WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights (2/10/26): Blake Monroe’s debut match after a long wait, Money In The Bank Qualifiers continues and more
WWE SmackDown returns to Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, for its October 2, 2026, episode, with the road to Money in the Bank 2026 entering a crucial stage. The Money in the Bank qualifiers continue on the blue brand as more Superstars look to secure their spots in the highly anticipated ladder matches. One of the featured qualifying encounters will see War Raiders and Ricky Saints take on Fraxiom and Rey Fenix, adding another unpredictable matchup to an already stacked night. With the final qualifying spots on the line, the pressure will be high as every competitor looks to punch their ticket to Money in the Bank.
The episode will also mark a long-awaited milestone for Blake Monroe, who is finally scheduled to make her official in-ring debut on SmackDown after months of appearances and teases. Her first match on the blue brand comes at a particularly important time, with the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event rapidly approaching and the entire roster fighting to build momentum. Between the continuing qualifiers, the highly anticipated debut and the growing tension heading toward the PLE, SmackDown has plenty of potential to deliver a memorable night from Denver.
Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifier
Tiffany Stratton vs Tatum Paxley vs Candice LeRae
Tiffany Stratton has officially secured her place in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match after surviving a chaotic Triple Threat battle against Candice LeRae and Tatum Paxley. The action erupted immediately, with LeRae targeting Paxley before catching both women with a DDT-neckbreaker combination. Stratton quickly answered with a discus back elbow and spinebuster, but Paxley soon took over with a snap suplex, running crossbody and an impressive apron moonsault. After the commercial break, Paxley continued her assault by taking down both opponents at once with a double swinging arm-ringer. Stratton later turned the tide with a double handspring Stunner, cartwheel Alabama Slam and Swanton Bomb, while Paxley and LeRae continued trading momentum in a match filled with rapid counters and near falls.
The final minutes saw all three women come dangerously close to victory. Paxley countered Stratton’s rolling senton with Cemetery Drive, only for LeRae to throw her outside and attempt to steal the win. Stratton then connected with another rolling senton, but Paxley nearly ended the contest with a huge 450 Splash. With the Money in the Bank opportunity within reach, Stratton found her opening at the perfect moment and launched herself from the top rope with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, putting Paxley away for the three-count. The victory punches Stratton’s ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, where she will now have a chance to climb the ladder and secure a future championship opportunity.
Fraxiom & Rey Fenix vs War Raiders & Ricky Saints
Rey Fenix and Ricky Saints’ ongoing rivalry remained the central focus of this six-man tag team clash, but the addition of Fraxiom and The War Raiders gave the match an important role in WWE’s broader effort to rebuild and strengthen its tag team division. Nathan Frazer started things off for his team opposite Erik, and the significant size difference immediately worked in the War Raider’s favor as Erik used his power to overwhelm Frazer and trap him in the corner, allowing him and Ivar to isolate their smaller opponent. Once the match opened up and the high-flyers entered the fray, the pace picked up considerably, with all six competitors getting opportunities to showcase their strengths. However, the momentum was briefly interrupted when Fenix attempted a dive and appeared to mistime the maneuver, forcing the competitors to adjust on the fly as the show went to commercial. Thankfully, Fenix appeared to be okay when the action resumed, and the teams worked hard to rebuild the match’s energy and keep the crowd invested. The second half became a much more competitive affair, with Frazer, Fenix, Saints, Erik, Ivar and the remaining competitor each getting their moments before the decisive finish arrived. In the end, Saints managed to score the victory by pinning Fenix, giving him a significant win over his longtime rival and potentially putting himself back in contention for another opportunity at the AAA Cruiserweight Championship down the road.
Men’s MITB Qualifiers Confront Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn made his way to the ring to a noticeably divided reaction from the crowd, although the boos seemed to slightly outweigh the cheers. Things got even louder when Zayn boldly proclaimed himself the “last real good guy” left in WWE before launching into an emotional rant about everything he had endured on his journey back to becoming champion. Zayn’s frustration and pride were on full display, but his promo was soon interrupted by Je’Von Evans, who approached the situation almost as if he was genuinely concerned that the champion was losing his composure. Evans then shifted the focus toward himself, arguing that his rise has been far quicker and that he is on a much faster path toward becoming WWE Champion than Zayn ever was.
