WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
May 24, 2025
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
Pre-Show Arrivals
A stoic Drew McIntyre is shown arriving earlier today. His opponent, Damian Priest, is also shown arriving. They’ll battle in a Steel Cage Match. Earlier today, Chelsea Green, with the Secret Hervice, arrived. Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega is also in the building. R-Truth is shown arriving, as is Logan Paul, and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso.
Video: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event intro video.
We go live into the Yuengling Center to see a big pyrotechnics display. Joe Tessitore and Jesse “The Body” Ventura welcome us to the show. Ventura talks about the Steel Cage Match with Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest. Ventura predicts that the match will stay in the cage and be decided there. He doesn’t understand why anyone would be in a Steel Cage Match because you can enter pretty and leave ugly. Tessitore asks about Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul. Ventura wonders if Mike Tyson will take another dive, alluding to Logan’s brother, Jake Paul, and his lackluster fight with Tyson last year.
They throw it to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.
Tag Team Match
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman vs. Sami Zayn and CM Punk
Referee: Shawn Bennett
This is Seth Rollins’ first match on Saturday Night’s Main Event. CM Punk made his entrance to an UNREAL pop. You couldn’t hear the music over the roar of the crowd at first.
Before the match officially starts, they start brawling. Zayn quickly sends Rollins out of the ring. Punk and Zayn double-team Breakker and clothesline him over the top rope.
Rollins and Zayn get in the ring to officially start the match. Rollins backs Zayn into the ropes before the referee backs him up. Breakker runs over Zayn with a clothesline as the referee deals with Rollins. Rollins sends Zayn out of the ring and tags Breakker in. Breakker bounces Zayn’s face off the commentary table and goes to the apron. Breakker leaps off the apron and clotheslines Zayn over the commentary table!
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Breakker punch Zayn to his corner. The referee backs Breakker up. Rollins uses the distraction to punch away at Zayn. Punk is furious. Breakker powers Zayn up for a vertical suplex to pick up a two-count. Breakker does some push-ups after Zayn kicks out. Breakker is taunting Punk. Rollins tags in. Rollins and Breakker send Zayn into the ropes, but he holds on. Zayn elbows Rollins back and gives Breakker a back body drop over the top rope. Zayn rolls under a clothesline from Rollins and tags in Punk to a huge ovation.
Punk hits Rollins with a clothesline and a back elbow before sending him into the ropes for a jumping calf kick. Punk connects with a neckbreaker and takes his shirt off before signalling for the end. Punk lifts Rollins for a Go To Sleep, but Rollins slides off. Punk kicks Rollins and hits Code Red for a near fall. Paul Heyman is stunned by that move. The crowd chants, “CM Punk.” Punk knees Rollins in the face and hits a bulldog. As he hits the bulldog, he clotheslines Breakker down. Punk goes to the top rope and points to the heavens before hitting a diving elbow drop. 1… 2… Rollins kicks out. Punk signals for the end again. Punk lifts Rollins, but Breakker pulls Rollins down. Punk goes after Breakker, but he escapes. Rollins catches Punk with a Pedigree! 1… 2… Zayn breaks up the pin. Breakker gets in the ring and attacks Zayn before sending him over the top rope to the apron. Breakker charges, but Zayn pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Zayn then smashes Breakker with a springboard moonsault block to the floor!
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Punk and Rollins are exchanging punches. The crowd chants for Punk. Punk grabs Rollins’ head and knees him in the midsection several times. Punk lifts Rollins for a GTS, but Rollins gets out. Punk avoids a Stomp, and they take each other out with a double clothesline.
Zayn and Breakker tag in. Zayn goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Breakker gets out. Zayn gets out of a powerbomb attempt, wrenches the arm, scales the ropes, and hits a tornado DDT. Zayn sets up for a Helluva Kick, but Rollins grabs the leg. Punk runs over and hits Rollins with a plancha. Breakker charges, but Zayn hits an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles! Zayn goes to the opposite corner and sizes up Breakker. Zayn goes to charge, but Heyman grabs the ankle! The referee admonishes Heyman. Zayn is not happy.
