The October 16 episode of Friday Night SmackDown will deal with the fallout from the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event. That’s exactly why WWE has put together a solid lineup to keep fans entertained from start to finish.
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face-to-Face
Cody Rhodes asked for Randy Orton, and tonight he’s getting him. Rhodes made it clear last week that he wanted SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis to put him in the same place as Orton. Aldis agreed, setting up a face-to-face meeting between the two tonight.
There is obviously a lot of history here. Orton was one of Cody’s mentors early in his WWE career, but whatever relationship they once had has fallen apart. Cody doesn’t seem interested in talking around the issue anymore either. He wants Orton standing directly across from him, and with Crown Jewel only a few weeks away, tonight could tell us exactly where WWE is taking this rivalry next.
Nikki Bella vs. Paige
Nikki Bella and Paige aren’t finished with each other yet. Nikki beat Paige when they met on September 11, but that didn’t put an end to their problems. Nikki has since started looking toward a possible championship opportunity, while Paige has made it clear she wants their issues settled first.
So they’re doing it again tonight. Paige gets the chance to even things up after losing their first match. Nikki, meanwhile, can make it much harder for Paige to argue for another opportunity if she beats her for the second time.
R-Truth vs. Damain Priest
Priest turned on Truth during WWE’s trip to Mexico City, blaming his former partner for holding him back. Since then, Priest has been trying to move forward on his own while becoming increasingly hostile toward the man who used to stand beside him.
Tonight, Truth finally gets Priest in a singles match. Priest has the obvious size and power advantage, but Truth has been around long enough to know how to survive situations where the odds aren’t exactly in his favor. More importantly, this isn’t just another match for either guy after everything that’s happened between them.
WWE SmackDown October 16, 2026 Full Card
- Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face-to-Face
- Nikki Bella vs. Paige
- R-Truth vs. Damain Priest
Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown for October 16, 2026
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown promises to deliver high drama and storylines that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. With appearances from Cody Rhodes and more, it’s bound to be a show you won’t want to miss. Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.
Where to Watch WWE SmackDown on October 16, 2026
WWE SmackDown will air from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, starting at 8 PM ET on the USA Network and also on-demand viewing. Internationally, fans can also catch the show on streaming platforms like Netflix.
Who will have the upper hand between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton this week on WWE Smack Down? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
