Tonight, the superstars of the World Wrestling Federation invade the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, West Virginia, for another exciting edition of Friday Night SmackDown!, and with Halloween just one day away, things are about to get very nice, very evil, and quite possibly completely ridiculous!
Ladies and gentlemen, Danhausen has apparently been given control of tonight’s festivities, and I don’t know who in WWF management approved this arrangement, but I’m reasonably certain they haven’t thought it through.
We’ve got three championship matches scheduled, Crown Jewel is rapidly approaching, and a mysterious face-painted individual who enjoys cursing people has somehow become the master of ceremonies.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, considering this is professional wrestling, probably everything! And that’s just the way we like it around here.
Let’s take a look at tonight’s action.
Undisputed WWF Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
Sami Zayn has been having a rather difficult time convincing the wrestling world that he’s a deserving Undisputed WWF Champion, and tonight he faces another challenge that could derail his championship reign before Crown Jewel.
Trick Williams, the reigning United States Champion, has an opportunity to add the biggest championship in the company to his collection.
And this isn’t some inexperienced challenger hoping to get lucky. Williams has already demonstrated that he can defeat Zayn, and his confidence certainly isn’t suffering from a shortage of attention.
Meanwhile, Sami has become increasingly obsessed with earning the recognition he believes he deserves. After narrowly escaping Monday Night RAW with his championship intact following a defense against Je’Von Evans, Zayn demanded that the wrestling world acknowledge him.
Now, I don’t have a problem with a champion wanting respect, but demanding acknowledgment while barely surviving every title defense isn’t necessarily the best strategy.
Roman Reigns has already questioned whether Zayn will even arrive at Crown Jewel as champion, and Trick Williams would undoubtedly love to prove him right.
This should be a tremendous contest between two talented competitors, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams comes dangerously close to capturing the championship.
Stinger’s Prediction: Sami Zayn retains.
I’m going with the champion, although I expect another difficult evening for Sami. The upcoming confrontation with Roman Reigns gives WWF plenty of reason to keep the championship around Zayn’s waist, but Williams should emerge looking like a legitimate threat.
And Sami, a little advice from the rafters: perhaps spend less time demanding acknowledgment and more time concentrating on winning your matches.
WWF Women’s Championship: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Nikki Bella
Chelsea Green has been doing an admirable job defending the WWF Women’s Championship, having already survived challenges from Nia Jax and Roxanne Perez.
Tonight, however, she faces a woman who has made it abundantly clear that she doesn’t consider Chelsea a worthy successor.
Nikki Bella is back in championship contention, and she’s been dismissing Green as a cheap imitation of herself.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I understand Nikki has enjoyed considerable success throughout her career, but Chelsea Green isn’t exactly some newcomer who wandered into the building and accidentally picked up a championship belt.
She’s earned her position, and she’s demonstrated that she’s capable of defending it.
The winner is expected to face Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan at Crown Jewel, which means tonight’s match carries consequences beyond the championship itself.
Nikki has experience, confidence, and a Hall of Fame résumé. Chelsea has momentum, determination, and a rather impressive ability to survive situations that should probably end her championship reign.
Stinger’s Prediction: Chelsea Green retains.
I think Chelsea finds a way to keep the championship, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Nikki gives her a serious challenge.
And if Chelsea wins, perhaps somebody can finally stop calling her a bootleg Nikki Bella. Although, knowing professional wrestling, I suspect that insult will continue until somebody puts it on a T-shirt.
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix (c) vs. Ricky Saints
Rey Fenix and Ricky Saints will renew their rivalry tonight with the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship on the line.
Their previous championship encounter ended in controversy when Saints made contact with the referee and was disqualified, leaving him without the title he believed he was about to capture.
And now he gets another opportunity.
Fenix is one of the most spectacular high-flying wrestlers in the business, capable of performing maneuvers that make me question whether gravity actually applies to him.
Saints, meanwhile, brings tremendous confidence, athleticism, and enough personality to fill the Charleston Coliseum by himself.
This could easily steal the show if they’re given sufficient time.
Of course, the last time these two met, the referee became part of the story, and you know how I feel about that.
Ladies and gentlemen, the referee is supposed to count pinfalls, enforce the rules, and occasionally tell wrestlers to get off the ropes.
He is NOT supposed to become the deciding factor in a championship match!
Stinger’s Prediction: Rey Fenix retains.
I expect an exciting contest, and I’m hoping we finally get a decisive finish without another unfortunate incident involving an official.
Three championship matches tonight, ladies and gentlemen. Surely at least one can end without controversy! Anything can happen in the World Wrestling Federation, so we will see.
Danhausen’s Very Nice, Very Evil SmackDown
Now we come to the most mysterious part of tonight’s program.
Danhausen has been entrusted with presenting a special Halloween edition of Friday Night SmackDown, and WWF is promising viewers an evening where anything could happen.
Well, that’s reassuring.
Danhausen has already attracted the attention of Gunther, who has apparently promised to make tonight’s festivities especially memorable.
And if I were Danhausen, I wouldn’t be particularly enthusiastic about that promise.
Gunther isn’t exactly known for his appreciation of whimsical Halloween entertainment. He’s more likely to celebrate the holiday by chopping somebody so hard that their skeleton temporarily becomes visible.
But perhaps that’s the point!
Halloween is supposed to be frightening, and few things in professional wrestling are more terrifying than finding yourself standing across the ring from Gunther.
I expect costumes, unusual surprises, and whatever other bizarre entertainment Danhausen has arranged.
I just hope somebody remembers that we’ve also got three championship matches to conduct.
Stinger’s Prediction: Danhausen gets cursed, Gunther gets irritated, and somebody backstage regrets approving this entire arrangement.
And if the show ends with everybody fighting in the ring while Danhausen stands in the middle cursing people, I reserve the right to file another formal complaint.
Tony Khan already knows how that works.
Excuse Me, Where the Hell Is The Glamour?
Now, before we move along, ladies and gentlemen, I have a rather serious complaint to lodge with WWF management.
I’ve examined tonight’s advertised lineup, and unless my eyesight is failing me, somebody appears to have forgotten the most important attraction on Friday Night SmackDown.
WHERE THE HELL IS BLAKE MONROE?!
After her spectacular victory last week, you would think WWF would be falling over itself to advertise another appearance from The Glamour. Instead, we’ve got three championship matches, Danhausen running the Halloween festivities, and absolutely no mention of the woman who should rightfully be the centerpiece of this entire operation!
I mean, for crying out loud, THIS IS THE GLAMOUR’S SHOW!
Now, I’m not suggesting that WWF should rearrange its entire programming schedule around Blake Monroe.
Actually, yes. That’s precisely what I’m suggesting.
And before anybody accuses me of favoritism, let me remind you that I am an objective wrestling journalist with a proven record of accurate predictions and impeccable professional integrity.
Yes, I have a certain admiration for Blake Monroe, just as I’ve repeatedly praised the remarkable talents of Chantel Monroe over on NXT. In fact, I’ve taken to affectionately referring to these two lovely ladies as the Monroe twins, despite there being absolutely no evidence that they’re related.
But that doesn’t compromise my journalistic integrity!
All wrestlers are subject to rigorous scrutiny. Except the Monroes. They’re wonderful.
And before anybody makes an inappropriate remark about my admiration for these two magnificent twins, let me remind you that Thalia has spent the better part of October obsessing over magnificent twins of an entirely different variety!
At least MY appreciation involves actual wrestling! Although, knowing Thalia, she’d probably argue that hers do too.
But I digress!
The point is, when you’ve got a superstar of Blake Monroe’s caliber, YOU ADVERTISE HER! It’s not a complicated formula if you want the ratings.
Stinger’s View: I sincerely hope this is merely an oversight and The Glamour makes an appearance tonight. Otherwise, somebody in the promotional department has some explaining to do. Blake Monroe deserves the spotlight, Chantel Monroe deserves recognition for her exceptional ring awareness, and I deserve a little respect for maintaining such impeccable standards of professional journalism.
And no, Theia, I am NOT obsessed!
The Road to Crown Jewel
With Crown Jewel scheduled for November 7, tonight’s championship matches could have a major impact on the upcoming event.
Sami Zayn is expected to face Roman Reigns in a champion-versus-champion encounter, while Chelsea Green is scheduled to meet Liv Morgan.
But those matches depend on tonight’s champions successfully defending their titles.
That’s an interesting situation, because it gives both Trick Williams and Nikki Bella the opportunity to disrupt WWF’s plans.
Personally, I like that.
Too often, championship matches scheduled shortly before a major event feel like foregone conclusions. The audience knows where the company is headed, so the outcome seems obvious.
Tonight’s challengers have enough credibility to introduce at least a little uncertainty.
And professional wrestling is always more entertaining when the audience has reason to believe something unexpected might happen.
Stinger’s View
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown has all the ingredients for an entertaining Halloween spectacle.
Three championship matches, an approaching premium live event, and Danhausen running around doing whatever it is Danhausen does.
I’m particularly interested in Sami Zayn versus Trick Williams, which has the potential to deliver an excellent main event. Rey Fenix versus Ricky Saints should provide the high-flying excitement, while Chelsea Green and Nikki Bella have an opportunity to advance their rivalry with the Women’s Championship at stake.
And then there’s Danhausen.
I have absolutely no idea what he’s planning, and frankly, I suspect neither does WWF management.
But that’s part of the fun.
Halloween is supposed to be a little strange, and professional wrestling has never been particularly concerned with behaving sensibly.
After all, this is an industry that once put Abdullah the Butcher in an electric chair during a pay-per-view.
Compared with that, Danhausen hosting SmackDown sounds perfectly reasonable.
As for my predictions, I’m taking Sami Zayn, Chelsea Green, and Rey Fenix to retain their championships.
And after going a perfect five-for-five on last night’s TNA Impact, I expect the WWF locker room will be paying very close attention.
I’m not saying my predictions influence the outcomes.
I’m merely pointing out that the evidence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Until tonight, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the Halloween festivities, keep an eye on Danhausen, and remember:
Wrestling Matters.
— Stinger, reporting from the rafters of Titanquisitor Hall, where the predictions are accurate and the management is increasingly concerned.
WWF Friday Night SmackDown — October 30, 2026
Location: Charleston Coliseum, Charleston, West Virginia
Broadcast: 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT, USA Network
Advertised Card:
- Undisputed WWF Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
- WWF Women’s Championship: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Nikki Bella
- AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix (c) vs. Ricky Saints
- Danhausen’s Very Nice, Very Evil SmackDown
Card subject to change. As is always the case, and if it does, don’t blame me. I didn’t book the shit, I just wrote about it.