All of a sudden, “Big” Bronson Reed charges at ringside and hits Punk with a Spear through the barricade! Heyman looks pleased. Breakker then hits Zayn with a Spear for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker
“Big” Bronson Reed gets in the ring and stares at Rollins. Rollins walks over and embraces him! Heyman is thrilled and shouts a bit. Reed shakes hands with Breakker, and they all pose in the ring. Reed has joined with Rollins, Breakker, and Heyman! Suddenly, Punk gets in the ring and grabs at Heyman’s ankles! Reed crushes Punk with a senton splash before heading to the top rope. Punk’s knee got sandwiched on that senton. Rollins and Breakker hold Punk down as Reed CRUSHES him with a Tsunami! They stand over a broken CM Punk.
Backstage Interview
Cathy Kelley is backstage with Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice. Green says she has risen from the ashes. Green says the votes are in. When she beats Zelina Vega, she will enter the second term as the United States Women’s Champion. Green says, “Thank you for your hervice!”
Green then makes her entrance with the Secret Hervice by her side.
-Commercial Break-
Replay: “Big” Bronson Reed made his return and joined forces with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman. CM Punk tried to attack Heyman afterward, but Reed soon crushed him with a Tsunami.
Women’s United States Championship
Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre) vs. Zelina Vega (c)
Referee: Danilo Anfibio
The bell rings, and Chelsea Green immediately takes it to Zelina Vega. Green drives Vega into the turnbuckles and poses. Vega rolls her up for a two-count. Vega hits a head-scissor takeover before going for a 619, but Green moves. Green grabs Vega, but Vega knees her out of the ring. Vega goes to the apron, but Green grabs her and hits a powerbomb on the floor. Green gets her in the ring for a two-count. Green bounces Vega’s face off the canvas before talking some trash. Green slaps her in the face and hits the ropes before slinging her face into the mat for a two-count. The Secret Hervice looks frustrated at ringside. Green digs her knee into Vega’s back and pulls back on the arms. Vega tries to fight up, but Green slings her down before applying a rear chin lock. Vega fights up and hits a jawbreaker, but Green floors her with a big boot. Green stomps her in the corner and backs up. Green goes for a springboard splash, but Vega moves.
Vega kicks Green and sizes her up. Vega hits a pair of clotheslines before blocking a kick and hitting a back suplex. Vega kips up and gets the crowd going. Vega hits a pseudo-meteora in the corner. Green avoids a diving attack and takes her down. Green sets up for an Un-Pretty-Her, but Vega counters with a backstabber. Vega hits a hideous 619, and the crowd starts to boo a bit. Vega goes to the top rope. Alba Fyre distracts the referee as Piper Niven sweeps Vega’s feet. Vega fights back and hits Code Red off the second rope for the win. Green is bleeding pretty badly from the nose.
Winner by Pinfall and still Women’s United States Champion: Zelina Vega
Coming up next, John Cena battles R-Truth.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Hall of Famer “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart is seated at ringside. Also at ringside is WWE Hall of Famer Bushwhacker Luke! Luke tries to lick Hart, but Hart escapes.
WWE World Collide will take place on Saturday, June 7, at 3 p.m. ET. Vikingo will battle Chad Gable.
El Hijo Del Vikingo is shown at ringside.
Video: Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has vowed to ruin wrestling by retiring with the WWE Championship. Cena says he will be the last real champion.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena goes one-on-one with R-Truth next.
-Commercial Break-
NXT Great American Bash, Saturday Night’s Main Event (July 12), and WWE Evolution (July 13) are coming to Atlanta.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena makes his entrance to a polarizing reaction and has Lilian Garcia do an extended announcement for him. R-Truth comes out to Cena’s music and wearing Cena’s gear. Cena looks seriously unimpressed.
