History of Saturday Night's Main Event in Timeline
Saturday Night's Main Event was a series of WWE professional wrestling television specials that aired on NBC from 1985 to 1992. These specials temporarily replaced Saturday Night Live in its late-night slot, offering wrestling content to a broad audience.
1984: WWF Specials on MTV
In 1984, WWF specials on MTV, including The Brawl to End It All and The War to Settle the Score, achieved high ratings, leading to the creation of Saturday Night's Main Event.
May 10, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event I
Saturday Night's Main Event I took place on May 10, 1985, from Uniondale, New York, in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
May 11, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event Debut
On May 11, 1985, Saturday Night's Main Event debuted on NBC in the late-night time slot, a deal between Dick Ebersol and Vince McMahon after high ratings from WWF specials on MTV in 1984-85.
October 3, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event II
Saturday Night's Main Event II took place on October 3, 1985, from East Rutherford, New Jersey, at the Brendan Byrne Arena.
October 5, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event II Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event II aired on October 5, 1985, on NBC and drew an 8.3 rating.
October 31, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event III
Saturday Night's Main Event III took place on October 31, 1985, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, at the Hersheypark Arena.
November 2, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event III Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event III aired on November 2, 1985, on NBC and drew a 6.3 rating.
December 19, 1985: Saturday Night's Main Event IV
Saturday Night's Main Event IV took place on December 19, 1985, from Tampa, Florida, at the USF Sun Dome.
1985: Theme Song
From 1985 to 1988, the opening theme song for the NBC version was "Obsession" by Animotion with the closing theme being "Take Me Home" by Phil Collins, and also the beginning of "Take On Me" by a-ha was used for show bumpers. Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" was also used as a closing theme.
1985: Saturday Night's Main Event's Greatest Hits Cassette Release
In 1985, Coliseum Video released "Saturday Night's Main Event's Greatest Hits" containing six matches from 1985 to 1987.
1985: Saturday Night's Main Event Broadcast
In 1985, Saturday Night's Main Event began broadcasting on NBC, replacing Saturday Night Live in its late-night slot occasionally throughout the year.
January 4, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event IV Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event IV aired on January 4, 1986, on NBC and drew a 10.4 rating.
February 15, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event V
Saturday Night's Main Event V took place on February 15, 1986, from Phoenix, Arizona, at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
March 1, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event V Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event V aired on March 1, 1986, on NBC and drew a 10.0 rating.
May 1, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event VI
Saturday Night's Main Event VI took place on May 1, 1986, from Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Civic Center.
May 3, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event VI Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event VI aired on May 3, 1986, on NBC and drew a 9.3 rating.
September 13, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event VII
Saturday Night's Main Event VII took place on September 13, 1986, from Richfield, Ohio, at the Coliseum at Richfield.
October 4, 1986: Introduction of Cold Open
Starting on the October 4, 1986 edition, each show featured a cold open of short wrestler promos set to a loop of the beginning of Lee Ritenour's "Traveling Music" from the American Flyers soundtrack.
November 15, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event VIII
Saturday Night's Main Event VIII took place on November 15, 1986, from Los Angeles, California, at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
November 29, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event VIII Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event VIII aired on November 29, 1986, on NBC and drew a 9.7 rating.
December 14, 1986: Saturday Night's Main Event IX
Saturday Night's Main Event IX took place on December 14, 1986, from Hartford, Connecticut, at the Hartford Civic Center.
1986: Jake Roberts Attacks Ricky Steamboat
In 1986, Jake Roberts sneak-attacked Ricky Steamboat and took him out with his finisher, the DDT, on the arena's concrete floor prior to the match starting, helping set up a feud.
1986: Airdates Pattern
Starting in 1986, Saturday Night's Main Event settled into a predictable pattern of airdates including New Year's weekend, late February/early March, late April/early May, late September/early October, and Thanksgiving weekend.
January 3, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event IX Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event IX aired on January 3, 1987, on NBC and drew a 10.6 rating.
February 21, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event X
Saturday Night's Main Event X took place on February 21, 1987, from Detroit, Michigan, at the Joe Louis Arena.
