Triple H Absent From WWE Saturday Night's Main Event

Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp posted on X that "Triple H is not backstage at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event," which has inevitably raised questions amongst fans. The Game missed an episode of SmackDown in recent weeks, and it seems he won't be directing the show tonight in Salt Lake City.

It's also claimed that WWE officials are "very disappointed" with ticket sales for the special streaming on Peacock. There has been a drop-off in sales, and fans have been moved to lower sections of the Delta Center.

Triple H was present for SmackDown on Friday, but neither he nor executive director Bruce Pritchard are at SNME. They are two of the most important figureheads backstage.

Triple H took to social media earlier in the day to promote SNME, which features three world title matches. He posted the matchcard and captioned it:

"A new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned tonight. (CM Punk) vs. (Jey Uso), (Cody Rhodes) and (Drew McIntyre) settle unfinished business for the Undisputed crown. (Tiffany Stratton) defends her Women’s Championship against (Jade Cargill). And (Dominik Mysterio) finds himself in no man’s land with (Penta) & (Rusev)."

While SNME isn't a PLE, it is still a 'special' show for WWE, especially with a new World Heavyweight Championship to be crowned. Goldberg's retirement match took place in July's edition of the show, which was revived in September 2024.

WWE SNME - The Wrong Destination For John Cena's Retirement

The December edition of SNME will see John Cena compete in a WWE ring for the last time as the 17-time world champion retires in Washington D.C. There was already some criticism over the decision not to have Cena bow out a major PLE like WrestleMania 42.

SNME's ticket sales issue tonight hasn't been the case for Cena's final match as they have sold extremely well. But one has to wonder why WWE didn't think to book a one-off PLE in tribute to one of their all-time greats who deserves to go out on the grand stage.

Cena has insisted that he'll keep his word and retire on December 13th, but the handling of his farewell tour has left much to be admired. He didn't appear tonight as he has just four dates left before retirement, including his final PLE, Survivor Series on November 29th.