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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 16, 2026
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA AT GOLDEN 1 CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as of this morning that 8,053 tickets were distributed for a setup of 8,822 spectators. The arena has a capacity of 15,685 spectators when configured for concerts.
A quick non-wrestling plug before we get into Smackdown: Check out BadWill Presents: The Workplace Comedy Character Championship! We are approaching the end of the first round and there already been some surprises.
After exhaustive research, I narrowed the field to 64 workplace-comedy characters from across television history and put them into a tournament bracket. Two head-to-head matchups go live every day, and you get to decide who advances. Vote based on who is funniest, most iconic, best written, who you would rather work with, or pure irrational loyalty. It’s totally up to you.
You can follow along and vote on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube. At the end, we will crown the greatest workplace-comedy character of all time.
[HOUR ONE]
– Fresh off an exciting Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, Smackdown emanated from Sacramento, California. Superstars involved in the night’s action were shown arriving to the arena including Cody Rhodes, R-Truth, Damian Priest, and the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley.
– The Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn started things off by going to the ring, accompanied by Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano. Vic Joseph was on play-by-play alongside Corey Graves, since Joe Tessitore is on college football duty at this time of the year. Zayn asked the fans who came to “ride or die with the last real good guy.” He said that all of his adversaries came up empty-handed at Money in the Bank since they lost the ladder match, then congratulated PENTA on winning the briefcase. Zayn told him to focus his energy on his personal issue with Roman Reigns. He pointed out that he would be facing Reigns at Crown Jewel in a few weeks, since they are both world champions. Zayn will be at Raw on Monday to tell Reigns his thoughts face-to-face. Zayn was interrupted by Trick Williams’ music.
After his elaborate entrance, Trick went to the ring and posed in the corner. Lil Yachty was not with him. Zayn called for the music to be cut, but the fans kept chanting “whoop that trick” long after the music stopped. Trick said their issues were personal because every time Zayn sees him he sees the fans turning on him, he sees himself losing at Wrestlemania, and he sees a real superstar. He said he was going to beat Zayn’s ass, which Zayn didn’t appreciate. He called Trick a joke who can’t differentiate when it’s a time for jokes and when to be serious. Zayn said he thrives in the electricity of the moment and the chaos, leading to boos from the crowd. Trick said that Zayn was the one who looked like a joke, but that Trick was done talking. He dared Zayn to take a swing at him.
Gargano grabbed Zayn’s microphone and told Trick to stop disrespecting them. He said that Trick was handed opportunities that he and Zayn would have killed for. Gargano said if Trick doesn’t show them the respect, then Johnny Wrestling would show him what’s up. Trick challenged Gargano to a match for tonight. Gargano accepted so Trick called for a referee. [c]
(1) TRICK WILLIAMS vs. JOHNNY GARGANO (w/Candice LeRae, Sami Zayn)
The match started during the break. Zayn was seated at the announce desk and asked the announcers to show Gargano some respect. Trick tweaked his knee doing a leap frog so Gargano honed on it as Trick sold the pain. Trick took Gargano down with a shoulder block and whipped Gargano into the ropes. Trick held a delayed suplex that included him taking the time to make a muscle, before dropping Gargano flat to the mat. Gargano bailed to ringside before Trick could hit his finisher. Trick walked over to Zayn and Zayn told him to keep it in the ring. Trick allowed himself to be distracted by LeRae while he was re-entering the ring, so Gargano capitalized with a dragon whip screw that sent Trick tumbling back to the floor. Gargano hit a tope through the ropes that sent Trick flying over the announce desk. Gargano hugged Zayn as they went to a split screen. [c]
Gargano missed a kick, which allowed Trick to take over with a spin kick and a flapjack. Trick wasted some time whooping and gave Gargano a big chop in the corner. He stomped on Gargano in the corner, though he was stomping his boot harder into the mat to get people to chant “whoop that trick” to it than the boots that connected with his opponent. Gargano tried to fire back but got caught in the chin with a kick. Trick got distracted by LeRae again so Gargano rolled him up for a two-count. Gargano with a tornado DDT for another nearfall. Zayn said that despite Trick being the United States Champion, he’d still proven nothing. Gargano missed a Helluva kick and Trick hit a Trick Shot and Bookend for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Trick Williams via pinfall in 10:00.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Pretty basic Trick-style match. Looks like Gargano isn’t really going to be taken more seriously after his recent visibility spike .)
– Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis talked to Blake Monroe in a back hallway. He told her that she would face Giulia in a street fight next week. WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green walked up, so Monroe exited while telling Green that her title reign has lasted longer than she thought it would. They talked about Roxanne Perez defeating Green on Raw, Nikki Bella interrupted and was upset that Perez was getting a title shot against Green before her. Green offered Bella a shot next, but Bella said it would have to be in two week because she’d be doing “hall of famer” things next week, which Green wouldn’t ever experience.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Anyone want to come up with a list of things that “hall of famers” do? If so, please message me on social media of the Torch VIP Forum. Cool points for creativity!)
