The wrestling world turns its eyes to Montreal this Saturday as WWE presents Saturday Night's Main Event, broadcasting live from the iconic Bell Center at 8e/5p on Peacock for American audiences. This special event serves as a critical waypoint on the road to the Royal Rumble, with championship implications and personal grudges set to explode in front of a passionate Canadian crowd. WWE.com analyst and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly has weighed in with his expert predictions for this high-stakes card.
The evening's centerpiece is undoubtedly the Fatal 4-Way Match to determine the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship. With Drew McIntyre currently holding the prestigious title, four of WWE's most compelling Superstars will battle for the right to challenge him at the Royal Rumble just one week later. This match represents a perfect storm of veteran prowess, hometown heroism, championship pedigree, and rising-star ambition.
Randy Orton enters the fray as perhaps the most decorated competitor, a legend whose very presence elevates any contest. The Viper's potential victory would set up an opportunity to become an unprecedented 11-time WWE Champion while ending a five-year singles title drought. His methodical, predatory style makes him ideally suited for the chaotic nature of a Fatal 4-Way, where experience and ring awareness often prove decisive. The prospect of revisiting his brutal Ambulance Match rivalry with McIntyre adds another layer of intrigue to Orton's path to victory.
However, Montreal presents a unique variable in the form of Sami Zayn, who competes in his hometown before what promises to be an overwhelmingly supportive crowd. Zayn's connection to Quebec runs deep, and the emotional energy of performing where his journey began cannot be understated. More compelling is his documented history with McIntyre—an 0-11 record that tells a story of repeated heartbreak and near-misses. This pattern of defeat has created a powerful narrative of redemption waiting to be written. The payback factor alone makes Zayn a dangerous proposition, as the opportunity to finally conquer his Scottish nemesis on such a massive stage could fuel a superhuman performance.
Damian Priest brings his own championship credentials to the contest, having recently tasted WWE gold during his tenure as Heavyweight Champion. The Archer of Infamy possesses the physical tools and psychological edge of someone who knows what it takes to reach the mountaintop. His familiarity with high-pressure situations and main-event caliber matches makes him a legitimate threat to emerge victorious. The question remains whether WWE is ready to revisit the Priest-McIntyre dynamic so soon after their previous championship encounters.
Completing the quartet is Trick Williams, the embodiment of WWE's future. As an up-and-coming Superstar, Trick represents the fresh blood that keeps the product evolving. His inclusion signals management's confidence in his abilities and star potential. Yet, the timing may prove premature for a talent still establishing his main-event credentials. While his athleticism and charisma are undeniable, navigating the political landscape of a Fatal 4-Way against three established veterans presents a formidable challenge.
Kaboly's analysis points to the unpredictable nature of multi-person matches, where fortune often favors the bold and the opportunistic. In such environments, victory frequently comes down to split-second decisions and capitalizing on others' misfortunes. This levels the playing field considerably, giving each competitor a viable path to victory. After weighing all factors, the prediction lands on Sami Zayn pinning Randy Orton to secure his long-awaited championship opportunity. The convergence of hometown advantage, redemption narrative, and perfect storytelling timing creates an irresistible formula for Zayn's triumph.
The women's division takes center stage in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match, where the newly crowned duo of Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY defend their titles against the volatile pairing of Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez. Ripley and SKY, affectionately dubbed RHIYO by fans, captured gold just weeks ago, and this represents their first defense. While conventional wisdom suggests champions should enjoy a longer reign, WWE history is littered with instances of titles changing hands in rapid succession.
What makes RHIYO particularly intriguing is the apparent organic chemistry between the Judgment Day powerhouse and the Genius of the Sky. Their partnership evokes memories of successful impromptu pairings like Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, suggesting something genuine may be developing. If their cohesion is legitimate, Saturday Night's Main Event will serve as the proving ground for their potential dominance. Their combined skill set—Ripley's raw power and SKY's aerial precision—creates a formidable defensive unit.
Opposing them is a team united by convenience rather than genuine alliance. The underlying tension between Morgan and Perez stems from Roxanne's flirtatious advances toward "Dirty" Dom Mysterio during Liv's absence with a shoulder injury. Such betrayals rarely go unpunished in WWE lore, and Liv Morgan's character has never been portrayed as someone who forgives and forgets. This powder keg of emotion threatens to detonate at the worst possible moment, potentially costing them the championship.
Kaboly anticipates this match will feature the most shenanigans of the entire card. The prediction suggests Liv's suppressed resentment will manifest either through a costly miscue during the match or a vicious post-match assault on her partner. Either scenario would cement the dysfunction of their alliance while allowing RHIYO to retain through skillful teamwork rather than pure dominance. The champions' victory seems assured, but the real story may be the implosion of their challengers' partnership.
In the grudge match category, Cody Rhodes faces Jacob Fatu in a contest born from recent rivalries. The American Nightmare finds himself in an unusual position after recent setbacks, making this match crucial for maintaining momentum. Kaboly's analysis is straightforward: the idea of Rhodes suffering two consecutive defeats seems inconceivable given his positioning as a top star. The grudge aspect adds personal stakes, but Rhodes' experience and established status should carry him through against the formidable but less proven Fatu.
The broader implications of Saturday Night's Main Event extend beyond individual victories. As the final major stop before the Royal Rumble, this card will establish critical storylines and momentum shifts heading into one of WWE's most important events of the year. The Montreal crowd, known for their passionate and vocal support, will undoubtedly influence the energy and potentially the outcomes of these contests.
For Sami Zayn, victory would represent more than just a title shot—it would be a culmination of his entire career journey, from local indie favorite to WWE Superstar returning home with everything on the line. For RHIYO, a successful defense cements their partnership as a legitimate force in the women's tag division. And for Cody Rhodes, a win maintains his trajectory toward whatever challenges await in the Royal Rumble and beyond.
Mark Kaboly's predictions paint a picture of an event where storytelling logic and emotional investment converge. The hometown hero gets his moment, the organic champions continue their reign, and established stars maintain their positions. Whether WWE follows this script or swerves the audience remains to be seen, but the foundation is set for a memorable Saturday night in Montreal.