS Sports experts are picking to win each game, airing live on NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.
WWE Saturday Night Main Event 2024 Predictions
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
If WWE wants to make Saturday Night’s Main Event a must-see spectacle, booking a title change in the marquee match sets the right tone. This is also the most interesting creative direction. But I don’t think the promotion is ready to part with its designated leader. Rhodes exudes the throwback feel of this event and this card is largely built around him. Plus, there are still feuds we need to see Rhodes in before he is dethroned. Pick: Cody Rhodes retains the title – Shakiel Mahjouri
I expect WWE to keep Rhodes in a classic Saturday Night Main Event “babyface pass” move. But it would be so much more interesting if Owens won the belt and prolonged the feud a bit. Rhodes can still regain the title in the months leading up to WrestleMania no matter what they have planned, but the issues with Owens have been about the only time I’ve found Rhodes’ run with the belt interesting in a good while moment. Owens’ victory puts Rhodes back in the race where he is most interesting. For this reason, even though I’m fairly certain Rhodes will get the win, I’m still going to pick Owens. 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 into Priest when he’s involved with Gunther than at any other time, so a little extra heat is a good thing. There appears to be no chance Gunther leaves without the title. Priest regaining the belt doesn’t make sense, and while Balor is a fantastic wrestler, he’s just not really positioned to be world champion. Add to that that the power struggle between Balor and Liv Morgan is a central storyline on Raw and a loss for Balor only reinforces that dynamic and which Gunther retains seems to be the only game. Choice: Gunther retains the title — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky
Sky has been dying lately and I would love to see her get another win as champion. There are simply too many things for Morgan to do as champion, including finally ending his long-running feud with Rhea Ripley. There’s not much more reasoning needed to explain why Morgan will keep Saturday night. Pick: Liv Morgan retains the title — Brookhouse (also Mahjouri)
United States Women’s Championship: Chelsea Green vs. Michin
I’m all about Chelsea Green. She is a fantastic “sports artist” in the best use of the phrase. Green has always been 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 for the future that this seems like exactly the right play. Pick: Green defeats Michin to win the title –Brookhouse
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
McIntyre did the best work 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 nearly bulletproof thanks to his beloved underdog status. McIntyre has to raise his hand in his first match since losing at Hell in a Cell. Pick: Drew McIntyre wins — Mahjouri (also Brookhouse)
