The SmackDown Live Report for 10/02/26

The SmackDown Live Report

THE ONLY BLVD!

It’s Friday night so it’s SmackDown tonight live from the Ball Arena in Denver, CO! Tonight, we find out who will complete the field and punch the final tickets to New Orleans in the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches. Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens vs Johnny Gargano will collide in the Men’s Triple Threat Qualifying Match, and on the Women’s side Tatum Paxley vs Tiffany Stratton vs Candice LeRae will clash. Also, AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix has backup tonight in the form of Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) for a Six-Man Tag Team Match against Ricky Saints and The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar). And, Blake Monroe will at last make her SmackDown in-ring debut against archrival Giulia.

We got lots in store for the show tonight – So let’s start the SLAM and light the lights!

We start things off with the recap from the Men’s MitB ladder match from last week. Then, we watch the contenders for this week’s MitB match walking in.

Michael Cole is on play-by-play, Corey Graves is our analyst, Kathy Kelley reports backstage, and Mark Nash is the ring announcer.

Live in the arena, we begin things off right away with Tiffy Time as Tifffany Stratton comes out for the Women’s MitB qualifier match. Then, Candice LeRae. Finally, Tatum Paxley fills things out. Corey Graves happened to comment that if LeRae and Johnny Gargano both win their MitB matches we’ll have our first husband and wife briefcases.

Women’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifier Match:
Tatum Paxley vs Tiffany Stratton vs Candice LeRae

Off the bell, LeRae uses Paxley as a projectile and smashes her into Stratton. Double DDT by LeRae and covers Paxley for a two. She slams Stratton in the corner and takes out Paxley on the ring apron. LeRae comes back into the ring to be slapped by Stratton and squashed into the corner. Spinebuster by Stratton onto LeRae for a two. Stratton looks for an Alabama Slam but can’t get it as LeRae tries a Sunset Flip. In comes Paxley with a Sunset Flip on Stratton for a two count. LeRae rolls up Paxley for two. Stratton now rolls up LeRae for her own two. Back and forth they go until Paxley slows things down with a Snap Suplex on Stratton. Paxley punches and kicks both women out of the ring. Paxley with a Moonsault on both women as we go to our first break.

Paxley seems to be in full control in the middle of this triple threat. That is, until it’s Tiffy Time with Double Stunners. Paxley rolls out of the ring as Stratton hits the Alabama Slam on LeRae. She goes up to and nails the Swanton Bomb on Lerae. Suddenly, Paxley jumps in with a Spin Kick for a close call on Stratton. LeRae recovers and hits a form of Codebreaker Cannonball on Paxley and covers a fallen Stratton for a two count. Stratton recovers and tries for a move on Paxley, but Paxley hits the Cemetery Drive on Stratton. LeRae jumps in, throwing Paxley off of the cover and tries to steal one. But Paxley is able to jump back in to stop the count at two.

The finish comes while Stratton is still down and LeRaee puts Paxley up top. Stratton hits LeRae with a Rolling Senton. But Paxley from up top leaps over Stratton and hits a 450 Splash on LeRae. Stratton jumped up top and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Paxley, who was pinning LeRae. Paxley rolls away and Stratton covered LeRae for the win. It’s Tiffy Time!

WINNER: Tiffany Stratton

Tiffany Stratton joins Lola Vice, Sol Ruca, Roxanne Perez, Lash Legend and Jacy Jayne for the Women’s MitB Ladder Match in New Orleans.

Now Backstage, Kathy Kelley is joined by WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. Green says all six women in the MitB ladder match deserved it. In the background we see Danhausen. Nikki Bella walked in trashing Green and says she’ll be the one to take the Women’s title. Paige interrupted that to trash her rival Nikki. Paige said she’s going to face Nikki again in two weeks in Sacramento. Paige said she forgot one more thing… SLAP! Green said that goes for her too as they both left.

 Now it’s time for six-man tag team action. First out to the arena is the current AAA Cruiserweight Champ Rey Fenix. Break. Then, Fraxiom is already in the ring as the War Raiders come out. Finally, Ricky Saints joins them.

