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WWE SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT RESULTS
JANUARY 25, 2025
SAN ANTONIO, TEX. AT FROST BANK CENTER
STREAMING LIVE ON PEACOCK & BROADCASTING LIVE ON NBC
Hosts: Joe Tessitore, Jesse Ventura
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as of show time 15,263 tickets had been distributed shortly before showtime tonight which is near the maximum available even after opening more seats. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators.
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[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with both the English and Spanish sound overlapping on my NBC feed as they showed an aerial view of the arena with downtown San Antonio in the distant background and then fans arriving at the arena as Joe Tessitore introduced the show, calling it “an encore presentation” (which it isn’t). They showed the interior of the arena. They showed wrestlers arriving including Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens (His t-shirt read: “The Canadian Dream Son of a Security Systems Technician”), Shawn Michaels (who got a big pop), Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax, Jey Uso, Gunther, and Ted DiBiase. In the background as DiBiase got out of a vintage blue limousine was a trailer with Hulk Hogan’s image.
(Keller’s Analysis: I switched to Peacock once I heard the overlapping English and Spanish feed, and Peacock did not have that issue.)
-The SNME opening aired to the original theme “Obsession.”
-They showed the sellout crowd as pyro blasted. Tessitore referred to the show as “a perfect blend of modern matches with retro charm, an event that touches on the past, but with new age intensity … with star power that is overwhelming.” He was joined by Jesse Ventura at a podium behind the crowd. Ventura said he was with the original SNME “and now I’m back.” He said before he came down there, he sensed some Minnesota weather earlier in the week “and I can’t believe you bananas closing the schools and calling out the National Guard.” He asked Gov. Abbott, “Can’t you handle a little cold weather?!” Tessitore pivoted to previewing the card. Ventura said the match he is most looking forward to is Sheamus challenging Bron Breakker. He said if he finally wins the IC Title, he’ll make the Hall of Fame.
(1) RHEA RIPLEY vs. NIA JAX – Women’s World Title match
As Jax came out, the graphic noted she has never defeated Ripley one-on-one. They showed Pat McAfee and Michael Cole at ringside. Cole plugged Raw on Netflix. As Ripley made her entrance, a graphic noted this was her first defense since winning the title on the Raw Netflix premiere nearly three weeks earlier. McAfee called her a special talent. Lilian Garcia did ring introductions from an old-style mic lowered from the ceiling. Jax head-butted Ripley during ring introductions. The ref checked on Ripley, and when Ripley said she was ready, the ref called for the bell 11 minutes into the hour. Ripley came out fighting and DDT’d Jax. Jax rolled to ringside. Ripley flip-dove off the ring apron onto Jax.
Back in the ring, Ripley stayed on the attack. Jax took over with a pop-up headbutt to take over. Jax landed a Samoan Drop off the second rope. They cut to an early break. [c]
Back from the break, Ripley made a comeback and landed a Code Red for a near fall. Jax regained control quickly and landed a second rope legdrop for a two count. A “Mami!” chant broke out. Ripley thwarted an Annihilator attempt and then powerbombed Jax off the second rope to the mat. She then went for a Prison Lock, but Jax powered out of it. Jax gave a charging Ripley a uranage. Jax then set up an Annihilator again, but Ripley got up and shoved her to the floor. Ripley then leaped off the top rope and took Jax down with a crossbody press. She dragged Jax back into the ring.
Ripley went for a Riptide, but Jax shifted her weight and landed on Ripley. She then landed the Annihilator. Ripley grabbed her boot as she climbed up for another Annihilator. Jax set it up, but Ripley lifted her onto her shoulders and dropped her back with an Electric Chair. Both were down and slow to get up at 9:00. Jax charged at Ripley in the corner, but Ripley moved. Ripley then delivered a Rip Tide for the win. “What a match!” exclaimed Cole.
WINNER: Jax in 10:00 to retain the Women’s World Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m glad that was a clean finish. As good of a last year as Jax has had, improving in every category to some degree, Ripley is a top act for WWE and she should get a clean win on this stage)
-They showed a clip of Alunda Blayze (Medusa) dropping the WWF Women’s Title belt in the trash on WCW Nitro and then showed her in the crowd. they showed Mark Henry, who was also at Smackdown the night before. He smiled and shook hands with Cole.
-Sheamus made his entrance. [c]
(2) BRON BREAKKER vs. SHEAMUS – Intercontinental Title match
Ventura joined Cole and McAfee at ringside. They showed Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at ringside. McAfee plugged his Netflix comedy special. Breakker’s ring entrance then took place. The graphic noted it was Breakker’s fourth IC Title match. Ventura touted his toughness, but said since he’s a Steiner, he thinks “two and two equals five.” Ventura said he was there 15 years ago when Sheamus won the battle royal that springboarded his career. The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour.
