By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
WWE SmackDown (Episode 1,417)
Sacramento, California, at Golden 1 Center
Simulcast live on October 16, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix
Cody Rhodes, R-Truth, Damien Priest, Tatum Paxley, and Alexa Bliss were shown walking backstage. Vic Joseph was on commentary with Corey Graves. Sami Zayn made his entrance in the arena along with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Zayn asked the crowd who came to ride or die with the last real good guy. A mixed reaction rang out, and he said he hated to say he told you so, but vultures are circling around his title and they got what they deserved.
Zayn said Je’Von Evans, CM Punk, Trick Williams, and Kevin Owens all came up short. He said he wouldn’t waste his breath on Trick Williams tonight, but he gave a sarcastic congratulations to Penta and told him to focus his energy with Roman Reigns. He then said he had his own personal history with Roman Reigns, and that would come into focus in a few weeks when they go one on one at Crown Jewel. Out of respect, he said he would hold off on addressing it until Monday when he could say it to Roman face to face.
Trick Williams interrupted Sami and made his way to the ring. Trick fired up the crowd and Sami demanded the production team shut down his music. He told Trick to say what he had to say. Trick said it’s not secret they don’t like each other, and after last week he sees that it’s personal for Sami. He said he understands why, because every time he sees Trick Williams he remembers WrestleMania and Backlash, and Trick Williams being a real superstar. He then continued and told Sami he would beat his ass.
Zayn told Williams he already told him it wasn’t a game and he wasn’t to be trifled with, but he has to turn everything into a joke because that’s all he is. He told Williams he can’t differentiate what’s serious from what’s a joke, and he doesn’t have the survival skills to discern between a real threat and a joke. Zayn told Trick he’s a survivor, and that’s why he’s going to stay where he is and Trick will stay where he is. Trick said he’s not joking, and told him to take a swing and find out what happens.
Gargano grabbed a microphone and said enough, and told Trick he’s disrespecting them too. He said Trick was handed opportunities they had to work for because he had an entrance and he had “it”. Gargano then said if he continued the disrespect, he’d find out why they call him Johnny Wrestling instead of Johnny Entrance. Trick said he wasn’t making excuses, and he works as hard as everybody, and he’d beat his ass too. Gargano accepted, and a referee was called out to the ring…[c]
My Take: A decent segment to set up the opening match. It seems like they aren’t too focused on Crown Jewel until Monday so this was fairly self contained. Trick was very over with the live crowd, particularly for his catchphrase.
1. Trick Williams vs. Johnny Gargano: The match was joined in progress after the break. Gargano was in control of the action. Trick attempted a leapfrog when Johnny hit the ropes and grabbed his knee. Gargano attacked the knee, but Trick managed to put Gargano down with a shoulder tackle. He followed up with some chops in the corner. Trick then landed a delayed vertical suplex, and then set up for a Trick Shot, but Gargano rolled to the floor to avoid it.
Trick and Gargano the fought in front of Sami Zayn as he sat in on commentary. A distraction from Candice LeRae allowed Gargano to battle back into the match with a dragon screw on Trick’s bad knee. He then delivered a suicide dive into Trick that sent him over the top of the commentary table. Gargano and Zayn hugged after he connected with the dive…[c]
Trick landed a flapjack to get back into the match. He then delivered a bit strike in the corner and jawed at Gargano on the ground. Johnny attempted a comeback with a series of strikes, but got cut down with a big boot. Trick then landed a fireman’s carry slam for a two count. After some additional back and forth, Trick was able to land a Trick Shot and eventually put Gargano away with a Book End.
Trick Williams defeated Johnny Gargano
After the match, a video recap aired of the Women’s Money in the Bank Match, including Tiffany Stratton’s victory. Backstage, Nick Aldis informed Blake Monroe she would face Guilia next week in a street fight. Chelsea Green walked up, and they discussed Liv Morgan at Crown Jewel and Roxanne Perez seeking a title shot after Monday. Nikki Bella then walked up and reminded Chelsea she would see her in two weeks for her title shot after she defeats Paige tonight.
Paige made her ring entrance in the arena…[c]
My Take: A solid opening match, but not much mystery about it. Gargano is still a punching bag and Trick seems to be trending towards a World Title Match down the road.
The Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton face to face was advertised for later in the show. Nikki Bella made her ring entrance for the next match.
2. Nikki Bella vs. Paige: The action went to the floor almost immediately. Both women were thrown into the barricades. Nikki was then thrown into the ring apron and then into the ring. Nikki tried to escape up to the stage, but Paige gave chase and tossed her back into the ring. Paige dominated the brawling with elbows and knees, but Nikki made a comeback by hanging Paige by her surgically repaired neck on the second rope. She then slammed Paige from the apron to the floor…[c]
Paige started a comeback and delivered a belly to back suplex. She fired up the crowd and did John Cena’s “You can’t see me” stance. Nikki reversed the Five Knuckle Shuffle into a STF, but Paige reached the bottom rope. Paige turned things around with an Attitude Adjustment and covered for a two count. Nikki fired back with a running forearm strike and covered for a near fall of her own. Nikki clapped to mock the crowd and then set up for a Rack Attack, but Paige escaped. Both women rolled around into various pinning predicaments, and Paige got the win after she placed her foot on the ropes.
Paige defeated Nikki Bella at 9:05
After the match, Paige slapped hands as she headed to the back. R-Truth was then interviewed backstage, and was asked about his match with Damien Priest. Truth said he was heartbroken and was always thankful for being Priest’s friend, but if he insisted on stabbing him in the back he’d wish he was back at the bodega eating Arroz Con Pollo, Truth said his ass was his…[c]
My Take: Paige and Bella was not a technical masterpiece, but they seemed to have the crowd’s attention for the majority of it. It seems we’re back to a more serious version of R-Truth, which is a good thing from my perspective.
