Customer Reviews

WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event

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Disc 1

Gene Okerlund - A Must See Attraction

WWE Championship Match
Hulk Hogan vs. `Cowboy' Bob Orton
Saturday Night's Main Event May 11, 1985

Uncle Elmer's Wedding
Saturday Night's Main Event October 5, 1985

`Rowdy' Roddy Piper vs. `Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff
Saturday Night's Main Event October 5, 1985

A Trip to the Zoo
Saturday Night's Main Event October 5, 1985

Gene Okerlund - Field Reporting

Halloween Contest
Saturday Night's Main Event November 2, 1985

WWE Championship Match
Hulk Hogan vs. Terry Funk
Saturday Night's Main Event January 4, 1986

Randy Orton Reflects on his Dad

Boxing Match
Mr. T. vs. `Cowboy' Bob Orton
Saturday Night's Main Event March 1, 1986

Gene Okerlund - Settling the Score

Snake Pit Match
Jake `the Snake' Roberts vs. Ricky `the Dragon' Steamboat
Saturday Night's Main Event October 4, 1986

Jake `the Snake' Reflects on Saturday Night's Main Event

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
`Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. Jake `the Snake' Roberts
Saturday Night's Main Event November 29, 1986

Gene Okerlund - The Steel Cage Match

Steel Cage Match
Hulk Hogan vs. `Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff
Saturday Night's Main Event January 3, 1987

Gene Okerlund - The 8th Wonder of the World

Battle Royal
Saturday Night's Main Event March 14, 1987

Natalya Neidhart Reflects on her Dad

Best 2 out of 3 Falls
Hart Foundation vs. British Bulldogs
Saturday Night's Main Event May 2, 1987

Gene Okerlund - Insurance Policy

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Honky Tonk Man vs. `Macho Man' Randy Savage
Saturday Night's Main Event October 3, 1987

Mega Power Formation
Saturday Night's Main Event October 3, 1987

The Union of the Mega Powers

"Piledriver" Music Video
Saturday Night's Main Event October 3, 1987

`Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. Bret Hart
Saturday Night's Main Event November 28, 1987

Extras

* First Ever Match on SNME
Ricky Steamboat & The US Express vs. The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff & George "The Animal" Steele
Saturday Night's Main Event - May 11, 1985

* "Real American" Music Video
Saturday Night's Main Event - March 1, 1986

Disc 2

Gene Okerlund - Turning Back the Clock

WWE Championship Match
Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy
Saturday Night's Main Event January 2, 1988

Gene Okerlund - The Rematch

WWE Championship Match
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant
Main Event February 5, 1988

Ted Dibiase Reflects on his Dad

`Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. `Million Dollar Man' Ted Dibiase
Saturday Night's Main Event March 12, 1988

Andre Passes Out
Saturday Night's Main Event March 12, 1988

Hulk Hogan vs. `The King' Harley Race
Saturday Night's Main Event March 12, 1988

Gene Okerlund - Macho Madness

`Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. Andre the Giant
Saturday Night's Main Event November 26, 1988

`Hacksaw' Jim Duggan Reflects on His Flag Match
Saturday Night's Main Event November 26, 1988

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Ultimate Warrior vs. Honky Tonk Man
Saturday Night's Main Event January 7, 1989

Beefcake Shaves Ron Bass' head
Saturday Night's Main Event January 7, 1989

Gene Okerlund - A Supreme Alliance

Twin Towers vs. Mega Powers
Main Event February 3, 1989

Gene Okerlund - A Grueling Encounter

Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship
Hulk Hogan vs. Big Bossman
Saturday Night's Main Event May 27, 1989

Best 2 out of 3 Falls
Rockers vs. Brain Busters
Saturday Night's Main Event November 25, 1989

Extras

* Brother Love Interviews Hulk Hogan
Saturday Night's Main Event - November 26, 1988

* Dusty Rhodes vs. Big Bossman - Sapphire's Debut
Saturday Night's Main Event - November 25, 1989

Disc 3

Gene Okerlund - Hogan vs. The Genius

Mr. Perfect & The Genius Smash the WWE Title
Saturday Night's Main Event November 25, 1989

Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius
Saturday Night's Main Event January 27, 1990

Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura on Horseback
Saturday Night's Main Event April 28, 1990

Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. Perfect
Saturday Night's Main Event April 28, 1990

Arrogance

Rockers vs. Hart Foundation
Saturday Night's Main Event April 28, 1990

Gene Okerlund - Intercontinental Competition

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Mr. Perfect vs. Tito Santana
Saturday Night's Main Event July 28, 1990

Oktoberfest
Saturday Night's Main Event October 13, 1990

20 Man Battle Royal
Saturday Night's Main Event April 27, 1991

Bret Hart vs. `Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase
Saturday Night's Main Event April 27, 1991

