How many title changes happened on Saturday Night"s Main Event?

The Story of Saturday Night’s Main Event

By the middle of 1985, the WWE became a major part of American popular culture. NBC jumped on the wrestling bandwagon and started to broadcast Saturday Night’s Main Event on weekends when Saturday Night Live would have been showing reruns. The benefits for the WWE were many. At this time, cable TV was still in it’s infancy and many markets in the country still did not show WWE programming.

In addition to expanding their market, the WWE learned how to produce a better looking television programming by working with NBC and using their television crew. This show also helped the WWE to sign new stars as they were the only promotion to be recognized by most of the mainstream media. If a wrestler wanted to be a star, he knew that he would have to sign with the WWE.

As great as this show was for the WWE, it was even better for the fans. Prior to this show, most WWE programming featured a star against a jobber in a squash match. They would then spend a good part of the show selling an event in your local area to see the stars battle. This was the first time in WWE history that great matches were shown for free.

With the success of the show, NBC broadcast several live prime time specials of the show from 1988 to 1991. In 1992, the show moved to FOX for two broadcasts before going on hiatus for fourteen years. In 2006, the show was briefly brought back to life by NBC and shown during prime time.

However, with WWE showing great matches on a regular basis weekly on both RAW and SmackDown, the program was not as special for wrestling fans and the reincarnation did not last for long. In 2009, WWE released a 3-disc DVD set entitled The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event.

Title Changes That Took Place on Saturday Night's Main Event

2/5/88 WWE Championship: Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan
2/5/88 WWF Championship: Andre vacated the title and gave it to Ted DiBiase. The transfer of the title was later ruled invalid and the title was declared vacant.
7/29/89 World Tag Team Championship: The Brain Busters (Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson) beat Demolition in a Best-of-3 Falls Match
11/14/92 Intercontinental Championship: Shawn Michaels beat The British Bulldog

Saturday Night's Main Event Results (the broadcast date is listed and all shows were on NBC unless otherwise noted)

SNME #1 – Nassau Coliseum; Uniondale, NY 5/11/85

Barry Windham, Mike Rotundo & Ricky Steamboat beat The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff & George Steele
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Bob Orton
Pipers Pit with Paul Orndorff: Bob Orton & Roddy Piper attacked Paul Orndorff. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T came out to save him.
Women's Championship: Champion Wendi Richter beat The Fabulous Moolah
Junkyard Dog beat Pete Dougherty

SNME #2 – Meadowlands Arena; East Rutherford, NJ 10/5/85

WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Nikolai Volkoff
Uncle Elmer beat Jerry Valiant
Uncle Elmer got married. Roddy Piper interrupted the ceremony while Jesse Ventura made fun of the couple on commentary.
Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper fight to a double count out
Andre the Giant & Tony Atlas beat King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd by DQ. Hulk Hogan came out to save Andre the Giant from a post-match beat down.
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine beat Lanny Poffo & Tony Garea

SNME #3 – Hershey Park Arena; Hershey, PA 11/2/85

Terry Funk beat The Junkyard Dog
Pipers Pit with Uncle Elmer, Hillbilly Jin & Cousin Junior
Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant beat King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd by DQ
Intercontinental Championship: Randy Savage beat Champion Tito Santana by count out
Ricky Steamboat beat Mr. Fuji

SNME #4 – The Sundome; Tampa, FL 1/4/86

Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper & Bob Orton beat Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, & Cousin Luke
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Terry Funk
Randy Savage beat George "The Animal" Steele. During the match, George fell in love with Miss Elizabeth.
Peace Match: Nikolai Volkoff beat Cpl. Kirchner
Ricky Steamboat & Junkyard Dog beat Mr. Fuji & Don Muraco

SNME #5 – Veterans Memorial Coliseum; Phoenix, AZ 3/1/86

Boxing Match: Mr. T beat Bob Orton by count out. After the match, Bob Orton & Roddy Piper whipped Mr. T with a belt.
King Kong Bundy beat Steve Gatorwolf
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Don Muraco by DQ. After the match, Hogan was injured by King Kong Bundy & Don Muraco
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake beat The British Bulldogs
The video for Real American was premiered
Junkyard Dog beat Adrian Adonis

