Reviews

The John Report: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 05/23/26 Review

By John Canton • Published May 23, 2026 22:44 EDT
WWE Saturday Night Main Event May 23 review tjrwrestling
WWE Saturday Night Main Event May 23 - Images via @WWE on X

It’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event featuring Penta facing Ethan Page, Logan Paul & Austin Theory against The Street Profits, and more.

These SNME shows usually run right around two hours, and some of them have had just four matches, so this show having five matches does make it feel a bit different. It’s the second SNME special of 2026. I rated that January 24th SNME event an 8.5 out of 10 because it was an excellent show.

This SNME special is on Peacock for those of you in the US, and it’s on WWE’s YouTube channel for free because that’s where they put it for us non-US fans, like me in Canada. It has an 8 p.m. ET start time. Let’s get to it.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
From Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Saturday, May 23, 2026

A video package aired, showing some Saturday Night’s Main Event nostalgia dating back to the 1980s, mixing in with the current WWE product.

The commentary team was Michael Cole and Wade Barrett. Lilian Garcia was the ring announcer.

The babyface team of WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley was up first. Rhea Ripley defends the WWE Women’s Title against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy on Sunday, May 31.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were up next for tag team action. Flair has a very colorful outfit, with Cole explaining that Flair’s gear is full of friendship bracelets from fans. Cole said Flair is as happy as ever, too.

The trio of Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab were dressed in gear paying tribute to Michael Jackson. That’s a cool look in matching outfits.

Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab

Ripley started with B-Fab because Jade refused to fight Ripley, so Ripley hit B-Fab with a clothesline. Bliss tagged in with a headscissors on B-Fab, so Michin tagged in. Bliss worked over Michin with strikes and a trip, followed by a knee drop and a flipping splash. Flair tagged in with a leaping kick to the face, followed by Flair using her legs to flip Michin around the ring. Flair did a cartwheel clothesline on Michin. Flair sent B-Fab into the turnbuckle. Jade pulled Bliss out of the ring and superkicked Bliss on the floor. Jade went into the ring illegally and punched Ripley. Michin went into the ring and knocked Flair down to take control. Jade tagged in following strikes from Michin and B-Fab, which led to Jade hitting a clothesline. Jade sent Flair into the turnbuckle, and Jade did some push-ups to taunt Flair. Michin hit a suplex on Flair for two. Flair tried to break free from the heel corner, but Michin hit a top rope hurricanrana for two. Flair hit a back body drop and B-Fab stopped Flair from tagging out. Flair and B-Fab hit leaping kicks at the same time to knock eachother down.

Ripley got the hot tag against Michin, and the fans exploded for Ripley, who dropkicked Jade off the apron. Ripley hit Michin with a clothesline, a kick to the ribs, and a spinning slam into the mat. Ripley hit a running dropkick on Michin. Ripley punched Michin and went up top with a missile dropkick for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome,” but the chant didn’t last long. Ripley kicked Jade when she went into the ring. Ripley headbutted Michin and Michin avoided a Riptide. Ripley had Michin on her shoulders and Michin hit a Reverse Rana for a two count. Ripley hit a rising kick and Bliss tagged in with a DDT on Michin for two. B-Fab got the tag, avoided a Sister Abigail and B-Fab hit Bliss with a DDT for two. Bliss hit a double DDT on Michin and B-Fab. Flair tagged back in with a cross body block off the top rope. Flair hit Michin with a high-angle German Suplex that looked like a rough landing. Flair went for Figure Eight, Michin kicked Flair toward Ripley and Michin knocked Ripley off the apron. Michin caught Flair and hit a Styles Clash for a two count because Ripley broke up the pin. Ripley headbutted B-Fab and Jade superkicked Ripley. Bliss slapped Jade and Flair kicked Jade to knock her down. Michin superkicked Flair and B-Fab clotheslined Bliss. Jade tagged in and Flair brought Ripley in, so the women had a long staredown. Ripley and Jade exchanged strikes. Ripley hit Jade with a headbutt and a Riptide for two, but Michin made the save. Michin superkicked Flair, Bliss punched Michin and B-Fab kicked Bliss. Flair kicked B-Fab to knock her down. Flair stared at Ripley and they nearly shook hands, but Ripley saved Flair with a superkick on Michin. Flair and Ripley hit fallaway slams on Michin and B-Fab. Flair and Ripley even did crotch chops together and Bliss was happy about it. Jade shoved Ripley into Flair and Bliss. Jade hit a pump kick on Ripley, and Jade hit Jaded on Ripley for the pinfall win at 16:45.

