Reviews

The John Report: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 11/01/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Nov 01, 2025 22:40 EDT
WWE Saturday Nights Main Event November 1

It’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, featuring four title matches, including Cody Rhodes facing Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title, CM Punk-Jey Uso for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Title, and more.

This is the fourth Saturday Night’s Main Event show of the year and the fifth one since the SNME shows returned late last year. It is on Peacock for those of you in the US. I believe that moving from NBC to Peacock will lead to far fewer viewers, but at least there will be big matches. In Canada, I’m watching on WWE’s YouTube channel for free because that’s where they put it for us non-US fans.

It’s a busy night for me since my Toronto Blue Jays are playing in Game 7 of the MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s winner-take-all tonight, and it should lead to a massive TV audience. It’s also my birthday on Tuesday, so a Blue Jays win would be extra nice. Just saying. Anyway, it’s bad luck for WWE to go up against that kind of game. (Update: My Blue Jays lost in heartbreaking fashion. Congrats, Dodgers, on the win. Sports are a cruel bitch sometimes lol. What an amazing series it was.)

I don’t know what the runtime will be since it was exactly two hours on NBC, and now they have more leeway on Peacock, which is a streaming service. They are starting it at 7 p.m. ET instead of 8 p.m. ET like the past SNME specials on NBC, and with only four hours, a two-hour run time makes sense.

From the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, this is Saturday Night’s Main Event. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Penta, Dominik Mysterio, Rusev, CM Punk, and Jey Uso. That’s everybody wrestling on the show.

A video package aired about Saturday Night’s Main Event history, going back to 1985, and how far we’ve come in today’s era of WWE.

The WWE Title match opened the show with the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes up first. Cody got a big ovation and the major pyro display as usual. The fans sang along with his “Kingdom” song as well. They had the Saturday Night’s Main Event logo in the ring with no sponsors on the mat.

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

Drew McIntyre made his entrance looking ready to go as usual. The fans booed the heel former WWE Champion. The wrestlers stood in the ring as Lilian Garcia did the in-ring championship introductions. Drew told Lilian to call him “The Real American Dream” Drew McIntyre, so she did. Nice touch.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

If Cody Rhodes is disqualified or counted out, then he will lose the WWE Championship.

Cody connected with a knee to the ribs to take control. Drew hit some chops, Cody chopped back and Drew kicked Cody. Cody powered up Drew and hit a front suplex into the mat. Drew wanted Cody to leave the ring so he can try to win by countout. Back in the ring, Drew tossed Cody into the referee and Cody stopped himself. Drew worked over Cody with punches, along with some head biting. Cody dropped down, leading to a punch, along with repeated kicks. The referee pulled Cody back, so Cody shoved him a bit and referee Dan Engler admonished him. It continued the story of possibly disqualifying Cody. Drew took control by knocking Cody down on the apron and sent Cody into the ring post. Drew tossed Cody over the barricade at ringside. The referee, Engler, counted Cody out, but Cody got back in before the ten count. Drew hit a belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Drew hit an elbow smash on a running Cody for a two count. Drew sent Cody into the turnbuckle, followed by a back body drop for a two count. They went to the turnbuckle, where Cody connected with a massive superplex. After selling for a bit after that, they exchanged some holds and Cody hit a powerslam. Cody jumped off the ropes and hit a Disaster Kick to the head. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, it looked like Drew countered it, but Cody managed to finish the move and it got a two count. Cody worked over Drew with jabs, along with the classic bionic elbow, like his father. Drew was back up with a spinebuster for two. Drew hit a sitout Powerbomb for another two count.

Drew grabbed the WWE Title and brought it into the ring. Cody grabbed the title from Drew, who told Cody to use it. Cody tossed the title over to the referee. Drew hit a one-step Claymore Kick for a two count. That was a cool Claymore Kick that was just one step rather than the run up version. Wade theorized that it didn’t have the same power as the usual Claymore Kick, which is good commentary. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Cody left the ring, Drew charged at him by the commentary table, and Cody punched Drew in the ribs to stop that. Drew sent Cody over the top to the apron. Drew hit a running shoulder tackle to knock Cody onto the commentary table and it broke the table. I’m not sure if it’s the new tables that they have or an old table. The referee Engler got to a count of 9, but Cody got back in the ring before the 10 count. Drew went for a Claymore Kick, but Cody moved. Cody ran over to the turnbuckle to try for a move, but Cody collapsed and sold a right knee injury. Cody was able to connect with the Cody Cutter this time for a two count and then Cody went back to selling the right knee. Cody set up for Cross Rhodes, but Drew got a kick to the face. Cody went for a move, and Drew tackled Cody into the referee, Engler, who bumped against the turnbuckle. The referee was down. Drew hit a Glasgow Kiss headbutt to counter a Cody move. Drew brought the WWE Title into the ring because he saw the referee was down. Cody ducked the WWE Title shot. Both men ran the ropes and hit a double cross body block. Drew grabbed the WWE Title, but Cody was there and he hit Drew with a DDT on the WWE Title. Cody looked to make sure the referee was down before hitting the DDT on the WWE Title. The referee never saw it, or else it would be a disqualification. Cody hit Cross Rhodes, the referee was back up and Cody covered for the pinfall win at 18:45.

Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes

Analysis: ***3/4 A very good match between two of the best in WWE. What was cool about the stipulation for this match is that the table-breaking spot led to the countout spot that fans got really into because they knew Cody would lose the WWE Title if he lost on that. The referee spot was obvious in a match like this. Cody hitting the DDT on the WWE Title will lead to Drew complaining that Cody cheated to win, so I think this feud will continue at Survivor Series. I thought Cody and Drew did an excellent job of building up the drama throughout the match. I enjoyed it. It would be cool with me if Drew won the title, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen or if Cody is going to hold it all the way to WrestleMania. I just think SmackDown could use a change and that’s nothing against Cody. I’d like to see heel Drew as the champion.

Cody Rhodes celebrated the win as the WWE Champion. Barrett made the correct point that McIntyre didn’t actually use the title, but Cody did, and the referee never saw it.

CM Punk was shown getting ready for his match later in the show.

A video package aired for the WWE Women’s Championship between champion Tiffany Stratton and challenger Jade Cargill. Jade turned heel a few weeks ago, and now she gets another shot at the title.

Tiffany Stratton was shown backstage stretching her left leg, which had a small brace on it. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis asked Stratton if she was okay physically and mentally for this match. Stratton said she knows Nick is just doing his job, but she is ready for this. Stratton said she’s the champion, she wants to defend her title, and she is ready for this fight. She left to defend her title.

There was a graphic on the screen that said: “Commercial break in progress. Please stay tuned.” It took a few minutes.

Jade Cargill was up first as the challenger and she was looking mean since she’s a heel now. Tiffany Stratton was up next as the babyface WWE Women’s Champion with a smile on her face.

WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill

Stratton had tape on her left knee. Jade kicked Stratton in the left knee and Stratton did a huge bump onto her back. Jade hit a massive Chokeslam. Jade hit a spinning pumphandle slam that spun around Stratton and sent her crashing onto the mat. Jade gave Stratton a hiptoss across the ring. Jade charged, Stratton moved and Jade hit the turnbuckle. Stratton had trouble climbing the turnbuckle due to the leg injury. Jade pulled on Stratton’s neck against the turnbuckle. Jade slammed Stratton face first into the ring apron. Jade put Stratton against the steel steps, but Stratton got up to trip Jade into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Stratton went up top, but Jade punched her. Stratton suplexed Jade front first off the top rope. Stratton hit a Swanton Bomb off the top for a two count. Jade was back up with a clothesline. Jade put Stratton on her shoulders and hit a spinning slam for a two count. Jade hit a fallaway slam three times in a row for a two count. Jade hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Jade hit another Powerbomb. Jade hit a third Powerbomb. Jade hit Jaded in the middle of the ring and covered Stratton for the pinfall win. It went 5:30. Jade Cargill is the new WWE Women’s Champion.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW WWE Women’s Champion: Jade Cargill

Analysis: ** A dominant win by Jade Cargill as expected to put an end to Stratton’s title reign after ten months. I didn’t expect a long match. It was booked the right way to make Cargill look strong. Stratton came into the match with a knee injury, and Cargill dominated throughout the match. The repeated Powerbombs looked brutal and then the Jaded slam put over Jade in a big way. Stratton put up a fight, but this was all about giving Jade her moment as the new WWE Women’s Champion.

Jade Cargill celebrated with the WWE Women’s Title. There was a pyro display in the background.

The new WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.

There was a commercial break graphic for a few minutes.

They promoted SmackDown in Montreal on January 23 and Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th. That means November, December and January will have SNME shows.

It was time for the Intercontinental Title match with Penta up first, Rusev was next and the champion Dominik Mysterio was last. Dominik has been champion for 195 days.

Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta vs. Rusev

There are no countouts and no disqualifications in a triple threat match. The first pinfall or submission wins.

