The return of WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event is upon us and it wouldn’t be the same without the legendary commentary team. Though we have lost a bunch since the original airing of the event in 1985, we still have Jesse “The Body” Ventura. The wrestling community is excited about the announcement that the legend, Ventura, will be returning to the commentary booth.
This will mark the first time in 15 years that “The Body” will be part of the broadcast, the last time being Monday Night Raw in 2009. The flamboyant Ventura was a regular commentator alongside Gorilla Monsoon and Vince McMahon and will bring back the nostalgic feel of the event. The historic return of Saturday Night’s Main Event has the wrestling universe buzzing and this most recent news just adds fuel to the fire.
Ventura and SNME History
WWE’s Saturday Night Main Event originally aired regularly between 1985-1992. For most of this era, the event served as a platform to develop storylines leading up to the year’s biggest event WrestleMania. WWE at the time didn’t have weekly broadcasts or monthly Premium Live Events, so NBC’s national broadcast would bring the characters and stories for fans that otherwise would not see the build-up.
Ventura co-hosted the event with McMahon in 1986 and 1987 so it is fitting for WWE to bring back the 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee. Ventura would later be replaced by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper after trying to unionize the wrestling locker room in the 80s. The event has been the home of some of wrestling’s most iconic moments. Saturday Night’s Main Event was the birthplace of the Mega Powers. Millions viewed the most intense handshake of all time between Hulk Hogan and the Macho Man Randy Savage.
It also aired the first-ever non-pay-per-view cage match between Hulk Hogan and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff. Fans also got to witness the twin magic of the Hebners when two referees appeared to screw the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan. With the return of Ventura, there are rumors there will be more legends in the building including Hulk Hogan.
Saturday Night’s Main Event Card
Saturday Night’s Main Event has been the home of some of the most iconic moments in wrestling history. It returns on December 14 at p.m. Eastern time on NBC. The card should not disappoint as it’s filled with title matches. Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes will face off with former ally Kevin Owens. Gunther will defend his Heavyweight Title against the Judgement Day’s Prince, Finn Balor. Iyo Sky will try to defeat Liv Morgan and become the new Raw women’s Champion. The finals for the new Women’s U.S. title will crown their inaugural champion. It promises to be a highly anticipated event, especially with its known history.
Final Thoughts
It is the right move for WWE to reach out and include Jesse Ventura in Saturday Night’s Main Event. The commercials and promotions leading up have a throwback vibe and it would be a shame for the company to not have some of the original superstars in attendance. The colorful Ventura was always entertaining and witty on the mic and it should be interesting for him to be paired with Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and company.
I do think something big should happen on this show. This isn’t the same old Raw or Smackdown, and it should be treated special. Let’s see something that is out of the ordinary such as the two referee scandal. Give the wrestling world something to talk about. Fans who never experienced the NBC event should leave knowing they saw something special. The creative team has been stepping up their game recently, let’s see if it continues into Saturday Night.
