WWE returned for two consecutive nights at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with the January 24th edition of Saturday Night Main Event. Highlights included what might be one of AJ Styles’ final matches, a defense of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, and the selection of the new number one contender for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. However, a highly anticipated match featuring Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu was canceled after the two engaged in a heated backstage brawl.
TheSportster uses a detailed rating system to analyze all the matches from the event, identifying the best and worst performances of the night.
3. Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest (Number One Contender Match)
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Sami Zayn was met with a strong reaction from the crowd as he kicked off this fatal four-way, with fans continuing to back him throughout a thrilling contest. The winner would earn the right to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026. Each competitor showcased their strengths—Orton with his polished execution, Trick Williams bringing a fresh, cocky presence, and Priest exhibiting his raw power. Despite the chaotic nature commonly associated with fatal four-ways, this match featured smooth pacing and structure, employing “2 in, 2 out” strategies effectively. A climactic moment came when Zayn secured victory with a final Helluva Kick, delivering a strong conclusion to the night’s lineup.
2. Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. The Judgment Day (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)
Overall Rating: 8/10
Iyo Sky and Liv Morgan set a fierce tone early with aggressive exchanges that maintained intensity throughout the match. Morgan and Roxanne Perez initially dominated Sky before a hot tag to Rhea Ripley ignited the crowd, especially as she faced off against her longtime rival Morgan. The match climaxed in a high-energy display featuring all four women, with big moves, near falls, and continuous involvement from everyone. Although Ripley’s slightly mistimed kickout disrupted the flow momentarily, an outside interference and a late blind tag helped Ripley and Sky retain their titles following a successful Riptide move on Morgan.
1. AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Overall Rating: 9/10
The crowd showed immense appreciation for what was likely the final showdown between two WWE legends. Both Styles and Nakamura were in peak condition, pushing each other to deliver a hard-hitting, emotional encounter that surpassed their previous WWE encounters. The bout captured the essence of “Strong Style” wrestling with every punch and submission attempt packed with intensity and meaning. Nakamura’s leg injury played a crucial role, hindering his momentum and allowing Styles to seize the opportunity to finish the match. After trading signature moves and displaying flawless chemistry, Styles ultimately prevailed by capitalizing on Nakamura’s weakened legs, landing his Phenomenal Forearm and Styles Clash for the victory. This match stands as arguably their finest WWE contest to date.
Fan Take: This event demonstrated WWE’s ability to blend emotional storytelling with high-level in-ring action, especially with the potential farewell of two icons like Styles and Nakamura. It sets a thrilling stage for future title scenes and signals an exciting evolution for WWE’s roster and fan engagement.