Gene Okerlund - FOX Takes Over

Undertaker & Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan & Sid
Saturday Night's Main Event February 8, 1992

Roddy Piper Shocks The Mountie
Saturday Night's Main Event February 8, 1992

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
British Bulldog vs. Shawn Michaels
Saturday Night's Main Event November 14, 1992

Gene Okerlund - The Return

Street Fight
Shawn Michaels vs. Shane McMahon
Saturday Night's Main Event March 18, 2006

RKO on Hulk Hogan
Saturday Night's Main Event July 15, 2006

5 on 2 Elimination Match
D-Generation X vs. Spirit Squad
Saturday Night's Main Event July 15, 2006

Gene Okerlund - One of the Greatest Rivalries in Sports

WWE Championship Match
Edge vs. John Cena
Saturday Night's Main Event July 15, 2006

Gene Okerlund - Television History

Extras

* Alfred Hayes & Gene Okerlund Go On Safari
Saturday Night's Main Event - July 28, 1990
* Shawn Michaels Talks About Winning His First Intercontinental Title
* Matt Hardy Talks About Boxing Evander Holyfield

When Saturday Night's Main Event debuted on NBC in 1985 it marked the return of professional wrestling to network television after being absent for decades and it drew monster ratings and set records that still stand today. Because PPV events didn't exist at the time, Saturday Night's Main Event was the only way to see top WWF wrestlers facing of against each other on television, and for the time the show really delivered some tremendous and unforgettable matches from the height of Hulk Hogan's break-out run as WWF champion that launched the Rock-n-Wrestling era in WWF that gave birth to WrestleMania. However, since most fans were probably kids when these matches originally aired, you have to ask if this is a mere trip down memory lane or are these matches actually as good as some may remember (or think they remember).

The good news is for the most part, the matches are pretty good. Don't get me wrong, you wont find any match of the year candidates, but where the matches lacked in ring work quality, they exceled in entertainment value. Most of these matches, especially from the first 3 years, were booked to the strengths of the wrestlers involved and were designed to tell entertaining stories, further storylines and create compelling angles. So you're going to get fun and exciting matches with that big time "main event" feel. Also, you will get a handful of surprisingly good, and possibly forgotten classic matches.

Mean Gene Okerlund hosts this DVD set and walks us thru the shows best moments in chronological order. Most of the matches include the pre-match interviews just as they originally aired, which is the best thing about this set. They could've just shown the matches from the beginning of the bell, but they included all the pre-match hype, which was one of the coolest things about Saturday Night's Main Event.
They also included some of the more memorable, or awful (depending on your point of view), skits from the show. Unfortunately, WWE decided not to purchase the rights to use "Obsession" by Animotion, which was the more popular theme song from the show. It's been replaced with one of the cheesiest and lamest attempts at '80s synth pop I've ever heard! But this set is all about the matches, and there are some good ones here...

Some reviewers have complained about the omission of Jake the Snake vs. Randy Savage from 1991 (early 1992?), but I'm glad that match wasn't included, because as I remember it was pretty dull. Instead, they included Jake the Snake vs. Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Title from 1986. This is an underrated classic in my opinion. Jake introduces the match and he calls it the best match both he and Randy had up to that point in their careers. I wouldn't go that far, but it's still a great match between two hot heels at the time.
Another rare match that's included is Bret Hart vs. Randy Savage. This is an excellent bout between two of the best workers in the company at the time. Randy Savage shines as the star he was and we got a glimpse into the brilliant singles career that was on the horizon for Bret Hart.
Tag team action is also well represented with two classic 2-out-of-3 fall matches that feature The Hart Foundation vs. the British Bulldogs and the Rockers vs. the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for those who forgot their brief WWF run).
Epic angles are also included such as Hulk Hogan losing his first WWF title against Andre the Giant and the break-up of the Mega-Powers when Randy Savage turned on Hulk Hogan in a tag match against the Twin Towers (Big Boss Man and Akeem a.k.a. One Man Gang).
It's hard to argue with the matches that were selected for this set, but for my money, I would have loved to have seen Hogan vs. Orndorff because that was the match were "Rowdy" Roddy Piper officially turned face after being the most hated man in the promotion for years. Piper vs. Adrian Adonis would've been cool to see again too, where Adrian blinded Piper leading into their WrestleMania III match. However, all in all, this is a near perfect release.

With this release, the Starrcade DVD set and the Legends of Wrestling DVDs being released in the first quarter of 2009, I really can't see WWE coming out with anything else all year that can top these compilation DVDs. The only other comp release I'm looking forward to is the Wrestling Stars of the '90s set which will come pretty close.
For old school wrestling fans, it doesn't get any better than this Saturday Night's Main Event DVD set and the WWE Starrcade: The Essential Collection DVD set. Order them both and be prepared to relive some great memories and perhaps make some new ones.