Breakker and Sheamus engaged in a collar and elbow hookup. Ventura talked about the history of the IC Title. He talked about Honky Tonk Man, Randy Savage, and Ricky Steamboat. (Who doesn’t belong in that group?) He said if you go through a list of the great WWF Superstars, they held the IC Title. (He said “WWF.” Oops.) McAfee said it’s a “who’s who of the Hall of Fame” list and known as the “blue collar workers” title. Breakker ran the ropes and knocked Sheamus out of the ring. Cole said he runs at 23 miles an hour and said it wasn’t an embellishment. He said it’s NFL wide receiver speed. Sheamus caught Breakker charging at him at ringside and tossed him into the time keepers’ area. Ventura said the match could be over.
Sheamus leaped of the top rope with a flying clothesline and scored a one count. Sheamus knocked Breakker off the ring apron a minute later and leaped off the ringside steps at him, but Breakker speared him mid-air and drove him into the ringside floor. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Back from the break, Breakker was in control. Sheamus made a comeback and landed a high knee for a two count. Ventura questioned the consistency of the ref’s count. Sheamus landed his barrage of forearm smashes against Breakker’s chest up against the ropes. He then delivered a Celtic Cross and scored a two count. Breakker pressed Sheamus and turned it into a powerslam for a two count at 9:00. Breakker took Sheamus off the top rope with a Frankensteiner. When Breakker charged, Sheamus landed a Brogue kick. Greakker put his right leg over the top rope before three. Ventura protested because the ref counted three and then disallowed the pin.
Breakker ducked a big boot and then speared Sheamus mid-ring for the clean win.
WINNER: Breakker in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match, but not all that memorable. It fit in the shorter timeframe that matches are tending to go in the SNME format. Good to see another clean pin, which should have been and likely was a no-brainer even with the storyline of Sheamus trying to win the one WWE Title that he has failed to capture. Ventura was fine here, I suppose, doing some vintage heel commentary tropes, harping on the referees even if he wasn’t accurate in his criticism. He doesn’t have much current product knowledge, but managed to add a nostalgic touch to the match. Mostly, though, his schtick felt like a relic of a past era that doesn’t really fit today’s approach.)
-Shawn Michaels made his ring entrance. He called Michaels “one of the architects of the Attitude Era” and the innovator of the ladder match. Michaels did his mid-ring dance and seemed to be having a ball. [c]
-They showed scenes of San Antonio as Cole plugged the two main events.
-They showed Ted DiBiase doing his villainous cartoon laugh at ringside. Then then they showed Dory Funk Jr. at ringside. Next up was Hacksaw Jim Duggan (who actually has aged less than his contemporaries).
-Mid-ring, Michaels said he is sweating through his suit because he has been dancing for the last three minutes. He said he is so happy to be back in San Antonio. He held up a folder with a contract. He introduced Kevin Owens first. KO’s t-shirt read: “Cody Sucks Eggs.” Cody made his entrance. They had a tense staredown. Michaels asked them to “be seated, please.”
Michaels said his mission is to get their signatures on the contract one way or another. He said it needs to happen. He asked them to please sign the contract. Cody signed it and slapped the pen down. Michaels slid the contract to Owens,. He picked up the pen, looked at the contract, dropped the pen, and then grabbed the mic. He said last night, Cody said something that pissed him off. He said ten out of ten times he takes the easy way out. He said Cody is a liar. He said he cared about their friendship more than he ever did, which is why he didn’t go after his knee when they wrestled at Bash in Berlin. He said he thinks Cody is the one who takes the easy way out. He said Cody quit when things got difficult. Cody cut him off, yelling, “Enough!”
Cody said he didn’t come there to talk about the past or justify his actions. He told Owens that Michaels didn’t return to San Antonio to listen to him talk. He said his focus is on who he will be defending his title against at WrestleMania and he is done worrying about Owens, “so would you please sign the contract.” He slammed the mic down. Owens said, “Trust me, you’re not done worrying about Kevin Owens.” He said Saturday night at the Royal Rumble, he will shut up those who say he’s not the rightful WWE Champion. He said the focus and fanfare that has been on Cody will shift to him because he deserved it since he arrived ten years ago. “I am taking it from you!” he yelled.
Michaels said, “Jesus, Kevin, you just sound jealous.” KO glared at Michaels and said, “What did you just say?” Michaels repeated himself. KO said Michaels is just like Cody because when times got tough in WWE for him, he quit too. He said Michaels is jealous that he is bringing more pride to that belt than he ever did. Owens said he’ll win the title at the Rumble that everyone can be proud of. He mocked Michaels for saying he lost his smile. He said Cody is going to lose his smile at the Rumble. Owens signed it and he he shoved it into Michaels’s chest.
