WWE Friday Night SmackDown October 2, 2026 Results & Recap: Kevin Owens Qualifies After Randy Orton Costs Cody Rhodes

The WWE SmackDown Results from last night completed both Money in the Bank ladder-match fields as Kevin Owens and Tiffany Stratton claimed the final two spots. Owens’ victory came with another major assist from Randy Orton, who prevented Cody Rhodes from winning and later stopped him from breaking the deciding pin.

The October 2 show from Ball Arena in Denver also gave Blake Monroe her SmackDown in-ring debut against Giulia, continued Ricky Saints’ problems with AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix, and surrounded WWE Champion Sami Zayn with enough challengers to make Money in the Bank feel like another threat hanging over his reign.

WWE SmackDown Results

• Tiffany Stratton defeated Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae (Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier)
• Ricky Saints & The War Raiders defeated AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix & Fraxiom
• Blake Monroe defeated Giulia
• Kevin Owens defeated Cody Rhodes and Johnny Gargano (Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier)

Breakdowns & Reactions

Tiffany Stratton vs. Tatum Paxley vs. Candice LeRae (Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier)

SmackDown immediately put something meaningful on the line. Candice LeRae attacked both opponents before Tiffany Stratton answered with a springboard elbow and spinebuster. Tatum Paxley eventually wiped out both women with a moonsault to the floor.

The match improved once all three leaned into the chaos. Paxley’s release German suplex did not look particularly clean, but Stratton quickly restored the pace with an Alabama Slam and Swanton Bomb. LeRae later caught Paxley with a Codebreaker while simultaneously crashing into Stratton with a cannonball.

The closing sequence was considerably stronger. Paxley landed Cemetery Drive on Stratton before LeRae tried stealing the pin. Paxley eventually hit LeRae with a 450 Splash, but Stratton immediately dropped the Prettiest Moonsault Ever across both women and pinned LeRae.

That was smart Triple Threat wrestling. Stratton did not overpower two opponents. She recognized the opening Paxley created and took it.

Grade: B+

What worked

• Stratton’s timing on the finish gave her victory some intelligence beyond simply landing her finisher.
• Paxley continued looking comfortable in an increasingly prominent role.
• LeRae helped connect several of the match’s more complicated sequences.

What didn’t work

• Paxley’s release German suplex looked weak.
• Some three-person sequences required opponents to wait too visibly for incoming offense.

Paige Confronts WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green and Nikki Bella

WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green was discussing the Women’s Money in the Bank match and backing Tiffany Stratton when Nikki Bella interrupted. Nikki made it clear that she was interested in Green’s championship.

Paige had another priority.

She confronted Nikki and gave her two weeks to prepare for their own match in Sacramento before slapping her across the face. Green smiling afterward and telling Nikki that the slap was for her too gave the segment an effective final beat.

The championship conversation kept WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green relevant, but Paige made sure Nikki could not simply move past their issue.

Grade: B

What worked

• Paige and Nikki Bella’s conflict remained personal and direct.
• The slap provided an immediate physical payoff.
• WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green remained connected to the larger women’s picture.

What didn’t work

• Moving from the Money in the Bank discussion into Paige and Nikki Bella’s rivalry was somewhat abrupt.

AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix & Fraxiom vs. Ricky Saints & The War Raiders

This was one of last night’s most exciting matches and also the match containing its ugliest mistake.

Fraxiom supplied speed against The War Raiders’ power while Ricky Saints continued working as the opportunist. Then AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix attempted a moonsault dive over the ropes and became caught up around them, coming down awkwardly on the apron. His boot also appeared to catch Saints in the face, and Fenix immediately favored his leg.

It looked bad enough to briefly make the match secondary.

Fenix thankfully continued and eventually returned to full-speed offense. He hit Saints with a springboard cutter, caught Erik with a spinning kick, dropped Saints with a brainbuster and later hit Ivar with a frog splash.

The finish brought everything back to Saints’ character. Fenix went after Ivar without realizing Saints had made the blind tag. Saints entered behind him, hit Rochambeau and stole the victory.

Saints did not have to outperform Fenix. He only needed to recognize an opening Fenix missed.

Grade: B−

What worked

• Fraxiom’s speed contrasted naturally with The War Raiders’ power.
• Fenix recovered impressively from the failed dive.
• Saints’ blind tag made the finish fit his opportunistic character.