Rusev attacked Dom with punches and Penta stomped on Dom. Rusev and Penta fought eachother so Dom bailed to the floor. Rusev hit a dropkick on Penta for two because Dom broke it up. Rusev caught Dom and hit him with a spinebuster. Rusev hit an overhead suplex, followed by a vertical suplex. Rusev hit a fallaway slam to toss Dom across the ring and to the floor. Dom sent Rusev into the ring post. Penta hit a somersault dive over the top onto Rusev on the floor. Dom hit a suicide dive on Penta on the floor. When they went back into the ring, Penta came back with a jumping kick, followed by the handstand kick to the ribs for two because Rusev broke up the pin. Rusev clotheslined Penta on the floor. Rusev tossed Penta into the barricade and yelled at some kids in the crowd, who were terrified. Rusev tossed Penta into the steel steps. Dom dove onto Rusev, who caught him and sent Dom into the commentary table.

They went back into the ring as Rusev choked Dom across the middle rope. Rusev kicked Dom in the back. Rusev charged at Dom, who did a drop toe hold that sent Rusev into the ropes. Rusev stomped on Dom’s back and applied The Accolade, but Penta was back in to superkick Rusev and put an end to the submission move. Penta jumped over Rusev and hit a Backstabber with the double knees to the back. Penta jumped off the turnbuckle, Rusev punched him, Rusev kicked him, and Rusev hit a spinning sidewalk slam for a two count. Dominik was out of the ring having a rest. Rusev and Penta battled by the turnbuckle as Penta hit a headbutt to knock Rusev down. Dom tossed a chair at Rusev and acted like he hit him, but the referee said it’s legal in this match. Rusev hit Dom with the chair twice. Penta kicked Rusev and hit a Mexican Destroyer on Dom, who rolled out of the ring. Penta hit an impressive springboard jumping DDT for a two. Rusev caught Penta and hit an Alabama Slam. Rusev went for the Machka Kick, Penta avoided it and hit Penta Driver for a two count. Penta jumped off the top rope, Rusev was back up and hit a Machka Kick. Rusev applied the Accolade and the bell rang, but the referee didn’t call for the bell. It was Dominik hitting the bell with the hammer, but Rusev thought he won the match. Rusev tossed Dom over the barricade and sent Dom into the ring post. Dom brought the hammer into the ring. Rusev punched Dom a few times on the floor. Dom shoved Rusev into the steel steps. Penta stepped on the bell hammer and wanted to hit Dom with it, but instead, he hit Rusev with it. Dom sent Penta into the ring post. Dom went up top and hit a Frog Splash for the pinfall win at 12:30.

Winner by pinfall: Dominik Mysterio

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match full of action and some believable nearfalls. It was another creative finish for Dominik as he continues to find ways to keep his title. The dreaded hammer shot set up Dom to capitalize on the situation and get the crafty win yet again. I didn’t expect a title change here, so in terms of the result, it was to be expected. At some point, Rusev needs to get some big wins other than his wins over Sheamus, but for now, it remains Dom’s time as the IC Champion. Penta has challenged for this title a lot this year, so they should probably move him on to something else.

Jey Uso was shown getting ready with his brother, Jimmy Uso, there to encourage him.

There was another commercial break for a few minutes.

A video aired featuring John Cena saying he made a promise to WWE fans that he wouldn’t stick around when his skills didn’t match the product. Cena said it’s okay. Cena said he’s never going to wrestle again because he doesn’t want to let people down since he promised them this is the end. We’ll see more of the interview in the coming weeks.

John Cena Addresses Final WWE Opponent

There was a video narrated by John Cena saying he’s been asked more than any other, who does he want to face in his last match? Cena said for his last match, he wants to face whoever is willing to step up like Cena did on his first day. Cena said that starting a week from Monday on Raw from his hometown of Boston, a 16-man tournament will commence. The field will have competitors from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and maybe faces who don’t even work here. Cena said there will be stars whom he has faced in the past and others whom he has never wrestled. Cena said his final opponent won’t be handpicked, it will be earned, and he’ll face that person on December 13th at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cena said he’ll say one final: “You want some, come get some!”

A graphic was shown for the tournament starting on November 10th on Raw. John Cena will be on Raw that night in Boston.

Analysis: That’s great. I know it has been spoiled that Gunther is likely going to be Cena’s final opponent, but until it’s official, there could be a change to the plan. I like Gunther, so it certainly wouldn’t bother me if it happens that way.

A video package aired to set up the CM Punk-Jey Uso match for the vacant World Heavyweight Title match.

Jey Uso made his entrance to a big ovation and the fans were Yeeting with him. Post Malone was Yeeting in the crowd as well. They were hot for Jey as usual.

