Ever since WWE confirmed the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event, it’s been a hot topic among professional wrestling fans. Older fans will likely be aware that the show is not a new concept, with its original run taking place between 1985 and 1992.
With the revival of the event approaching in December 2024, it seemed appropriate to take a look back at some of the most memorable moments in the history of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
5. Shawn Michaels Wins The Intercontinental Championship From The British Bulldog
In November 1992, Shawn Michaels looked on course to finally pick up his first championship in the WWF. A match against The British Bulldog for the Intercontinental Championship was the perfect opportunity to do just that.
During the match, Michaels utilized an exposed turnbuckle to do damage to the champion’s back, before targeting the weakness and defeating Davey Boy Smith. The first championship victory in Michaels’ storied career was historic for more than just that reason.
It was also the only title change to take place on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, in any of its forms.
4. Hulk Hogan Superplexes Big Boss Man from The Top of A Steel Cage
Arguably, the most iconic feat of strength in WWE history will always be Hulk Hogan bodyslamming André the Giant at WWE WrestleMania III. However, just two years later, the ‘Hulkster’ showed off his raw power once again.
Hogan was facing off against Big Boss Man in a Steel Cage match on the 27th May 1989 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, when his opponent tried to scale the cage walls and secure the win. This proved to be a bad plan, however, as Hogan grabbed Big Boss Man before he could clamber to safety.
In an outstanding moment, Hogan hoisted his adversary over the top of the cage, superplexing him back into the ring. Bearing in mind that the pair were sitting comfortably at around 650lbs between them, this made for an astonishing visual.
3. Mr. Perfect Destroys The WWF Championship
Towards the tail end of 1989, Mr. Perfect had his sights set on one thing: the WWF Championship. Of course, he faced the small roadblock of one Hulk Hogan, who was the reigning champion at that time.
On the 25th November 1989 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, Perfect aided his manager The Genius in beating the champion, albeit via count-out. He followed that up by stealing Hogan’s title and high-tailing it to the backstage area.
In a shocking display, Mr. Perfect destroyed the WWF Championship, promising the ‘Hulkster’ that he would continue to destroy any replacements until he got what he wanted. What he wanted was, of course, a shot at the WWF Championship.
Unfortunately, the ‘Perfect One’ never succeeded in beating Hogan for the title but the visual of Curt Hennig destroying the top prize in pro wrestling was one for the history books.
2. The Formation of the Mega Powers
Two years before he was having his WWF Championship destroyed, Hulk Hogan had been embroiled in a feud with the ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. The pair had been rivals for two years, but in late 1987, they put their differences aside.
On the October 3, 1987 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, Savage was scheduled to take on The Honky Tonk Man for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. During their bout, The Hart Foundation emerged and attacked Savage, costing him his title shot.
The numbers game initially proved too much for the challenger, as Honky Tonk Man battered ‘Macho Man’ and tried to smash him over the head with his guitar. Fortunately for Savage, he had the support of Miss Elizabeth, who took to the back in search of some help.
She emerged with the biggest babyface in the company, as Hogan came to the aid of Savage, warding off the attackers and saving him from further brutalization. The duo shook hands, and later in the night, Savage officially christened their pairing as the ‘Mega Powers’.
1. Hulk Hogan & Paul Orndorff Have Their Spectacular Photo Finish
The ‘Hulkster’ makes an appearance on this list yet again but, when you consider the fact that he had 27 televised matches across the 31 episodes of Saturday Night’s Main Event during the initial run, it’s hardly a surprise. Hogan took on Paul Orndorff on the January 3, 1987 episode in a Steel Cage match with the WWF Championship on the line.
‘Mr. Wonderful’ began the match by using the title as a weapon, lashing Hogan with his own championship soon after the bell rang. However, the in-ring action for this match was not the main talking point coming out of it.
In fact, the most memorable moment of the bout came at the end. Both competitors scaled the cage wall, on opposite sides of the ring.
As they began their respective descents to the floor, both men let their feet hit the floor at exactly the same time. In a stunning display of impeccable timing, Orndorff and Hogan had a photo finish.
Of course, with a lack of conclusive footage to determine a winner, the attending crowd was totally bemused. This all led to the match being restarted, with Hogan ending up the eventual winner.
Bizarrely, it’s not the only photo finish in WWE history (here’s to you, Royal Rumble 2005) but this was the earliest example of the spot being carried out to perfection.
With the announcement of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event returning to WWE programming, it’ll be interesting to see if they can top some of the most memorable moments from the original batch of episodes.
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