Michaels asked them to hand over the belts. A referee attached them to a bar which was then raised above them. Michaels said one man will ascend that ladder and walk out the Undisputed WWE Champion. “Gentlemen, good luck,” he said. He shook Cody’s hand. KO punched Cody. Michaels turned and warned Owens. Owens set up a package piledriver. Cody intervened. Michaels then gave Owens his Sweet Chin Music kick. The camera angle took no chance, filming Michaels from behind so no light could be seen if he missed.
(Keller’s Analysis: Solid segment. They didn’t overdo it. Michaels was good. KO and Cody were their usual selves, which is a good thing. Good hype for the Royal Rumble. It’s kinda of amazing they are getting another match out of this feud.)
-They showed Jey Uso warming up.
-Cole threw to a Tale of the Tape on the next match.
-Braun Strowman made his ring entrance. [c]
(3) JACOB FATU vs. BRAUN STROWMAN
Cole said Fatu did three stints in jail before he was 18. He said he wanted to beat people up legally, so he got into pro wrestling. “All gas, no brakes,” said Cole. “Jacob Fatu is just different.” The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Strowman dropped Fatu with an elbow and then clotheslined him over the top rope to ringside. Fatu snapped Strowman’s neck over the top rope. Fatu leaped through the ropes and shoulder tackled Strowman. Cole said there’s no way a man of his size should be able to pull that off. They cut to an early break. [c]
Strowman charged at Fatu at ringside and knocked him into the ringside barricade. He followed up by running around the ring and knocked Fatu over the announce table. McAfee and Cole parted to avoid being hit. Fatu surprised a charging Strowman with a Samoan drop onto the announce desk. He gave Strowman some headbutts and then threw him into the ringside steps. Fatu charged at Strowman with five hip attacks. Unfortunately, the first few showed light and then they went to a new camera angle that masked the lack of any actual impact. The ref tried to get Fatu to back away, so Fatu threw him out of the ring. He landed more hip attacks.
WINNER: Strowman via DQ in 9:00.
-Fatu continued the attack after the match. He threw a chair into the ring. Strowman remained down in the corner. Security ran in and Fatu threw a chair at one of them. Referees and Nick Aldis warned Fatu to back away. Strowman was bleeding from his nose. Fatu gave him a leaping moonsault splash. Cole suggested they hit Fatu with a stun gun or something. McAfee said, “Tase him!” Medics entered the ring. Fans chanted, “One more time.” Fatu landed another springboard moonsault. Tama Tonga pulled him away. Fans loudly chanted, “Fatu! Fatu!”
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m not surprised, but I was hoping they’d see Fatu as important enough to get a clean win over Braun. If they intend for this to be a longer feud, and if they have plans for Strowman to be a top wrestler this year, I understand wanting to get across Fatu is just an unhinged, uncontrollable madman while also “protecting” Braun. I just wish those hip attacks looked better. The blood on Braun’s face made up for the weak hip attacks. The “Fatu” chant at the end works against what WWE is going for and is an issue they should devise a strategy to combat, or else every top babyface he wrestles could be in jeopardy of being undercut.)
-They showed Gunther warming up backstage. [c]
-They showed an aerial shot of Downtown San Antonio.
-They showed Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard at ringside.
-They cut to Cole and McAfee. Cole paid tribute to Gene Okerlund and said Tessitore and Ventura are standing on the “Okerlund position” where he used to conduct interviews.
-Ventura said he’s never seen anyone as vicious at Fatu. He said in his day, they tried to keep it professional. He said it seems to be getting personal. Tessitore touted Ripley’s win. glancing at his notes while he said those few words. (That’s the remaining weakness with Tessitore, his glaring reliance on notes for even the most basic talking points.)
-Cole hyped the Royal Rumble.
-A clip aired of Triple H inviting iShowSpeed to stream live from the Rumble. He said he would be there and he was excited.
-They went back to McAFee and Cole who plugged the Rumble again.
-Jey Uso made his entrance through the crowd. [c]
(4) GUNTHER vs. JEY USO – World Heavyweight Title match
Gunther made his ring entrance. Lilian Garcia did formal ring introductions. As soon as the bell rang 42 minutes into the hour, Gunther kicked Jey as Jey was handing his sunglasses to a girl in the crowd. Gunther chopped away at Jey’s chest. He knocked him to the floor a minute in and they cut to a very early break. [c]
Gunther remained in control after the break and scored a two count after a lariat.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machadoto review WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event LIVE after the NBC/Peacock broadcast concludes. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about SNME. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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