3 Mistakes WWE made at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII

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It's been a bad year for Drew McIntyre. (Image Credit: WWE on X)

The theme of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event was John Cena's last match and the future of the company. Cena ultimately tapped out to Gunther, going against his career mantra of never giving up.

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Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi faced off in a clash of current titleholders, but couldn't find out who the better man was, thanks to Drew McIntyre. Sol Ruca defeated Bayley, but The Role Model is one of the most selfless performers ever.

Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance to quiet The Miz, while AJ Styles and Dragon Lee held off the hard-charging duo of Je'Von Evans and Leon Slater.

On an emotional night featuring the past, present, and future, WWE made the next three mistakes at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII.

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#3. A champion ate the pin to protect the future

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Leon Slater is the TNA X Division Champion. He's been featured throughout the year on NXT, mostly with Je'Von Evans. The duo challenged for the NXT Tag Team Titles, and both were in the latest Iron Survivor Challenge match.

AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, the World Tag Team Champions, should not have lost to the youngsters at Saturday's Night Main Event. Luckily, they didn't, but it was Slater, a champion, who ate the pin.

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The Young OG defeated The Miz the night before on SmackDown. The partnership has heavily helped NXT, while barely making TNA's champions look credible.

Evans could have easily been pinned to at least preserve Slater's status as a champion. Since he's clearly more important to bookers, they sacrificed a titleholder to protect him.


#2. Blurring reality and kayfabe at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

The only Saturday Night's Main Event contest that furthered an ongoing storyline was Rhodes vs. Femi. Drew McIntyre interfered but got his tail kicked by both men.

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With the extensive praise for Cena all night from past and present stars, WWE should have opted to go with the usual platitudes and not pick one match to further a current angle.

McIntyre even thanked Cena at one point, blurring the line between real and pre-determined. Had he not thanked the 17-time champ, the interference would have been fine.


#1. Drew McIntyre can't get a win

Drew McIntyre is supposed to be one of WWE's dangerous top heels, but his booking with Cody Rhodes paints him the opposite way. He looked strong during the WarGames build-up, but has gone back to falling at Rhodes' knees again.

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He wasn't allowed to appear on SmackDown last week and declined to appear this week. That didn't sit well with The American Nightmare last night. The issue clearly telegraphed The Scottish Warrior crashing Saturday Night's Main Event.

McIntyre blindsided Rhodes during his match with Oba Femi, causing a disqualification finish. His upper hand was short-lived as both Femi and Rhodes sent him packing from the ring after getting in shots.

It's disheartening to see such a talented performer get treated like that, especially since he has some truth behind his words.

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Edited by Matthew Serocki
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