WWE has this funny way of making everything old feel new again. Remember those late nights back in the day, the neon lights, and the heavy synth music? Well, the Saturday Night Main Event 2024 match card brought all of that screaming back into the modern era on December 14th. This wasn't just another house show disguised as a special; it was a legitimate NBC event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum that felt like a bridge between the Golden Era and the "Triple H Era."
The nostalgia was laid on thick. Seeing Jesse "The Body" Ventura back on commentary for the first time in 15 years? That was a wild trip. Honestly, his chemistry with the modern desk was surprisingly smooth, even if it felt like a fever dream for a second. The night wasn't just about the legends in the crowd like Tito Santana or Koko B. Ware, though. It was about some massive title implications and a historic crowning of a new champion.
The Historic Crowning: Women's United States Championship
We finally got it. After weeks of tournament matches, the finals for the inaugural Women’s United States Championship went down between Chelsea Green and Michin.
You’ve gotta hand it to Chelsea. She plays her character so well that it’s easy to forget how good she is in the ring. The match was high energy, but the ending is what people are still talking about. Piper Niven was at ringside, being a nuisance as usual, which led to Michin getting distracted. Green capitalized with a beautiful "Unpretty-Her" to secure the pinfall. Seeing the look on Chelsea’s face when she was handed that brand-new belt—the first woman to ever hold it—felt like a genuinely earned moment. It gives the mid-card women's division some much-needed direction moving into 2025.
Chaos in the World Heavyweight Title Picture
The Saturday Night Main Event 2024 match card featured a Triple Threat match that was essentially a car crash in the best possible way. Gunther defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Damian Priest and Finn Bálor.
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If you like "hoss" fights, this was for you. Gunther and Priest basically spent ten minutes trying to cave each other's chests in with chops. Poor Finn Bálor was the technician in the middle, flying around and trying to pick his spots while the two giants collided. At one point, Gunther powerbombed Priest onto the steel steps—a spot that looked absolutely brutal on the replay.
Gunther eventually retained after a folding powerbomb on Bálor. It’s becoming clear that the "Ring General" isn't losing that title anytime soon, but Priest and Bálor proved they still belong in that main event conversation.
The Grudge Match: Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
This was the opener, and it set a high bar. Sami Zayn is probably the best babyface in the company when it comes to selling an injury and making you believe he’s about to die in the ring.
They went about ten minutes. Sami hit a springboard moonsault to the floor early on that looked great, but Drew eventually took over with sheer power. The finish was a bit of a heartbreaker for Sami fans. He was gearing up for the Helluva Kick, but McIntyre rolled out of the ring. When Sami chased him back in, he walked right into a Claymore. Clean, decisive, and it keeps Drew’s "unstoppable monster" momentum going.
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Liv Morgan and the Shadow of Rhea Ripley
Liv Morgan defended her Women’s World Championship against IYO SKY in a match that was frankly much more competitive than some expected. IYO is a wizard in the ring. She hit an Asai moonsault to the floor that was textbook perfect.
Liv, however, is a survivor. Even after getting her nose bloodied by a stiff knee from IYO, she managed to get her feet up to block a moonsault and hit "Oblivion" for the win. But the real story happened after the bell. Rhea Ripley walked out and had a massive staredown with Liv. No words were needed. You could feel the tension through the screen. That feud is clearly heading toward a massive collision at the Royal Rumble or beyond.
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens: The Main Event Drama
The Saturday Night Main Event 2024 match card culminated in the match everyone was waiting for: Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens. This wasn't a "wrestling match" in the traditional sense; it was a fight.
Cody even brought back the "Winged Eagle" belt for the night, which was a gorgeous touch for the old-school fans. The match was chaotic. We had:
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- Two referee bumps (classic KO match).
- A visual pinfall for Owens that didn't count because the ref was down.
- Cody hitting an RKO on the announce table.
- A Cross Rhodes onto a steel chair.
Cody eventually got the win, but what happened after the show went off the air was the real kicker. Owens attacked Cody, stole the Winged Eagle belt, and hit Cody with a Piledriver. Triple H actually came out to the ramp to confront Owens, and they had a physical altercation where Triple H shoved KO. It’s rare to see "The Game" get involved like that these days, which makes the Owens heel turn feel even more dangerous.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you missed the broadcast, here is how you should catch up on the fallout:
- Watch the post-show footage: The interaction between Triple H and Kevin Owens is vital for the upcoming storylines on SmackDown.
- Track the Women's US Title: Chelsea Green's reign will likely involve an open challenge format to establish the belt's prestige.
- Keep an eye on the Winged Eagle: Since KO "stole" the belt, expect a segment on the next show regarding the championship's physical status.
The return of this brand proved that WWE knows how to handle its history without being stuck in it. Between the crowning of Chelsea Green and the absolute madness of the Cody/KO finish, the Saturday Night Main Event 2024 match card delivered exactly what it promised: big moments on a big stage.