Six-Man Tag Team Match:
AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix & Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs Ricky Saints & The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)

Erik and Frazer starts things off. Frazer is dominated as Ivar is tagged in. Frazer is isolated in the opponent’s corner now as Frazer tags himself in. Frazer with punches in the corner, then tags in Erik. Frazer avoided him with flips and hits an Enzuigiri and tags in his partner Axiom. Erik gets a DDT from Frazer which sends him outside. Ivar runs in and Frazer jumps over him, Ivar’s momentum sending himself to the outside. Back and forth, Fraxiom individually do Flying Elbows onto each War Raider, including Saints. Then Fenix gets tagged in and attempted a Suicide Dive, but his foot appeared to have gotten caught on the top rope and he hurt himself on the apron. That appeared to have been a botch. Fenix was favoring his leg as Fraxiom came down to the outside to beat on the War Raiders to cover it up as they went to a commercial break.

After the break, Fenix appears to be okay on the apron with Frazer. Saints is in control of Axiom, isolating him in their corner. Until Axiom hits an Enzuigiri and a Dropkick on Erik with both men down. Saints runs in and cheap shots Frazer, but Axiom kicks him to the outside. Ivar tags in, and Fenix gets the hot tag. Ivar gets kicked multiple times before Saints illegally runs in again only to get a Lethal Injection on Saints and a Tiger Feint kick to Erik. Fenix with the Adios Amigo to Erik, a Fireman’s Carry Brainbuster to Saints and a Shawn Michael’s style Superkick to the legal man Ivar. Frog Splash to Erik, but Ivar saves the pin.

It’s chaos now as Axiom Superkicks Ivar, Saints Clotheslines Axiom, and Frazer flying onto Saints. Erik turns Fenix inside out, then Fraxiom double-teams Erik with a double Dropkick. Frazer tries to take flight through the middle ropes but gets caught by Erik. Flying Moonsault to the outside by Axiom and both men go down. Ivar goes to the top, but Fenix Flying Uppercuts him and climbs up, too. Fenix hits the Hurricanrana on Ivar, but Saints made a tag before that happened. From behind, Saints connects with the Rochambeau, a reverse Powerslam move, for the win.

WINNERS: Ricky Saints & The War Raiders

Now backstage, Kelley is interviewing Cody Rhodes about his war with words against Randy Orton. Rhodes talks about his opponents for tonight’s MitB qualifier match. After some cheap pops about Denver, in walks Trick Williams. He says there’s just one problem with being in the MitB match. Williams is in it. He talks about that lemon pepper-stepper grabbing the briefcase, cashing it in, beathing the frosting off the gingerbread man and becoming the new WWE Champion. Rhodes wishes him luck.

Now another vignette featuring Damian Priest. He says if you can make it out of this city (New York) you’re a real one because you survived something. If you want respect, you’ve got to bleed. He warns R-Truth that if he is looking for trouble, Priest intends to put him down. He says that this city made him who he is and made him thrive. Priest said he’s a bad man and a violent man, and that’s all you’re going to see from now on.

Now elsewhere backstage is Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Tatum Paxley. Paxley complained about her candles not working. Bliss says when one door closes another door opens. Flair says they talked to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and, next week, they have a tag team title match against Fatal Influence. Paxley tries to hug her but Flair just gives Paxley her hat as she hugs Bliss instead.

Now, back live in the arena, Sami Zayn’s music blasts as he comes out for an in-ring promo. There was someone in the front row and Zayn got right in his face. Once Zayn gets in the ring there’s about half cheers and boos.

Zayn asks who came here to ride or die with the Last Real Good Guy? He said the reaction was a bit disappointing. He says no champion has had the journey he had. He says he’s still fighting for justice of inequality. He’s not getting the equal respect the WWE Champ gets. He hears all the vultures hovering over him. But the title is proof that he is a survivor. Ask CM Punk, ask KO, Cody Rhodes. He finds a way.

