SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 30, 2026
CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA AT CHARLESTON COLISEUM
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 7,206 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 13,600 spectators when configured for concerts.
A quick non-wrestling plug: Check out BadWill Presents: The Workplace Comedy Character Championship! The Sweet 16 is nearly set and the matchups are getting TOUGH!
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]
– Then, now, together, forever, Endeavor. Smackdown kicked off with a pre-taped video skit for Danhausen’s “Very Nice, Very Evil” Halloween episode. In a black-and-white segment, Danhausen ran down the night’s card. He also said he was going to reveal his latest experiment, which was under his “operating table.”
– Michael Cole introduced the show as Superstar arrivals were shown for the night’s participants. Lil Yachty was notably back with Trick Williams. Sami Zayn was shown with his running buddy Johnny Gargano. Chelsea Green and Nikki Bella were also spotlighted.
The stage was decorated for Halloween with some graves, a skeleton, pumpkins and more. Cody Rhodes made his entrance, wearing a plaid purple & blue suit, to a strong positive reaction. Cody wanted to talk about Crown Jewel, Randy Orton, and Last Man Standing. He said it would be his first Last Man Standing match; a simple but barbaric match where you have to incapacitate your opponent. Cody apologized for what he was going to do to Randy Orton because he knows that Orton has kids, a wife, and lots of fans. They showed a jarring graphic of his eye being swollen shut after Orton punted him in the face at Wrestlemania. Cody said he was loading his foot with everyone that Orton has ever punted, for when it connects with Orton’s skull. He pointed out that whoever is the Last Man Standing should be the number one contender too. He told the fans to have a great night and dropped the microphone. Corey Graves noted that if Cody goes into the match full of rage, then Orton will take advantage and pick a spot to strike.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Basic comments by a fired up Cody Rhodes. The most notable thing was that the winner of the Last Man Standing will probably be the number one contender.)
– Cathy Kelley talked to Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. Stratton said if it weren’t for the Judgment Day’s interference on Monday night, she’d be the Women’s World Champion. She said she’s still going to cash on Liv Morgan. Chelsea Green was dressed up like Nikki Bella and when questioned said she was “dressed up like a monster.” Green left and said she had to mentally prepare for the match. Danhausen jumped into the frame and failed to trade a jar of teeth for Stratton’s briefcase “filled with human monies.”
– Nikki Bella entered for the opening match of the evening and her title shot. [c]
(1) CHELSEA GREEN (c) vs. NIKKI BELLA – WWE Women’s Championship
Whoever won this match would face Liv Morgan for the Crown Jewel Championship belt in Saudi Arabia(?). Green went for an Unpretty-her early on (to no avail). Bella also failed with an early attempt at a Rack Attack. Green missed a clothesline in the corner. Bella met her at the top rope and dumped Green to the canvas and the floor. Bella went out and got her back in the ring and then hit her with the Bella Buster (X-factor) and covered for a two-count. [c]
Bella hit an ugly kick to the face off the second rope and covered for a nearfall. She mocked Matt Cardona’s “Woo Woo Woo” and missed a Broski Boot. Green recovered and hit the Rough Ryder and hooked the leg for a one…two…Bella kicked out. Bella tried to lock in in the Fearless lock but couldn’t quite get it. Green escaped but Bella nailed her with a forearm that stunned her. Bella hit the Rack Attack but when she hooked the leg she had too much momentum and pulled Green into the ropes, so the referee didn’t count. In the confusion with Bella arguing with the referee, Green caught Bella in a small package for the three count.
WINNER: Chelsea Green in 8:00. Green retained the Women’s title.
After the match, Liv Morgan’s music played and she came out on stage holding up her Women’s World Championship belt. She congratulated Green on “barely beating Nikki Bella.” The crowd booed loudly as Morgan slowly walked and talked to the ring. She said their journeys were similar in that they both were discounted early in their careers but worked hard and are now champions. She said that there was a very clear distinction between them though, in that Morgan was a real champion while Green was a joke. Morgan claimed that if Green got fired for a third time that no one would notice. Morgan said that her luck would run out at Crown Jewel because she was going to eat Green alive. Cue Tiffany Stratton.
Stratton walked out with her briefcase in the air but was quickly attacked from behind by Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Stratton recovered and hit them both with the briefcase as Green hit Morgan with the Unpretty-her. Stratton ran to the ring, called for a referee, and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Morgan. As usual, as she slowly handed the briefcase to the referee, the heels recovered and saved Morgan. There was no cash-in. The heels started to beat up the babyfaces until Io Sky ran out to even the odds.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: The crowd was eerily quiet and not because it was a Halloween themed show. The match was barely passable and felt like it was in slow motion. I’m already sick of the false cash-ins and it’s only been two weeks. At least Corey Graves point out that Stratton took too long to cash in once again and deserved to not have success with it.)