THE BEST OF
SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

It feels like it was only yesterday when I was watching this on TV when it was first around, glad the WWE is releasing this box set. How great would it be for a full anthology, of course it would have to be released in volumes but still that would be great. Still the greatest thing about this release is that WWE is finally putting Randy Savage on something, hopefully the feud is ending and we can finally get some Macho Man on some DVD's. Between all the matches there are mini doc's and looks back at some classic moments from the show over the years, plus it is cool they left all the original commentary with Jesse Ventura and others.

DISC 1

1.WWF CHAMPIONSHIP-HULK HOGAN VS BOB ORTON-the first main event from the show I believe and it was a great one even though I am no fan of Hogan at all. Still it was wonderful to see Bob Orton during his prime and run with Piper. This is a highly entertaining match that had Orton taking it to Hogan. Piper, Paul Orndorff and Mr. T get involved towards the end of this helping to hype the clash between these five. This was a great start to the DVD set.5/5

2.RODDY PIPER VS PAUL ORNDORFF-this is more of a brawl between these two here, as these two legends go at it viciously even taking it to the back. Piper who is one off my all time favorites and Mr. Wonderful go from slugging it out in the ring to slugging it out on the outside and even underneath the announcer's booth. This one ends after it goes to the back and Piper escapes.5/5

3.WWF CHAMPIONSHIP-HULK HOGAN VS TERRY FUNK-a great title match between these two as the Texas hardcore legend almost takes the title from Hogan in a great match. Funk is brilliant in this match as he chokes Hogan with tape and covers it up from sight with his arm. Plus Vince's commentary on this match is hilarious because he was selling Hogan so hard.5/5

4.BOXING MATCH-MR. T VS BOB ORTON-much like T and Piper did at one time a little later T and Orton would get it on in a boxing match. The match was all about Piper messing with T and leaving him laid out after they jumped him. The match is good and entertaining and the aftermath is just as good. As far as memorable this is a classic as well.4.5/5

5.SNAKE PIT MATCH-JAKE ROBERTS VS RICKY STEAMBOAT-excellent match between these two as the action goes back and forth. Both show why the are legends of the sport and also shows what Jake used to be. Ricky takes the win as the two face off one with a snake and the other with an alligator [dragon]. Great show for all us fans.4.5/5

6.WWF I-C CHAMPIONSHIP-JAKE ROBERTS VS RANDY SAVAGE-this possibly the best match on the entire set especially in the psychology department. These two were both rule breakers at the time so both went full force. There is some excellent bending of the rules as well as some great wrestling action. Randy Savage is one of my all time favorite wrestlers of all time and this match shows why. Excellent match that is a classic no doubt, especially the wild ending.5/5

7.STEEL CAGE MATCH-HULK HOGAN VS PAUL ORNDORFF-as far as cage matches go this is a really entertaining and suspenseful at the end. The story line at the time was great and all logic pointed to this match happening. Both try like crazy to escape the cage and at one point both hit the ground at the exact same time. The match has to be restarted and both go back at it. Hogan goes on to take this one after he lays out The Brain and Mr. Wonderful. Still can't believe Hogan won this.4.5/5

8.BATTLE ROYAL-this is your typical battle royal that is just there to add a few more wrestlers to the card. The only real purpose of this battle royal is to further the storyline between the great Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan. That was the real story of this match and Andre showed how much more superior he was to Hogan. That alone makes this a good match, Hercules goes on to win.3.5/5

9.2 OUT 3 FALLS MATCH-THE HART FOUNDATION VS THE BRITISH BULLDOGS-talk about two great teams that created nothing but classics when against each other. The first fall goes to the Bulldogs after a DQ but they were going at it like crazy. The match from this point would go back and forth as the teams do battle until The Bulldogs get the pin over Jim Neidhart. Unfortunately for them one of their falls was a DQ so the did not get the titles. Excellent match that is full of action.5/5

10.WWF I-C CHAMPIONSHIP-HONKEY TONK MAN VS RANDY SAVAGE-during Honkey's legendary I-C title reign he would go up against and put the title on the line against the one and only Macho Man Randy Savage. This is a great match between these two that sees Jimmy Hart saving the tile for Honkey on many occasions through out the match. Savage is excellent in this match putting it all on the line but The Hart Foundation come down to give a hand to Honkey Tonk Man. Still the action continues as both give it their all, Savage is amazing as usual. The Hart Foundation hit the ring and attack Savage and cause a DQ. After Tonk pushes her to the ground she runs to the back to grab Hulk Hogan, who comes out to help Randy.5/5

11.RANDY SAVAGE VS BRET HART-this one is a contender for best match on the set as two of the greatest of all time go head to head. The action is fast paced for the most part and The Anvil makes things even more interesting as he gets involved in this. Savage and Hart tear the house down with this classic that leaves Savage's leg injured. Wonderful match right here and a great way to end the first disc, classic.5/5

