Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown (Friday, October 2, 2026) emanates live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado and will air starting at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.
Results, match winners, promo segment notes and other major developments from WWE's blue brand will be added below as Friday Night SmackDown airs.
Preview & Predictions for WWE SmackDown:
On tap for tonight's episode, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano collide for the final opening in the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, while Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae battle for the final spot in the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Giulia will also finally go one-on-one with Blake Monroe after their previous scheduled matches failed to officially get underway.
The two routes WWE can go with Giulia and Monroe is either the most basic "Monroe wins because she's the new star, the heel who can cheat, and is someone who shouldn't lose on her first real match" or the "surprise gotcha where Giulia picks up the victory with some roll-up, causing Monroe to be shocked and to lash out and beat up Giulia after the match so she looks like she ultimately won the battle even though she technically lost" scenarios. It's always hard to tell when WWE is going to do the latter, but with Monroe, she's certainly someone I could imagine them doing that with to extend this feud even longer, as they seem hell-bent on stalling with Monroe for effectively most of 2026.
The MITB qualifiers are interesting. For the men's match, I fully expect Cody Rhodes to start brawling with Randy Orton, leaving Kevin Owens to pin Johnny Gargano. That seems like a virtual guarantee. The women's match is a bit more up in the air. Candice LeRae is definitely taking the pin, but I'm not sure between Stratton and Paxley who will have the advantage. Paxley is newer, so she might be gifted that spot, as WWE has been putting some fresh talent into this year's matches, but Stratton is a former world champion who they might feel a bit more comfortable putting in there for "star power" reasons. I'll ultimately say I'm leaning toward Paxley, though.
Here are your results for WWE SmackDown - October 2, 2026:
- Women's Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Tiffany Stratton defeated Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae by pinning LeRae. Paxley appeared to have the match won after landing a 450 Splash on LeRae, but Stratton came down with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to interrupt the cover and steal the pin. Stratton advances to the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
- Chelsea Green was discussing the Money in the Bank threat when Nikki Bella approached and made another claim to the WWE Women's Championship. Paige inserted herself into the confrontation, telling Nikki that her reputation did not automatically earn her a title opportunity. Paige challenged Bella to a rematch in Sacramento in two weeks and slapped her across the face.
- Ricky Saints and The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) defeated AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix and Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) by pinfall. Fenix was focused on taking Ivar down from the ropes and failed to notice Saints make a blind tag. Saints capitalized with Roshambo on Fenix to secure the victory.
- Cody Rhodes was asked about having to get through both Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano to reach Money in the Bank. Rhodes acknowledged his history with Owens and said he would not overlook Gargano. United States Champion Trick Williams interrupted and made it known that he expects to win the briefcase himself and use it to take the Undisputed WWE Championship from Sami Zayn.
- A prerecorded Damian Priest message aired from New York City. Priest said he was finished prioritizing anyone else's needs and warned R-Truth that another confrontation would end with Priest putting him down. Priest embraced the idea that he is once again the violent man he used to be.
- Alexa Bliss tried to lift Tatum Paxley's spirits following her loss in the opening qualifier. Charlotte Flair then revealed that she had gone to Nick Aldis and arranged for herself and Paxley to face Fatal Influence in a No. 1 contenders match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship next week. Flair gave Paxley her hat, although Paxley was still denied the hug she wanted.
- Sami Zayn came to the ring frustrated by the mixed reaction to his reign as Undisputed WWE Champion and argued that the championship proves how much he has survived to reach the top. Je'Von Evans interrupted and questioned why his own rise should have to take as long as Sami's, suggesting he could win Money in the Bank and cash in on Zayn. Penta followed and promised that the briefcase would make him a world champion regardless of which title he pursued. Trick Williams was next, boasting that SmackDown belongs to him and reminding Sami that he has already defeated him twice. Zayn responded that only one of the Money in the Bank entrants can actually win and told the group they had not overcome what he had. Finn Balor confronted Zayn as the champion left the ring, only for Gunther to attack both men from behind and leave Balor and Zayn laid out near the ladders on the stage.
- Tiffany Stratton predicted that her experience in ladder matches would make her a two-time Ms. Money in the Bank. Chelsea Green was happy with that idea until Lash Legend entered the conversation and told both women she intended to capture the briefcase and eventually take Green's championship.
- Gunther's attempt to give an interview was derailed almost immediately by Danhausen. Gunther responded by manhandling him and throwing him into nearby equipment.
- Blake Monroe defeated Giulia by pinfall. Giulia tried to attack from the corner late in the match, but Monroe caused her to crash face-first into the ring post. Monroe immediately covered the motionless Giulia and picked up the three-count.
- Johnny Gargano tried to keep Candice LeRae positive following her loss earlier in the show. Sami Zayn joined them and explained that Nick Aldis had threatened consequences if he became involved in the main event. Rather than interfere, Zayn encouraged Gargano to make the most of his opportunity and qualify for Money in the Bank.
- Men's Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Kevin Owens defeated Cody Rhodes and Johnny Gargano by pinning Gargano. Candice LeRae came to ringside during the match and was accidentally knocked from the apron onto a table. Cody later appeared to have Owens beaten, but Randy Orton pulled Rhodes out of the ring before the three-count. Cody and Orton fought at ringside while Gargano caught Owens with a DDT. Owens recovered with a powerbomb on Gargano and made the cover, while Orton grabbed Cody's ankle to stop Rhodes from returning to the ring in time to break up the pin. Owens earned the final position in the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
What are your thoughts on tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown? Drop your reactions in the comments below and spark a discussion!