– Paige entered for the next match. [c]
(2) NIKKI BELLA vs. PAIGE
Bella charged Paige immediately and threw her to the outside, then followed her and launched her into the barricade. Paige returned the favor and rolled her back into the ring. Bella tried to leave but Paige grabbed her and gave her a superkick. Bella tossed Paige back to the floor and went for a baseball slide, but Paige pulled the apron out, causing Bella to fall between it and the ring. Paige regained control with a series of knees. Bella dropped down to give Paige whiplash on the ropes and then gave her a snap mare from the apron to the floor. [c]
According to Joseph, Bella dominated during the break. Paige quickly changed that with clotheslines, a fisherman’s suplex, and a German suplex. Paige kept touching her neck which made me a little nervous. She called for the five-knuckle shuffle but Bella countered with an STF. She demanded that the referee ask if Paige gave up, but Paige quickly got to the ropes. Paige hit an AA and covered for the one…two…Bella kicked out. Bella leveled Paige with a forearm that earned her a two-count. They traded roll-ups, but Paige managed to leverage a three count with her foot on the ropes.
WINNER: Paige via pinfall in 9:00.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: So, the babyface cheated to win. Makes sense in today’s WWE.)
– Cathy Kelley asked R-Truth in the back about how he was approaching his match with former friend Damian Priest tonight. Truth said he was heartbroken before literally reciting the lyrics to the Golden Girls theme song including “thank you for being a friend.” Truth turned his ball cap around and said if Priest wanted to be serious then his ass was his. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis – Fun fact: Estelle Getty (Sophia) was actually younger than Bea Arthur (Dorothy) on The Golden Girls even though Sophia portrayed Dorothy’s mother. Also, the character of Lucille in my comic series BadWill was inspired by the Sophia character. The more you know…)
(3) DAMIAN PRIEST vs. R-TRUTH
Before the bell rang, Truth dove over the top rope onto Priest. Priest composed himself and slid into the ring, only to get caught with a kick in the face that rocked him back into the corner. Truth celebrated with a split, then ate a kick of his own. Priest pummeled Truth in the corner and hit a running splash followed by a broken arrow for an early nearfall. The announcers debated Priest’s comments that teaming with Truth was a waste of time. Priest hit a flatliner to cut of Truth attempting to start the John Cena move set. Truth ducked down to avoid a corner splash, following with a missile dropkick. It looked like the move hurt Truth somehow and the referee kept Priest off of him. The referee called for the bell.
Priest grabbed a chair and brought it into the ring. Fraxiom came out to get between Priest and the fallen Truth. Priest dropped the chair and left. [c]
WINNER: Damian Priest via referee stoppage in 3:00.
[HOUR TWO]
– Gunther went into Aldis’ office and started complaining about Danhausen and Finn Balor. However, he didn’t realize that it was actually Danhausen sitting at the desk because the chair was turned around. Gunter thought Aldis wasn’t listening so he smacked the table. Danhausen had been asleep but that woke him up. He turned around and had a neck brace on as a result of getting beat down by Gunther last week. Gunther gave him credit for being tougher than Finn Balor, since he thought Balor didn’t show up tonight. Gunther promised to make Halloween a very special night for Danhausen, since Danhausen is hosting NXT’s Halloween Havoc.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – Tune into Halloween Havoc to see Danhausen be murdered on live television.)
– The new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley entered for a celebration of their big win. Bliss acknowledged that Charlotte Flair had wanted to be in the match last week. Bliss praised Flair for being a great friend. She thanked Paxley for having their backs and congratulated her on her first main roster title win. The fans chanted “you deserve it” for the wrestler who’s been on the main roster for less than two months. Paxley thanked Flair for giving up her spot so Paxley could still compete last week. She said she had a very special gift for Flair when she comes back and whispered what it was to Bliss. That cued an interruption from Fatal Influence. The fans booed because they are an effective heel group.
Jacy Jayne complained about losing the Money in the Bank ladder match. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid made fun of Paxley for being a weirdo. Jayne said that Flair only wanted Bliss and Paxley to be in her shadow. Paxley said that if Fatal Influence wanted “their” titles back, then they were happy “to play with them.” Henley and Reid attacked the babyfaces. Bliss and Paxley escaped before they really got beat up.
– Cathy Kelley talked to Rey Fenix in the bank. He said he was very proud of his brother PENTA for winning the briefcase. Sami Zayn interrupted and said he was proud of Fenix for all his success. Zayn wanted to know if Fenix had talked to his brother and was trying to get in Fenix’s ear to make sure PENTA cashed in against Reigns instead of him. Fenix cut him off and said he had no idea, which made Zayn nervous. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis – The “scared champion” storyline works MUCH better for the paranoid Zayn than it would have when it seemed like they were going to use it on Chelsea Green, who recently showed her courage and needs to keep it.)
