Summary (tl;dr)

WWE's classic "Saturday Night's Main Event" has returned, featuring a highly anticipated grudge match between Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes, which is currently generating significant fan interest.

Essential Background

"Saturday Night's Main Event" is a historically significant professional wrestling television program that originally aired as a special on NBC from 1985 to 1992, and later had a brief revival in the mid-2000s, known for hosting major storylines and championship bouts. Jacob Fatu is a prominent professional wrestler and a member of the famed Anoaʻi wrestling family, having recently signed with WWE and debuted as part of The Bloodline stable in 2024.

The Full Story

WWE is currently hosting the XLIII edition of "Saturday Night's Main Event" in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on January 24, 2026, serving as a critical event on the "Road to the Royal Rumble". A central focus of the event is a grudge match pitting Cody Rhodes against Jacob Fatu. This match was officially sanctioned after Fatu interfered in a "Three Stages of Hell" match on January 9, costing Cody Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. Fatu's actions led to a brawl with Rhodes on a recent episode of SmackDown, escalating their rivalry and setting up their singles confrontation tonight. The ongoing storyline has also controversially integrated Fatu's past incarceration into a narrative during a SmackDown interview.

Why It Matters

The return of "Saturday Night's Main Event" resonates with long-time wrestling enthusiasts due to its nostalgic value and acts as an important precursor to the Royal Rumble event. Jacob Fatu's high-stakes match against Cody Rhodes is crucial for both competitors: it presents an opportunity for Fatu to solidify his position as a dominant force within WWE after his impactful debut and a previous display against Braun Strowman in January 2025. For Rhodes, the match is an opportunity to seek retribution and regain momentum following the loss of his Undisputed WWE Championship, which was a direct result of Fatu's interference. The outcome of this match is expected to have significant implications for future championship storylines and the overarching narrative involving The Bloodline.

Geographic Location

• Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (hosting WWE Saturday Night's Main Event XLIII)