Saturday Night time’s Important Occasion returns this weekend, marking the primary time in practically twenty years WWE has revived their traditional program. By no means a weekly program, Saturday Night time’s Important Occasion aired on NBC at varied instances of the yr from 1985 to 1992 and was revived for a short run beginning in 2006.
Saturday’s card is constructed like a serious WWE premium reside occasion, with 4 championship matches in addition to a grudge match between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. The headliner sees Cody Rhodes seeking to defend his undisputed WWE championship towards longtime buddy turned bitter rival Kevin Owens.Â
World heavyweight champion Gunther should fend off two challengers in a triple menace match towards Finn Balor and Damian Priest. The previous allies turned rivals have been at one another’s throats for months since Balor value Priest the title at SummerSlam and prevented him from regaining the title at Survivor Sequence. Plus, girls’s world champion Liv Morgan defends her crown towards No. 1 contender Iyo Sky.
The primary girls’s United States champion can even be topped on Saturday evening when Chelsea Inexperienced takes on Michin after each superior by means of the event to find out a titleholder.
Let’s check out who the CBS Sports activities specialists are choosing to win every match, which airs reside on NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.
WWE Saturday Night time’s Important Occasion 2024 predictions
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
If WWE needs to make Saturday Night time’s Important Occasion a cannot miss present, reserving a title change within the marquee match units the precise tone. It is also the extra fascinating artistic route. However I do not assume the promotion is able to half methods with their appointed main man. Rhodes oozes the throwback really feel of this occasion and this card may be very a lot constructed round him. Moreover, there are nonetheless feuds we have to see Rhodes in earlier than he is dethroned. Decide: Cody Rhodes retains the title — Shakiel Mahjouri
I count on WWE has Rhodes retain in a traditional Saturday Night time’s Important Occasion “babyface goes over” transfer. However it could be a lot extra fascinating to have Owens win the belt and lengthen the feud out just a little bit. Rhodes can all the time regain the title within the months earlier than WrestleMania for no matter they’ve deliberate, however the points with Owens have been about the one time I’ve discovered Rhodes’ run with the belt fascinating in fairly some time. Owens successful places Rhodes again on the chase the place he is extra fascinating. For that cause, regardless of feeling pretty sure Rhodes will get the win, I’ll decide Owens anyway. Decide: Kevin Owens wins the title — Brent Brookhouse
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor
Including Priest to the match is smart as all three males have points with one another. The group additionally is much extra into Priest when he is concerned with Gunther than another time, so just a little bit of additional warmth is an effective factor. There does not appear to be any likelihood Gunther is leaving with out the title. Priest regaining the belt makes little sense, and whereas Balor is a implausible wrestler, he simply is not actually positioned to be world champion. Add in that the facility wrestle between Balor and Liv Morgan is a central storyline on Uncooked and a Balor loss solely strengthens that dynamic and Gunther retaining appears to be the one play. Decide: Gunther retains the title — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
Ladies’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky
Sky has been lights out as of late and I might like to see her get one other run as champion. There are simply too many issues for Morgan nonetheless to do as champion, together with lastly blowing off her lengthy feud with Rhea Ripley. There’s not way more reasoning wanted for why Morgan will retain on Saturday evening. Decide: Liv Morgan retains the title — Brookhouse (additionally Mahjouri)
Ladies’s United States Championship: Chelsea Inexperienced vs. Michin
I am all in on Chelsea Inexperienced. She is a implausible “sports activities entertainer” in the very best use of the phrase. Inexperienced has been constantly entertaining and is a good alternative for the primary girl to carry a brand new midcard title. A heel champion like Inexperienced simply units up so many enjoyable prospects transferring ahead that it looks as if the precise right play. Decide: Inexperienced defeats Michin to win the title — Brookhouse
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
McIntyre did the very best work of his profession towards CM Punk. However like most of his main feuds in the previous couple of years, he misplaced. It is time WWE rewards McIntyre’s exhausting work with a robust successful streak. Zayn is almost bulletproof because of his beloved underdog standing. McIntyre must get his hand raised in his first match since shedding in Hell in a Cell. Decide: Drew McIntyre wins — Mahjouri (additionally Brookhouse)