What didn’t work

• Fenix’s moonsault attempt was frightening.
• The match temporarily lost its rhythm while it became clear whether Fenix could continue.
• Some of the dive-heavy sequences became excessive.

Cody Rhodes and United States Champion Trick Williams Cross Paths

Cody Rhodes remained focused on qualifying for Money in the Bank when United States Champion Trick Williams entered and wished him luck.

The friendliness only went so far.

Trick essentially told Cody that qualifying would not solve his problem because he planned to win Money in the Bank and eventually take WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s championship himself.

Cody did not need to start another rivalry. United States Champion Trick Williams simply reminded him how crowded the path back to the championship had become.

Grade: B

What worked

• United States Champion Trick Williams sounded completely like himself.
• The interaction connected Cody’s qualifier to the larger Money in the Bank story.
• Cody’s restrained response kept the segment from becoming unnecessarily confrontational.

What didn’t work

• The exchange could have used slightly more time to become substantial.

Damian Priest Returns to His Roots

Damian Priest returned to New York to remind himself who he was.

Priest admitted that somewhere along the way he had lost sight of himself and started putting other people’s needs ahead of his own. He addressed the pain he caused R-Truth as personal and warned that if Truth returned looking for more, Priest would enjoy putting him down professionally.

The message was straightforward: Priest considers himself a violent man again.

The simplicity helped. WWE did not need another complicated explanation for Priest’s direction. It needed him to establish what had changed.

Grade: B

What worked

• New York gave the vignette an appropriate visual identity.
• Priest clearly explained his change in mentality.
• The presentation felt more grounded than a generic backstage promo.

What didn’t work

• WWE still has to translate the character reset into meaningful results.

Charlotte Flair Gives Tatum Paxley Another Opportunity

Tatum Paxley was understandably disappointed after failing to qualify for Money in the Bank.

Alexa Bliss tried supporting her before Charlotte Flair revealed that she and Bliss had spoken with Nick Aldis. Paxley already had another opportunity: next week, Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley will challenge WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Fatal Influence.

Paxley repeatedly tried hugging Charlotte. Charlotte resisted before eventually giving Paxley her hat instead.

It was small character work, but useful character work. More importantly, Paxley’s loss earlier in the night immediately led somewhere.

Grade: B

What worked

• Paxley’s qualifying loss immediately produced another direction.
• Charlotte Flair and Paxley’s unusual chemistry continued developing.
• Alexa Bliss had a logical reason to be part of the conversation.

What didn’t work

• The segment was primarily setup rather than a major development itself.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s Money in the Bank Problem Gets Bigger

This was last night’s strongest storyline segment because it made Money in the Bank feel like something more dangerous than a ladder match.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn came out looking for respect and received enough boos to bother him. Sami confronted the reaction and reminded Denver how difficult his journey to the WWE Championship had been. What increasingly frustrates him is the assumption that receiving an opportunity against him automatically means taking his championship.

Then the threats started arriving.

Je’Von Evans openly imagined winning Money in the Bank, cashing in on WWE Champion Sami Zayn and becoming champion without needing the same long journey.

Penta followed and made his intentions equally clear: whether WWE Champion Sami Zayn or World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns held the championship he targeted did not matter. He planned to win the briefcase and eventually become champion.

United States Champion Trick Williams added another personality to the argument before Sami finally pushed back.

That is what makes Sami’s current direction work. His insecurity is becoming obvious, but his paranoia is not imaginary. People really are circling him.

Finn Bálor then confronted WWE Champion Sami Zayn despite failing to qualify for Money in the Bank. Sami told him to earn his championship opportunity. Finn responded physically.

Gunther ended the argument by flattening both men and throwing them into the ladder displays.

The segment took a briefcase nobody has won yet and turned it into another problem hanging over Sami’s championship.

Grade: A−

What worked

• WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s paranoia continues to have legitimate justification.
• Je’Von Evans came across as ambitious rather than simply grateful to share the ring with established names.
• Penta clearly explained what Money in the Bank means to him.
• United States Champion Trick Williams added personality to a potentially repetitive series of interruptions.
• Finn Bálor remained connected to the championship despite failing to qualify.
• Gunther supplied a violent ending instead of another round of talking.

What didn’t work

• The consecutive entrance-and-interruption structure was predictable.
• Je’Von Evans and Penta could have benefited from more individual room.

Lash Legend Sends a Warning

Tiffany Stratton celebrated qualifying before WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green joined her.