– Cathy Kelley talked to the Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn in the back. The crowd booed. Zayn said that ever since he won the title he’s endured disrespect because no one thinks he will hold onto the belt for long, including Danhausen saying so tonight. Zayn said that the things that make him great were intangibles that Trick Williams could never have. He said he was the most versatile and adaptable WWE Superstar and wrestler of all time. Zayn said that he would take the recognition that he deserves, starting tonight. He finished by saying he would beat Trick tonight and then see Roman on the other side.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: A fiery promo from the champ. He interestingly said he would beat Trick, but didn’t explicitly say he would beat Roman.)
– Blake Monroe told Cathy Kelley that now that she was finished with Giulia she was championship material. She briefly talked about wanting to challenge Chelsea Green but Paige walked up. Monroe insulted her for being good “ten years ago” so Paige told her to watch her mouth.
(2) REY FENIX (c) vs. RICKY SAINTS – AAA World Cruiserweight Championship
They traded weak looking punches to start the match. Saint struck his pose to the audience’s dismay. Fenix executed a double springboard arm drag halfway across the ring that caused Saints to bail to the floor. Fenix teased a dive to the floor and Saints ducked. Fenix went for it again and this time hit a somersault through the ropes onto Saints below. Back in the ring, Fenix hit a big cross-body and covered for a two-count. Saints back body-dropped him to the floor and went out to drive knees into Fenix’s chest up against the barricade. Saints launched Fenix over the announce desk and then went over and grabbed the title, claiming that it was his. [c]
Saints tried to rip of Fenix’s mask. Fenix caught a charging Saints with a superkick but Saints recovered quickly with a superplex into a pinning combination, leading to a nearfall. Graves noted that it almost looked like a Jackhammer from the top rope. Cole said this could be the last chance for Saints at this title if he fails again. Fenix caught Saints with another big kick and earned another two-count. Fenix kept up the offense with a big moonsault and another nearfall. The crowd was behind the champion, but Saints countered into a Revolution DDT and scored a nearfall of his own. Saints went for a moonsault from the second rope but tweaked his knee on the landing. Saints with a Death Valley Driver for another two-count. Fenix recovered with a powerbomb off the second rope, followed by a big cutter. Fenix hit another cutter and draped himself over Saints for the one…two…Saints kicked out again!
Fenix stayed on the offense, trying to hit a muscle buster from the top rope. Saints fought his way out of it. Fenix backflipped off the tope rope, then went back up quickly and hit the Mexican Muscle Buster for the three count.
WINNER: Ricky Saints via pinfall in 12:00. Saints won the AAA Cruiserweight title.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: In my opinion, that may have been Saints’ best performance on the main roster. However, the right man won because Fenix is incredible. It will be interesting to see where Saints goes from here. It still feels like he lack something. A presence maybe?)
– Cathy Kelley talked to Jade Cargill and the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions B-Fab and Michin. Kelley mentioned that people had been saying that their title win was unfair. They took offense to that. Fatal Influence walked up and said they were impressed that Cargill and friends took a page out of their book. They walked off. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
– Cathy Kelley interviewed Trick Williams with Lil Yachty. Trick said he would beat Zayn again and then go on to face Reigns. Yachty said Trick would win too. They started to walk away but Yachty stopped at a door with a piece of paper taped to it that read “Top Secret.” Yachty went in and the show turned to black and white with Danhausen standing in there with an apparently reincarnated Gingerbread Man. Yachty ran out.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – Cathy was busy this evening. Cole explicitly said that the Gingerbread wasn’t Danhausen’s big creation or whatever. Hopefully it isn’t another large cookie person.)
(3) JADE CARGILL (w/B-Fab & Michin) vs. TATUM PAXLEY (w/Alexa Bliss)
Cargill was in a Poison Ivy costume, while Paxley was either a prisoner or the Hamburglar. Paxley jumped on Cargill’s back before the bell rang. Then she hit an enziguri but Cargill was only momentarily fazed. Cargill with a sliding clothesline leading to an early two-count. Paxley used her speed to escape Cargill’s clutches and hit a couple unique running sideways splashes in the corner. The fought on the floor for a bit. Paxley missed a moonsault from the apron and Cargill nailed her with a sidekick. [c]
After the break, Paxley went for a couple pinfalls unsuccessfully. She hit a step-up enziguri and then another from the floor up to Cargill, whose head was draped over the second rope. Paxley with a flipping kick to the head (think Booker T’s Harlem Hangover but from a standing position) and covered for another nearfall. They traded blows until Paxley went to the top rope. B-Fab yanked her off the top rope. Bliss and Michin got involved too. Back in the ring, Cargill hit the big kick and the Jaded for the win.
WINNER: Jade Cargill via pinfall in 10:00.