March 14, 1987: Highest Rating Show
On March 14, 1987, Saturday Night's Main Event drew an 11.6 rating, the highest in its time slot, headlined by a battle royal involving Hulk Hogan and André the Giant, previewing their WrestleMania III match.
April 28, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XI
Saturday Night's Main Event XI took place on April 28, 1987, from Notre Dame, Indiana, at the Edmund P. Joyce Center.
May 2, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XI Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event XI aired on May 2, 1987, on NBC and drew a 9.5 rating.
September 23, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XII
Saturday Night's Main Event XII took place on September 23, 1987, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, at the Hersheypark Arena.
October 3, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XII Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event XII aired on October 3, 1987, on NBC and drew a 9.7 rating.
November 11, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XIII
Saturday Night's Main Event XIII took place on November 11, 1987, from Seattle, Washington, at the Seattle Center Coliseum.
November 28, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XIII Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event XIII aired on November 28, 1987, on NBC.
December 7, 1987: Saturday Night's Main Event XIV
Saturday Night's Main Event XIV took place on December 7, 1987, from Landover, Maryland, at the Capital Centre.
1987: Saturday Night's Main Event's Greatest Hits Cassette Release
In 1987, Coliseum Video released "Saturday Night's Main Event's Greatest Hits" containing six matches from 1985 to 1987.
1987: WWF Slammy Awards Theme
In 1987, the new instrumental theme was originally used as the theme of the WWF Slammy Awards.
January 2, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XIV Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event XIV aired on January 2, 1988, on NBC.
February 5, 1988: The Main Event Premiere
On February 5, 1988, The Main Event premiered, featuring a WrestleMania III rematch between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant, drawing 33 million viewers and a 15.2 rating, the highest-rated wrestling show in American history.
February 1988: Hogan vs. André the Giant Rematch
In February 1988, a rematch between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant from WrestleMania III occurred at The Main Event, leading to the WWF title being vacated until WrestleMania IV. It was released in 2009 on a WWE DVD set.
February 1988: Theme Song Change
In February 1988, the songs were replaced with an original WWF-created instrumental theme, which was originally used as the theme of the 1987 WWF Slammy Awards.
March 7, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XV
Saturday Night's Main Event XV took place on March 7, 1988, from Nashville, Tennessee, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
March 12, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XV Aired
Saturday Night's Main Event XV aired on March 12, 1988, on NBC and drew a 10.0 rating.
April 11, 1988: Don Muraco vs. Butch Reed Aired on Prime Time Wrestling
On April 11, 1988, Don Muraco vs. Butch Reed, which was taped earlier, aired on Prime Time Wrestling.
April 22, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVI
On April 22, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVI took place in Springfield, Massachusetts. Notably, Hulk Hogan was absent due to taking a leave to film "No Holds Barred."
April 30, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVI Aired
On April 30, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVI, which took place on April 22, aired on NBC. This event marked the first time Hulk Hogan was not featured in televised matches or interviews, due to his leave of absence for filming 'No Holds Barred'.
October 25, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVII
On October 25, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVII took place in Baltimore, Maryland.
October 29, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVII Aired
On October 29, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVII aired on NBC, drawing an 8.7 rating.
November 16, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII
On November 16, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII took place in Sacramento, California.
November 26, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII Aired
On November 26, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII aired on NBC, drawing a 9.4 rating.
December 7, 1988: Saturday Night's Main Event XIX
On December 7, 1988, Saturday Night's Main Event XIX took place in Tampa, Florida.
1988: More Saturday Night's Main Event Cassette Release
In 1988, Coliseum Video released "More Saturday Night's Main Event" containing nine matches from 1988 to 1989.
1988: Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition) Release
In 1988, WWF Matches appeared on "Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition)" through Columbia House, comprising five matches from 1988 to 1990, released in 1992.
1988: The Main Event Spinoff
In 1988, a spin-off of Saturday Night's Main Event, titled The Main Event, began airing annually on a Friday night in February.
1988: Winged Eagle Belt Introduction
In the new revival, Cody Rhodes wore the "Winged Eagle" belt (first introduced in 1988 for the World Heavyweight Championship) to represent his Undisputed WWE Championship.