SNME #6 – Providence Civic Center; Providence, RI 5/3/86

Hulk Hogan & Junkyard Dog beat Terry & Dory Funk
King Kong Bundy beat Uncle Elmer
Adrian Adonis beat Paul Orndorff by DQ
Jake Roberts and Ricky Steamboat didn't wrestle because Roberts injured Steamboat before the match started
World Tag Team Championship: Champions The British Bulldogs beat The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff in a Best-of-3 Falls Match

SNME #7 – Richfield Coliseum; Richfield, OH 10/4/86

WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Paul Orndorff by DQ
Ricky Steamboat beat Jake Roberts
Roddy Piper beat The Iron Sheik
Tag Team Championship: Champions The British Bulldogs beat Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake in a Best-of-3 Falls Match
Kamala beat Lanny Poffo

SNME #8 – Los Angeles Sports Arena; Los Angeles, CA 11/29/86

Intercontinental Championship: Champion Randy Savage fought Jake Roberts to a double disqualification
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Hercules Hernandez
Roddy Piper beat Bob Orton
The Killer Bees beat The Hart Foundation
Koko B. Ware beat Nikolai Volkoff
Don Muraco beat Dick Slater

SNME #9 – Hartford Civic Center; Hartford, CT 1/3/87

Cage Match for WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Paul Orndorff. The match was restarted when both men exited the cage at the same time.
Intercontinental Championship: Champion Randy Savage beat George Steele
Junkyard Dog beat Harley Race by DQ
Adrian Adonis beat Roddy Piper by count out
Blackjack Mulligan beat Jimmy Jack Funk

SNME #10 – Joe Louis Arena; Detroit, MI 3/14/87

Intercontinental Championship: Champion Randy Savage beat George Steele
Battle Royal: Hercules won by last eliminating Billy Jack Haynes
King Kong Bundy beat Jake Roberts by count out
World Tag Team Championship: Champions The Hart Foundation beat Tito Santana & Danny Spivey
Ricky Steamboat beat The Iron Sheik

SNME #11 – Joyce Center; South Bend, IN 5/2/87

Kamala beat Jake Roberts
Lumberjack Match: Randy Savage beat George Steele
Best-of-3 Falls Match for the World Tag Team Championship: The British Bulldogs beat Champions The Hart Foundation. Since one of the falls was by DQ, The Hart Foundation kept the titles.
Intercontinental Championship: Champion Ricky Steamboat beat Hercules by DQ
Rick Martel & Tom Zenk beat The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff

SNME #12 – Hershey Park Arena; Hershey, PA 10/3/87

Intercontinental Championship: Randy Savage beat Champion The Honky Tonk Man by DQ. After the match, Elizabeth was shoved to the floor and Hulk Hogan made the save. This was the moment the Mega Powers were born.
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Sika
King Kong Bundy beat Paul Orndorff
World Tag Team Championship: Champions The Hart Foundation beat Paul Roma & Jim Powers

SNME #13 – Seattle Center Arena; Seattle, WA 11/28/87

George Steele beat Danny Davis by DQ
Randy Savage beat Bret Hart
WWE Championship: King Kong Bundy beat Champ Hulk Hogan by count out
Bam Bam Bigelow beat Hercules

SNME #14 – Landover Arena; Landover, MD 1/2/88

World Tag Team Championship: Champions Strike Force beat The Bolsheviks
Jake Roberts beat Sika
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan pinned King Kong Bundy
Greg Valentine beat Koko B. Ware

The Main Event 1 – Market Square Arena; Indianapolis, IN 2/5/88
This show was broadcast live on NBC during Prime Time on a Friday Night

Intercontinental Championshipe: Randy Savage beat Champion The Honky Tonk Man by DQ
WWE Championship: Andre the Giant beat Hulk Hogan to win the title with the help of a twin referee paid for by Ted DiBiase. Andre then gave the title to Ted DiBiase. This was the most watched match in American television history.
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Strike Force beat The Hart Foundation (only the beginning of the match was shown due to time constraints)

SNME #15 – Municipal Auditorium; Nashville, TN 3/12/88

Brutus Beefcake beat Greg Valentine
Hulk Hogan beat Harley Race
Ted DiBiase beat Randy Savage by count out
The Islanders beat The Killer Bees

