WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII ushers in a new era for the company in more ways than one. For starters, it is WWE’s first PLE or special event since 2025. It’s also WWE’s first Saturday Night’s Main Event since the last one, which sounds simplistic, but it’s not, as SNME XLII represented the end of an era, the final chapter in John Cena’s illustrious career. And while it was the final sound off of perhaps the greatest of all-time, it also marked the beginning of a new reign of villainy for perhaps WWE’s greatest active wrestler…at least, if you ask him.
WWE SNME XLIII turns the page as it is the company’s first show since Cena’s retirement. It is the dawn of a new era for the world’s most prominent wrestling promotion and all eyes will be on WWE to see how they move things forward in 2026. Because not only is Cena gone and Gunther being elevated as the top star, but there are new champions in the house. Since the end of 2025, WWE has shifted five titles, most notably the Undisputed WWE Championship. And on Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII, new champ Drew McIntyre will learn who he’ll first defend that championship against in a few short weeks. The former champ, Cody Rhodes, will be wrestling at SNME XLIII as he takes on Jacob Fatu, a man who many believe could be a future world champion as soon as this year. Rounding out the card is the Women’s Tag Team Championship, which sees new champs, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, defend against the Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez.
A fourth match for Saturday Night’s Main Event was added a day before the event when Shinsuke Nakamura challenged AJ Styles to what could be his final appearance on an SNME card before he puts his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble. Styles and Nakamura renew their rivalry that dates back to their time together in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Read More: When is the Next WWE SNME?: Full Schedule, Cards, and Results from 2026 Saturday Night’s Main Events
Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII (SNME XLIII)
Event Details
Date: Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII takes place on January 24, 2026
Venue: SNME XLIII takes place from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada
Time: Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII airs at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT
How to Watch: You can watch SNME XLIII exclusively on Peacock (United States)
Preview: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME) XLIII Preview & Match Card (1/24/26)
Event Card
- Fatal 4-way #1 contendership for the WWE Undisputed Championship: Randy Orton vs Sami Zayn vs Trick Williams vs Damian Priest
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky (C) vs Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez
- Cody Rhodes vs Jacob Fatu
- Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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