12.[FIRST MATCH ON SNME]-RICKY STEAMBOAT, US EXPRESS VS IRON SHEIK, NIKOLAI VOLKOFF, AND GEORGE STEEL-this is one of the special features on disc one, the first match ever on the show. This was a pretty good match that had a lot of good wrestlers in it, legends. The action was good and well paced and had some high spots. Steel gets pinned after his teammates abandon him. Pretty good match with historical signifigance.3.5/5

DISC 2

1.[WWF CHAMPIONSHIP] HULK HOGAN VS KING KONG BUNDY-this is a good match up as these two big guys go at it with Andre the Giant in Bundy's corner. The action is back and forth for the most part with Hogan coming out on top most of the time. Until Andre becomes the equalizer and constantly helps Bundy gain the advantage. Still even after a new ref comes out and it looks like Bundy will take of course Hogan gets to Hulk up and get the win with that silly little leg drop. Regardless it is a good match and very entertaining especially with Andre out there choking Hogan like crazy, multiple guys try to get him off and they can't until Hacksaw uses his 2x4. I love the image of Andre with the title while a beaten Hogan is carried to the back5/5

2.[WWF CHAMPIONSHIP] HULK HOGAN VS ANDRE THE GIANT-this is one of the most historic matches in the history of the business, the day The Giant won the title and sold it to Ted Dibiase. Any time Hogan looses it is a good day and a good match this was one of those days. I remember watching this and being extremely excited that Andre had won the match and the title. This still to this day is the most watched match in the history of wrestling I believe is what they said. Andre dominates for the most part and gets the pin fall after a nice slam, still I hate that every time Hogan lost he had to kick out or get an arm up just so it looked like a didn't loose as bad [just watch the end of his Wrestlemania match with Warrior closely during the 3 count]. This was one of the greatest days ever win Andre won, I also love the Million Dollar Man so that was cool to. But of course they couldn't let it be so neither man got the title.5/5

3.MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE VS THE MILLION DOLLAR MAN TED DIBIASE-two of the all time greats and two of my all time favorites go at it in this classic. The action in this one is not surprisingly excellent with a great and quick back and forth pace. For a while Savage starts to get the best of Ted until the ref gets knocked out. That is when Andre gets involved and costs Randy the match as he dominates Savage on the outside, then afterwards Andre, Dibiase, and Virgil attack Savage until Hogan comes to the rescue setting up the mega power connection.5/5

4.HULK HOGAN VS HARLEY RACE-Harley Race is one of the all time greats with out a doubt and here he is going up against Hogan. Of course Hogan gets the win with that leg drop again but he also cheated to get the win. He attacks Race before the bell and also chokes him with tape from his taped up hand. Still it is a good match and Race shows why he is so good in this match dominating at one point and selling for Hogan.3.8/5

5.[WWF CHAMPIONSHIP] MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE VS ANDRE THE GIANT-oh yeah Savage is back in action up against Andre with the world title on the line, naturally you know this one is good. Things start off well for Andre as he takes the lead and puts it to Savage wearing him down. Things turn in Savage's favor when Jake the Snake comes down to ringside and hides the snake under the ring. Things get real interesting after The Brain is thrown from the ring and Andre gets caught in the ropes. He is so scared of the snake and makes a quick get away.5/5

6.[I-C CHAMPIONSHIP] ULTIMATE WARRIOR VS HONKEY TONK MAN-this is a pretty good match that sees Honkey trying to get his title back and start a second reign as I-C champ. The action is good and it works out much like all of Warrior's other matches. Warrior takes this one after a little while.4/5

7.TWIN TOWERS VS MEGA POWERS-the match that ended it all for the Mega Powers and started one of the most historic feuds of all time, one that went into real life. This is a great match with the Powers in control for the first part of the match taking it to the Towers. But once it is turned around it stays there for the most part. Then Savage is thrown into Miss Elizabeth and Hogan takes her to the back and leaves Savage to fend for himself. Savage continues the match until Hogan comes back out at which point Randy slaps Hulk and leaves him there to finish the match. Of course Hogan gets to Hulk up and gets the win after a leg drop. Afterwards Hogan goes to check on Elizabeth and is destroyed by Savage, I loved it.5/5

8.[STEEL CAGE-WWF CHAMPIONSHIP]HULK HOGAN VS BIG BOSS MAN-this match helped hype up Hogan's movie at the time with Zeus so of course Zeus was there. But as for the match its self it was a good one with some good action. Cage matches are always interesting even these ones with the old blue style cage, in fact I kinda miss those. Hogan wins this one after cuffing Boss Man to the ropes.4/5