SNME #16 – Civic Center; Springfield, MA 4/30/88

Jim Duggan beat Hercules by DQ
Brutus Beefcake beat Danny Davis by submission
WWE Championship: Champion Randy Savage beat One Man Gang
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Demolition beat The British Bulldogs by DQ
Ted DiBiase beat Don Muraco
Rick Rude beat Koko B. Ware

SNME #17 – Baltimore Arena; Baltimore, MD 10/29/88

Jake Roberts beat Rick Rude by DQ. After the match Andre the Giant was scared by Jake's snake Damien.
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Demolition beat The Hart Foundation
Hulk Hogan beat Haku
Dino Bravo beat Ken Patera
Big Boss Man beat Jim Powers

SNME #18 – Arco Arena; Sacramento, CA 11/26/88

Intercontinental Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Super Ninja
Hercules beat Virgil
WWE Championship: Champion Randy Savage beat Andre the Giant by DQ
Flag Match: Jim Duggan beat Boris Zuhkov
The Rougeau Brothers beat Paul Roma & Jim Powers

SNME #19 – The Sundome; Tampa, FL 1/7/89

Hair vs. Hair Match: Brutus Beefcake beat Ron Bass
Hulk Hogan beat Akeem by DQ
Intercontinental Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat The Honky Tonk Man
Tito Santana beat The Red Rooster
Curt Hennig beat Koko B. Ware

The Main Event 2 – Bradley Center; Milwaukee, WI 2/3/89
This show was broadcast live on NBC during Primetime on a Friday Night

Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan beat The Big Boss Man & Akeem. After the match, Randy Savage attacked Hogan in the infirmary where Elizabeth was recovering. This was the break-up of The Mega Powers.
Ted DiBiase beat Hercules

SNME #20 – Hershey Park Arena; Hershey, PA 3/11/89

Brutus Beefcake beat Rick Rude by DQ
Hulk Hogan beat Bad News Brown
Ted DiBiase beat The Blue Blazer
The Rockers & The Brain Busters fought to a double count out
The Red Rooster beat The Brooklyn Brawler

SNME #21 – Veterans Auditorium; Des Moines, IA 5/27/89

Intercontinental Championship: Jim Duggan beat Champion Rick Rude by count out
Randy Savage beat Jim Neidhart
Steel Cage Match for WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat The Big Boss Man
World Tag Team Championship: The Brain Busters beat Champions Demolition by disqualification
Jimmy Snuka beat Boris Zuhkov

SNME #22 – The Centrum; Worchester, MA 7/29/89

WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat The Honky Tonk Man
Jimmy Snuka beat Greg Valentine
Brutus Beefcake beat Randy Savage by DQ when Zeus interfered
Best-of-3 Falls Match for the World Tag Team Championship: The Brain Busters won the titles from Demolition

SNME #23 – Riverfront Coliseum; Cincinnati, OH 10/14/89

Randy Savage beat Jimmy Snuka
WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Ted DiBiase
Roddy Piper beat Haku
Tito Santana & Rick Martel fought to a double disqualification
The Bushwhackers beat The Rougeau Brothers

SNME #24 – Kansas Coliseum; Topeka, KS 11/25/89

Intercontinental Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Andre the Giant by DQ
WWE Championship: Lanny Poffo beat Champion Hulk Hogan by count out
Dusty Rhodes beat The Big Boss Man
Best-of-3 Falls Match: The Rockers beat The Brain Busters

SNME #25 – UTC Arena; Chattanooga, TN 1/27/90

Randy Savage beat Jim Duggan
WWE Champion Hulk Hogan & Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Curt Hennig & Lanny Poffo
Jake Roberts beat Greg Valentine by DQ
Dusty Rhodes and Rick Rude fought to a double count out
Dino Bravo pinned Ronnie Garvin

The Main Event 3 – Joe Louis Arena; Detroit, MI 2/23/90
This show was broadcast live on NBC during Prime Time on a Friday Night

WWE Championship: Champion Hulk Hogan beat Randy Savage in a match featuring Buster Douglas as the special guest referee. Mike Tyson was originally scheduled to be the referee but lost his title a few days earlier to Buster Douglas.
Intercontinental Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Earthquake

SNME #26 (The Tussle in Texas) – Erwin Center; Austin, TX 4/28/90

Hulk Hogan beat Curt Hennig
Earthquake beat Hillbilly Jim
The Hart Foundation & The Rockers fought to a double disqualification
WWE Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Haku
Big Boss Man beat Akeem by DQ

SNME #27 (Wild Kingdom) – Civic Auditorium; Omaha, NE 7/28/90

WWE Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Rick Rude by DQ
World Tag Team Championship: Champions Demolition beat The Rockers
Intercontinental Championship: Champion Curt Hennig beat Tito Santana
Kerry Von Erich beat Buddy Rose

SNME #28 (Oktoberfest) – Sports Arena; Toledo, OH 10/13/90

The Ultimate Warrior & Legion Of Doom beat Demolition
Randy Savage beat Dusty Rhodes by count out
Hulk Hogan & Tugboat beat Greg Valentine & The Honky Tonk Man by DQ
Sgt. Slaughter beat Koko B Ware
Intercontinental Championship: Champion Kerry Von Erich beat Haku

The Main Event 4 – Allen County Coliseum; Ft. Wayne, IN 11/23/90
This show was broadcast on tape delay on NBC during Prime Time on a Friday Night

WWE Championship: Champion The Ultimate Warrior beat Ted DiBiase by DQ
Nikolai Volkoff beat Sgt. Slaughter by DQ
Curt Hennig beat The Big Boss Man by count out
Rick Martel beat Tito Santana

The Main Event 5 – The Coliseum; Macon, GA 2/1/91
This show was broadcast on tape delay on NBC during Prime Time on a Friday Night

Hulk Hogan & Tugboat beat Earthquake & Dino Bravo
WWE Championship: Jim Duggan beat Champion Sgt. Slaughter by DQ
The Legion of Doom beat The Orient Express

SNME #29 – Civic Auditorium; Omaha, NE 4/27/91

The Ultimate Warrior beat Sgt. Slaughter by DQ
World Tag Team Championship Champions The Nasty Boys beat The Bushwhackers
Ted DiBiase & Bret Hart fought to a double count out
The Mountie beat Tito Santana
Battle Royal: Curt Hennig won by last eliminating Greg Valentine

SNME #30 – Municipal Coliseum; Lubbock, TX 2/8/92
This show was broadcast on FOX

Intercontinental Championship: Champion Roddy Piper beat The Mountie
Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice beat Ric Flair & The Undertaker by DQ. Sid turned on Hulk during this match.
Sgt. Slaughter & Jim Duggan beat The Beverly Brothers
Randy Savage beat Jake Roberts. After the match, The Undertaker stopped Jake from hitting Elizabeth with a chair.

SNME #31 – Hullman Center; Terra Haute, IN 11/14/92
This show was broadcast on FOX

World Tag Team Championship: Randy Savage & The Ultimate Warrior beat Champions Money Inc. by count out
Intercontinental Championship: Shawn Michaels won the title from The British Bulldog
WWE Championship: Champion Bret Hart beat Papa Shango

SNME #32 – Cobo Arena; Detroit, MI 3/18/06
This show was broadcast live on NBC during prime time

John Cena & Triple H beat Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, & Randy Orton
Trish Stratus & Mickie James beat Candice Michelle & Victoria
Street Fight: Shane McMahon beat Shawn Michaels

SNME #33 – American Airlines Arena; Dallas, TX 7/15/06
This show was broadcast live on NBC during prime time

Batista, Rey Mysterio & Lashley beat Mark Henry, Booker T, & Finlay
Trish Stratus & Carlito beat Johnny Nitro & Melina
Elimination Match: D-Generation X beat The Spirit Squad
Sabu beat Stevie Richards
Diva Bull Riding Contest: Michelle McCool won the 10-woman tournament
WWE Championship: John Cena beat Champion Edge by DQ

SNME #34 – Air Canada Center; Toronto 6/2/07

Non-title Match: The Great Khali beat WWE Champion John Cena
Arm Wrestling Match: Lashley beat Mark Henry by DQ
Chris Benoit & Batista beat Edge & MVP
Finlay & Hornswoggle beat The Boogeyman & Little Boogeyman
Kane, Eugene, & Doink beat Viscera, Umaga, & Kevin Thorn

SNME #35 – Madison Square Garden; New York, NY 8/18/07

Batista & Kane beat Finlay & The Great Khali
Non-title Match: WWE Champion John Cena beat Carlito
Boxing Match: Evander Holyfield & Matt Hardy fought to a no-contest when Evander knocked out MVP
CM Punk & The Boogeyman beat John Morrison & Big Daddy V