Lineup for WWE SmackDown (October 2, 2026) – Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens in action; Giulia vs Blake Monroe & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
MITB Qualifiers final round will conclude in Denver.
With nearly a month-long qualification round of matches, the upcoming PLE, Money In The Bank, will have its final participants in the MITB ladder matches from the upcoming SmackDown edition. Six superstars will be in action for the qualification round.
With the World title on the line, fans are now anticipating more match announcements on this week’s show of the Blue brand. Let us go through WWE SmackDown’s October 2 confirmed matches, start times, and more.
What’s in store for tonight’s WWE SmackDown?
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Tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown will air live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, Johnny Gargano, Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley, and Candice LeRae are listed as featured superstars for the October 2 show.
In the men’s MITB qualifiers, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Johnny Gargano will battle to secure the final spot in the PLE next week. In the Women’s division, Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley, and Candice LeRae battle to punch their ticket to the MITB event in New Orleans.
So far, Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Penta, and CM Punk have booked their places in the October 10 PLE, with SmackDown looking to add more star power to the lineup.
In the Women’s division, Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Jacy Jayne, Roxanne Perez, and Lash Legend will be waiting for the final opponent in the mix.
There is one more singles match listed for the night as Giulia will take on Blake Monroe on Friday night SmackDown.
Following their constant altercations, General Manager Nick Aldis booked the two women to face each other in a singles match this week. Interestingly, this will be their first official match on SmackDown following the cancellation of their last two clashes.
WWE is also advertising a dark match, pitting The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu & The Usos) vs 946 (Royce Keys, Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) in a six-man tag team match.
- Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens vs Johnny Gargano – Men’s MITB Qualifying match
- Tiffany Stratton vs Tatum Paxley vs Candice LeRae – Women’s MITB Qualifying match
- Giulia vs Blake Monroe
- [Dark match] The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu & The Usos) vs 946 (Royce Keys, Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) – Six man tag team match
- Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano, Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley & Candice LeRae are listed as featured superstars
Returns expected on this Friday’s SmackDown
Although the October PLE is closing in with many bouts already booked, fans can expect some intriguing returns to the ring. As per a report, Drew McIntyre was spotted at WWE HQ in Stamford, Connecticut.
While there are no specific storylines associated with the multiple-time champion, fans can expect him to be part of the competition sooner, with a potential return tonight in Denver to shake up the brand before MITB.
Ticket update for tonight’s SmackDown
According to the latest update from WrestleTix, tickets for tonight’s SmackDown in Denver have reached 9,815, marking an increase of 1481 since the previous count four days prior. The current set-up is for 10,894, and the total available tickets, as per the latest update, is 1,079.
Start time for tonight’s SmackDown in Denver, Colorado
- 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)
When and where will WWE SmackDown take place next week
The October edition of Friday Night SmackDown will air live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The start time, as per the schedule, is 08 PM ET.
When and where will Money in the Bank 2026 take place?
Money in the Bank 2026 is set for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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