WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights (16/10/26): Cody punts Corbin, Randy Orton and more
WWE SmackDown returns to Sacramento, California, on October 16, 2026, as the blue brand begins to move forward following the fallout from Money in the Bank 2026. With tensions still running high after the premium live event, tonight’s show promises plenty of action, featuring two major singles matches and a highly anticipated confrontation that could have significant implications for the weeks ahead.
While the aftermath of Money in the Bank remains a key focus, WWE is also turning its attention toward Crown Jewel, scheduled for November 7, 2026. With the next major event approaching, SmackDown could provide crucial developments in ongoing rivalries, set the stage for new feuds, and offer an early glimpse at the storylines that may take center stage at Crown Jewel.
Opening Segment
The October 16 episode of WWE SmackDown kicked off with Sami Zayn making his way to the ring alongside Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Zayn tried to rally the Sacramento crowd by asking who was ready to stand behind the “last real good guy,” although the response was noticeably underwhelming. He then suggested that Penta should be more concerned with Roman Reigns, given his Money in the Bank briefcase, before United States Champion Trick Williams interrupted. Williams pointed out that Zayn was constantly reminded of how the fans had turned against him, prompting Zayn to explain that his headbutt during their previous encounter was intended to teach Trick a lesson rather than disrespect him. Zayn went further by questioning whether Williams had what it takes to become WWE Champion, leading Trick to challenge him to throw a punch. However, Johnny Gargano stepped in and began shouting at Williams before the situation could escalate, prompting Trick to demand a referee and get the night’s opening match underway. While everyone involved delivered their parts adequately, the segment felt unnecessarily prolonged, with a straightforward confrontation stretched far beyond what the material required. A tighter exchange could have established the same tension in five minutes, making this an underwhelming start to the show despite the performers doing their best with the limited material they were given.
Johnny Gargano vs Trick Williams
The opening match of WWE SmackDown saw United States Champion Trick Williams take on Johnny Gargano, with the bout already underway when the show returned from a commercial break. Both men exchanged counters early on before Williams appeared to hurt his knee after an awkward landing from a leapfrog, giving Gargano an opening to target the injured leg and attempt to take control. However, Trick managed to fight his way back into the contest, although the match took some time to gather momentum. Things became noticeably more intense when Williams repeatedly drove Gargano’s head into the announce table at ringside, adding a more aggressive edge to the encounter. The matchup brought together a rising star looking to establish himself at the top and a seasoned veteran known for delivering in the ring, making it a refreshing pairing that felt different from the usual SmackDown matchups. While the chemistry took a little while to develop, both competitors eventually found their rhythm, with Gargano putting up a spirited challenge before Williams sealed the victory with the Book End. Lil Yachty was notably absent from Trick’s corner this week, while Vic Joseph’s commentary occasionally leaned a little too heavily in Sami Zayn’s favor. Overall, it was a solid opening contest that allowed both men to showcase their abilities, even if the match needed more time to hit its stride.
Paige vs Nikki Bella
The rivalry between Nikki Bella and Paige took center stage as the two former friends wasted no time turning their match into a personal fight. The moment the referee called for the bell, Nikki charged at Paige and took her down before dragging the action to the outside and sending her former ally crashing into the barricade. Paige quickly retaliated, making it clear that neither woman had any intention of holding back. Although the match featured a relatively limited range of offensive moves, both competitors did an excellent job conveying the resentment and hostility behind their feud. Paige also impressed with a crisp German suplex, adding a convincing moment of impact to an encounter that relied more on emotion and intensity than technical variety.
The match also featured some pointed references to John Cena, with Paige hitting Nikki with an Attitude Adjustment, which the commentary team framed as a personal dig at Bella’s past relationship with the former WWE star. Nikki responded by applying the STF, giving both women an opportunity to reference Cena through their choice of moves. However, the finish proved particularly significant, as Paige used the ropes for leverage to secure the pin despite being positioned as the babyface in the rivalry. The questionable victory could complicate Nikki’s plans to earn a championship opportunity, especially if she decides to challenge the legitimacy of the result. Another noticeable issue came when Nikki raked Paige’s eyes directly in front of the referee without receiving so much as a warning, making the lack of officiating consequences difficult to ignore. Despite these inconsistencies, the personal animosity between the two remained the match’s strongest element, while the controversial ending left the door open for further developments in their feud.
R-Truth vs Damien Priest
The former tag team champions Damian Priest and R-Truth finally settled their differences inside the ring on this week’s WWE SmackDown after a series of backstage altercations following their breakup. Truth came out swinging and briefly managed to gain the upper hand, but his momentum quickly disappeared when Priest connected with a brutal kick to the face before stomping him into the mat. The contest took a concerning turn toward the finish, however, when Truth connected with a missile dropkick and the referee immediately called for medical assistance. It appeared that Truth may have suffered an injury after an awkward landing, resulting in the match being stopped prematurely. Priest subsequently looked ready to attack his former partner with a chair, but Fraxiom rushed out to intervene before the situation could escalate further. The entire sequence was unusual, leaving viewers uncertain about whether the stoppage was part of the storyline or the result of a legitimate injury. If it was a planned angle, the decision to end the match in such an abrupt and confusing fashion was questionable; if Truth was genuinely hurt, we sincerely hope he is doing alright. Given the circumstances, it would be unfair to judge the match by the usual standards when its conclusion may have been dictated by an unforeseen situation. One positive worth highlighting was Priest’s suplex execution, as the way he throws his opponents makes the move look particularly impactful. And at 54 years old, R-Truth deserves credit for still pulling off an athletic move like a missile dropkick, which makes the uncertainty surrounding the finish all the more concerning.
