Drake Riggs
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event results, highlights: Cody Rhodes fends off Kevin Owens, Gunther stays on top
WWE kicked it old school with Saturday Night's Main Event taking fans back to the 1980s.
In the night's marquee attraction, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes successfully defended his belt against an old friend-turned-bitter rival, Kevin Owens. The expected high emotions in an already tense rivalry came out in full force with plenty of fun moments and awesome spots. Owens' track record in these moments and matches appears to be running on repeat. He's his own worst enemy. Right when he has the match won, a referee gets taken out or a weapon he brought into the fold gets used against him. On Saturday, both happened. I had some flashbacks to his Roman Reigns feud in that respect.
It's not necessarily a bad thing because the match was not bad. We just know what we get out of Owens at this point, and a world title reign is not it.
Also though, this happened — so who knows?
Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes after #SNME went off the air 😳
This feud is far from over.
pic.twitter.com/VCHyoQ1KlX— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) December 15, 2024
Elsewhere on the night, Chelsea Green made history by becoming the first Women's United States Champion with a win over her old pal Michin.
I was never too high on Green after her Laurel Van Ness days, but whether or not you liked that iteration of the "Hot Mess," this match was just the goofiest, best kind of wrestling entertainment. At this stage, Green has truly come into her own as an in-ring performer. On Saturday, she hit a ridiculously unique rollover top-rope Unpretti-her to get the win. It was easily the best spot and moment of the night. Christian was surely somewhere applauding slowly in his turtleneck ready to insult someone's father.
Green always had the character work down and mic skills, but we're about to see a fun reign for the new champion.
SHE DID IT!!!
CHELSEA GREEN IS THE FIRST-EVER WOMEN'S UNITED STATES CHAMPION!!! 🇺🇸@ImChelseaGreen #SNME pic.twitter.com/dvr2xbtYDl— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
The rest of the card served as a breezy two-hour showcase on NBC.
The event's opener was the only clash that didn't feature gold as Drew McIntyre went against Sami Zayn.
This match was as high-paced and in-your-face as it was expected to be. Zayn entered without a win over McIntyre in singles competition. Unfortunately for Zayn, that remains true as McIntyre pinned him off a sneaky Claymore Kick.
Drew McIntyre picks up the win against Sami Zayn at SNME#WWE #WWERaw #WWENXT #SmackDown #FinnBalor #RomanReigns #CodyRhodes #SamiZayn #KevinOwens #Gunther #SNME#CMPunk #DamianPriest #RheaRipley #LivMorgan #DominikMysterio #JimmyUso #TheRockpic.twitter.com/6Hov1pg0Oo
— Wrestling Arena News (@WrestlingArenaN) December 15, 2024
The beauty of McIntyre in his current version is how much of a brute with a brain he truly is — unless overwhelmed by emotions, as CM Punk played into. He's cunningly evil and not your typical coward heel manipulating their way to the top. Defeating Zayn was the beginning of his OG Bloodline hit-list. Let's see how many names he can check off.
The Women's World Championship match between champion Liv Morgan and challenger Iyo Sky followed. The self-proclaimed greatest women's champion of all time, Morgan somewhat surprisingly retained her title with a clean win. Don't get it twisted though, Sky was the star of this match and continued to show why she should have been the one to get her hand raised. That's no slight on Morgan. She's continues to be as amazing as always, but the time is now for Sky, who seemingly can't underperform.
Liv Morgan retains with an Oblivion! #SNME pic.twitter.com/BJKvP5g6Ml
— Ella Jay (@itsellajay) December 15, 2024
The problem with all this was the obviously impending extension of Morgan's rivalry with Rhea Ripley, as Ripley confronted Morgan afterward. So the Ripley vs. Sky tease on Monday night was apparently all for nothing unless we get some kind of loop-around down the road. This rivalry has just been dragged on for too long.
Although the involvement of Gunther with Judgment Day has also arguably been dragged out, it doesn't matter as "The Ring General" put that to rest in a fantastic triple-threat title defense.
This match was all the chaos I hoped it would be and saw Gunther return to form in the storyline, as Michael Cole alluded to how much of a confidence-regaining win it was. Gunther is becoming a triple-threat match GOAT because he's always in a must-see car crash when put against two other dudes. Even though Damian Priest had two worrisome botches, it doesn't affect the quality because we expect the madness in these. As long as he has no real injuries, it's all a big win.
Gunther se lleva una victoria dominante tumbando tanto a Damian Priest como a Finn Bálor.