9.[BEST 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS] THE ROCKERS VS THE BRAIN BUSTERS-two of the greatest tag teams off all time do battle in this one here. Two of the original Horsemen vs my favorite HBK and his partner at the time Marty Janetty. This match is strength and technique against speed and athleticism. The Rockers pick up the first fall fairly quickly after Marty pins Tully. After that we are treated to some of the best wrestling action of the time as the Rockers hit all kinds of double team moves. But it is the Brain Busters that get the pin fall. Then we are treated to even more great action with The Brain Busters controlling most of it this time, still the Rockers get the pin fall and the win after HBK lands a high flying cross body block on Arn Anderson.5/5

10.DUSTY RHODES VS BIG BOSS MAN-this match saw the debut of Sapphire when she comes into the ring as "a fan" to help Dusty dance. The match is pretty good with Boss Man taking the early advantage and controlling the pace. Dusty still pulls out the victory though with Pokka dots and all.3.5/5

DISC 3

1.HULK HOGAN & THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR VS MR. PERFECT & THE GENIUS-Hogan and Warrior dominate most of the beginning of this match over powering their opponents. That is until the Genius gave Perfect a metal scroll to nail Hogan with. At one point Perfect had Hogan beat with the perfectplex but he let Hogan up, which led to Genius being dropped by Warrior. Then catching an awkward leg drop from Hogan since he had to get the pin. Afterwards Hogan and Warrior go at it after a misunderstanding.4/5

2.HULK HOGAN VS MR. PERFECT-this is actually one really good match although it shouldn't be a surprise since Mr. Perfect is in it. But the surprise is that Hogan actually does well in this and even sells for Perfect [a rare thing for Hogan]. This is a great back and forth battle that sees both men looking good at one time or another. Hogan brawls and goes for power moves while Perfect out wrestles him. It is no surprise that Hogan wins this match but for him this is a classic.5/5

3.ROCKERS VS HART FOUNDATION-oh yeah two of the greatest teams of all time go at it in the early days of Bret vs HBK. My boy Shawn and his partner Marty Janetty were up against my brother's favorite wrestler Bret Hart and his partner Jim Neidhart. There is a lot of good double team moves and some great back and forth quick action. After a while tag champs at the time Demolition come down to ring side and eventually interfere in the match. The match ends in a double DQ but still it was a great match.5/5

4.[WWF I-C CHAMPIONSHIP] MR. PERFECT VS TITO SNATANA-this is a great back and forth battle for the I-C title that sees Tito get many near falls. Still Perfect pulls through with a great small package. These two showed why they are two of the greatest to ever grace the ring. Tito looked like he was going to pull this one out at various points but it was not meant to be.4.5/5

5.20 MAN BATTLE ROYAL-I like any one else enjoy a good battle royal every now and then and this one was an entertaining one. When I was watching this back then of course I was pulling for HBK or Mr. Perfect and was thrilled when Hogan was eliminated. Of course the two people I was going for gave the best showings in the match and both made it to the final four. Of course I was excited when Perfect won the battle royal, excellent in deed.5/5

6.BRET HART VS TED DIBIASE-we are treated to another great match that pits two more legends against each other. Two great technicians went against each other in this great battle were Roddy Piper would play a funny role in it. Still the match ends in a double count out when both men brawl on the outside.5/5

7.HULK HOGAN & SID JUSTICE VS THE UNDERTAKER & RIC FLAIR-this is full of star power with four of the biggest stars and legends in the business, yes that includes Sid. Taker and Flair actually control most of the match working over Hogan most of the time, but it is when Sid feels betrayed by Hulk that things get real interesting. After refusing to tag in Sid leaves the ring and walks to the back. At this point Flair gets disqualified after throwing the ref.4.5/5

8.[WWF I-C CHAMPIONSHIP] BRITISH BULLDOG VS SHAWN MICHAELS-oh you know I love this one and consider it a classic since it is the first time HBK won a singles title in the WWF. This is a great match between these two rivals that has some great psychology in it. Notice that the entire match HBK works on Bulldog's back setting up that toss into the exposed turnbuckle. Bulldog's back can't take it any more and gives way when he attempts a superplex. Shawn wins the I-C title on the last episode of Saturday Night's Main Event.5/5

9.[STREET FIGHT] SHAWN MICHAELS VS SHANE MCMAHON-this is when the show returned to the air after something like 13 years. While it did now feel like the same show from this on it still was a cool live event that all fans enjoyed. Before HBK and Vince did this at Mania a little later his son Shane would go at it with Shawn in a street fight. This was a pretty good match and while not a classic still a fun match, the highlight of course is the suplex through the tables. Shane wins with a bogus submission victory ala Bret Hart.4.5/5

10.DX VS THE SPIRIT SQUAD-this match happened during the DX reunion tour as I like to call it and was part of their feud with Vince and the spirit squad. At times it was ok and at times it was great, this match fell in between the two. This isn't a classic wrestling match per say as much as it is like the last one, just fun. After every member of the squad is eliminated they get locked in a cage, even Vince ends up in there.4/5

11.[WWF CHAMPIONSHIP] EDGE VS JOHN CENA-I am a fan of both of these guys and think that their feud was probably the best going during that time period. This turned out to be a good match but they had much better compared to this one. Still there was some good enough action in this with a DQ win for Cena. The FU through the table of the steps saves this one a little.4/5

This is an excellent set that every wrestling fan should own, really this could be the best set that WWE has released. Matter of fact I believe that it is now we need that Randy Savage set.

