The John Report: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 01/25/25 Review
It’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event with a Cody Rhodes-Kevin Owens contract signing, Gunther facing Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley against Nia Jax, and more.
This is the first Saturday Night’s Main Event show of the year and the second one since the SNME shows returned. The Royal Rumble is one week away on February 1st. It aired on NBC for those of you in the US. In Canada, I get a Detroit NBC channel, but I’m watching on WWE’s YouTube channel. I didn’t see it live due to having other plans, so I’m writing on Sunday morning.
From the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, this is Saturday Night’s Main Event. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.
It was a packed house in San Antonio as Joe Tessitore was on the microphone welcoming us to the show. The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was shown walking around earlier in the day and so was Kevin Owens. The WWE Hall of Famer was also walking around backstage since he was moderating the contract signing. The Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley was shown walking around and so was Nia Jax. Jey Uso was also walking around and so was the World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. The legendary WWE Hall of Famer “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase was shown arriving in a Cadillac with the Million Dollar Title.
The classic SNME introduction video aired with the classic “Obsession” song. There was an impressive pyro display after that.
Analysis: I would prefer an opening sequence with the wrestlers doing promos about their matches later in the show. That was done at SNME shows in the past and I think it would still work in this era.
Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Joe Tessitore were standing by the podium on a stage near the entrance area that they were calling the Okerlund Position. Ventura trashed San Antonio for shutting schools because of public schools and wondered why they couldn’t handle cold weather. Jesse talked about the Intercontinental Title match between Bron Breakker and Sheamus. Jesse said if Sheamus wins it then he’s going to make the Hall of Fame.
Analysis: With all due respect to Jesse, Sheamus is a lock for the WWE Hall of Fame already. I get that Jessee was trying to put it over as a big match and that’s fine, but Sheamus is obviously a Hall of Famer.
The commentary team of Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were at ringside to call the action. Lilian Garcia was the ring announcer using a classic microphone from the ceiling. Jax headbutted Rhea before Garcia finished the introductions.
Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax
Ripley hit a dropkick followed by Ripley spinning around Jax’s upper body leading to a DDT. Jax left the ring, so Ripley hit a somersault dive off the apron onto Jax on the floor. Back in the ring, Jax hit a headbutt and corner splash to take control. Jax hit a Samoan Drop off the middle turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
Ripley was hitting Jax with strikes. Ripley went for a headscissors, Jax powered out of that and Ripley hit an impressive Code Red for a two count. Jax came back with a Samoan Drop. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle and hit a leg drop for two. Jax went to the turnbuckle for a move, but Ripley was there to counter with a Powerbomb. Jax kicked Ripley away when Ripley tried a Prism Lock. Jax hit a uranage slam. Jax went for her Annihilator splash, but Ripley hit her to the apron and Jax bumped to the floor. Ripley hit a cross body block off the top onto Jax on the floor. Ripley went for Riptide, but Jax countered by landing on top of Ripley for a two count. Jax hit an Annihilator splash and didn’t go for a cover. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle again, but Ripley was back up to deliver an Electric Chair Drop slam. Ripley kicked Jax in the head followed by a Riptide for the pinfall win at 10:11.
Winner by pinfall: Rhea Ripley
Analysis: ***1/4 The match was pretty good, but they had a better match at Elimination Chamber last year. Ripley hitting that Code Red on Jax for a two count was an impressive spot. Ripley getting the win was obvious since she just won the title 19 days earlier, so it’s not like she was going to lose the title. Jax is a credible opponent as a former Women’s Champion. Ripley is easy to like as an impressive babyface who can pull off a lot of cool moves during a match.
The WWE Hall of Famer Alundra Blayze (aka Madusa) was at ringside with the old WWE Women’s Title. The WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry was also at ringside.
Sheamus made his entrance for the Intercontinental Title match. Cole noted it was the first IC Title match on SNME since 1992 when Shawn Michaels beat the British Bulldog for the IC Title on that show.
There was a commercial for WrestleMania 41 on April 19 & 20. Tickets are on sale now.
(Commercial)
The comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias was shown at ringside.
Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus
Jesse “The Body” Ventura joined commentary for this match.
Sheamus started with punches and a clothesline that knocked Bron down. Bron came back with an overhead suplex. Bron ran the ropes quickly leading to a clothesline that knocked Sheamus out of the ring. Bron charged at Sheamus on the floor, but Sheamus caught him and Sheamus launched Bron onto a leather chair at ringside. Sheamus brought Bron back into the ring leading to Sheamus hitting a top rope clothesline for two. Sheamus knocked Bron off the apron to the floor. Sheamus tried a move off the steps, but Bron stopped that with a Spear on the floor! Cole did a great job of screaming to sell that as a big move.
(Commercial)
Bron was in control by slamming Sheamus from his shoulders and Bron hit his knees to the ribs. Sheamus trash talked Bron, who called Sheamus an “old man” so they exchanged strikes. Sheamus hit a jumping knee smash for a two count. Sheamus worked over Bron with the ten forearms to the chest, but then he ended up doing 16 beats to the chest. Sheamus picked up Bron leading to a Celtic Cross across the ring for a two count. Good nearfall as Bron got his shoulder up while Jesse questioned the referee’s count. Bron came back with a Gorilla Press Slam for a two count. Sheamus kicked Bron away, Sheamus was on the top rope and Bron jumped up leading to a Frankensteiner. That was so impressive. Bron charged, but Sheamus was back up with a Brogue Kick and Sheamus covered his back on the chest, but he was right by the ropes. Jesse claimed the referee didn’t see Bron’s foot on the bottom rope. Sheamus charged for a kick again, but Sheamus sold a rib injury. Bron hit a shoulder tackle, Sheamus hit a knee, Bron ducked a Brogue Kick and Bron bounced off the ropes leading to a Spear for the pinfall win at 11:32.
Winner by pinfall: Bron Breakker
Analysis: ***1/2 This was a fast-paced match that felt like a fight as soon as the bell rang. That’s what you expect from a Sheamus match and it’s going to help Bron long term to wrestle this kind of style. The nearfall where Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick for a two count was great although it was obvious Bron was going to get his foot on the bottom rope because of where they were positioned. We know the story that Sheamus has never won the IC Title and he really wants to do it, but it’s not the time yet. Maybe it will be at WrestleMania or some other show down the road. I certainly hope it happens for Sheamus because I’m a big fan of his. I’m also fine with Bron keeping the title since he’s a star on the rise in his late 20s with many great years ahead of him.
After the match, Jesse was complaining about the refereeing and Cole was laughing about it because Jesse’s commentary is classic.
The WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels made his entrance to a huge pop in his hometown of San Antonio. He’s also my favorite WWE superstar of all time. Shawn is currently the boss man on NXT and he’s here for a contract signing up next.
(Commercial)
The WWE Hall of Famer “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase was at ringside and WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. was also at ringside. There was also WWE Hall of Famer and first Royal Rumble winner “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan at ringside leading the crowd in “USA” chants. Good to see him, tough guy.
Undisputed WWE Championship Contract Signing: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens with Shawn Michaels
There was a table in the ring along with the contract and two chairs. Shawn Michaels said he was so happy to be back home in San Antonio while adding that he was sweating due to all the dancing. Michaels said his job was to get the signatures of Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Michaels said that SmackDown GM Nick Aldis couldn’t get it done, so he sent in the closer HBK and it’s getting done tonight. Michaels introduced the challenger first.
Kevin Owens made his entrance first with the Winged Eagle version of the WWE Championship. Owens was wearing a “Cody Sucks Eggs” shirt while doing his best to avoid the fans from touching him. Terry Funk famously wore the “Dusty Sucks Eggs” shirt so now Owens was doing it for Dusty’s son Cody. There was a big ladder in the aisle and a ladder at ringside since the Cody-KO match is a Ladder Match.