Justo lo que necesitaba.#SNME pic.twitter.com/DPTcfS6EPH— Rolsogames (@RolsoG) December 15, 2024
Overall, Saturday Night's Main Event was a swell time and a thrilling two-hour show. If you missed any highlights, we have you covered with our Uncrowned coverage and awards below.
MVP: Gunther
Uncrowned Gem of the Night: Chelsea Green
Match of the night: Gunther vs. Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest
Best spot of the night: Chelsea Green's rollover top-rope Unpretti-her
I give Saturday Night's Main Event a crown score of: 👑 9/10 👑
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event full card results and highlights:
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes def. Kevin Owens
Is tonight the night Kevin Owens gets back some championship gold? 🤔#SNME pic.twitter.com/s7o9e7vT9S
— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
Cody Rhodes comes out with the iconic Winged Eagle Title!#SNME pic.twitter.com/8z165UYId5
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) December 15, 2024
"Hi Randy."
Despicable, @FightOwensFight... 😡#SNME pic.twitter.com/9jKRNEPMUy— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
Cody Rhodes porte un RKO Dur Kevin Owens pic.twitter.com/BxzUQLPIw9
— 🇨🇩Taly Isiaka🇨🇩 (@taly_isiaka) December 15, 2024
CODY RHODES WITH A SUPER CODY CUTTERRRRRR#SNME pic.twitter.com/ASAZs7x06v
— #WeWantCody (@WeWantCody_) December 15, 2024
KEVIN OWENS PINNED CODY RHODES BUT THERE'S NO REFEREE #SNME pic.twitter.com/q9KfNivkIl
— 𝙎𝙖𝙢 (@RhodesKotaEra) December 15, 2024
CODY RHODES RETAINS!#SNME
pic.twitter.com/vubIsus9Ji— Mo 🌊 (@m0_wt) December 15, 2024
Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes after #SNME went off the air 😳
This feud is far from over.
pic.twitter.com/VCHyoQ1KlX— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) December 15, 2024
Women's United States Championship: Chelsea Green def. Michin
Can Chelsea Green be the first woman's us champion.?#SNME pic.twitter.com/RtBdDrzIFu
— Zaibi (@_zaibii) December 15, 2024
SHE DID IT!!!
CHELSEA GREEN IS THE FIRST-EVER WOMEN'S UNITED STATES CHAMPION!!! 🇺🇸@ImChelseaGreen #SNME pic.twitter.com/dvr2xbtYDl— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther def. Damian Priest and Finn Balor
Finn Balor either about to wrestle or rob a store #SNME pic.twitter.com/DgjYbDiMAX
— Corey B ⚜️ (@CoreyBElite) December 15, 2024
NASTY OUTSIDE DIVE FROM DAMIAN PRIEST!#SNME pic.twitter.com/r55lVHhYz1
— The Movement - Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) December 15, 2024
😱 😱 😱
This match is CRAZY!#SNME pic.twitter.com/5axv4Nuxmj— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
Gunther se lleva una victoria dominante tumbando tanto a Damian Priest como a Finn Bálor.
Justo lo que necesitaba.#SNME pic.twitter.com/DPTcfS6EPH— Rolsogames (@RolsoG) December 15, 2024
Women's World Championship: Liv Morgan def. Iyo Sky
.@Iyo_SkyWWE is FLYING around! 😳 #SNME pic.twitter.com/cJivTLMKG7
— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
how can you not love iyo sky #SNME pic.twitter.com/YD6hqfcNrN
— Iann 🇵🇷 (@IyosMoonsault) December 15, 2024
Liv Morgan retains with an Oblivion! #SNME pic.twitter.com/BJKvP5g6Ml
— Ella Jay (@itsellajay) December 15, 2024
MAMI'S HERE. 😈#SNME pic.twitter.com/t8ldiJSouz
— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
Drew McIntyre def. Sami Zayn
Vintage @SamiZayn! 👊#SNME pic.twitter.com/0pFAcIaBsf
— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
😳 😳 😳 @DMcIntyreWWE just threw @SamiZayn with ease! 😮💨#SNME pic.twitter.com/3KjIvuD0UX
— WWE (@WWE) December 15, 2024
Drew McIntyre picks up the win against Sami Zayn at SNME#WWE #WWERaw #WWENXT #SmackDown #FinnBalor #RomanReigns #CodyRhodes #SamiZayn #KevinOwens #Gunther #SNME#CMPunk #DamianPriest #RheaRipley #LivMorgan #DominikMysterio #JimmyUso #TheRockpic.twitter.com/6Hov1pg0Oo
— Wrestling Arena News (@WrestlingArenaN) December 15, 2024
Recap of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event with Uncrowned's live blog below:
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER31 updates