Winners by pinfall: Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab

Analysis: ***3/4 I was impressed by that match. I didn’t expect it to be that good. It turned into a very good match with a lot of fast-paced action throughout the match. B-Fab isn’t as experienced as some of the other women in this match, but she more than held her own. Michin was outstanding in the match on the heel side, too. Jade was protected a lot and didn’t work most of the match. The babyface team all did a great job, as you would expect. As for Jade Cargill getting the win, that was my prediction in the preview I wrote, because I think it makes a lot of sense for her to win this match and build momentum heading into the WWE Women’s Title match against Ripley at Clash in Italy. I thought maybe Jade would beat somebody else, but beating Ripley is a big statement for Jade. With that said, I expect Ripley to retain her title at Clash in Italy.

The trio of Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin celebrated the win.

They showed some superstars walking earlier in the day, featuring the wrestlers in matches coming up later.

Ethan Page was interviewed by Cathy Kelley, who asked Page about the biggest night of his career. Page said that it’s the last time she can interview him without the Intercontinental Title. Page said that the spotlight is on the IC Title because of Page. Page was confident he would take the IC Title from Penta later tonight.

A video package aired to set up the Sol Ruca-Becky Lynch that is not for the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Ruca is 0-2 on Raw, so Lynch didn’t want to put the title on the line.

Sol Ruca was interviewed by Cathy Kelley before Ruca’s entrance. Ruca said Lynch has underestimated Ruca, and Sol is not taking her lightly. Sol said that Lynch will learn that the next generation is here to snatch the spotlight. Sol made her entrance as the smiling babyface that she is.

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch was up next, and she got booed as usual.

Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca

As I mentioned earlier, Lynch’s Women’s Intercontinental Title is not on the line. Lynch attacked Ruca before the bell even rang and sent Ruca into the turnbuckle. Ruca knocked Lynch down with a clothesline. Referee Jessika Carr called for the bell.

Ruca slammed Lynch down with a face plant into the mat. Ruca hit a springboard cross body block and a superkick. Ruca hit a somersault off the ropes, leading to a clothesline. Lynch was on the floor, so Ruca jumped off the ring post and hit a moonsault on the floor. Ruca hit a deep arm drag to send Lynch across the ring. They were battling by the ropes, and Ruca jumped off the turnbuckle, Lynch pulled referee Jessika Carr in front of her, and Ruca hit a Sol Snatcher on the referee Carr. Carr called for the bell. The match only went 2:31.

Lilian Garcia announced Sol Ruca as the winner by disqualification. Wade Barrett thought that Garcia said the wrong name, but that’s just Wade being a heel announcer supporting Lynch.

Winner by disqualification: Sol Ruca

Analysis: *1/2 A short match that was about the angle where Lynch got intentionally disqualified by pulling the referee in front of her.

After the match, Ruca was checking on Carr, so Lynch hit Ruca with a title to the back. Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam. Lynch hit Ruca with another Manhandle Slam. Lynch picked up Ruca and hit a third Manhandle Slam. Lynch trash-talked Ruca and left.

Analysis: That’s some classic heat on Lynch for the cheap attack with the Manhandle Slam three times in a row like that. I assume Sol Ruca is going to get a title shot since she beat Lynch by DQ in this match. I picked Ruca to win here, but I didn’t predict it would be a DQ finish. I understand it from a booking perspective because it will leave fans wanting more and to see the match again.

Penta was featured in a video saying he never backs down. Penta said that Ethan Page is an arrogant clown while Penta fights for his people and his championship. Penta said Page will learn about why Penta is Cero Miedo.

