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WWE ‘Saturday Night’s Main Event’: Cody Rhodes Retains Title Under Questionable Circumstances Leading to a Surprise Attack

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: WWE

In the premiere of the revitalized Saturday Night’s Main Event, the WWE teamed once again with NBC to bring pro wrestling back to network television in a series of upcoming broadcasts; the first of which aired last night on Saturday, December 14th and streamed on Peacock.

And a throwback it was; emanating from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Long Island, which was the site of the first Saturday Night’s Main Event in 1985. Throughout the two-hour card, the WWE and NBC brought back the red white and blue ring ropes, classic WWE logo on the turnbuckles, the referees in bowties, retro 80’s graphics and video packages by design. In addition, the great slo-mo replay of a major move by one of the wrestlers right before a commercial break, plus shining a light on WWE legends Jimmy Hart, Tito Santana, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and Koko B. Ware, who were seated at ringside.

On the announce team front, the recent addition of Joe Tessitore to the WWE, has the voice reminiscent of the late, great Gene Okerlund, during Saturday Night’s Main Event’s hey day, plus the return of Jesse “The Body” Ventura, gave the show it’s retro feel. Later, Ventura on color commentary (with the returning Pat McAfee and WWE legendary announcer, Michael Cole) was also pretty stellar. Jesse has a penchant for rooting for the heels and explaining to us how they were wronged, and he made sense doing it making viewers at home seeing the logic of the bad guys.

Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens

The main event featuring Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes squaring off with former friend-turned-enemy, Kevin Owens, with the return of the Winged Eagle belt, left the WWE Universe with more questions than answers! Here’s why!

During a pivotal point in the match, things had swung Owens’ way. When it looked like he has the championship won, he had knocked out referee Charles Robinson while countering a Cross Rhodes. So, there was no one to count to three after he delivered a Stunner to Rhodes. As Kevin laid atop Rhodes, the crowd counted to almost ten before a second official raced down the ring ramp, and by the time he got there, Rhodes had kicked out so the match continued.

However, the second ref would go down this time by Rhodes on a Cody Cutter that was meant for Owens, but he ducked and knocked out the official. A frustrated Owens threw Rhodes into the ring post and went to the outside of the ring and grabbed a chair. He brought said chair into the ring. Rhodes avoided the chair shot and the chair went down inside the ring. Next, Rhodes delivered a Cody Cutter but used the chair to punctuate the move so Owens landed on it, thus allowing him to retain the title, when the initial ref came to and delivered the three count. Cody actually looked at the chair before doing his finishing move and then tossed it out of the ring so the ref wouldn’t see it in heel fashion.

Courtesy/WWE

On television, the show ended with Rhodes celebrating in the ring. However, moments later things got ugly and it was also captured by social media and the WWE of course. As Cody was thanking the fans for coming out to the venue tonight, Owens snuck back into the ring and attacked the champ. Owens then delivered the banned move, the package pile driver. As the officials and a stretcher came to the ring. Owens picked up the belt and stood on top of Cody signifying his belief that the title should have been his.

Next, Owens walks off with the Winged Eagle title belt, as Paul “Triple H” Levesque came out and the two got into a confrontation over Kevin’s right to take the belt and for how he injured Rhodes.  So where does the story go from here? Does this make Owens more unhinged as he feels more wronged than ever? Will Cody be ‘injured’ and unable to defend his title? Is this the beginning of a Rhodes heel turn? Stay tuned.

Photo: WWE

Chelsea Green receives her flowers

Sometimes being a heel makes you very popular with the WWE universe and on this night, Chelsea Green, one of the most entertaining women on the roster, became the first ever Women’s United States champion beating Michin in the finals.

Best ring garb of the night, also went to Green for having mini-Chelsea-like emojis all over her outfit! In the match, Piper Niven, Green’s tag partner, also helped her distract her opponent. In the end, Chelsea delivered an avalanche Unprettier to win the title to a big pop. Niven lifted Green up on her shoulder in the ring to celebrate the moment as Chelsea is now a champ! It should be a fun ride for the next several months for those women chasing this belt, with Green’s antics, personality, and in-ring moves front and center.

Photo: WWE

More Championship Belts Retained

No belts legally changed hands on the premiere of Saturday Night’s Main Event and that included the triple-threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship, featuring champion Gunther vs. Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest.  The match for the most part featured sensational high flying moves from Balor, Priest hitting his Razor’s Edge on the champ, but the champ surviving it all. Gunther once again comes up victorious!

In the Women’s World Championship match, Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky showcased incredible moves with Sky delivering her moonsault multiple times. Throughout the match, the crowed was behind Iyo. However, at a critical point, Morgan got her knees up and quickly turned it into an Oblivion to finish off the “Genius of the Sky.”

The ref raised Morgan’s hand in victory as she retained her championship, but Liv’s nose was noticeably bleeding after getting what looked like a knee to the face earlier in the match from Sky. As she and her cronies, Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriquez, were walking on the ramp towards backstage, Rhea Ripley showed up and confronted Morgan, setting up what looks to be a title shot in the near future for the former champ.

Photo: WWE

Drew McIntrye Gets Clean Win 

The opening bout of Saturday Night’s Main Event, featured Drew McIntyre who wants to take out all members of the Bloodline. So, he started on this occasion with the honoree Uce, Sami Zayn. Both wrestlers put on an amazing offenses that featured moonsaults, Helluva kicks, and Claymores. In the end, the Scottish Warrior delivered his patented Claymore at just the right time for Zayn to get caught in it and lose the match.

Photo: WWE

Overall, we give grade the show/card a B, and look forward to the next one on January 25th from San Antonio, Texas airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

So, what did you think of ‘Saturday Night’s Main Event’? What did you think of the finish of the Rhodes vs. Owens match and its aftermath? Comment below, but first check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s ‘What’s Up? Wrestling’ post-show with ‘TV Insider’s’ Scott Fishman as we recap and share reactions to last night’s special broadcast and card.

 

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.

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AEW

‘AEW Dynamite’ Pays Tribute to PAC Following the Death of Benjamin Satterley in Emotional, Moving, Pitch-Perfect Episode

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AEW Tribute to PAC

AEW delivered what would turn out to be an tear-filled, exceptionally done tribute to one of their own, Benjamin Satterley. better known as PAC. on the Wednesday night September 30 edition of their signature show, AEW Dynamite.

When the world learned of Satterley’s sudden passing on Sunday, September 27, it came just one day after what would be his final match at AEW All Out the night before. Now, for the first time his death, the AEW locker room, the men and the women who knew him best, gathered together to give “Ben” as they knew him, the send-off he deserved.

The special episode which emanated from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was filled with emotional speeches, video packages, and matches dedicated to the wrestling favorite, who was one of the greatest to ever do it, and whose life was cut short at just 40-years-old.

TEARS IN HEAVEN

What was so impressive about how AEW produced this episode was they literally broke the fourth wall and allowed their performers to eulogize Satterley and tape them at the arena earlier in the day, sitting in front of the camera and speaking from their hearts.

The same carried through to the matches on the card. Each held significance, and instead of it being babyfaces vs heels, everyone came together to perform for PAC, for Ben, for this special night.

This unity illustrated how close for the most part the brotherhood and sisterhood among professional wrestlers truly is, in the field of sport entertainment, that is often misunderstood for it’s deeper meaning and what these athletes and performers do night after night by putting their bodies on the line.

The show began with a formal dedication from the commentary team led by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Next, they tossed to an unbelievable poignant video package featuring Jon Moxley with the Death Riders and PAC by his side (for what would be for the last time) speaking to the camera after his loss for the AEW World Title at AEW All Out. Moxley’s speech spoke to what it means to be a professional wrestler, and to “do things with purpose and give a shit,” which was a reference to PAC’s own philosophy.

PAC’S FAMILY SEND SPECIAL MESSAGE

A ten-bell Salute followed for Ben as the entire AEW locker room and company took to the stage alongside an empty chair representing PAC. As the cameras panned, tears were being shed by many of the wrestlers and referee Bryce Remsburg was visibly upset.

Later in the night, Renee Paquette struggled through reading a statement from PAC’s family back in the U.K. Paquette was emotional as she shared the words of thanks from the family to all those who showed Benjamin Satterley the love since his passing and what he meant to them.

MATCHES FILLED WITH HUGS AND MOMENTS HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN

As the wrestlers made their way to the ring for their matches, many times they had tears in their eyes. Each wore an armband with the name PAC on it, and often came to the ring in PAC t-shirts, which AEW is selling online to help out Satterley’s family.

Jon Moxley faced Orange Cassidy in the opening bout, with Cassidy visibly upset. In the end, Moxley retained his Continental Championship. However, after the match, Bryan Danielson, who Moxley also most choked out with a plastic bag, splintering their relationship for what seemed like for good, was greeted in the ring by his former friend, who was in tears. The two hugged it out an emotional moment.

Hangman Adam Page was shown next in a video package just overcome with grief over the loss of Satterley. Next, he along with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reunited as “The Elite” took on members of the Don Callis Family, defeating them in a four on four tag match.

Cash Wheeler and Jay White each remembered PAC in two more video packages with both becoming overwhelmed with sadness and emotion. Swerve Strickland and his stablemates The New Level came out with the Trios Titles, something very connected to the legacy of Ben, and laid a PAC tribute towel over them in the center of the ring.

Next, in one of the more heartbreaking moments, Ricochet recalled how he and Pac shared a small room with bunk beds early in their careers as young wrestlers and how much he loved Satterley.

That was followed by a non-title bout between Ricochet and AEW World Champion, Will Ospreay. Before the match, the two hugged and in its aftermath. In tribute to Pac, Ospreay delivered his signature move off the top rope to secure the pin. This was an incredible match by two of the best wrestlers in the world.

MORE MEMORIES OF BEN

The match was followed by Will Ospreay’s tribute to PAC, including memories and the lasting impact Pac had on Ospreay from a young age. Later, Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin spoke to the cameras, In addition, Marina Shafir as the sole woman “Death Rider” shared her memories, before the women’s four way tag-match in which she appeared.

The main event featured The Death Riders with Bryan Danielson joining them to honor their fallen member, PAC against more members of the Don Callis family which included the return of Wardlow.

The show concluded with a video package honoring PAC, and closed out with empty chair placed under a spotlight in the ring as the wrestlers surrounded it, while the audience chanted “Thank you, PAC!”

What did you think of last night’s AEW Dynamite and how the wrestlers and the company came together to deliver this poignant episode dedicated to Benjamin “PAC” Satterley? Let us know via the comment section, but first check out the final video package in honor of the late pro wrestling favorite below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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