Remember when WCW used to put on the Clash of the Champions events? This iteration of Saturday Night’s Main Event in WWE is reminding me of those.
And that’s a good thing.
Who knows whether or not Saturday Night’s Main Event will touch Clash of the Champions from an in-ring perspective when it’s all said and done, but just like those shows did, SNME is finding it’s place to fit on a bloated WWE calendar.
This weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event isn’t all that star-studded and it’s not loaded with insanely meaningful matches, but it features bouts that would have rounded out a past PLE that was 11 hours long. If this event keeps the PLE’s around three hours, I hope it sticks around for a long time.
Sol Ruca has a chance for a moment
The main event of the show this weekend should be Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca. Lynch is the biggest star attraction on the show. Even though her feud with Ruca hasn’t been a long one yet, it presents as the match that matters most and with the highest stakes.
Lynch and Ruca won’t be fighting for Lynch’s WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship and that leaves the door wide open for Ruca to steal a win over The Man. Put your money on that.
If Lynch was going to just win the match, why not make it for her championship? The fact that the title isn’t on the line indicates that WWE wants to get Ruca a big victory, while also keeping alive her journey toward her first-ever main roster singles title. Ruca is going to get this victory and if it gets time in the main event slot, she’ll have a chance to show why she’s so highly regarded as a WWE prospect. Don’t forget about the Lynch factor. Becky Lynch is a pro and can execute any mission given to her in the ring. If this match is about making Sol Ruca, Lynch will get the job done.
Sol Ruca may get a signature victory on this show, but she won’t be the only one. Ethan Page is going to get his too. There aren’t many stars that get a full sit-down interview treatment with Michael Cole. I’m guessing here, but maybe Gunther was the last guy to have it? Stephanie Vaquer? Either way, it’s good company.
Ethan Page takes his spot
Ethan Page hit a home run during that interview and put his asshole character on display for the world to see. He might get a little hotter than he is now, but it won’t be by much. WWE has a chance to further heat him up with a huge men’s Intercontinental Championship victory over Penta.
Penta has been an effective champion. The title means something and whoever he jobs to will reap the benefits of his success. Page could do a lot with that equity. WWE won’t pass up the opportunity and after this show will have a strong heel mid-card champion that can occupy TV time all around the card.
A six-woman tag team match with Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley as the leads and a men’s tag title match with The Vision and Street Profits round out the show. So, not a bad C-level special event card for WWE and that’s exactly what Saturday Night’s Main Event is for WWE right now.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event airs live on Peacock on Saturday night. The full card and full prediction show from The Takedown on SI is below.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 5/23/26 Full Match Card
Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca
Penta vs. Ethan Page - WWE Men’s Intercontinental Championship
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin
The Vision vs. The Street Profits - WWE Men’s World Tag Team Championships
Paige and Brie Bella vs. Lash Legend and Nia Jax - WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 5/23/26 Preview
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