WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
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WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

"WWE's longstanding in-ring special showcases the top Superstars across generations in marquee matches and iconic moments."

8.4
Yr 1985
Rt 90m
Status Returning Series
Drama Family Action & Adventure
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Series Brief

Overview

A professional wrestling television program produced by the World Wrestling Federation banner on NBC airing in place of Saturday Night Live. The series was made up entirely of star vs. star bouts in a time when weekly programming consisted primarily of established stars dominating enhancement talent.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 80 /100

Retrospective commentary for WWE Saturday Night's Main Event highlights its historic impact and polished production values when it debuted in 1985. Replacing Saturday Night Live in its time slot, the show stood out for its mainstream aesthetic, offering a presentation that was faster-paced and far sleeker than standard professional wrestling broadcasts of the era.

Outlets commend the original series for delivering a solid run driven by high-profile matchups, noting that the matches frequently carried the excitement and quality of a pay-per-view event. While the classic production style can feel dated by today's standards, its historical significance remains well regarded.

However, modern attempts to bring back the show have drawn mixed reactions. Recent revivals generated initial excitement but ultimately fell short for some critics, who felt the new iterations lacked the classic elements and nostalgic charm that defined the original broadcast.

“It was faster paced and slicker than anything that had ever worn the WWF label.”

“Saturday Night's Main Event had a solid run, featuring very high-profile matches...”

“...matches that often took on a pay-per-view feel.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Peacock Premium
US
Peacock Premium Plus
US
Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 7
Longest run 46 eps
John Cena
John Cena
as John Cena
8 episodes
Lilián García
Lilián García
6 episodes
Michael Hickenbottom
Michael Hickenbottom
as Shawn Michaels
17 episodes
Martin Lunde
Martin Lunde
as Arn Anderson
9 episodes
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
46 episodes
Jim Hellwig
Jim Hellwig
as The Ultimate Warrior
18 episodes
Joe Tessitore
Joe Tessitore
5 episodes
Rick Blood Sr.
Rick Blood Sr.
as Ricky Steamboat
9 episodes
Show 67 more
Louis Albano as Captain Lou Albano 11 episodes Josip Peruzović as Nikolai Volkoff 12 episodes Merced Solis 13 episodes Curt Hennig 12 episodes Jim Myers as George "The Animal" Steele 7 episodes Freddie Blassie as "Classy" Freddie Blassie 6 episodes Robert Remus as Sgt. Slaughter 7 episodes Ray Fernandez 12 episodes Ray Traylor as The Big Boss Man 15 episodes Bob Orton, Jr. as Bob Orton 7 episodes Frederick Jannetty as Marty Jannetty 12 episodes John Tenta Jr. as Earthquake 9 episodes Sylvester Ritter as Junkyard Dog 9 episodes Kerry Von Erich as The Texas Tornado 6 episodes Fred Ottman as Tugboat 6 episodes Michael Coulthard 11 episodes Andrew Galloway as Drew McIntyre 7 episodes David Smith 12 episodes Phil Brooks as CM Punk 6 episodes Cody Rhodes as Cody Rhodes 9 episodes Steve Lombardi 6 episodes Paul Orndorff 7 episodes Chris Pallies 10 episodes Jesse Ventura as Jesse "The Body" Ventura (Commentary) 24 episodes Khosrow Vaziri as The Iron Sheik 11 episodes Tom Billington 9 episodes Don Muraco 9 episodes Jacques Rougeau as Jacques Rougeau 8 episodes Elizabeth Hulette 24 episodes Randy Poffo 32 episodes Bret Hart as Bret "The Hitman" Hart 18 episodes John Wisniski Jr. 15 episodes Jim Duggan 14 episodes Ed Leslie 18 episodes André Roussimoff as Andre the Giant 16 episodes Brian Wickens as Bushwhacker Luke 9 episodes James Ware 9 episodes James Ray Hart 40 episodes Ted DiBiase Sr. as "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase (Manager) 19 episodes Aurelian Smith Jr. 17 episodes Jim Neidhart 17 episodes Harry Fujiwara 16 episodes Vince McMahon as Vince McMahon (Commentary) 21 episodes Roddy Piper as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper 18 episodes Lanny Poffo 10 episodes Ray Heenan 38 episodes Wayne Farris 11 episodes Tully Blanchard as Tully Blanchard 8 episodes James Reiher as "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka 9 episodes Michael Jones as Virgil 14 episodes Robert Miller as Bushwhacker Butch 6 episodes Rick Vigneault as Rick Martel 7 episodes Ken Johnson 27 episodes Barry Darsow as Smash 13 episodes Rick Rood as "Ravishing" Rick Rude 12 episodes Adolfo Bresciano as Dino Bravo 7 episodes Tonga Fifita as Haku 9 episodes George Gray 13 episodes Howard Finkel as Howard Finkel (Ring Announcer) 13 episodes Dave Hebner as Dave Hebner (Referee) 13 episodes Joey Marella as Joey Marella (Referee) 14 episodes Virgil Runnels 7 episodes Daniel Davis as Danny Davis 11 episodes Gene Okerlund as Gene Okerlund (Interviewer) 19 episodes Adnan Al-Kaissie as General Adnan 6 episodes Sherri Russell 12 episodes Bill Eadie as Ax 7 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Associate Producer
David Wolff
Editor
John Servidio
Writer
Christopher DeJoseph Virgil Runnels Vince McMahon
Director
Kerwin Silfies Kevin Dunn Matthew McCarthy
Writers' Assistant
Stephanie McMahon Levesque
Producer
Dick Ebersol Matthew McCarthy Vince McMahon
Thanks
Vince McMahon Sr.
Supervising Producer
Lou Del Prete
Executive Producer
Kevin Dunn
Creator
Vince McMahon
Production Supervisor
Victoria Street
Music Consultant
Cyndi Lauper
Signal Match

Similarity

Where WWE Saturday Night's Main Event overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

wrestling wrestling match professional wrestling sport
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
May 11, 1985
Status
Returning Series
Episode Runtime
90 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
44