– Fatal Influence got into an argument with Jade Cargill and her Baddies in the back. Michin told them that they already spoke to Aldis and they are getting the next tag title shot. Fatal Influence didn’t like that.
– AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix entered for this week’s title defense. It was time for the revolution as Ricky Saints made his entrance to a tepid response.
(4) REY FENIX (c) vs. RICKY SAINTS – AAA Cruiserweight Championship
The announcers debated the difficulty of Fenix having to defend the title across all brands, though Graves pointed out that it also kept Fenix’s skillset razor sharp. They jockeyed for control in the early going, with Fenix using his speed and athleticism to force Saints to the floor to regroup. Saints outsmarted him and leveled him with a clothesline. Fenix recovered and hit the Adios Amigo kick to the head, followed by a cross body from the top rope to the floor, which cued Joseph to transition the show into a commercial. [c]
Saints destroyed Fenix with a big boot but Fenix quickly recovered with a springboard cutter (that Saints sold very well) and hooked the leg for a nearfall. Fenix with a frog splash resulting in another two-count. Graves said that Saint kicked out on instinct alone. Saints surprised Fenix with a fireman’s carry slam into a nearfall of his own. Graves mentioned that Saints was trying to win his first singles championship on the main roster. Fenix tried to hit the Mexican muscle buster off the top rope but Saint fought to hold onto the ropes. Fenix hit a hurricanrana after stunning him with a kick to the head. Saints shoved the referee into the ropes while Fenix was perched on the top buckle. Fenix was crotched onto the buckle. Saint grabbed him and hit the Rochambeau and hooked the leg, but Charles Robinson refused to count. Saints argued with Robinson and then chest bumped him, leading to a disqualification.
WINNER: Rey Fenix via disqualification in 10:00. Fenix retained the AAA Cruiserweight title.
Following the match, Saints was angry and hit another Rochambeau on Fenix. As a couple more officials ran to the ring to “stop” Saints from his post-match attack, Fenix kept yelling for Saints to hit him.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – It seemed like Fenix was yelling for Saint to keep hitting him to help Saints get heat because it didn’t really fit Fenix’s character and the announcers didn’t acknowledge it.)
– Cody Rhodes went to the ring for the night’s main event talking segment.
Joseph said that Cody was walking with a purpose as he grabbed a chair and sat down in the middle of the ring. Cody said he was promised a face-to-face with Randy Orton, so he was going to sit there until it happened. Baron Corbin walked out instead. He walked and talked, saying that one thing has stayed the same since Corbin was there before, which was Cody whining. Corbin got in the ring. Cody stood with the chair in his hand. Corbin told Cody that he was so concerned with being the good guy even though none of that matters. He said the only thing that mattered was that Corbin was going to “get back to where he belongs” by taking it out on Cody. Cody said he didn’t have the patience for this tonight. Corbin tried to punch Cody but he blocked it and knocked Corbin out of the ring. Cody said there were still time on the clock and challenged Corbin to an impromptu match. [c]
(5) CODY RHODES vs. BARON CORBIN
The match started during the break, just like earlier tonight. Corbin hit a deep six and covered for an early two-count. Both grapplers were street clothes. Corbin whipped Cody hard into the corner and yelled at him to get up. Corbin kept control with measured stomps, punches, and another corner whip. Cody dodged a corner charge. They double-clotheslined each other and both were down.
Cody hit his snap powerslam and fired up. He hit the Dusty punches and bionic elbow, followed by a Disaster kick, Suddenly, Orton showed up and pulled Cody to the floor, resulting in an immediate disqualification.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes via disqualification in 4:00.
Orton beat down Cody all around ringside. Joseph said that Orton wanted to destroy Cody once and for all. Orton sent Cody back into the ring and set up for the punt to the head. Cody dodged it and hit a Cody Cutter. Cody lined up for a punt of his own. He seemed like he was about to “pull the trigger” (dumb phrase choice) but Corbin attacked Cody in the corner. Cody hit a Super Cody Cutter on Corbin. Orton yelled at Cody from halfway up the ramp, saying “you know you’re not going to do it.” Cody punted Corbin a punt to the head! Cody stared down Orton as Joseph proclaimed that Cody “went into the dark depths of his soul.” The crowd chanted for one more as the show went of the air.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – Cody finally didn’t hold back and it showed that he’s willing to punt someone. Smart booking having him do it to Corbin first, since now Orton has to recognize that Cody is willing to “go there” after all. I’m more interested in the long-term ramifications on Cody’s character. Frankly, a true babyface should never stoop that low – although to be fair, a punt to the head isn’t really an illegal move anyway. Hell, Rey Fenix does it better during every match.)
Like wrestling, the best stories are built around memorable characters. BadWill is my workplace-comedy comic about the employees and customers of a thrift store that only accepts donations from past relationships. Episodes 1 and 2 are available now at BadWillComic.com.