Here comes the Young OG Je’Von Evans, one of the people in the MitB ladder match. Evans says he didn’t mean to interrupt. But Zayn is out here getting all red like an Angry Bird and asks if he’s okay. Zayn says he’s fine and tells him he gets him. Evans says what if his time is right now. What if, unlike Zayn, it doesn’t take him 20 years to get the WWE Championship. He gets real and says he’s becoming the youngest MitB winner in history and he’s coming for the title. Evans will cash in on Zayn, beat the snout out of him, and he’ll see Evans holding the belt while announcer Michael Cole says his catchphrases.

Cue Penta, another superstar in the MitB. Penta says he respects him. But if he wants the contract he has to get through him. Then Penta addresses Zayn, saying he doesn’t care if it’s him or Roman Reigns. He will cash in and become a World Champion.

That cues Trick Williams, yet another contender already in the MitB ladder match. Graves mentions that Gargano and LeRae could’ve been the first ever Mr and Mrs MitB couple, but Williams and Lash Legend (another husband-and-wife couple) could to the same thing. Williams says there’s been a lot of talk about respect. He says both Evans and Penta have been lighting up Raw and he respects them. He says tonight is Friday night SmackDown, and Williams holds down the brand. He then turns to Zayn calling him gingerbread again. Williams says for months Zayn hasn’t combed his hair, sketches on his feet, breath smells. He says there’s only one man in the ring who looks, sounds and smells like money and that’s him.

Zayn asks if everyone got it out of their system. Nobody can do what he does. They think it’s as easy as taking the briefcase, cashing it in, and becoming the champion. Zayn says there’s three of them and there can only be one winner. And he’s looking at possibly three losers, and the question is what happens when the losses add up and years begin piling up. Zayn recalls everything he’s endured throughout his career; being embarrassed at WrestleMania to being thrown into dumpsters. Yet he survived and eventually became the WWE Champion. Zayn says until they’ve overcome some obstacles they don’t deserve to be in the same ring as the WWE Champ.

Zayn starts to leave up the ramp until Finn Balor comes out. Off mic, Balor says briefcase or not, he’s coming for the title. Zayn tells him to earn a shot at the title. So Balor knocks Zayn down.

Out comes Gunther attacking Balor from behind and Clotheslines him down. Gunther then blasts Zayn, too. He then throws both men into the ladders.

Backstage with Kelley once again, now interviewing the new entrant in the Women’s MitB match, Tiffany Stratton. Chelsea Green arrives to celebrate with her while bouncing around before Lash Legend walks in. Legend says she is the powerhouse and will bully her way to the briefcase, coming straight for Green. Danhausen is again in the background scanning people.

Now live, out comes Giulia. The announcers says this match is finally going to happen. After the commercial.

We’re back and Kelley is running to catch up to Gunther, asking why he attacked Balor and Zayn. In comes Danhausen with an “EVIL DETECTOR”, scanning Gunther. Gunther throws Danhausen against some boxes and crates.

Live again and out comes Blake Monroe’s in-ring debut.

Blake Monroe vs Giulia:

The bell rings and we’ve got a cat fight on our hands! Both go at it back and forth, egging each other on. Monroe finally gets control after Giulia misses a charge into the corner. Monroe sits Giulia up on the top and hits a top rope Hurricanrana. A dropkick to make sure Giulia stays down but Monroe only gets a two-count. Giulia gets a kick to send Monroe to the outside but Monroe drives Giulia into the apron and hits a knee to the face. Mid-match-‘mercial.

Back with both women in the ring as Giulia is in full control until Monroe hits a Slingblade and a Snap Suplex for a two-count. Monroe tried for a Neutralizer, but instead she got a Backdrop by Giulia. Giulia looked for the Northern Lights Bomb but Monroe slipped out the back and gave Giulia a Headbutt, which Giulia completely no-sold. Arrivederci by Giulia on Monroe followed by a stomp but only got a close call.

The finish came when Monroe was trying to escape on the outside, but Giulia grabbed her by the hair and tried to pull her up top for a Superplex type move. Monroe tripped up Gilia’s feet and Giulia hit head-first on the top ring post. Giulia is motionless in the ring as Monroe quickly goes for the cheap cover and the win.

WINNER: Blake Monroe

After the match Giulia hasn’t moved and it looks like the ref is signaling for help.

We’re now reminded of the chaos at the end of Raw between the Bloodline and the 946. The show ended with Jaida Parker aligning herself with 946 by committing “vehicular homicide” on Jacob Fatu. We get a few additional shots of what happened afterwards with Fatu being loaded onto an ambulance.

Somewhere backstage, Gargano was comforting LeRae after her earlier loss. Gargano says that all is not lost because he’s going to become “Johnny in the Bank”. Sami Zayn walked up to Gargano saying he can’t get involved tonight since he was warned by GM Aldis there would be consequences. Zayn said it’s okay because he knows Gargano has overcome obstacles, he knows how good Gargano is and Zayn said that Gargano is just as good as Owens and Rhodes. Zayn fired up Gargano calling him “Johnny Wrestling”, which led to Gargano smacking a water bottle as he was psyched up for his MitB match.

It’s time for our Men’s MitB qualifier! Out first is Kevin Owens before we go o a commercial. When we come back Gargano comes out. Finally, Rhodes arrives.

Men’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifier Match:
Kevin Owens vs Johnny Gargano vs Cody Rhodes

Off the bell, Rhodes and Owens go at it. Gargano tries to join in but gets punched by Rhodes. Rhodes and Owens go at it some more. Owens throws Rhodes to the ropes but Rhodes reverses and kicks Owens in the gut. Gargano then tries to attack Rhodes, but Rhodes turns it into a roll-up for only a two-count. Backslide on Owens for a quick kickout. Gargano tries to punch Owens, but he gets thrown to the outside for his effort. Owens tries to go to the outside for a move on the top turnbuckle, but Rhodes recovers and punches Owens all the way to the outside floor. Gargano is back on the apron with a kick to Rhodes, then a kick to Owens. Slingshot Spear on Rhodes by Gargano. Then Gargano flies through the middle ropes to take out Owens on the outside.

Back from break and Owens wants a table on the outside. He nearly puts Gargano through it, but LeRae pulls Gargano off Owens’s shoulders. Owens gets shoved into the steel steps as he goes into the ring now to be beaten by Rhodes. Owens is back for some Dusty-style punches by Rhodes and a Bionic Elbow. Suddenly Gargano appears again and Puts Rhodes into the Gargano Escape but gets pulled off by Owens. Owens tries for a stunner, but Gargano gets away. Gargano Escape on Owens. Owens counters into a pin position for a two. Rhodes slams Gargano on top of Owens. Rhodes went for Cross Rhodes, but Gargano shoves him to the ropes where LeRae is waiting to hold him there. No DQ, folks. Gargano went for a kick, but Rhodes slipped out and Gargano almost nailed his wife LeRae. Rhodes with a kick to Gargano that sends Gargano into his wife, who tumbles from the apron onto the table which doesn’t break. Rhodes sends Gargano to the apron, hits the ropes, and shoves him down to the outside onto the table which breaks this time. The Gargano family is out while Rhodes and Owens take each other down.

It’s chaos after we come back from our last break of the night, including a spot where all three men were up top. The big final moments come when Owens almost got Gargano with a close Powerbomb but instead hits a vicious Stunner for a count. But Rhodes leaps in and stops the ref’s count at two. Owens is irate. Back and forth punches and chops by Owens and Rhodes. Then they brawl. Owens goes for another Stunner on Rhodes but Rhodes reverses into a Cross Rhodes. But who shows up preventing the ref from counting to three?

It’s Randy Orton! They brawl on the outside until Orton throws Rhodes into the steel steps. Orton wants the DDT on the announce desk, but Rhodes shoves him to the apron then into the steel post. Rhodes looks like he’s going to finally punt Orton’s head off, but Gargano flies through the ropes and intercepts him. Gargano connects with One Final Beat on Owens in the ring for a close call. Gargano charged Owens in the corner but Owens Superkicked him. Owens with the Pop-Up Powerbomb on Gargano. Rhodes tried to save the match but Orton grabs his legs as the ref counted to three. Owens gets the win.

WINNER: Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens now joins Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Penta and CM Punk in the Men’s MitB Ladder Match.

After the match Orton runs away through the crowd as Rhodes slowly gives chase. KO celebrates in the ring as the credits roll.

Fade to black.