WWE Dropping Retro Look for Saturday Night’s Main Event

WWE is shaking things up for Saturday Night’s Main Event, and fans tuning in this weekend are in for a different visual experience than what they’ve seen over the last year.

According to WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select, WWE is planning to ditch the classic red, white, and blue throwback aesthetic for a sleeker, more modern presentation. This change arrives just in time for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13—headlined by John Cena’s final match—and could signal the start of a new direction for the brand. As Joey Votes explained on the show:

“We’re told to expect this weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event to debut an updated look, shifting towards a modern day PLE presentation rather than the recent throwback themes fans have grown used to since its return a year ago. According to one source, WWE’s planned since August to refresh the Saturday Night’s Main Event brand as it transitions exclusively to Peacock. However, it remains unclear whether this new presentation will become the permanent direction for the series, or if it’s simply a one-off change for this special John Cena edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.”

The brand’s revival came packed with nostalgia—retro graphics, old-school music, referees in bow ties, and blue barricades. But internally, there’s reportedly been a push to update that format and bring it into the modern era. Co-host TC reflected on the shift:

“I’ve loved the revival of the Saturday Night Main Event brand having the retro feel — the referees with the bow ties, the blue barricades, the different lighting, the return of Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura. But I think at some point, people internally want to move forward, not look back. They want to re-envision things and put their stamp on it. We’ve seen Cena’s final match marketed with gold and black. I’d love to see gold ropes like WrestleMania X — a sleek, modern look.”

Modern LED boards, digital branding, and branded ring mats are all expected, especially now that the event streams exclusively on Peacock. TC also added that the visual presentation has evolved so much that he’s no longer fazed by advertising around the ring:

“That stuff doesn’t even bother me anymore.”

Still, it’s unclear if this visual reboot is permanent. Joey Votes noted that the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal, set for January 24, is still being promoted with the traditional retro graphics. That could mean the new look is just for Cena’s farewell—or WWE simply hasn’t updated the materials yet.

“Yeah, so it remains to be seen if this is a one-time thing or going forward. It is worth noting the January 24 Saturday Night’s Main Event from Montreal is still being advertised with the traditional red, white, and blue logo.”

Whether this is a bold one-off tribute to Cena’s legacy or a long-term brand shift, fans will get their first taste of WWE’s new aesthetic approach this Saturday.

How do you feel about WWE modernizing the look of Saturday Night’s Main Event? Do you prefer the retro vibes, or is it time for a refresh? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know.