Rey Fenix vs Ricky Saints
The AAA Cruiserweight Championship was on the line this week as Rey Fenix defended his title against fellow former AEW star Ricky Saints in an exciting clash on WWE SmackDown. Both competitors wasted little time showcasing their speed and athleticism, trading quick counters before Fenix gained the early advantage, only for Saints to shift the momentum with a powerful clothesline. The action continued through a commercial break, with Saints maintaining control until Fenix caught him off guard with a beautifully executed cutter that nearly secured the victory. It was refreshing to see Saints back in meaningful in-ring action after a period of limited appearances, and he made the most of the opportunity by delivering a strong performance against Fenix, who has also been on an impressive run lately. Unfortunately, the match’s momentum came to an abrupt halt when Saints pushed the referee before hitting his finisher, prompting the official to refuse the pinfall count. Ricky then got into the referee’s face and was disqualified, allowing Fenix to retain his championship. While the finish was clearly designed to protect Saints and set up a potential rematch, it was a disappointing conclusion to what had been a genuinely entertaining contest. Both men deserved a more satisfying payoff, and although the rivalry may have more to offer, ending such a promising match through a disqualification felt like a missed opportunity.
Cody Rhodes vs Baron Corbin
The final segment of WWE SmackDown revolved around Cody Rhodes’ ongoing search for Randy Orton, but things did not unfold as The American Nightmare had hoped. Nick Aldis informed Rhodes that he had yet to see Orton, but Cody headed to the ring anyway, making it clear that he would not leave until his former ally came out to face him. Instead, Baron Corbin unexpectedly appeared and began exchanging words with Rhodes before being sent out of the ring. With time running short, Cody called for a referee and turned the confrontation into an impromptu match just before the show went into its final commercial break. Unfortunately, the timing worked against the contest, as fewer than ten minutes remained in the broadcast, including the break, leaving little room for a meaningful encounter. Corbin managed to keep Rhodes on the defensive for a brief spell, but Cody eventually mounted the comeback that everyone expected, shifting the momentum back in his favor.
Just when it seemed Rhodes was on his way to securing the victory, Randy Orton finally made his presence felt, attacking Cody and forcing the referee to call for the disqualification. This marked the second consecutive match on the show to end in a DQ, making the decision feel particularly repetitive. Orton initially appeared to have the upper hand in the ensuing confrontation, but Rhodes refused to stay down and fought back against The Viper before his rival could fully take control. Orton eventually retreated, leaving Cody to deliver one final statement by hitting Corbin with a punting kick. While the closing angle further intensified the rivalry between Rhodes and Orton, the overall execution felt rushed, with the impromptu match serving mainly as a vehicle to bring The Viper back into the picture. The segment accomplished its primary objective of keeping their feud alive, but another disqualification finish did little to provide a satisfying conclusion to the night’s action.
Other Notable Moments from The Show
– WWE SmackDown also featured a tense backstage segment involving General Manager Nick Aldis, CM Punk, and Kevin Owens, as Aldis made it clear that the two rivals needed to keep their distance from each other unless an official match had been arranged. With tensions between Punk and Owens continuing to simmer, the WWE official appeared determined to prevent another unplanned confrontation from disrupting the show. Aldis’ warning established a clear boundary between the two competitors, but whether they will actually respect his instructions remains another question. Given their history and the animosity surrounding their rivalry, keeping them apart may prove easier said than done, especially if either man decides to take matters into his own hands before their next scheduled encounter.
– Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley came to the ring on WWE SmackDown to celebrate winning the Women’s Tag Team Championships last week, but their moment was quickly interrupted by the former champions, Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne complained about being booed despite suffering an injury while trying to entertain the fans, although the crowd’s reaction felt uneven and made the promo somewhat awkward. Fatal Influence eventually attacked the new champions, but Bliss and Paxley fought back and sent their rivals retreating before they could gain the numbers advantage. While it was good to see WWE giving attention to the women’s tag team division, the segment offered little beyond extending the existing rivalry. The division needs more established teams and fresh challengers to make the championship picture feel genuinely competitive rather than revolving around the same two or three teams.
– Vic Joseph added extra stakes to the match by revealing that the winner would earn an opportunity to face Mini Vikingo for the championship on this week’s AAA programming. The announcement gave both competitors another reason to push for victory, with a title opportunity waiting for whoever emerged on top. It also helped connect SmackDown’s in-ring action to AAA’s upcoming show, adding an extra layer of significance to the contest beyond a standard singles match.