Before the days of Monday Night RAW, SmackDown, and ECW On Sci-Fi...there was one night every few weeks where you turned in to see the superstars fight each other along with witnessing huge developments going on in the WWF on network television. That night & show was "Saturday Night's Main Event." This is a DVD collection hosted by Mean Gene Okerland featuring the best of the show through matches & flashbacks to various segments with comments from those who were there like Jim Duggan & Jake Roberts along with current WWE personalities such as Natalya Neidhart, Randy Orton, Santino Marella, Randy Orton, The Miz, Joey Styles, Ted Dibiase Jr. (listen to what he had to say about the Million $ Belt), Matt Hardy, Matt Striker and others sharing their memories of the show.

Along with the matches, you'll relive various memorable & hysterical segments throughout the DVD...Uncle Elmer's wedding, Mean Gene looking for George "The Animal" Steele at the zoo, the WWF Halloween Party, Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage forming the Mega Powers, Andre The Giant passes out thanks to Jake Roberts & Damien, highlights of Jim Duggan's flag match, Brutus Beefcake shaving Bon Bass' head, Mr. Perfect destroying the WWF Title, Vince & Jesse Ventura riding horseback, Rick Martel showcasing his "Arrogance", WWE celebrating Oktoberfest (you have to see this one to believe it), Roddy Piper gives the Mountie a taste of his own medicine, and Randy Orton RKO'd Hulk Hogan. Other extras besides the bonus matches include Hulk Hogan's "Real American" music video, highlights of Junkyard Dog bring his mom to SNME for Mother's Day, "The Brother Love Show" featuring Slick & Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels reflecting on his first Intercontinental Championship win, Matt Hardy talking about his boxing match against Evander Holyfield, a classic segment featuring Alfred Hayes & Mean Gene going on Safari with cameo appearences from the "animal kingdom" that WWE had at that time along with hidden extras of Paul Orndorff telling a story regarding a chilli dog & Terry Funk reflecting on his match with Hulk Hogan.

Matches include:
WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Bob Orton - The first main event on SNME with Mr. T & Roddy Piper in their partner's corner. Was a nice match overall.
(May 11, 1985)

Roddy Piper vs. Paul Orndorff - Piper always seemed to have a grand entrance around this time but that's all that was grand here as Jesse Ventura described this match perfectly, "This is just a street fight with ropes around it." You could count the number of wrestling moves on one hand as from start to finish. This got so out of control that it went from in the ring to ringside to under the announce booth all the way to the backstage area with everyone getting out the way.
(October 5, 1985)
[Also available on "Roddy Piper" DVD]

WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Terry Funk - Terry Funk & his manager Jimmy Hart knew just how to get people entertained & laughing while enjoying the wrestling at the same time. Funk & Hogan was just an entertaining match to watch & I wish they did more with each other after watching this.
(January 4, 1986)
[Also available on Walmart bonus disc of "Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology"]

Boxing Match: Mr. T. vs. Bob Orton - This was a preview of WrestleMania 2 and was actually more entertaining than the Mania match with Piper.
(March 1, 1986)

Snake Pit Match: Ricky Steamboat vs. Jake Roberts - Before the match, you get the prematch promo with Jake Roberts & Damien in the shower which for anyone who saw Jake Roberts' DVD would get a laugh knowing the funny story behind it. This match had Damien & Steamboat's lizard in their corners. Great back & forth match with two of WWE's best inring workers at that time.
(October 4, 1986)

WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts - This was a rare heel vs. heel match with the crowd actually choosing sides & cheering Jake Roberts throughout the match. The Intercontinental Championship is known as the "workhorse" title & this match showcased why as both men put on a great performance.
(November 29, 1986)

Steel Cage Match: WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff - The final encounter between their long feud. This was was no different than their previous matches in that it was real aggressive with the cage being a positive addition to the match that to this day is still debated amongst fans about who really won at one point.
(January 3, 1987)
[Also available on "History Of The WWE Championship"]

Battle Royal - This was leading up to WrestleMania III. Various highlights include Andre's punishment of Lanny Poffo & other various stars, the long awaited inring confrontation between Hogan & Andre, and interaction between other WrestleMania III opponetts such as Hercules, Billy Jack Haynes, Koko B. Ware, and Butch Reed.
(March 14, 1987)
[Also available on "WrestleMania III: Championship Edition"]