– The busy Cathy Kelley talked to a frustrated Damian Priest. He was mad that he has never had a shot at the WWE title. Fraxiom walked up and said they were mad at him. Nathan Frazer said they were going to talk to Nick Aldis about one of them getting a match against Priest. Priest said that they saw what he did to R-Truth, and he actually liked Truth, so imagine was he would do to them. After Priest left, Axiom was frustrated with Frazer for going against their plan.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – A bit of internal friction with Fraxiom. At least that is something for them.)
– Danhausen came out to reveal his latest experiment. There was a table set up on stage with junk on it. He also had a gurney out on stage with him, with something/someone covered up. Gunther walked out (to no music) and bumped Danhausen from behind. Danhausen said “oh sh*t” before Gunther pummeled him. Gunther powerbombed him through the table. Gunther beat him all the way down the ramp and into the ring, where there were two decorated tables set up.
Once he got in the ring and set him up for another powerbomb, the cloning chamber-thing lit up and out popped the Mini-hausens. They ran to the ring as Gunther laughed. He easily disposed of all of them until one stunned him a bit with a hurricanrana. It was short-lived (no pun intended) though as Gunther took back control and threw pumpkins at them as they cowered in the corner. He picked up one and used the Mini-Hausen’s body to clear off the table. Then he powerbombed another one onto him through the table. Eventually, the Demon’s music played and The Demon Finn Balor sat up from the gurney. Balor went to the ring as a stunned Gunther stood in the ring with his mouth agape.
Balor got in the ring. Gunther charged but Balor ducked and dropped him with a couple forearms. Gunther caught a kick and chopped the Demon. But it barely fazed him. The Demon drove him through a table propped in the corner. Gunther tried to escape but Balor pulled out a ladder and rammed it into him. Balor set up the ladder as Gunther was out cold on the announce table. Balor leapt off the top step with a Coup de Grace through Gunther and the table! The crowd chanted “holy sh*t!”. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Welcome back to “The Demon”. And it all makes sense now as to why Danhausen’s Evil Detector went off when he scanned Balor a few weeks ago. Gotta love it when a plan comes together. Sign me up for the Gunther vs. Balor match too. I genuinely have doubts about who will win.)
– There was a music video that recapped the history between Kevin Owens and C.M. Punk. As always with WWE productions, it was very well done. They will face each other next Friday in a No Holds Barred Match.
– The United States Champion Trick Williams, along with Lil Yachty, entered for the main event. The Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn entered last to a chorus of boos. He was accompanied by Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. He got up in the face of a woman fan who was dressed like Trick and doing the “whoop that trick” gesture.
Mark Nash gave the championship introductions. Cole pointed out that this was Trick’s first world championship match.
(4) SAMI ZAYN (c) vs. TRICK WILLIAMS – Undisputed WWE Championship
Zayn taunted him and pie-faced him so Trick smacked him and attacked with punches and a flying clothesline. Trick slammed him and gave him the 10 punches in the corner.
Zayn gained control during the break. He talked more trash as Trick shook his head and told Zayn to bring it. Trick fought back again with heavy right hands and two axe kicks and rhythmic stomps in the corner. Zayn used his veteran wiles to outsmart Trick momentarily but Trick hit a spin kick and covered for a nearfall. He went for the Bookend up Zayn reversed into an arm drag. He hit the exploder suplex in the corner and lined up for the Helluva kick. Trick exploded out of the corner with a clothesline and and both men were down.
Gargano got up on the apron to distract the referee so LeRae could retrieve the title belt and slide it to Zayn. Zayn went to hit Trick with the title but Trick hit him with the Bookend instead. Trick covered but Gargano pulled the referee Charles Robinson out of the ring. Robinson called for the bell.
It was announced that Trick won by disqualification but Zayn retained the title. But Nick Aldis came out and banned Gargano, LeRae, and Yachty from ringside. He also demanded that Robinson restart the match and make it no disqualification. The bell rang quickly. Yachty threw the “Trick Stick” to Trick before he left. Trick hit Zayn with it and covered Zayn for the one…two…Zayn kicked out! [c]
When they came back, Zayn had the Trick Stick and was hitting Trick with it. Trick with a neckbreaker that gave him an opening as he tried to win his first WWE title. Trick hit Zayn with the stick and gave him a spin kick. He covered for another nearfall. Trick threw a bunch of chair in the ring and tried to give Zayn the Bookend on them. Zayn elbowed out and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on the chairs. He raised his arm in the air as Robinson counted one…two…Trick got the shoulder up. Zayn swung with the belt again but Trick ducked and hit the Trick shot. He covered again, but again Zayn kicked out at two.
Trick grabbed the WWE title and went to hit Zayn but Zayn used the referee as a shield. Zayn hit a low blow and then struck Trick in the face with the belt. He covered for the three count.
WINNER: Sami Zayn via pinfall in 15:00. Zayn retained the WWE title.
(Corbridge’s Analysis – A fun match. I doubt many people thought Trick would win but there were still some believable nearfalls.)
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. I hope you’d check it out. Episodes 1 and 2 are available now at BadWillComic.com.