Cody Rhodes was up next as the Undisputed WWE Champion in a suit as usual. The fans popped loudly for Cody while also singing his song. Cody was very friendly with the fans on his way to the ring. Cody climbed the ladder at ringside and held up the WWE Title for the “Whoa-oh” part of the song. Cody won back-to-back Royal Rumble matches in 2023 and 2024, but he’s not in the Rumble this year because he’s defending the WWE Title against Owens in a Ladder Match.
Michaels told Cody and Owens to have a seat, but they refused to do it. Michaels said they have battered and beaten eachother and as much as they have enjoyed it, his assignment is to get them to sign this contract. The champion Cody signed the contract first. The challenger Owens hesitated a bit and did not sign.
Owens said that last night, Cody said something that pissed off Owens claiming that Owens takes the easy way out 9 times out of 10. Owens said he didn’t take the easy way out at Bash in Berlin when he didn’t go after his knee because of their friendship. Owens said that Cody took the easy way out when things got hard for him in WWE because he left while Owens stayed. Cody shouted “enough” to shut him up. Cody said that Shawn Michaels didn’t return to San Antonio to hear him talk. Cody said that he was done worrying about Kevin Owens and instead, he needed to focus on who he is defending this championship against at WrestleMania, so he told Owens to please sign the contract. Owens did not sign it again. Owens said that Cody is not done worrying about Owens. Owens said that he would shut everyone up who claims he is not the real champion because Owens is the rightful WWE Champion. Owens said that everything Cody got when he came back, it’s coming to Owens because that’s what he deserves after the last ten years and he is taking it from him.
Michaels told Owens that he sounds jealous. Owens asked what did you just say? Owens said that of course, Michaels would side with Cody since Michaels quit too, didn’t he? Owens said that Michaels is jealous that Owens has brought more pride to this title than Michaels ever did. The fans booed that. Owens said when he wins at the Royal Rumble, he’ll give everyone a champion to look up to and a champion who won’t lose his smile (a shot at Michaels) because the only one losing his title and smile is Cody. Owens finally signed the contract and pushed it against Shawn’s chest.
Michaels said that they need to take those championships and ascend them above the ring. Referee Dan Engler was there to put the WWE Title and Winged Eagle WWE Title on a latch of sorts and it was raised above the ring. Michaels said this Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, one man ascends that ladder and walks out the Undisputed WWE Champion. Michaels wished them good luck. When Michaels wanted a handshake, Owens refused and Michaels shook hands with Cody. Owens punched Cody in the jaw as a cheap shot. Owens teased a piledriver on Michaels, but Cody kicked Owens. After Owens was knocked down, he got back up and Michaels nailed the Sweet Chin Music superkick to send Owens out of the ring. The fans popped huge for that. Cody stared at the two WWE Titles hanging above the ring while Owens was down on the floor. That ended it.
Analysis: It was great to hear Michaels tune up the band one more time and deliver some Sweet Chin Music to Owens. I thought Owens was amazing in the segment as the heel who had some great lines about how Cody was a quitter and taking a shot at Michaels “losing his smile” about 28 years ago. The fans were really into it. Contract signings usually involve some physicality and that’s what we got here even though there wasn’t a table bump.
Jey Uso was at ringside getting ready for the main event.
There was a video package for the Braun Strowman-Jacob Fatu match up next.
Braun Strowman made his entrance as the Monster of all Monsters while Pat called him “One Big S.O.B.” as usual.
A commercial aired promoting the Royal Rumble this Sunday, February 1st in Indianapolis. It’s going to be a massive crowd with over 60,000+ fans in attendance.
(Commercial)
Jacob Fatu was backstage walking with Tama Tonga, who did his “yeah yeah yeah” bit into the camera. Fatu spoke into the camera saying he’s going to beat Braun’s ass from post to post and coast to coast. Cole said Fatu did three stints in jail before he was 18 and he never wanted to go back there, so he got into the family business in pro wrestling. Cole claimed that Fatu did that because the fighting he could do on the streets was something that he could do in the ring as a career.
Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu
The big man Braun hit a running shoulder tackle. Fatu delivered a punch, Braun knocked him down with an elbow and Braun knocked Fatu off the apron to the floor. Fatu sent Braun out of the ring. Fatu ran the ropes leading to a suicide dive on Braun on the floor.
(Commercial)
Braun was in control with a sidewalk slam. Braun worked over Fatu with punches along with a boot to the jaw. Braun tossed Fatu across the ring. Braun left the ring leading to a running shoulder tackle on Fatu on the floor, so it sent Fatu into the barricade. Braun rana round the ring again leading to a shoulder tackle that sent Fatu over the commentary table and Fatu jumped on the floor. Braun ran around the ring again and Fatu gave Braun a Samoan Drop onto the commentary table. Fatu sent Braun into the steel steps. They were back in the ring where Fatu hit the running hip attack two times in a row. Fatu hit a third, fourth, and fifth running hip attack. Fatu charged at Braun for a sixth running hip attack. Referee Dan Engler got in Fatu’s face, so Fatu tossed Engler out of the ring. Fatu hit a seventh and eighth hip attack against the turnbuckle. Engler called for the DQ ending since Fatu threw Engler out of the ring. It went 9:02. The fans booed the match ending.
Winner by disqualification: Braun Strowman
Analysis: **1/4 It was decent as a match and it was used to build to another match. It puts over the idea that Jacob Fatu was a dangerous animal that couldn’t be controlled since he hit the running hip attack so many times. Strowman got a lot of offense before that, but when Fatu took over, he was tough to stop.
After the match, Fatu tossed a steel chair into the ring. Engler called for help, so some security guys were there along with Smackdown GM Nick Aldis, who tried to get Fatu to calm down. Fatu threw a chair at an indy wrestler security guy and clotheslined another guy, who bumped to the floor. Strowman was busted open around the mouth or maybe a broken nose. Fatu broke free from the security guys and hit a moonsault from the top rope onto Strowman. The fans were going crazy for Fatu’s madness and the fans were chanting “one more time” for Fatu. Tama Tonga was out there to try to calm Fatu down, but Fatu went up top again and Fatu hit a moonsault on Braun. Tama got Fatu out of there while medical personnel checked on Braun. Fatu was back in the ring and went up top again leading to another moonsault. Fatu finally left at that point.
Analysis: The added touch of making it look like Strowman was bleeding makes Fatu look even more dangerous. This was reminiscent of when Bronson Reed attacked Seth Rollins last summer in a vicious way and it made Reed look even more scary. Fatu taking out Strowman the way he did puts Fatu over as a dangerous badass who will be tough to stop and not easy to control. They will probably have another Fatu/Strowman match that is Last Man Standing or something like that. Strowman had a similar rivalry with Bronson Reed last year as well. This was a star making segment for Jacob Fatu and great job by Strowman taking the beating and selling it.
The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER was shown getting ready for the main event up next.
A commercial aired for WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto on February 1st while promoting it as John Cena’s last time in Toronto.
(Commercial)
The WWE Hall of Famers Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were at ringside. They were members of the Four Horsemen and are WWE Hall of Famers.
Joe Tessitore and Jesse “The Body” Ventura were standing by at the Okerlund position. Jesse said he’s never seen wrestlers so vicious while saying in his day they tried to keep it professional while these guys are making it personal. Joe put over Rhea Ripley’s big win.
There was a rundown of the Royal Rumble card:
* Men’s Royal Rumble Match with Roman Reigns, John Cena, CM Punk, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, and more.
* Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
* WWE Tag Team Championships 2/3 Falls: #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns
* Women’s Royal Rumble Match featuring Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, Bianca Belair, Bayley, Naomi, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and more.
Analysis: Good card. I can see them adding one more match, but maybe it will be just four matches since the Rumble matches go one hour long.
There was a video of Triple calling popular YouTube streamer “iShowSpeed” to invite him to Indianapolis for the Royal Rumble. I don’t know much about this Speed guy other than when he appeared in WWE in the past, but he is popular at whatever he does, so it’s good for WWE to use him. Maybe they’ll put Speed in the Rumble and toss him out. No idea.