Then Lash Legend arrived.

Lash made it clear that she intended to overpower the field and take the briefcase herself. The segment was brief, but it connected Green’s WWE Women’s Championship to a ladder match containing her friend and several potential threats.

That is the complication WWE should continue developing. WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green can support Tiffany now. Supporting a friend carrying a contract that can be used against a champion is another matter.

Grade: B−

What worked

• The WWE Women’s Championship remained connected to Money in the Bank.
• Lash Legend came across as physically imposing.
• Tiffany Stratton and WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green’s friendship creates an obvious future complication.

What didn’t work

• The segment was too short to move beyond the basic premise.

Gunther Has No Time for Danhausen

Cathy Kelley attempted to catch Gunther after his attack on WWE Champion Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor.

Danhausen interrupted with the metal-detector antics he had been doing throughout the show.

Gunther wanted nothing to do with it.

He grabbed Danhausen and launched him into nearby crates.

The joke worked because Gunther was exactly the person who should refuse to participate in it.

Grade: B−

What worked

• Gunther remained completely in character.
• Danhausen’s running background gag received a payoff.
• The physical punchline was immediate.

What didn’t work

• Cathy Kelley’s actual question about Gunther’s motivation went unanswered.

Blake Monroe vs. Giulia

After weeks of attacks, interruptions and false starts, Blake Monroe finally made her SmackDown in-ring debut against Giulia.

The aggression was immediate. Monroe used a handstand hurricanrana and running knee on the floor before Giulia responded with a running forearm and missile dropkick. Monroe answered with a Sling Blade and back suplex. Giulia fired back with Arrivederci before stomping Monroe’s face into the mat.

Then came the finish.

Giulia dragged Monroe toward the corner while Monroe was on the apron. Monroe dropped down and swept Giulia face-first into the top turnbuckle. Giulia went down, and Monroe immediately covered her for three.

The idea was understandable. The execution was less convincing.

The collision did not look severe enough to explain Giulia being incapacitated for the entire count, particularly after Giulia had shrugged off Monroe’s headbutt earlier.

A solid match deserved a stronger final image.

Grade: B−

What worked

• Blake Monroe finally received her SmackDown in-ring debut after weeks of delays.
• Giulia’s offense brought the necessary aggression.
• The physicality reflected their existing rivalry.

What didn’t work

• The decisive turnbuckle collision did not look strong enough.
• The finish felt abrupt.
• Giulia shrugging off the earlier headbutt made the final knockout-style sell harder to buy.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn Motivates Johnny Gargano — For His Own Reasons

Johnny Gargano consoled Candice LeRae after her loss and reminded her that he could still become “Johnny in the Bank.”

Then WWE Champion Sami Zayn appeared.

Gargano’s reaction suggested he had expected Sami might help him during the qualifier. Sami explained that Nick Aldis had warned him against becoming involved.

Instead, Sami gave Gargano a huge motivational speech and convinced him he could win on his own.

Gargano left fired up.

Sami crossed his fingers.

That final image revealed the actual motivation. Sami was not simply being supportive. Of Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano, Sami clearly viewed Gargano as the most comfortable potential briefcase holder.

Grade: B+

What worked

• WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s paranoia received another layer.
• Johnny Gargano received additional motivation before the main event.
• Sami crossing his fingers communicated more than another speech would have.

What didn’t work

• No material flaw. The segment was short and accomplished exactly what it needed to.

Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano (Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier)

Last night’s main event had the strongest combination of wrestling, stakes and storyline consequence.

Cody Rhodes immediately went after Kevin Owens while Johnny Gargano used his speed to create openings against both men. Owens eventually introduced a table. Candice LeRae prevented him from putting Gargano through it, but her involvement eventually backfired when she fell onto the table without breaking it. Cody later sent Gargano through the table himself.

Inside the ring, Gargano trapped Owens in the Gargano Escape. Cody later suplexed Gargano onto Owens. Owens hit a Stunner. Cody answered with a huge Cody Cutter.

Then Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Owens.

It looked finished.

Randy Orton pulled the referee out of the ring.

Cody abandoned the match long enough to go after Orton. Orton sent him into the steel steps before Cody recovered and drove Orton into the ring post. Cody then attempted the Punt he had promised, but Gargano stopped him with a dive.

Gargano returned to the ring and caught Owens with a DDT for another near fall.