January 7, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XIX Aired
On January 7, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XIX aired on NBC.
February 1989: Mega Powers vs. Twin Towers Match
In February 1989, the Mega Powers (Hogan and Randy Savage) faced the Twin Towers (The Big Boss Man and Akeem) at The Main Event, leading to the breakup of the Mega Powers and Hogan winning the WWF title at WrestleMania V. It was released in 2009 on a WWE DVD set.
February 16, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XX
On February 16, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XX took place in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
March 11, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XX Aired
On March 11, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XX aired on NBC, drawing a 10.0 rating.
April 25, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXI
On April 25, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXI took place in Des Moines, Iowa.
May 27, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXI Aired
On May 27, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXI aired on NBC.
July 18, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXII
On July 18, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXII took place in Worcester, Massachusetts.
July 29, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXII Aired
On July 29, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXII aired on NBC.
September 21, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXIII
On September 21, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXIII took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 14,000 attendees, 12,000 of whom paid for tickets.
October 14, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXIII Aired
On October 14, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXIII aired on NBC, drawing a 9.5 rating.
October 31, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXIV
On October 31, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXIV took place in Topeka, Kansas.
November 25, 1989: Saturday Night's Main Event XXIV Aired
On November 25, 1989, Saturday Night's Main Event XXIV aired on NBC, drawing an 8.7 rating.
1989: More Saturday Night's Main Event Cassette Release
In 1989, Coliseum Video released "More Saturday Night's Main Event" containing nine matches from 1988 to 1989.
1989: Summertime Bonus Edition
In 1989, an episode in July was promoted as a "Summertime Bonus Edition" of Saturday Night's Main Event.
January 3, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXV
On January 3, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXV took place in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
January 27, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXV Aired
On January 27, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXV aired on NBC, drawing an 11.1 rating.
April 23, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVI
On April 23, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVI took place in Austin, Texas.
April 28, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVI Aired
On April 28, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVI aired on NBC.
July 16, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII
On July 16, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII took place in Omaha, Nebraska.
July 28, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII Aired
On July 28, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII aired on NBC, drawing a 7.2 rating.
September 18, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVIII
On September 18, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVIII took place in Toledo, Ohio.
October 13, 1990: Saturday Night's Main Event XXVIII Aired
On October 13, 1990, Saturday Night's Main Event XXVIII aired on NBC.
1990: Roddy Piper Replaces Ventura
In 1990, Roddy Piper replaced Jesse "The Body" Ventura as McMahon's broadcast partner when Ventura left the WWF.
1990: Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition) Release
In 1990, WWF Matches appeared on "Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition)" through Columbia House, comprising five matches from 1988 to 1990, released in 1992.
1990: Summertime Bonus Edition and Arsenio Hall
In 1990, an episode in July was promoted as a "Summertime Bonus Edition" of Saturday Night's Main Event. Some of the Superstars would come on The Arsenio Hall Show interviewed by Arsenio Hall himself to build up/hype of the event.
1990: Ratings Decline
In 1990, ratings for Saturday Night's Main Event began to decline, leading to NBC's eventual decision to drop the show.
April 27, 1991: Final NBC Airing
On April 27, 1991, the final NBC airing of Saturday Night's Main Event occurred after ratings declined and NBC shifted focus to NBA games.
1991: NBC Drops Saturday Night's Main Event
In 1991, NBC dropped Saturday Night's Main Event due to falling ratings during the 1990s.
1991: Last Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC
In 1991, Saturday Night's Main Event XXIX aired on NBC, marking the last episode on the network until the show's return in 2006.
1991: Harley Race's Injury
In 1991, during a match with Hulk Hogan, Harley Race suffered a legitimate injury when he crashed through a table outside the ring after a diving headbutt attempt, leading to his eventual retirement.
January 27, 1992: Saturday Night's Main Event XXX
On January 27, 1992, Saturday Night's Main Event XXX took place in Lubbock, Texas. It was the first episode to air on Fox.
February 8, 1992: Saturday Night's Main Event on Fox
On February 8, 1992, Saturday Night's Main Event aired on Fox.
February 1992: Different Opening Theme
In February 1992, a different opening theme song was used for the episode of Saturday Night's Main Event that aired on Fox.