Non-Title Match
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena vs. R-Truth
Referee: Jason Ayers
As R-Truth dances around the ring, Cena clotheslines him down. Cena punches away at R-Truth and rips his shirt off. The bell has rung to start the match. The crowd starts dueling chants for Cena. Cena puts R-Truth in the corner and punches him. R-Truth is wearing the jorts. Cena whips him hard into the opposite corner. Cena picks up a few of R-Truth’s earrings that fell out. Cena throws them onto R-Truth. The crowd chants, “You can’t wrestle/Yes, he can.” Cena hits a diving shoulder tackle and looks like he isn’t sweating R-Truth. Cena hits a second diving shoulder tackle, followed by a back suplex powerbomb. Cena connects with the 5 Knuckle Shuffle before lifting him for an Attitude Adjustment, but R-Truth slides off. R-Truth hits a pair of diving shoulder tackles, followed by a back suplex powerbomb. R-Truth connects with a 5 Knuckle Shuffle before hitting his childhood hero with an AA! 1… 2… Cena quickly kicks out. R-Truth quickly transitions to an STF, but Cena gets to the bottom rope to break up the hold. Cena rolls out of the ring to recover.
R-Truth goes outside to grab Cena, but Cena sends him headfirst into the ring post. Cena grabs the Undisputed WWE Championship and gets in the ring. Cena sizes R-Truth up, but he doesn’t hit him with the title. Cena looks like he’s second-guessing his decision. Cena looks to the crowd and looks unsure. Cena then hands the title to referee Jason Ayers. Cena shakes R-Truth’s hand before delivering a low blow! The referee was distracted as he handed the title to a crew member. Cena immediately follows up with an AA for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: John Cena
Cena celebrates with the Undisputed WWE Championship before telling the production crew to cut his music. Cena then runs over R-Truth with a title shot to the skull! Cena walks off.
Video: Steel Cage Match
The Steel Cage lowers over the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Segment
World Heavyweight Champion “Main Event” Jey Uso is walking backstage when he bumps into Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. Cena says it’s been a long time. Uso says he hasn’t seen Cena since he eliminated him to win the Royal Rumble. Cena is happy that Uso remembers that. Cena is looking forward to the next time he sees Uso. There’s something special about Uso being from one of the most prestigious families in wrestling history and losing the title to Logan Paul. Wouldn’t it be something if Cena’s clock runs out and the only title left is around the waist of a YouTuber? That would ruin wrestling. Cena says there’s a lot of pressure for the match tonight. Cena sarcastically wishes him luck and says he’ll be watching closely.
WWE Legend Leilani Kai is at ringsisde. Tatanka is also at ringside.
Jesse “The Body” Ventura joins Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. In 1986, Ventura teamed with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton on Saturday Night’s Main Event, won, and then returned to commentary.
This is the first Steel Cage Match on Saturday Night’s Main Event since 1987, the year I was born.
Steel Cage Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest
Referee: Daphanie LaShaun
As Damian Priest tries to enter the cage, Drew McIntyre attacks him. McIntyre attacks him at ringside and puts two chairs in the ring before getting inside. McIntyre closes the door to start the match.
Priest attacks McIntyre and tries to smash him into the cage wall, but Priest blocks it. Priest attacks and tries to drive McIntyre into the cage, but McIntyre stops him. McIntyre hits a chop, but Priest responds with a flatliner. Priest chops the chest and superkicks him. Priest goozles him, but McIntyre elbows out of a South of Heaven attempt. Priest boots McIntyre in the face and charges, but McIntyre sidesteps him. McIntyre sends Priest into the cage wall. McIntyre scoops him up and lawn darts him into the cage wall.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, McIntyre tries to escape the cage, but Priest cuts him off. Priest stands on the top rope and sets up for a Razor’s Edge, but McIntyre fights out of it. McIntyre slings Priest’s head off the cage wall, knocking him to the canvas. McIntyre leaps, but he rolls through when Priest moves. Priest connects with a Claymore Kick and hits South of Heaven! 1… 2… McIntyre kicks out.
Priest climbs the cage and gets a leg over the top, but McIntyre climbs and grabs him. McIntyre hooks the head and brings Priest off the top of the cage with a superplex! McIntyre counts down and hits a Claymore Kick! 1… 2… Priest barely kicks out! McIntyre is stunned. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Priest and McIntyre exchange punches in the center of the ring. Priest kicks away at McIntyre’s midsection and rocks him with a forearm to the jaw. Priest hits a diving elbow in the corner and hits the ropes, but he holds on before McIntyre can hit a Claymore Kick. Priest rolls McIntyre up for a two-count. McIntyre goozles Priest and hits him with South of Heaven! McIntyre covers and gets a near fall!
