Who Walked Out on Top at the May 23rd Edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event?
A week before WWE travels across the Atlantic Ocean towards Turin, Italy, to host Clash in Italy, the superstars of Raw and SmackDown made their way to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Three championship titles were on the line, and momentum before Clash in Italy was at play in every match. Which superstars were able to hold on to their gold, and who got the upper hand en route to Turin? Here is everything that happened at Saturday’s Night Event.
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab
The six-woman tag team match opened the show, and all of them delivered in a very entertaining bout. The story heading into this match was whether or not Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley would get on the same page. They started the match a bit on edge, but eventually, they managed to get along and even deliver a handshake to each other. Just when it seemed that everything was all right in the world, Jade Cargill took advantage of the distraction and attacked all three of them, lifting up Ripley for a Jaded and pinning the Women’s World Champion for the victory. Cargill now holds the momentum heading into the championship rematch at Clash in Italy.
Result: Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab Win
Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca
Both women are too good competitors to receive the finish they did for this match. Yes, Becky Lynch is the heel, and she is looking for any sort of tactic to win, but with the match not even being for the title, losing by disqualification seemed lackluster. It didn’t help that the finish was botched, as Sol Ruca never hit the Sol Snatcher on the referee, but the match was also way too short. It never picked up momentum and felt extremely flat. With the rematch being announced for Clash in Italy for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, there were many other ways to get to that match instead of having this match on the Saturday Night’s Main Event card.
Result: Ruca Wins By Disqualification
Penta vs. Ethan Page for the Intercontinental Championship
Penta continues to prove why he is one of the most entertaining champions in WWE right now. He’s able to work with just about any superstar on the main roster and deliver a fantastic match. The credit should also be given to Ethan Page, as he performed exceptionally well in his heelish ways in his first title opportunity since joining the main roster. As Page distracted the referee by removing the top turnbuckle, he removed another turnbuckle in hopes that he could slam Penta right onto the exposed steel. This would backfire on Page, however, as Penta reversed and threw Page onto the exposed steel, then hit a Mexican Destroyer to win the match and retain the Intercontinental title. There’s no doubt that Page has a bright future on the main roster.
Result: Penta Retains
Paige and Brie Bella vs. The Irresistible Forces for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Despite being put together as a tag team at the last minute at WrestleMania 42 due to Nikki Bella’s unfortunate injury, Paige and Brie Bella have formed a winning chemistry that continues to grow with every title defense. It was only a matter of time before they faced off against the team they took the titles off of: Nia Jax and Lash Legend. The Irresistible Forces used their brute strength to gain the upper hand, but it was Bella’s ring intelligence that helped her and Paige come out on top. As Paige rolled up Jax for the pin, Bella used her leg to give Paige an extra leverage on her pin to win the match and retain the titles.
Result: Paige and Bella Retain
The Vision vs. The Street Profits for the World Tag Team Championship
The Vision will continue their dominance on Raw as the tag team champions. Logan Paul and Austin Theory knew they had a fight on their hands against The Street Profits, and even as they gave them their very best, it was only a matter of time before The Vision called out for help. Bron Breakker tried to interfere in the match but was launched over the announce table by Angelo Dawkins. As The Street Profits hit their finisher and Montez Ford had the pin on Theory, Paul Heyman grabbed Theory’s leg and placed it on the bottom rope to stop the pin. A frustrated Ford attempted to take out his frustration on Heyman, but would find himself on the receiving end of a knockout punch courtesy of Paul, who had the brass knuckles on. Paul would then throw Ford into the ring, where Theory pinned him for the win. Following the match, Breaker laid waste to Ford and Dawkins, delivering a spear to each of them.
Result: Paul and Theory Retain
