Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes to appear on WWE SmackDown live from Corpus Christi on September 18, 2026

WWE SmackDown will broadcast live from the Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on September 18, 2026, with Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes confirmed to appear and Money in the Bank qualifying matches scheduled.

Last week’s SmackDown in Mexico City featured Sami Zayn defeating CM Punk to regain the Undisputed title, a finish that involved Kevin Owens, Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano and set up continued fallout on the Blue Brand. The road to Money in the Bank has already begun, with qualifying matches announced and a World title match revealed on Monday. Qualifying for the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank began on Raw and will continue on this week’s SmackDown.

On the men’s side Bron Breakker and Je’Von Evans have already qualified for the Money in the Bank match, while Sol Ruca and Lola Vice have secured the first two women’s spots. Tatum Paxley, Jade Cargill and Jacy Jayne are booked in a triple threat on Friday to determine the third entrant in the women’s Money in the Bank match.

Cody Rhodes, who lost to Randy Orton at SNME in his hometown of Atlanta on Sunday and missed last week’s SmackDown in Mexico City, is confirmed to return in Texas. Michael Cole is scheduled to conduct a sit-down interview with Rhodes on the September 18 episode.

Sami Zayn, the newly crowned Undisputed Champion after last week’s win, is also slated to appear live on Friday. The involvement of Kevin Owens, Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano in the title change last week was cited as a sign that ongoing chaos will continue on SmackDown.

Aside from Rhodes, the report lists no major returns expected for the episode; Drew McIntyre is described as currently absent due to a lack of creative direction, and other sidelined talent are said to remain out with injuries and unlikely to return soon.

Money in the Bank 2026 is scheduled for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana; Roman Reigns versus LA Knight for the World Heavyweight title has been announced for the PLE, which will also feature the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches. The September 18 SmackDown qualifiers are part of the build toward that event.