October 27, 1992: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI
On October 27, 1992, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI took place in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was the last Saturday Night's Main Event episode to air on FOX until the show's return in 2006.
November 14, 1992: Final Saturday Night's Main Event of Original Run
On November 14, 1992, the final Saturday Night's Main Event of the original run was broadcast on Fox.
1992: Last Saturday Night's Main Event on FOX
In 1992, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI aired on FOX, marking the last episode on the network until the show's return in 2006.
1992: End of NBC Broadcast
In 1992, the WWF moved Saturday Night's Main Event to Fox, which aired two editions before the show was discontinued on the network.
1992: Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition) Release
In 1992, the WWF released "Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (Collector's Edition)" through Columbia House, comprising five matches from 1988 to 1990.
2005: Raw Returns to USA Network
In 2005, WWE's flagship show, Raw, returned to the USA Network, setting the stage for the revival of Saturday Night's Main Event.
March 18, 2006: Return to NBC
On March 18, 2006, Saturday Night's Main Event returned to NBC in a prime-time slot; the first episode aired on a 1-hour time delay, and the second episode aired live.
June 2006: ECW Brand Relaunched
In June 2006, the ECW brand was relaunched, later being featured in Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII on July 15, 2006.
2006: Saturday Night's Main Event Revived
In 2006, Saturday Night's Main Event was revived as a "special series" to air occasionally on NBC, featuring the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand rosters.
May 28, 2007: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV
On May 28, 2007, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
June 2, 2007: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV Aired
On June 2, 2007, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIV, which took place on May 28, aired on NBC, drawing a 2.2 rating.
August 13, 2007: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV
On August 13, 2007, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV took place in New York City at Madison Square Garden.
August 18, 2007: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV Aired
On August 18, 2007, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXV aired on NBC, drawing a 2.5 rating.
July 2008: Series Discontinued
In July 2008, the Saturday Night's Main Event series was discontinued.
July 28, 2008: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVI
On July 28, 2008, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVI took place in Washington, D.C.
August 2, 2008: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVI Aired
On August 2, 2008, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVI aired on NBC as a 1-hour special, drawing a 1.4 rating.
2008: Last SNME Special Until 2024
In 2008, the last Saturday Night's Main Event special aired until the return of the specials in 2024.
2008: End of Revival Series
In 2008, the revived series of Saturday Night's Main Event was discontinued after five episodes.
February 10, 2009: WWE Releases Saturday Night's Main Event DVD Set
On February 10, 2009, the WWE released a three-disc DVD set on the history of Saturday Night's Main Event, including over 30 full matches and non-wrestling segments.
2009: WrestleMania Highlights Specials
In 2009, in lieu of Saturday Night's Main Event, WWE began producing hour-long WrestleMania highlights specials for NBC, beginning with The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania: The World Television Premiere.
2019: SmackDown Move to Fox
In 2019, WWE SmackDown moved from USA to Fox before eventually returning to USA Network.
April 2022: Repurposing of Saturday Night's Main Event Title
In April 2022, WWE repurposed the Saturday Night's Main Event title for house shows held on Saturday nights.
2022: Exclusion of 2022 House Show Results
The match results for Saturday Night's Main Event's televised shows are listed, excluding results for any of the 2022 house shows.
September 17, 2024: Second Revival Announcement
On September 17, 2024, WWE announced the production of a second revival of Saturday Night's Main Event, with the first episode airing on December 14 from Nassau Coliseum.
November 15, 2024: Women's United States Championship Tournament Began
On November 15, 2024, the tournament to crown the inaugural Women's United States Champion began, concluding on December 14, 2024, at the Saturday Night's Main Event special.
December 14, 2024: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVII
On December 14, 2024, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVII took place in Uniondale, New York, marking the first special since 2008 and the crowning of the inaugural WWE Women's United States Champion.
January 25, 2025: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVIII
On January 25, 2025, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXVIII took place in San Antonio, Texas. The event featured a contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens for their Ladder match at the Royal Rumble.
May 24, 2025: Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX
On May 24, 2025, Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX will take place in Tampa, Florida.
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