McIntyre grabs the steel chair he brought into the cage at the start and smashes it a few times off Priest’s back. McIntyre wedges the chair into the corner and leans Priest’s head against it. McIntyre goes for a Claymore Kick into the chair, but Priest moves. Priest attacks him with the chair and drives the chair into McIntyre’s throat! Priest hits South of Heaven and looks around. Priest lays McIntyre’s head on the chair and grabs the other chair. Priest crushes McIntyre with a con-chair-to! Michael Cole mentions that Priest took out his mentor, Edge, with a con-chair-to. Priest heads to the door and slowly steps out. Priest stops on the bottom step and looks back at McIntyre. Priest then steps off the bottom step to win the match.
Winner: Damian Priest
Jesse “The Body” Ventura is absolutely disgusted that Damian Priest walked out the door rather than going over the top of the cage. Ventura criticizes that as a lackluster end to the match. WWE doctors come to ringside with a stretcher. McIntyre comes to and refuses help before attempting to leave under his own power.
The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Hall of Famers Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham of the US Express are at ringside.
Joe Tessitore and Jesse “The Body” Ventura summarize what we’ve seen so far. Ventura is excited about the return of “Big” Bronson Reed.
Video: World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Champion “Main Event” Jey Uso makes his entrance through the crowd to a huge ovation. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
World Heavyweight Championship
“Main Event” Jey Uso (c) vs. “The Maverick” Logan Paul
Referee: Rod Zapata
The bell rings to start the match. There are only ten minutes left in the show. They lock up, and Uso hooks a side headlock. Paul whips him off, but Uso shoulder tackles him. Uso hits the ropes, so Paul drops down and leapfrogs him. Uso quickly uppercuts him and sends him to the corner, but Paul slingshots over him. Paul knocks him back and hits a blockbuster off the ropes before doing a kip-up. Uso rolls out of the ring to recover. Paul takes Uso out with a plancha.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Uso knocks Paul into the corner with a step-up enzuigiri. Uso gets the crowd going and hits a running hip attack. Uso covers for a two-count. Uso heads to the top rope for an Uso Splash, but Paul gets the knees up and rolls him up for a two-count. Paul is not happy with the referee’s count. Paul lifts Uso up for a rolling fireman’s carry before going for a Lionsault, but Uso gets the knees up.
Uso sends Paul into the ropes for a pop-up Samoan Drop for a two-count. Uso grabs Paul, but he holds onto the middle turnbuckle. Uso pulls him away, and Paul rips the turnbuckle pad off. Uso clotheslines Paul over the top rope and goes for a suicide dive, but Paul punches him in the face with the loaded right hand! Paul bounces Uso off the top turnbuckle and sets up for a Buckshot Lariat, but Uso superkicks him for a two-count. The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Uso charges for a Spear, but Paul sidesteps him and sends him into the exposed turnbuckle! Paul cracks him in the jaw with the loaded right hand and covers! 1… 2… Uso kicks out! Paul grabs Uso, but Uso superkicks him. Uso heads to the top rope and hits an Uso Splash! 1… 2… Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena pulls the referee out of the ring!
Cena punches away at Uso until… “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes runs out to a huge ovation! We haven’t seen Rhodes since he lost to Cena in the Main Event of WrestleMania 41! Rhodes punches away at Cena before dropping down and hitting an uppercut! Rhodes drops the champ with Cross Rhodes. Paul goes to punch Rhodes with brass knuckles, but he ducks. Uso hits Paul with a Spear and goes to the top rope for an Uso Splash! The referee gets in the ring and counts the pin. 1… 2… 3!
Winner by Pinfall and still World Heavyweight Champion: “Main Event” Jey Uso
Rhodes grabs a microphone. Rhodes shouts to Cena, “You’ve ruined enough! I’m sorry that the John Cena Farewell Tour rode right through Rhodes Country, but I’m back. I’m ready to fight! You’ve got yourself a partner in Logan Paul. I’ve got myself a brother in the World Heavyweight Champion. We’ll see you at Money in the Bank!” The broadcast immediately cuts off.