The verbal confrontation soon became even more crowded when Penta arrived, followed shortly afterward by Trick Williams. The three challengers exchanged plenty of trash talk with Zayn, but no real resolution came from the confrontation, as everyone essentially reiterated the same ambition of becoming WWE Champion. Eventually, an increasingly frustrated Zayn decided he had heard enough and walked away, bringing the segment to an end without any physical altercation. While the exchange felt more like a bridge to future storylines than a major development and arguably came across as filler, the brief interaction between Zayn and Finn Bálor as the champion was leaving provided a fun closing moment and added at least a little intrigue to the segment.
Giulia vs Blake Monroe
After months of anticipation, delays, and injury setbacks, Monroe finally stepped into the ring for her long-awaited WWE SmackDown debut, facing her former Stardom ally, Giulia. The two wasted no time turning their encounter into a heated personal battle, trading punches from the opening bell instead of easing into the action with traditional technical exchanges. With both women known for their in-ring abilities, expectations were high for a match that could justify the lengthy buildup. Unfortunately, WWE failed to capitalize on the story’s full potential, leaving the debut feeling less significant than it should have been after such a prolonged wait.
Despite the missed opportunity from a storytelling perspective, Monroe and Giulia delivered an entertaining contest and made the most of the time they were given. Their intensity and aggression helped keep the match engaging, even if the overall presentation fell short of expectations. Monroe ultimately secured the victory, marking a successful start to her SmackDown in-ring journey. However, the post-match scene introduced an unsettling question when the referee called for medical assistance for Giulia. With the cameras never returning to provide an update on her condition, it remained unclear whether the situation was part of the storyline or a genuine injury. While Monroe’s debut produced an enjoyable match, WWE still has work to do if it wants this rivalry to live up to its considerable potential.
Kevin Owens vs Cody Rhodes vs Johnny Gargano
The final Money in the Bank qualifying match headlined this week’s WWE SmackDown, with Johnny Gargano, Kevin Owens, and Cody Rhodes battling for the last available spot. With all three competitors already involved in ongoing storylines with Sami Zayn, predicting the outcome was far from easy, adding another layer of intrigue to an already stacked main event. As expected, the trio delivered an entertaining encounter, combining their contrasting styles to create a contest worthy of closing the show. Owens brought his versatility and hard-hitting offense, Rhodes showcased the confidence of an established main-event star, and Gargano demonstrated the in-ring ability that made him one of NXT’s standout performers during its Black and Gold era. Candice LeRae also made her presence felt at ringside, helping Gargano avoid a potentially disastrous situation involving Owens and a table, although her intervention ultimately failed to turn the match in his favor after Rhodes connected with a powerslam.
The closing stretch was particularly well executed, allowing all three men to look credible as the finish approached. Rhodes appeared poised to claim victory, but Randy Orton suddenly arrived and completely changed the complexion of the match. Gargano briefly saw an opportunity to steal the win, only for Owens to survive the pin attempt and respond with a devastating Pop-Up Powerbomb. As Rhodes desperately tried to return to the ring and break up the cover, Orton grabbed his leg and prevented him from reaching the action in time. Owens capitalized on the interference to secure the three-count and punch his ticket to Money in the Bank. The finish not only delivered an unexpected twist but also intensified the tension between Orton and Rhodes, while giving Owens a crucial victory on the road to one of WWE’s biggest opportunities. With the final qualifying spot decided, the fallout from Orton’s involvement could prove just as important as the match itself.
Other Notable Moments from The Show
– Backstage tensions boiled over when Chelsea Green shared her thoughts on the upcoming Money in the Bank showdown, revealing that she is firmly hoping Tiffy can capture the briefcase once again. However, the conversation quickly took an unexpected turn when Nikki Bella appeared and took a verbal shot at the champion, refusing to hold back with her criticism. Before things could escalate further, Paige stepped into the confrontation and made her intentions crystal clear, challenging Nikki to a match in two weeks in Sacramento. Paige then delivered a slap across Nikki’s face before walking away, leaving the challenge hanging in the air and setting the stage for what promises to be a heated showdown.
– The video package dedicated to Damian Priest was an absolute standout, blending striking visuals, powerful narration, and a fantastic presentation to capture the intensity and presence of the former champion. It was exceptionally well-produced and felt like a perfect showcase of Priest’s character, making the entire segment genuinely impressive and unforgettable.
– Corey Graves delivered a clever throwback by referencing Benjamin Satterley, the real name of the high-flying wrestler fans have come to know as PAC in AEW and Neville during his WWE run. It was a subtle but enjoyable nod to the performer’s wrestling history, acknowledging the identity behind two memorable names from different stages of his career. References like this add an extra layer of appreciation for longtime wrestling fans, connecting different eras and promotions through a small detail that might otherwise go unnoticed.