2 Out Of 3 Falls: British Bulldogs vs. Hart Foundation - This was a followup to the their WrestleMania III match as both Danny Davis & Tito Santana got invovled at times but overall, this was full of non-stop action that never had a dull moment.
(May 2, 1987)

WWE Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man vs. Randy Savage - This was so hardhitting between both men that Jimmy Hart ended up coming out worse than anyone else in the match but what happened afterwards was a moment that had a huge effect in the future of not just WWE but the careers of both Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan.
(October 3, 1987)

Randy Savage vs. Bret Hart - This was a dream match that I forgot happened but am happy that it made it's way to DVD. Jesse Ventura even stated it during the match that this was a matchup between two "wrestling mechanics" and he wasn't lying with great storytelling & selling by both men.
(November 28, 1987)

WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy - Andre The Giant was in Bundy's corner during this match as this was actually a good worked match between the two with Bundy targeting Hogan's arm at times. Overall, this match & the aftermath was just a preview of...
(January 2, 1988)

WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant - ...this big rematch almost a year after WrestleMania III that ended in controversy that involved Ted Dibiase, Virgil, Earl & Dave Hebner in a moment that's still infamous in WWE history.
(February 5, 1988)
[Also available on "History Of The WWE Championship"]

Randy Savage vs. Ted Dibiase - Before they had their more memorable encounter in the finals of the WrestleMania IV tournament, they had a good match here with the "X" factor being Andre The Giant at ringside.
(March 12, 1988)

Hulk Hogan vs. Harley Race - A nice match that went back & forth between both men.
(March 12, 1988)
[Also available on Walmart bonus disc of "Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology"]

Randy Savage vs. Andre The Giant - On Jake Roberts' DVD, he stated that Andre used to "chew Savage up & spit him out" and you got that impression in this match as Andre dominated Savage here but this was more about what happened after Jake Roberts appeared at ringside.
(November 26, 1988)

WWE Intercontinental Champion Ultimate Warrior vs. Honky Tonk Man - Unlike SummerSlam, you won't miss anything if you blink during this match as it was your average entertaining Ultimate Warrior match.
(January 7, 1989)

Mega Powers vs. Twin Towers - This was a good tag team match but the bigger story here was what happened between Hogan & Savage & Elizabeth that was building up for close to year at that point.
(February 3, 1989)

Steel Cage Match: WWE Champion Hulk Hogan vs. Big Boss Man - The conclusion of their long term feud but before the match even gets started, we see the "No Holds Barred" confrontation between Hogan & Zues. Average match with a "poetic justice" ending between not only Hogan & Boss Man but Slick as well.
(May 27, 1989)

2 Out Of 3 Falls: Rockers vs. Brain Busters - This was Tully Blanchard's last television appearence in WWE as you had a quality tag match between both teams along with the story behind the problems with the Busters & Heenan.
(November 25, 1989)

Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius - This was a red hot tag match with non-stop action & showcasing just how good of a worker Mr. Perfect was as you swore he was bouncing all over the place here but it was the aftermath here that helped setup an "Ultimate Challenge."
(January 27, 1990)

Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. Perfect - Unfortunally, this wasn't the quality that we got from their match on Perfect's DVD set as eventhough Perfect got a hit in here & there, this was all Hogan.
(April 28, 1990)
[Also available on "Hulk Still Rules"]

Rockers vs. Hart Foundation - The seeds of the infamous Hart/Michaels relationship were planted here as during their tag team years as the Hart Foundation were the stronger & more technical team while Rockers were the quicker & more flashy team. The match didn't go long but it followed the classic tag team wrestling formula of one team dominating with the other team building up to getting that hot tag from his partner with appearence of Demolition being a wild card here.
(April 28, 1990)
[Also available on "Bret 'Hitman' Hart" DVD]

WWE Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect vs. Tito Santana - I'll go as far as to call his a lost classic because this was a high quality match between both men who were true masters of their craft that showcased the true value of the Intercontiental Championship. Great match here.
(July 28, 1990)

20 Man Battle Royal - Just your average battle royal with a few suprizing "every man for himself" moments.
(April 27, 1991)

Bret Hart vs. Ted DiBiase - A good average match here with Senational Sherri at ringside & Roddy Piper on commentary.
(April 27, 1991)

Undertaker & Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan & Sid - Undertaker & Flair's (and technically Sid's too) only in-ring appearence on SNME in a tag match that saw the return of Brutus Beefcake, for the first time in almost two years since his career ending (at the time) injury, in Hogan's corner that was a fun match to watch but the bigger story here was what happened between Hogan & Sid during the match.
(February 8, 1992)