Owens eventually connected with a superkick and Pop-up Powerbomb on Gargano.

Cody desperately crawled toward the pin.

Orton pulled him away.

Three.

Kevin Owens is going to Money in the Bank.

Cody Rhodes is not.

The interference protected Cody, advanced his rivalry with Orton and put Owens into the ladder match. It accomplished plenty, although another major Cody opportunity ending because of Randy Orton will become predictable if WWE keeps repeating the same mechanism.

Grade: A−

What worked

• Johnny Gargano looked credible beside two former world champions.
• Kevin Owens adds an experienced veteran to a diverse Money in the Bank field.
• Gargano received convincing near falls instead of functioning as the obvious third man.
• Randy Orton’s interference directly advanced his rivalry with Cody Rhodes.
• Cody was protected without invalidating Owens’ qualification.

What didn’t work

• Repeated Randy Orton interference costing Cody major opportunities could become predictable.
• Candice LeRae’s involvement added chaos but was not essential.

WWE SmackDown Results and Money in the Bank Fallout

The qualifying phase is finished.

Tiffany Stratton joins Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne, Roxanne Perez and Lash Legend in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Kevin Owens joins World Tag Team Champion Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, United States Champion Trick Williams, Penta and CM Punk in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

The more interesting consequence is what those fields mean for the championship pictures.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn spent last night hearing wrestlers openly discuss taking his championship. His attempt to encourage Johnny Gargano exposed how much he already cares about who wins the briefcase. Randy Orton simultaneously removed Cody Rhodes from the ladder match, pushing their rivalry forward while closing another route Cody could have used to get back toward the championship.

The women’s side has its own complication. WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green openly supported Tiffany Stratton, but winning Money in the Bank would give Tiffany a contract capable of immediately changing their relationship.

The briefcases finally feel less like prizes people are qualifying to chase and more like weapons the champions have reason to fear.

Announced for Next Week’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown

• CM Punk returns to SmackDown
• Fatal Influence (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Tatum Paxley (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)

Paige also challenged Nikki Bella to face her in Sacramento in two weeks.

Updated WWE Money in the Bank Match Card

• Roman Reigns (c) vs. LA Knight (World Heavyweight Championship)
• Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. the winner of Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan (Women’s World Championship)
• Oba Femi vs. Bronson Reed
• World Tag Team Champion Bron Breakker vs. Je’Von Evans vs. United States Champion Trick Williams vs. Penta vs. CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens (Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match)
• Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton (Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match)

Best Match and Segment of the Night

Best Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano (Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier)

The main event combined last night’s strongest wrestling with its most consequential finish. Gargano looked credible, Owens capitalized, Cody appeared seconds away from qualifying, and Randy Orton once again ripped the opportunity away.

Best Segment: WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s confrontation with Je’Von Evans, Penta, United States Champion Trick Williams, Finn Bálor and Gunther

The segment made Money in the Bank feel dangerous before anybody had actually won the briefcase.

Final Thoughts

The WWE SmackDown Results from last night accomplished the show’s most important job: Money in the Bank now has two complete ladder-match fields, and WWE finally made those briefcases feel connected to its championship stories.

The opening Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier was strong. AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix’s failed moonsault dive was frightening even though he recovered and finished the match. Blake Monroe and Giulia produced a solid match saddled with an unconvincing finish. Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano delivered the strongest wrestling of the night.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn remains the most interesting piece.

His paranoia is becoming increasingly visible, but WWE keeps giving him reasons to feel threatened. Je’Von Evans, Penta, United States Champion Trick Williams, Finn Bálor and Gunther all see possibilities around his championship, and one of six men will soon possess a contract capable of turning that possibility into an immediate title match.

Randy Orton made sure Cody Rhodes will not be that man.

SmackDown was not flawless, but the important stories moved and Money in the Bank left Denver stronger than it entered.

Overall grade: B+

What worked

• The final Money in the Bank Qualifiers produced meaningful winners and completed two interesting ladder-match fields.
• WWE Champion Sami Zayn’s increasingly defensive championship reign gave the briefcase an immediate storyline purpose.
• Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano delivered the strongest match of the night.
• Randy Orton costing Cody advanced one of SmackDown’s central rivalries.

What didn’t work

• AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix’s failed dive created an unnecessarily frightening moment.
• Blake Monroe vs. Giulia ended with an unconvincing finish.
• Several backstage segments advanced stories without being substantial enough to stand out individually.

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