SmackDown lineup for Oct. 2, 2026: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens in MITB qualifiers; Giulia vs Blake Monroe booked

WWE SmackDown will air live from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on October 2, 2026, featuring Money in the Bank qualifying matches that include Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano in a men’s triple-threat and Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae in a women’s triple-threat; a singles match between Giulia and Blake Monroe is also scheduled.

The upcoming episode serves as the final SmackDown qualification round for the October 10 Money In The Bank pay-per-view, with six superstars set to compete on Friday night as part of a nearly month-long series of qualifying matches. The show is promoted as part of SmackDown’s build to the PLE and will begin at 08 PM ET from Ball Arena.

For the men’s MITB pathway, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano will battle to secure the remaining spot in the Money in the Bank ladder matches, while Tiffany Stratton, Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae will compete for the final women’s qualifying slot. So far, Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Penta and CM Punk have booked their places in the October 10 PLE, and Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Jacy Jayne, Roxanne Perez and Lash Legend are waiting for their final opponent in the women’s division.

General Manager Nick Aldis has booked a singles match between Giulia and Blake Monroe following their repeated altercations, and the promotion notes this will be their first official SmackDown match after two previously scheduled clashes were cancelled. The pairing is listed on the advertised card for Friday night’s broadcast in Denver.

WWE is also advertising a dark match for the live event: The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu & The Usos) vs 946 (Royce Keys, Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) in a six-man tag. A promotional tweet accompanying the card read: "Two HUGE #MITB Qualifying Matches on #SmackDown! Who’s punching their ticket to Money in the Bank? 💼 Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano💼 Tatum Paxley vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae📺 Saturday 10AM AEST on @NetflixANZ pic.twitter.com/12Z1VxwPNy".

A report noted that Drew McIntyre was spotted at WWE HQ in Stamford, Connecticut; that report stated there are no specific storylines associated with the multiple-time champion at present. The article covering the show suggested a return to action could occur, but did not list any confirmed role for him on the Denver card.

WrestleTix ticketing data shows 9,815 tickets distributed for the Denver SmackDown, an increase of 1,481 since the previous count four days earlier; the current setup is listed as 10,894 with 1,079 tickets still available. Additional details in the ticketing update included a YTD show average of 9,394 and a total number of seats on the map of 18,694.

Money in the Bank 2026 is scheduled for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana; SmackDown’s October 2 episode in Denver is positioned as the final SmackDown stop to determine the remaining MITB participants. For more updates, the source suggests following Khel Now Wrestling on its social platforms and apps.