WWE hosted an impressive set of matches for Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Although not every match hit the high notes of a major premium live event, the event still offered several memorable moments as a lead-up to the Clash in Italy.
This article will provide star ratings for each match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV.
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Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca
The encounter between Becky Lynch and Sol Ruca didn’t reach an intense level but effectively progressed their storyline as they gear up for the summer.
Lynch took on the role of the aggressive veteran, while Ruca demonstrated moments of athletic prowess with her dynamic offense. The match concluded with a disqualification when Lynch deliberately pulled referee Jessika Carr into Sol Ruca’s finishing move.
The ending impacted the match’s overall quality, leaving fans without a satisfying conclusion. Nonetheless, WWE positioned Ruca as an underdog while continuing to develop Lynch’s increasingly erratic heel persona.
This match fulfilled its storyline objectives but fell short of delivering superior in-ring quality.
Star rating: **1/4
Brie Bella & Paige vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend for the Women’s Tag Team Championship
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match featuring Brie Bella and Paige against Nia Jax and Lash Legend was steady but not particularly remarkable.
The experienced wrestlers relied on their connection with the crowd, while Jax and Legend delivered powerful offenses. Lash Legend has shown rapid improvement on the main roster, and Nia effectively embodied her role as the dominant force.
The match followed a straightforward format, with the champions initially on the defensive before making a comeback to secure a victory through a surprise pinning maneuver.
The pacing of the match may have been a factor in holding it back. Some transitions seemed slow, and the chemistry between the competitors occasionally appeared inconsistent.
This title defense was adequate but unlikely to be memorable for fans in the long term.
Star rating: **2/4
Six-Woman Tag Team Match
The six-woman opener was exactly what it aimed to be: lively, chaotic, and enjoyable for the crowd. It featured Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab against Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.
The match boasted significant star power, with the audience responding enthusiastically. Jade Cargill stood out the most, reaffirming her status as a standout performer. WWE continues to present her as a formidable force, with a distinctive offensive style compared to others in the women’s division.
Ripley and Flair maintained their usual intensity, while Alexa Bliss contributed with agility and personality. Ultimately, Cargill pinned her Clash in Italy opponent, Ripley, to secure the win for her team.
The match occasionally suffered from overcrowding, a common occurrence in multi-person tag matches. Additionally, there was a wardrobe malfunction involving Flair. Despite these issues, the energy remained high, and every participant had a moment to shine, keeping the crowd invested.
This strong opener effectively set the stage for the rest of the event.
Star rating: ***1/4
The Vision vs. The Street Profits for the World Tag Team Championship
The World Tag Team Championship main event between Logan Paul and Austin Theory of The Vision against The Street Profits lived up to expectations.
This was a classic chaotic WWE-style main event, thriving on crowd engagement, near falls, and outside interference.
Montez Ford once again delivered an exceptional performance with incredible athletic feats, electrifying the Fort Wayne crowd. Angelo Dawkins also had a standout performance.
Logan Paul continues to impress in high-profile matches. Regardless of fan opinions, his in-ring timing and commitment are undeniable. Austin Theory complemented him well, particularly during the faster sequences.
The interference from Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman contributed to the chaos without overshadowing the match. In the end, Logan Paul used brass knuckles to help The Vision retain their titles.
The storytelling was top-notch, emphasizing The Street Profits’ struggle against the numbers game, echoing Seth Rollins’ warnings about The Vision’s dominance.
This felt like a true main event and stands out as one of WWE’s strongest tag team matches of 2026 so far.
Star rating: ****
Penta vs. Ethan Page for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental Championship match between Penta and Ethan Page was the highlight of the show.
From the start, both competitors wrestled with urgency and intensity. Ethan Page appeared as a genuine main-event talent throughout, seemingly validating WWE’s reported high regard for him following his main roster debut.
Penta once again demonstrated why he is considered one of WWE’s most exciting in-ring performers. His offense was sharp, impactful, and explosive, especially during the final moments.
The match was exceptional due to its balance of athleticism and storytelling. Page consistently sought shortcuts and opportunities to exploit weaknesses, while Penta fought as a resilient champion.
The near falls were thrilling, eliciting strong reactions from the crowd during several dramatic moments. The conclusion capped off an outstanding performance from both wrestlers.
If WWE continues to book Ethan Page strongly, it may not be long before he captures a championship. As for Penta, his Intercontinental Championship reign continues to gain momentum with each defense.
This was undoubtedly the Match of the Night and one of WWE’s finest television matches of 2026 so far.
Star rating: ****1/2
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Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein
