NBC and Peacock will bring back Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 14, making fans nostalgic for the Golden Age of wrestling.

Cody Rhodes will defend the WWE title against Kevin Owens.

Saturday Night’s Main Event debuted on May 11, 1985, in the 11:30 p.m. time slot usually occupied by Saturday Night Live.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and the US Express team of Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo won the opener over Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff & George “The Animal” Steele.

Captain Lou Albano, the manager of the Express, took The Animal under his wing after Steele’s partners abandoned him at the end of the match.

Hulk Hogan defended the World Wrestling Federation title against “Cowboy” Bob Orton, who was serving as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s bodyguard.

Piper attacked the Hulkster, causing Orton to be disqualified. Mr. T and Paul Orndorff came to the champion’s aid.

Wendi Richter beat The Fabulous Moolah to retain the women’s title before celebrating with manager Cyndi Lauper. She was a huge pop star at the time.

Junkyard Dog squashed Pete Doherty in the “go to sleep” match just before 1 a.m. JYD’s mom danced with him in the ring because it was now Mother’s Day.

THE SHOW THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

I missed that first episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, but I’ll never forget the second one.

Expecting to watch SNL on Oct. 5, 1985, I discovered the Main Event instead. Hogan was getting ready to defend the WWF title against Volkoff in a flag match.

“No way can he beat Volkoff,” I thought.

I was wrong of course, as Hogan won easily and wiped his boots with the Russian flag.

Pro wrestling hooked me that night, and it hasn’t let go four decades later.

This show also featured Uncle Elmer’s wedding. The 400-pound groom also set a record by defeating Jerry Valiant in six seconds.

In other bouts:

·      Piper battled Orndorff to a double count-out

·      Andre the Giant & Tony Atlas beat Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy by disqualification

·      Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake beat Tony Garea & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo to retain the WWF tag team championship