A video aired about the Intercontinental Title to set up the Penta-Ethan Page match with Wade Barrett narrating the video. They showed clips of many legends as former Intercontinental Champions while the legacy of the IC Title continues.

A graphic appeared saying a commercial break was in progress.

There was a commercial promoting SummerSlam on August 1 and August 2 in Minneapolis.

They replayed the end of the Lynch/Ruca match with Lynch pulling Carr in front of her, and Ruca hit Sol Snatcher on Carr. Lynch beat up Ruca after that.

Becky Lynch was backstage, where she spoke with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, who said he had spoken with Raw GM Adam Pearce on the phone. Aldis informed Lynch she’ll defend the Women’s IC Title against Sol Ruca at Clash in Italy next Sunday, May 31st.

Analysis: I’m not surprised by that announcement for a title match at Clash in Italy. I think Becky Lynch will cheat to retain, but Sol Ruca could win the title this summer.

The Irresistible Forces team of Nia Jax and Lash Legend were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. The video had some errors, at least on the WWE YouTube channel that I was watching, because it was a green screen. Anyway, they did a promo about how they were going to take back the Tag Team Titles. The video was fixed after that.

Ethan Page made his entrance for the Intercontinental Title match. They edited his theme song, which I don’t like because they took out some of the good parts.

Penta got a big ovation for his entrance as the Intercontinental Champion. I thought this match might main event, but here it is in the middle of the show.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Penta vs. Ethan Page

Penta connected with a kick to the ribs, but Page came back with punches. Penta came back with a neckbreaker. Penta went for a springboard attack and Page stopped that with a dropkick. Penta sent a charging Page into the turnbuckle. Penta hit a superkick that knocked Page out of the ring. Penta slid under the bottom rope and hit Page with a superkick. Page gave Penta back body drop onto the commentary table. Page stopped the referee’s count and sent Penta into the ring post. Back in the ring, Page hit an elbow drop and grabbed a chinlock. Page hit a running kick. Penta kicked Page in the back of the leg and hit a running bulldog. Penta connected with a step-up enziguri and a handstand dropkick against the turnbuckle. Penta hit a somersault dive (tope con hilo) over the top onto Page on the floor. Penta had a rough landing on the floor as well. Back in the ring, Penta went up top and hit a cross body block. Page hit a boot to the face. Page was on the top rope and Penta hit him with a chop, followed by a headscissors into the ring. Penta hit a springboard DDT for a two count. Page hit a jumping kick to the head and a powerslam for a two count. Penta avoided a charging Page and hit a Backstabber (double knees to the back) to Page for a two count.

There was a slugfest in the middle of the ring with each man hitting strikes. Penta and Page exchanged superkicks and jumping kicks that knocked each man down. Page hit a Confidence Breaker (jumping knee to the face like Codebreaker, but with one knee) and it got a two count. Penta came back with a Penta Driver for a two count. Penta went up top, Page went after him and Page hit a powerslam from the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Page pulled two turnbuckle pads off. Penta charged, Page avoided him and Penta hit an exposed steel turnbuckle, so Page rolled him up for two. Penta avoided Page from going into the exposed steel. Penta jumped off the ropes and hit a Mexican Destroyer for the pinfall win at 14:27.

Winner by pinfall: Penta

Analysis: **** I thought it was an excellent match that was four stars out of five. They got time, they had a lot of nearfalls, and I thought there was a creative finish. I thought Page winning was a possibility and I predicted it, but I certainly don’t mind Penta keeping the title because he’s an outstanding IC Champion. The match was a lot of fun to watch, the crowd was into it, and it was a clean win by the champion, which is nice to see. I think Page will win the IC Title soon, but I guess WWE felt it was too soon for him on the main roster.

Paige and Brie Bella were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Brie said that Paige helped her when Nikki couldn’t compete. Brie knows they are underdogs, but they believe in themselves. Paige said this was never supposed to happen because it was supposed to be Nikki here. Paige said they’re not supposed to win, but they will win. The Women’s Tag Team Title match was next.

A graphic appeared letting us know that commercials were taking place.

The Street Profits were featured in a video talking about their title match still to come.

The Irresistible Forces duo of Nia Jax and Lash Legend made their entrance. They are former champions. Oh no, it’s the Brie Mode song as Brie Bella made her entrance first, followed by Page. They are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Brie Bella & Paige vs. Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend

Brie and Paige hit a running bulldog on Jax. Paige hit Jax with a knee. Brie tagged in with a double axhandle off the top onto Jax. Brie tried to jump on Jax, who caught Brie and Jax hit a Samoan Drop. Lash tagged in, missed a bicycle kick and Paige was back in. Brie and Paige hit a double knee attack to knock Lash down. After a Jax distraction, Lash hit a pump kick to take control. Lash hit a running splash for a two count. Jax was back in there to ground Paige with a chinlock, and then Jax sent Paige into the turnbuckle. Lash sent Paige into the turnbuckle and hit a clothesline for two. Lash choked Paige against the middle rope. Jax splashed Paige twice against the turnbuckle. Paige sent Lash out of the ring, but Lash stopped Paige from tagging out. Paige sidestepped a charging Jax, who hit the ring post. Brie got the hot tag and hit a missile dropkick on Jax. Brie delivered the Yes Kicks to Jax. Brie hit a running knee on Jax for a two count. Jax hit a popup headbutt and Samoan Drop on Brie. Lash was back in with a Frog Splash off the middle turnbuckle. Jax tagged in as Lash held Brie and Jax hit a leg drop off the middle turnbuckle for two because Paige broke up the pin by kicking Lash into Jax. Paige tagged back in with a sunset flip on Jax as Brie put her foot on Paige’s butt for an assist (the referee never saw it) and Paige was able to pin Jax to win. It went 8:30.

Winners by pinfall: Brie Bella & Paige

Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay with the heels dominating most of it and then Brie coming up with a creative assist to help Paige pin Jax. I think the heels should have tried to cheat during the match to justify the babyfaces winning by cheating at the end. If the heels cheated throughout the match to win, then it would have made sense to have Brie cheat to help Paige win. I predicted a title change because I don’t see Brie and Paige as long-term champions, but I’m fine with being wrong.

The announcers went over the Clash in Italy lineup for next Sunday, May 31st.

* Tribal Combat Match For The World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

* Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca

* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther

* WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jade Cargill

* Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar – It will be official when Oba Femi signs the contract.

A video package aired about the Tag Team Titles to set up the World Tag Team Title match between The Vision and The Street Profits.

The Vision’s Logan Paul and Austin Theory were backstage with Paul Heyman as Cathy Kelley interviewed the group. Heyman said they are undeniable. Logan Paul claimed they are the greatest tag team champions ever, and they are the smoke, while Theory said the titles belong to them, The Vision. That match is next as the main event.

A graphic appeared letting us know that commercials were taking place.

It’s main event time with The Street Profits entering as the challengers. They got the classic theme song and the red cups back for their entrance. They are former 3-time WWE Tag Team Champions.

The Vision’s Logan Paul and Austin Theory made their entrance along with WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Heyman. They were booed loudly for their entrance. Paul ripped up a fan’s “Fire Logan Paul” sign. It is a catchy song by Joe Hendry, though. Lilian Garcia did the in-ring championship introductions as she did for all the title matches on this show.

WWE World Tag Team Championships: Logan Paul & Austin Theory (w/Paul Heyman) vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins

Ford got a rollup on Theory for a two count while the fans were chanting that Logan sucks. Theory ran over Ford with a shoulder tackle. When Paul tagged in, he also ran over Ford with a shoulder tackle. Ford jumped over Paul and did a backflip. Ford hit two arm drags, along with a dropkick. Ford dropkicked Paul and a dropkick for Theory too. Dawkins tagged in for a double team flapjack and the Profits slammed Theory onto Paul. Ford and Dawkins cleared the ring. Paul and Theory tried to leave, so the Profits went after them and brought The Vision back into the ring. Dawkins splashed Paul against the turnbuckle and Dawkins hit a jumping kick to the head for two. Dawkins punched Theory on the apron after a distraction, so Paul hit an uppercut on Dawkins. There were “Logan sucks” chants again. Paul jumped off Theory’s back for a splash on Dawkins and Theory hit a butterfly suplex on Dawkins. Theory stomped on Dawkins’ hand. Paul was back in as he teamed with Theory for a double shoulder tackle. Paul hit Dawkins with a clothesline. Theory was back in with shoulder tackles. The fans chanted “Fire Logan” at Paul. Dawkins hit a boot to the face of Theory. Dawkins sent Paul out of the ring, but Paul stopped Ford from tagging him by pulling him off the apron. Dawkins avoided a corner splash and Dawkins hit a neckbreaker on Paul while Ford  had a burst of momentum.

Ford was on fire as he ran the ropes and hit a clothesline on Theory. Ford punched Paul off the apron. Theory blocked a charging attack, but then Ford hit a powerslam, followed by a sunset flip for two. Theory elbowed Ford in the head. Ford broke free, Paul made a blind tag and Theory hit a lefty forearm. Paul hit a somersault lariat for two. Theory was back in as Ford got a rollup for two. Dawkins was back up, so he tagged in and Dawkins launched Theory into Ford with a suplex. Ford hit a suicide dive on Paul on the floor. Dawkins had Theory on his shoulders and Ford connected with a Blockbuster off the top for just two because Paul broke it up. Ford kicked Paul and Dawkins clotheslined Theory out of the ring. Ford hit a somersault dive over the top onto Paul and Theory. Bron Breakker ran down to ringside, and Dawkins was ready for it, so he hit The Pounce on Breakker, who took a huge bump on the commentary table. Dawkins hit The Anointment and Ford hit the From the Heavens splash for two because Heyman put the foot on the ropes. Ford went after Heyman on the floor, so Paul punched Ford with the brass knuckles. Paul tossed Ford back into the ring as Cole mentioned the referee never saw Paul cheat. Dawkins hit a somersault dive over the top on Paul on the floor and it looked like Paul’s left arm hit the floor hard. I don’t know if Paul got hurt there. Theory covered Ford with one arm across the chest for the one…two…and three. Cole claimed it was a 4-on-2 even though Breakker did nothing. It went 16:30.

Winners by pinfall: The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory

Analysis: ***1/2 A cheap win for the heel champions thanks to the dreaded brass knuckles. It’s a finish fitting of Paul and Theory while the story can continue to build with The Profits in a better match. They had some very creative spots towards the finish. I picked The Vision to retain because Paul & Theory are doing well as champions, but they’re also the kind of team that probably won’t have a long title reign. I think the Profits will win the titles by SummerSlam most likely. It might be before that too.

The Vision celebrated the win after retaining the World Tag Team Titles.

As Cole was signing off, Bron Breakker went down to the ring and hit Dawkins with a Spear. Breakker also gave Ford a Spear.

Logan Paul and Austin Theory went into the ring with Breakker and Heyman. Breakker raised Paul and Theory’s arms as the winners. That was the end of the show.

This show had a runtime of 2:08. The last SNME special was 2:00.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Penta
  2. The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory
  3. The 6-woman tag team match

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Final Thoughts on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

I’ll rate this show a 7.75 out of 10.

It was a pretty good show with some midcard matches. It was lacking the bigger names in the company and the most important titles, but I didn’t mind it that much. Everybody worked hard. I thought the Penta/Ethan Page match stood out the most and thought it was the best of the bunch.

The Becky Lynch-Sol Ruca match was just an angle to build to Clash in Italy next Sunday, which is fine because that’s a bigger show.

I predicted two title changes across the three title matches, but none happened. I don’t mind being wrong, but I just figured that with three title matches, we’d see a title change.

I think in the future they should always have one of the two men’s or women’s “World Titles” on the line on Saturday Night’s Main Event shows, just because I think SNME could use the star power a bit.

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Thanks for reading. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport