Wrestling Morning Bell: Full SmackDown Recap, October 23

By David LaGuerre
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Morning edition

Friday’s SmackDown changed the women’s tag title picture and gave its biggest rivalries firm next steps. Michin and B-Fab won gold, Trick Williams moved toward Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton agreed to Last Man Standing rules. Here is the full October 23 recap from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, followed by the weekend wrestling briefs.

SmackDown results: Every match at a glance

• Chelsea Green defeated Roxanne Perez by pinfall with the Un-Pretty-Her to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.
• Blake Monroe defeated Giulia by pinfall with the Neutralizer in a Street Fight.
• Michin and B-Fab defeated Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Michin pinned Paxley after a Styles Clash.
• Bakusai vs. The MFTs never started. A pre-match brawl prevented the scheduled non-title bout.
• Trick Williams and Rey Fenix defeated Sami Zayn and Johnny Gargano by disqualification after Ricky Saints attacked Fenix.
• Williams, Penta and Fenix defeated Zayn, Gargano and Saints. Williams pinned Saints with the Book End in the added six-man main event.

That is five completed matches, plus the scheduled bout that never reached the opening bell. WWE’s official results and Fightful’s show report confirm the outcomes.

Opening promo: Zayn rejects Trick’s challenge

The show opened with a replay of Zayn’s Monday confrontation with Roman Reigns. Zayn then came out with Gargano and Candice LeRae. His argument was that survival and intelligence, rather than strength, made him the man everyone was chasing.

Fenix warned Zayn against disrespecting his brother Penta. He would not reveal which world champion Penta might target with Money in the Bank. Williams followed, pointing to his own success and past win over Zayn before demanding a WWE title match.

Zayn refused. When Gargano stepped between them, Williams grabbed him and Zayn landed a cheap shot. Nick Aldis stepped in and booked Zayn and Gargano against Williams and Fenix for later. WrestleZone’s opening-segment report supplies the exchange.

Analysis: This gave the main event a reason to happen. It also kept two different threats in front of Zayn: a challenger asking for a match and a briefcase holder who does not need to ask.

Chelsea Green vs. Roxanne Perez: The champion survives

Perez worked over Green’s left arm after driving her toward the ring post. Green fought back, including a superplex, but Raquel Rodriguez pushed her off the ropes while the referee was distracted. Perez still could not get the pin.

IYO SKY arrived to confront Rodriguez. Perez took SKY out with a dive, then returned to try Pop Rox. Green countered with the Un-Pretty-Her for the pin and retained her title.

Liv Morgan joined Perez and Rodriguez in a post-match attack on Green and SKY. Tiffany Stratton returned to help, struck Morgan with the Money in the Bank briefcase and tried to turn the opening into a cash-in. Judgment Day pulled Morgan out before a championship match could begin. Stratton still has her contract. Wrestling Inc.’s match report traces the finish and aftermath.

Analysis: Green’s win kept her championship story moving, while Stratton made Morgan’s escape the bigger warning. The rescue also gave Green allies when Judgment Day had the numbers.

Between matches: New friends and Corbin’s on-air update

In the parking lot, Green thanked SKY and Stratton for helping her. SKY offered support, Stratton looked ahead to cashing in on Morgan, and Green suggested they celebrate together. This was the follow-up to their in-ring alliance, not another match. Sports Illustrated’s recap notes the celebration.

The broadcast also replayed Rhodes punting Baron Corbin the previous week. Michael Cole said Corbin was out indefinitely. We are reporting that as an on-air storyline update, not independent medical confirmation or a diagnosis. 411Mania’s report attributes the statement to Cole.

Giulia vs. Blake Monroe: A Street Fight reaches backstage

Giulia attacked Monroe on the ramp, and their fight spread through ringside and backstage. Kendo sticks, a trash can and steel chairs became part of the match. At a makeup station, Monroe used spray on Giulia, then paused at a mirror. Giulia drove her into it.

Back near the ring, Giulia kept pressing, but Monroe survived her offense. Monroe used a fire extinguisher, delivered a superplex from the steps onto a pile of chairs, then brought Giulia back inside. The Neutralizer produced the deciding pinfall. TJR Wrestling and Inside The Ropes describe the match and finish.

Analysis: The win gave Monroe a clear result after weeks of fighting. The important next step is whether both women move forward or remain tied to another rematch. A match this destructive should have consequences in the story.

Orton and Rhodes agree to Last Man Standing at Crown Jewel

Orton said he was proud that Rhodes had finally used the punt on someone. His taunt was that doing it to Corbin meant little unless Rhodes could do the same to him. Orton predicted Rhodes would hesitate again.

Rhodes confronted him, questioned his courage and argued that Orton had damaged his own legacy along with his opponents. Rhodes wanted to fight immediately. Officials kept them apart, and Aldis offered Crown Jewel instead.

Rhodes demanded Last Man Standing rules, and Orton accepted. This is now an announced stipulation, not merely a proposal. Sports Illustrated’s segment recap covers the argument; Fightful’s dedicated report includes WWE’s confirmation of the November 7 match.

Analysis: Orton is trying to make Rhodes prove how ruthless he can be. The stipulation turns that challenge into the match itself: neither man can settle it with a quick pin.

Women’s tag titles: Jade helps Michin and B-Fab win

Bliss and Paxley had moments of control, including a Paxley moonsault to the floor and a burst of offense from Bliss. The challengers kept finding ways to slow their momentum.

The deciding sequence came with Paxley back in the ring. Michin occupied the referee, allowing Jade Cargill to strike Paxley from outside. Michin immediately hit the Styles Clash and pinned her. B-Fab and Michin became champions, ending the reign Bliss and Paxley began on October 9. Fightful’s title-change report confirms the interference and pin; Wrestling Inc. details the earlier exchanges.

Analysis: The belts changed hands, but the finish leaves Bliss and Paxley with a grievance. Cargill was central to the result, so a response to her involvement matters just as much as the new champions’ first defense.

Backstage: Trick gets his title match, Priest watches

Cathy Kelley caught Williams outside Aldis’ office. Williams announced that he had secured a WWE Championship match against Zayn for next Friday. Fenix reminded him that they still had a tag match to handle, and the partners shook hands.

After they left, Damian Priest watched their path, looked toward Aldis’ door and shook his head. He did not announce a match or explain his intentions. Solowrestling’s backstage account records that silent beat.

Analysis: Priest’s look was a tease. Treating it as a confirmed challenge or an alliance would go beyond what the segment established.

Bakusai vs. The MFTs: No opening bell, only a fight

Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga waited with Haku for their scheduled non-title match against Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki. Nakamura appeared on the ramp while Kyoki came from the other side and stole Haku’s staff.

That provoked a chase and a four-man brawl. Officials separated the teams, and the match never began. No team earned a win. WrestleZone’s report describes the sequence.

Analysis: The feud gained another personal insult, but viewers did not get the advertised match. A future meeting still needs a real result.

Punk and Owens: Aldis puts a date on their dispute

Aldis brought CM Punk and Kevin Owens together for a recorded sit-down. Punk said Owens had cost him the WWE Championship and the chance to face Reigns at Crown Jewel. Owens argued that Punk had ruined his own opportunity to become champion.

The argument moved into their long-running personal dislike. Owens said he had considered the matter settled after preventing Punk from winning Money in the Bank. Punk challenged how well Owens actually knew him; Owens pointed to people who had dealt with Punk. These were accusations made in the televised exchange, not independently established backstage facts.

Aldis ended the discussion and told them to settle it in the ring. Solowrestling details the sit-down. Fightful confirms the November 6 SmackDown match and reports that the Brooklyn episode will be taped the preceding Monday.

Analysis: Both men see the other as the reason they are outside the title picture. Giving them a firm match date moves the feud from repeated interference toward a direct answer.

Williams and Fenix vs. Zayn and Gargano: Saints causes a DQ

Williams started against Gargano after Zayn avoided the first exchange. Williams knocked Gargano down and wanted the champion. Before the match could develop, Saints pulled Fenix from the apron and attacked him.

The referee awarded Williams and Fenix the match by disqualification. Zayn and Gargano attacked Williams while Saints stayed on Fenix. Penta rushed out to help and called for a six-man match. Fightful lists the DQ separately from what followed.

Analysis: This was a completed match with a DQ result, not a match to leave out of the recap. Saints’ attack also brought Penta directly into Zayn’s business.

Six-man main event: Trick pins Saints, not Zayn

Zayn, Gargano and Saints worked to contain Fenix until he reached Penta. Penta’s burst included a backbreaker and Penta Driver on Gargano. Fenix also took Saints out on the floor as the teams broke up each other’s chances.

Williams finally got his exchange with Zayn and landed the Trick Shot. But Saints had tagged in, making him the legal opponent. Saints tried a quick roll-up; Williams escaped and hit the Book End for the pin. The winners celebrated while Zayn held up his championship at ringside. PWMania’s main-event account and Sports Illustrated’s closing recap support the finish.

Analysis: Williams ended the night with momentum, but he did not pin Zayn. That leaves next Friday’s championship match with a clear question rather than a result WWE has already given away.

What SmackDown announced next

• October 30, Charleston: Zayn defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Williams.
• October 30: Green defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella.
• October 30: Fenix vs. Saints is advertised for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship. Fenix first has a title defense against Mini Vikingo at tonight’s AAA event.
• October 30: Danhausen hosts the Halloween-eve edition, billed as his “Very Nice, Very Evil” SmackDown.
• November 6 episode: Punk vs. Owens, from the Brooklyn taping.
• November 7, Crown Jewel: Rhodes vs. Orton, Last Man Standing.

The title matches appear in Fightful’s updated October 30 lineup. Fightful also confirms Danhausen’s hosting role. These are announced plans, not completed results; cards can change.

SmackDown takeaway: The next steps need to deliver

Analysis: The show gave readers more than a title-change headline. Green survived a challenger, Monroe won the Street Fight, the new tag champions benefited from Cargill, and Williams moved closer to Zayn. The promos supplied dates for Rhodes-Orton and Punk-Owens. The loose ends are just as important: Stratton has not cashed in, Priest has not explained himself, and Bakusai and The MFTs still owe viewers a match.

Around wrestling: The rest of the weekend

With Friday’s full SmackDown recap covered, here are the other results and announced matches to keep on your radar.

CMLL: Skadi wins the Amazonas Grand Prix

Skadi delivered Friday’s other major women’s wrestling result. She pinned Megan Bayne to win the 2026 Amazonas Grand Prix at Arena México, ending the 22-woman team elimination match in Mexico’s favor. Fightful reported the result, which TPWW also confirmed.

That gives Skadi a clear result to build on. For fans who missed the show, the finish is worth seeking out through CMLL’s official video channels rather than relying on a clipped reaction without the match context.

AEW: Dragunov wins, and Blood & Guts takes shape

Ilja Dragunov beat Mike Bailey in his AEW in-ring debut on Wednesday’s Dynamite. The Don Callis Family also had a strong night: Mark Davis and Jake Doyle beat the Young Bucks in a title eliminator, while Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight defeated Will Ospreay and Adam Copeland.

Steven Borden returned and issued a Blood & Guts challenge that Callis accepted. Queen Aminata beat Maya World to earn a TBS Championship match against Persephone at Fright Night Dynamite on October 28. AEW’s official October 21 recap confirms those results.

The takeaway: Dragunov’s first win deserves room to breathe amid all the group feuds. His next opponent will help show whether AEW has a clear path for him beyond the excitement of a debut.

Tonight’s Collision: FTR need to even the series

Collision is advertised for 8 p.m. Eastern on TNT and HBO Max from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The announced card includes:

• FTR vs. Motor City Machine Guns, match two of their best-of-five series. The Guns lead 1-0.
• Swerve Strickland vs. Myron Reed.
• Divine Dominion, Megan Bayne and Lena Kross, vs. Wrathlander, Harley Cameron and Kris Statlander.

AEW announced the time and first two matches. Tony Khan’s Friday addition of the women’s tag match was reported by 411Mania. These are advertised matches, not results.

TNA: Hotch retains, Alexander gets his shot

Thursday’s iMPACT! left Jason Hotch holding the International Championship after a two-falls-to-one win over Mustafa Ali. Indi Hartwell retained the Knockouts World Championship against Xia Brookside, then faced a post-match attack by Apex.

Cedric Alexander won the four-way contender’s match over Rich Swann, KC Navarro and Fabian Aichner. He is set to challenge Amazing Red for the X-Division title next week. Destination X, scheduled for November 15 in Edmonton, has Leon Slater defending the World title against Trey Miguel, plus two Ultimate X matches and the return of the World X-Cup. Source: TNA’s October 22 results.

There is also confirmed roster news: TNA announced Shayna Baszler’s signing on October 22. Baszler and Zoey Serrano, known as Apex, already hold the Knockouts tag titles after winning them at Bound for Glory. That signing is official, not a backstage rumor.

ROH: Moriarty holds on, Kaun calls out Bandido

On Thursday’s HonorClub show, Lee Moriarty submitted Mance Warner to retain the Pure Championship. Mina Shirakawa also won by submission against Isla Dawn.

Bishop Kaun defeated Oro and continued attacking him until Bandido intervened. Kaun later challenged Bandido for the ROH World title, but a match date was not established in the report. Wrestling Observer’s October 22 results have the full rundown.

AAA tonight: Héroes Inmortales brings four title matches

WWE’s official event listing places Héroes Inmortales in Mexico City tonight. The announced card includes El Grande Americano defending the Mega Championship against Dominik Mysterio, Rey Fenix defending the Cruiserweight title against Mini Vikingo, and La Catalina defending Reina de Reinas against Flammer and La Hiedra.

Perros del Mal are scheduled to defend the trios titles against La Parka, Mr. Iguana and Niño Hamburguesa. El Fiscal vs. Abismo Negro Jr. and Marisela Peña’s Hall of Fame induction are also announced. Fightful has the event card.

Viewing caution: TV Azteca reports that the Fox broadcast will be split across three weeks. Do not expect every advertised match to air tonight. The venue’s event time and a television start time are different listings.

NXT and the weekend calendar

NXT’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic moved forward Tuesday. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno beat BirthRight with help from the returning Zilla Fatu. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger also reached the semifinals by beating the Creed Brothers. Source: WWE’s October 20 NXT results.

• Saturday, October 24: CMLL lists Arena Coliseo at 7:30 p.m. Mexico City time.
• Sunday, October 25: CMLL lists Arena México at 5 p.m. Mexico City time. Check CMLL’s official schedule for changes.
• Saturday, October 31: NXT Halloween Havoc is next weekend, not tonight. WWE lists 7 p.m. Eastern on The CW and ESPN Unlimited, with Grayson Waller vs. Tony D’Angelo and Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair. Official Halloween Havoc preview.

The final bell

Next Friday’s title matches give this SmackDown a clear follow-up. For tonight, FTR and the Motor City Machine Guns offer an easy story to jump into: FTR can tie the series, while the Guns can move within one win of taking it.

Which Friday development deserves the strongest follow-up: the tag title change, Trick’s challenge, Rhodes and Orton, or Punk and Owens? Share your take in the comments.