Jey Uso made his entrance from the crowd and the fans were going wild for him. Jey found a young fan in the crowd leading to some “Yeet” hand motions. Jey’s match was up next.
(Commercial)
The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER made his entrance with Cole talking about his dominance as a champion holding the WHC, Intercontinental Title and WWE UK Title for over four years combined.
World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER vs. Jey Uso
Gunther attacked Jey with strikes, Jey came back with punches and Gunther hit a chop. When Jey was on the turnbuckle, Gunther chopped Jey to knock him off the apron to the floor.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Jey going for a superkick, but Gunther caught the kick and hit a clothesline. Gunther hit Jey with a body slam. Jey delivered some forearms, Gunther came back with chops and an uppercut. Gunther whipped Jey hard into the turnbuckle. After Gunther continued working over Jey on the match, Jey hit some punches followed by a Samoan Drop. Jey charged, Gunther hit him with a dropkick and Gunther hit a Powerbomb for two. Jey was on the apron, so Gunther put his boot to the throat along with a kick to the head. They went to another break.
(Commercial)
There were about four minutes left in the show as the match returned with Jey delivering punches. Gunther came back with a boot to the face. Gunther hit a German Suplex, but then Jey hit a superkick on a charging Gunther for a two count. Jey avoided a dropkick and Jey hit a running hip attack for a two count. Jey went up top, Gunther went after him and Jey hit a sitout Powerbomb for two. There were some fans chanting “this is awesome” although it wasn’t a loud chant. Gunther went for a Powerbomb, Jey countered it with a hurricanrana and Jey hit a Spear for just two. The fans bought that as a nearfall. Jey hit a superkick and another Spear. Jey went up top and Jey jumped off the top with the Uso Splash for one…two…no. The fans chanted “Yeet” for Jey. Jey charged, Gunther caught him and hit a Powerbomb leading to Gunther hitting another Powerbomb for the one…two…and three. Gunther retains at 16:40.
Winner by pinfall: GUNTHER
Analysis: ***1/2 A very good championship match from GUNTHER as usual, but it didn’t really get into that next gear where I would call it a great match. The frustrating thing about watching a TV match is when they get 16 minutes, we only saw about 10 minutes of it due to the commercials. That’s just how it is when these shows are on NBC where they are going to have commercials. I know it can frustrate the audience. Those spots where Jey hit the Spear for two and an Uso Splash for two were great because the fans believed that could end the match. Anyway, Gunther was on offense for most of the match, Jey made the comeback leading to some nearfalls and Gunther found a way to put Jey away as expected. It ended up being a very close match in the final few minutes.
There were replays of the key spots of the match.
Gunther celebrated with the World Heavyweight Title while Jey was frustrated in defeat. That was the end of the show.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Jacob Fatu/Braun Strowman
- Bron Breakker/Sheamus
- Gunther and Rhea Ripley
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Final Thoughts on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
I’ll rate this show a 7.5 out of 10.
It felt like the first SNME show last month where the match results were predictable for the most part and it was a good show overall. I think in the future they need to do a title change on one of these shows to make them feel like a bigger deal. I know on the last SNME it was Chelsea Green becoming the first Women’s US Champion. For this one, I doubt most people watching thought that Ripley, Breakker, or Gunther would lose.
I thought the Jacob Fatu/Braun Strowman match turned into a great segment. Kudos to Triple H for booking it in a smart way to make Fatu look like a dominant force who had the fans cheering for him even though he was doing a cheap attack on a babyface. The fans see Jacob as a star. Braun deserves a lot of credit for selling it the right way just like he did with Bronson Reed last year. This is how you book somebody strongly in a way that doesn’t involve winning a match. It’s telling a story after a match and it worked very well.
Jesse Ventura’s appearance was okay although I would have liked to hear him on the World Title match instead of the Intercontinental Title match. Jesse’s schtick is fun because he’ll always complain about the refereeing and try to start a controversy. I laugh at it and you can tell Cole was even laughing about it.
Bring on the Royal Rumble this Saturday. I’m excited about it.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport