Saturday Night’s Main Event!

 

When I think of the classic  Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC, I think of that great feeling of being a kid and getting to experience something truly special a few times a year. It was almost like the special, four times a year show was as big as the PPV’s themself. By the time I got into wrestling, SNME was losing a little steam and started to dip in ratings a bit. WWF was just about to leave the Hulkamania era (1984-1990) and enter the very brief Ultimate Warrior(1990-1991)  era, so I ended up missing such a vital period for the WWF and so many exciting years of the Saturday night special. The glory days if you will. 

Now, I’m certainly not complaining about “my era” of the show being from about 89-92, there were so many fantastic memories, but going back and watching it now, you can start to see the dip in quality and storyljnes. But then again, pro wrestling is very up and down and that happens with every era. So while I missed out on so many memorable, iconic moments like the Mega Powers, Paul Orndorff vs. Hogan in the steel cage, Andre pinning Hogan and surrendering the WWF title to “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and so many others, I still have very treasured memories of watching the show. Besides,  Shawn Michaels, my all time favorite , won his very first singles title on the very last SNME until it was brought back much later! The beginning of an amazing legacy!

Another little personal memory, whenever I do think of SNME, I always think of Micro Magic burgers and fries or even a delicious, hot Stouffers French Bread Pizza. There was always something great about being able to stay up late once or twice a year and have microwaved junk on a plate right next to you as you cheer on your favorite wrestlers. Of course the deal was always I couldn’t be too tired or refusing to go to church the next morning. Which sometimes given the sermon, was a hard trade off but worth it considering I’d be entranced by my favorites and I get bragging rights of staying up late on. Saturday night. If my big brother could do it at age 14, why couldn’t I…at age 7?

For a show that started off as a replacement for Saturday Night Live in its dark ages, SNME changed so much about wrestling. The video introductions, the editing style, the interviews and backstage segments. So much of it continues to impact pretty much every pro wrestling program you watch today and you may not even recognize it. 

So tonight, sit back, pop open a cold soft drink (Mountain Dew if you’re truly feeling nostalgic for the SNME golden years. IYKYK), and let’s take it to our man Jesse The Body Ventura whos back where he belongs: ringside calling Saturday Night’s Main Event! Hit it, Jess!

-Chad