WWE Intercontinental Champion British Bulldog vs. Shawn Michaels - This match happened the week before that year's Survivor Series & was Bulldog's last match in the WWF until he returned in '94. The story here was HBK working on Bulldog's back which was injured during the match & HBK winning his first I.C. title after Bulldog couldn't hold the superplex off the top rope.
(November 14, 1992)
[Also available on "Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story"]

Street Fight Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Shane McMahon - The main event of the return of SNME and this was a real fun match to watch that saw Vince McMahon get involved at times with a "screwy" ending that I swore I saw before. One moment to look out for was both men suplexed off the ladder in the ring to the tables stacked on the outside.
(March 18, 2006)
[Also available on "WrestleMania 22"]

Elimination Match: D-Generation X vs. Spirit Squad - Just was just a glorified squash match but a very comedic one at that but pay attention to the funny one liner the commentators got in on our former President George Bush.
(July 15, 2006)
Also available on "The New & Improved DX"]

WWE Champion Edge vs. John Cena - This was probably the weakest of their television encounters because this was more about setting up their match at SummerSlam than having a quality match as the only highlight was what happened afterwards.
(July 15, 2006)

Bonus Matches:
Ricky Steamboat & U.S. Express vs. Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, George Steele - This was the first match on SNME which was a good six man tag with the bigger story being what happened afterwards that turned George Steele from a hated villian into a loved character.
(May 11, 1985)

Dusty Rhodes vs. Big Boss Man - This was an entertaining match for what it was but the bigger story was the debut of Dusty's own manager/mascot in "Sweet" Sapphire.
(November 25, 1989)

This isn't a DVD full of 5 star classic wrestling matches but a mixed of lost classics in either quality, emotional/memorable moments, and just classic entertainment of the then-World Wrestling Federation. If you were a heavy fan of WWE during the mid-80's to early 90's then you don't want to miss this walk down memory lane but for newer fans, I would still recommend because this was just great entertainment in & out of the ring overall.

This is a great DVD. The only thing missing are the program intros to each night it was on. The new SNME with Cena could have been left off though. Great DVD for anyone who is nostagic for 85-92 wrestling.

The merging of professional wrestling with pop culture was complete with this successful program which had an incredible late-night run on NBC and FOX from 1985-1992 and currently (since 2006) airs several times a year in prime-time on NBC.

Initially planned to take the place of reruns of Saturday Night Live, the taped event ultimately had its own yearly schedule, with the top bouts typically centering on Hulk Hogan. The March 14, 1987, bout which featured Hogan and Andre the Giant drew a solid 11.6 rating.

The show's success produced a Friday spin-off prime time show on NBC, The Main Event, with the February 5, 1988, bout again featuring Hogan and Andre drawing 33 million viewers (15.2 rating).

Ratings began to slip in 1991 and FOX aired the final two espisodes, the last shown on October 27, 1992. The program returned to NBC in 2006 for periodic prime time specials.

Thirty matches and a number of extra features - including the "Real American" music video and the hilarious wedding of Uncle Elmer - make this a must for any pro wrestling fan or a collectable for those seek out pop culture milestones, especially when it concerns television programming.

The reason I said good is because of the 2006 matches. I mean come on when people think of Satuday Night Main event they think of the 90s and 80s and the show they grew up on. I for one grew up on watching Satuday Main event. The wwe should have never included the recent matches on the dvds I mean I can understand them wanting to update the concept but they already have some of these matches already on dvds for other wrestlers like Edge's dvd or DX dvd. Also in place of the 2006 matches they should have included more matches dealing with the 80s and 90s. The matches they have on the dvd is a good line up I have to admit and I for one will probably say to anyone interested in the history of the WWE to go out and buy this thing.

If you're a fan of classic wrestling in its hey-day, then this is a must own!! A ton of the classic superstars from the 80's and early 90s are featured here. Over 30 matches, included steel cages matches, tag team, and even battle royals. Even though a few of the matches may not be the most impressive as far as pure wrestling skills go, you can't deny the showmanship and the charisma of the matches. But don't get me wrong, there are some very good pure wrestling matches here as well. To be honest, its just great to see all these legends when they were all that the top of their career. I'm not gonna bother listing all the matches or superstars, I'm sure someone already has, but again, I just wanna say that this collection is most definitely worth owning, and watching it is like taking a trip down memory lane..a trip I plan on taking many times to come!!

I can remember my brother, cousins & me being tucked into our sleeping bags in our family room, just in time to watch Saturday Night's Main Event. I grew up watching wrestling in the late 80's & early 90's and I can remember to this day when Sid turned his back on Hogan. There was always a different/special feel about SNME when I was growing up. I preordered this and cant wait to get it today!

I am having a blast watching these classic matches from my youth. Great characters, delightfully cheesy skits and solid wrestling that told a story. You will be hard pressed to find a more complete 80's anthology captured in a relatively small 3 dvd set.