CM Punk was up next and he was cheered loudly by the fans as they sang along with “Cult of Personality.” Punk, who turned 47 a few days ago, shouted, “It’s Clobberin’ Time” as usual to show he was ready to go. Lilian Garcia did the in-ring championship introductions for this matchup. Cole said Punk was dedicating this to late MMA coach Duke Roufus, who recently passed away. Punk had gear paying tribute to Duke as well.

For The Vacant World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Jey Uso

They spent a couple of minutes doing some basic holds and Punk grabbed a side headlock. Punk hit a shoulder tackle, but Jey came back with a forearm smash. There were some boos for Jey because some fans think he’s been heelish lately. Punk sent Jey into the ropes and Jey hit a shoulder tackle. Punk teased a GTS attempt, but Jey bailed to the floor. Punk worked over Jey with some punches, and elbow drops. Punk went for a neckbreaker, they messed it up and Punk did it a second time for a two count. Jey came back with a Samoan Drop. Jey charged with a Spear attempt, Punk caught him and hit a neckbreaker. They exchanged some holds leading to multiple two counts. Punk had Jey on his shoulders and he hit a GTS (Go To Sleep) knee to the face, but Jey was sent out of the ring to the floor. Punk poured some water on Jey to wake him up so he could continue. Punk put Jey on the top turnbuckle. Punk teased a superplex, Jey blocked that with punches and two headbutts. Jey went up top, jumped off, Punk avoided it and Jey hit him with some punches. Jey hit Punk with a running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Punk was back up, he picked up Jey and Jey got out of it. Jey hit a superkick and a Spear. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash for a two count. That’s a series of moves that have won Jey matches, but he couldn’t win it here.

They were battling by the turnbuckle again, and this time Punk was able to hit a superplex on Jey. They did the “stand and throw punches” spot, leading to some quick punches. Punk hit a clothesline and a back elbow. Punk hit a jumping sidekick. Punk connected with the running knee, followed by a bulldog. Punk signalled for the GTS. Jey avoided Punk’s move and hit a superkick to knock Punk out of the ring. Jey hit a suicide dive onto Punk on the floor. Punk was exhausted as he broke the referee’s count and then bailed to the floor. Jey left the ring and gave Punk a Spear through the barricade. The referee, Rod Zapata, checked on both guys, and then he went into the ring to count. Jey put Punk into the ring. Jey jumped off the top, Jey got his knees up to block. Punk hit a GTS for a two count for a finisher kickout. Jey got his left shoulder up. Punk teased a piledriver, Jey slipped out of that and Jey hit his own version of a GTS. Jey ran the ropes and Punk hit a Spear that didn’t look great and it was enough for a two count. Punk grabbed Jey again and hit a GTS again. Jey bounced off the ropes and onto Punk’s shoulders, but Punk was unable to do it again. Jey got behind Punk’s back and applied the choke that Gunther uses. Punk applied an Anaconda Vice, but Jey got to the ropes to break it up. Jey countered a punk move into a pinfall for two. Jey hit two superkicks. Jey charged for a Spear, but Punk hit a knee strike. Punk hit a GTS (Go To Sleep), and then Jey fell onto Punk’s shoulders again, so Punk hit another GTS for the pinfall win! Punk is the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. It went 21:02.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: CM Punk

Analysis: ***1/2 I’m happy for CM Punk being a 7-time WWE World Champion. He was the right choice to win since Seth Rollins is injured. Jey Uso worked well with Punk, even though the first half of the match was very slow. It picked up as the match went on. The final five minutes or so were terrific with all the nearfalls and big moves, even by the kids on the adults. I like how it took a lot to beat a guy like Jey. I thought Punk would win the title, and I’m glad he did.

CM Punk was emotional after winning the World Heavyweight Title. Punk celebrated with the title on the turnbuckle. There was a pyro display to celebrate Punk’s win. Punk continued to celebrate the win with the World Title. That was the end of the show.

The show ended at around the 2-hour mark. It was about a minute or two more than that.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. CM Punk
  2. Cody Rhodes
  3. Dominik Mysterio

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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 an entertaining show that featured just four matches over two hours. It was pretty simple. As I mentioned in the opening, it felt bigger than most SNME shows because there were four title matches and they had Jade Cargill get the Women’s Title while CM Punk became World Heavyweight Champion again.

The match quality was strong for the three men’s matches. I liked all of them. I rated the Cody-Drew match the highest, while the Punk-Jey match was very good and the triple threat had some fun moments. The women’s match was more about putting over Jade as the new champion, so it’s okay to have a short match sometimes.

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

John Canton

Email: [email protected]