Lineup for WWE SmackDown (October 16, 2026) – Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton face-to-face; Nikki Bella vs Paige & more

WWE SmackDown after Money in the Bank takes place in California.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns on October 16 with an exciting lineup as the blue brand begins its journey towards Crown Jewel, which is set for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The show will emanate from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, and feature two singles matches alongside a highly anticipated face-to-face segment between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

What’s in store for tonight’s WWE SmackDown?

One of the biggest attractions of the October 16 episode of SmackDown will be the confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. The American Nightmare demanded that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis arrange a face-to-face meeting after delivering a heated promo on the October 9 show. Aldis subsequently confirmed that the two rivals would meet this week.

The history between the two former allies adds another layer of intrigue. Orton played a significant role in Rhodes’ early WWE career, mentoring him during their time together in the company. Their relationship has since deteriorated as their ambitions and competitive paths have diverged.

Another exciting match will be a face-off between Nikki Bella and Paige. The duo will renew their rivalry in a singles match on the October 16 edition of SmackDown. The two previously faced each other on September 11, when Bella secured a controversial victory after using the ropes for leverage. Their issues continued in subsequent weeks, setting the stage for another encounter.

Bella has made her championship ambitions clear, while Paige wants to settle their differences inside the ring before moving forward. The rematch presents an opportunity for Paige to avenge her previous defeat, whereas another win would strengthen Bella’s position as she pursues a title opportunity.

Next match announced for the day was R-Truth vs Damian Priest. will face his former tag team partner Damian Priest in another major contest on the October 16 show. Priest turned against Truth during WWE’s September visit to Mexico City, accusing his former partner of holding him back. Their partnership has since fallen apart, with both men now preparing to settle their differences as opponents.

• Face-to-face segment: Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton
• Singles match: Nikki Bella vs Paige
• Singles match: R-Truth vs Damian Priest
• CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Gunther and Trick Williams are mentioned as featured superstars on night.

Returns expected on this Friday’s SmackDown

While there are no specific returns mentioned on the night, fans can expect stars absent from programming to be part of the episode on October 16.

The October 16 episode will also follow the conclusion of Money in the Bank 2026, where Tiffany Stratton won the women’s ladder match, and Penta captured the men’s briefcase. Both victories could influence future championship storylines as WWE turns its attention towards Crown Jewel.

Start time for tonight’s SmackDown in Sacramento, California

• United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico: 08 PM ET, 07 PM CT & 05 PM PT (Friday)
• Canada: 08 PM ET (Friday)
• United Kingdom & Ireland: 1 AM BST (Saturday)
• India: 5:30 AM IST (Saturday)
• Bangladesh: 06 AM BST (Saturday)
• Saudi Arabia: 03 AM AST (Saturday)
• Australia: 10 AM AEST / 11 AM AEDT (Saturday)
• France: 02 AM CET (Saturday)
• Brazil: 09 PM BRT (Friday)
• Mexico: 06 PM CST (Friday)
• Singapore: 08 AM SGT (Saturday)
• China: 08 AM CST (Saturday)
• Nigeria: 01 AM WAT (Saturday)
• South Africa: 02 AM SAST (Saturday)
• Germany: 02 AM CET (Saturday)
• Japan: 09 AM JST (Saturday)
• Italy: 02 AM CET (Saturday)

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