Every Match Ranked & Reviewed

One day before the Money In The Bank 2026 PLE, the go-home edition of Friday Night SmackDown on October 9 saw WWE take over the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. The show featured several names in action who will be competing across both the men’s and women’s Money In The Bank ladder matches this weekend, a big clash for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and more, but which was the best match of the night?

TheSportster’s rating system will take a look across the entire match card for Friday Night SmackDown to determine the best showcase of the night, the weakest bout on the show, and how everything else stacked up in between.

4

Trick Williams Vs. Bron Breakker

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 6/10

Two of WWE’s hottest prospects and rising stars in the form of United States Champion Trick Williams and one half of the World Tag Team Champions Bron Breakker stepped foot into the ring with one another in singles action for the first time on the WWE main roster. Both men wanted to build some momentum for Money In The Bank, but ultimately neither would get their hand raised. The match started off strong, with Williams dishing out a big dropkick and Breakker hitting a dive over the announce table. The action slowed down with restholds, some trading strikes, reversals, and a double clothesline, but it wasn’t long until things went south.

Just as things were heating up in terms of pace and excitement, WWE ran a disqualification finish. Austin Theory ran down to attack Williams, leading to a multi-man brawl to end the show. A non-finish was expected, but it was no less frustrating when it happened.

3

The MFTs Vs. The War Raiders

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 6.25/10

The reigning WWE Tag Team Champions, The MFTs, battled The War Raiders on this week’s SmackDown in non-title action, with both teams looking to build some momentum. The action had a brutish start with these four big men dishing out clubbing blows and big strikes, with the Raiders especially showing plenty of energy to try and get the crowd more into the action.

Bakusai appeared at ringside during the action, making their title intentions known, distracting The MFTs in the process. However, the War Raiders failed to capitalize, as Haku ran some interference with his “Tonga walking stick”. This left Erik to fall victim to the Brother’s Keeper to win the match for The MFTs. The overbooked ending was a shame as the match was developing before things got convoluted.

2

Jacy Jayne, Tiffany Stratton & Lash Legend Vs. Roxanne Perez, Sol Ruca & Lola Vice

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 6.25/10

WWE abandoned the usual babyface vs. heel formula this week, instead putting the Money In The Bank competitors from both RAW & SmackDown in brand-specific teams for this six-woman tag team match, leading to a question of whether they can coexist. After some decent back-and-forths, it was the RAW trio who scored some early momentum thanks to Vice & Ruca running wild, with an impressive moonsault to the outside. It was the SmackDown trio who played the de facto heels in this match, slowing things down and cutting off the ring.

However, just as Ruca was about to reach the corner to bring Roxanne Perez in for a hot tag, the Judgment Day member jumped off the apron and refused to tag in her rival, though the moment was underplayed and undersold (and for some reason Perez stuck around instead of walking away). Perez eventually tagged herself in and fell victim to a flurry from Tiffany Stratton. However, just as Stratton was about to hit her finish, Lash Legend tagged herself in to cause more conflict. The whole thing became a little messy in the latter stages with messy moves, inadvertent finishers on tag partners, and eventually a Lash Extension on Ruca to win the match for the SmackDown team.

1

Fatal Influence Vs. Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

Overall Rating From TheSportster: 7.25/10

Charlotte Flair was attacked backstage on Friday Night SmackDown, meaning she wasn’t cleared to compete. This led to Alexa Bliss stepping in to replace her, teaming with Tatum Paxley to take on Fatal Influence for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bliss & Paxley showcased good energy early on, but Paxley’s flurry was soon halted by Fatal Influence, who then slowed things down and exerted a period of control over the matchup.

Bliss entered the ring for a hot tag, getting the audience on their feet. She was cut off by Fatal Influence, but Paxley arrived in the ring to cut off a pinfall attempt. The latter moments of the match featured all women in the ring, plenty of counters & reversals, cheating attempts from the champions, a Sister Abigail on the floor, and finally a Cemetery Drive from Paxley to crown new titleholders. It was a shame to see the end of Fatal Influence’s reign, as since their title win not much has been done with the belts.