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WWE SmackDown Preview (10/2/26): Start Time, Match Card, How To Watch & Live Stream

Cody Rhodes will have a chance to get himself back into the WWE Championship picture if he can qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match tonight on SmackDown.
Rick Ucchino|
Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes | WWE

The push toward Money in the Bank continues tonight in Denver, Colorado as the final two triple threat qualifiers for the annual men's and women's ladder matches will take place on WWE SmackDown.

The latest episode of the Blue Brand will emanate from the Ball Arena, and that is where Cody Rhodes will get his latest opportunity to climb back into the WWE Championship picture.

The American Nightmare has been very vocal in recent weeks about his desire to finish what he started with Randy Orton at Sunday Night's Main Event, but he'll need to stay focused on Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano later tonight if he wants any hope of winning back the WWE Title from Sami Zayn in the near future.

Whoever emerges victorious from tonight's triple threat match will round out a field for the 2026 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match that already includes CM Punk, Bron Breakker, Penta, Je'Von Evans and Men's United States Champion Trick Williams.

The 2026 Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match is shaping up to be one of the more compelling contests in the match's nearly 10-year history. None of the five women who have qualified thus far have ever been a world champion on the main roster, but Tiffany Stratton could change that dynamic later tonight.

Stratton, a former WWE Women's Champion, will face off against Candice LeRae and former NXT Women's Champion Tatum Paxley, who is seeking to do what Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair could not, and that's punch a ticket to New Orleans for Saturday, October 10.

It also appears that Blake Monroe will finally, we think, make her in-ring debut on SmackDown. After another backstage brawl with Giulia last week, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis ordered The Glamour and The Beautiful Madness to settle the issues inside the ring.

WWE Champion Sami Zayn, CM Punk, Gunther, Jade Cargill and Trick Williams are all being advertised for the show as well. Here's everything we know about tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Check back for updates as more matches and segments could be announced prior to airtime.

How to watch WWE SmackDown tonight:

Watch: USA Network

WWE SmackDown time:

Time: 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST)

WWE SmackDown location:

Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

WWE Smackdown card (Announced):

Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano
Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano | WWE
  • Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat Match: Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Women's Money in the Bank Qualifying Triple Threat Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Tatum Paxley vs. Candice LeRae
  • Blake Monroe vs. Giulia
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Rick Ucchino
RICK UCCHINO

Rick Ucchino is the Assistant Editor & Content Coordinator for The Takedown on SI. He also works full-time for 700WLW Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio as a local news and sports anchor, in addition to his time covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sirius XM. Rick has been on the professional wrestling beat since 2019, having provided coverage for a number of outlets, including Fightful, SB Nation’s Cageside Seats and the Bleav Podcast Network. With an educational background in theater, creative writing and journalism, Rick focuses primarily on the storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, but he’s no stranger to the squared circle himself. He had the privilege of training with former WWE & WCW cruiserweight Jimmy Wang Yang for nearly two years and retired early due to back issues with a perfect 1-0 record in singles competition. Rick is a married father of two incredibly adorable children, who are budding pro wrestling fans themselves. Much to the chagrin of their mother. You can reach Rick at rwucchino@gmail.com

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