There was only one spot remaining in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match going into this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Denver, and one final triple threat qualifier was booked to decide it: Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Johnny Gargano.
Sami Zayn told Gargano beforehand he wouldn’t be able to assist him, instead delivering a motivational speech and hoping for the best. Candice LeRae was still available, but she ended up taking a bump on a table that didn’t break. Naturally, Rhodes put her husband through it shortly after.
In the end, you won’t be surprised to learn Randy Orton showed up just as Rhodes was about to win the match, pulling the referee out of the ring before he could count to three. He had the chance to hit the Patented Punt on The Viper and, like he said he would, he went for it. He never made it, however, because Gargano was right there to knock him away.
By the time he recovered, Owens had hit a Pop up Powerbomb on Gargano and Orton was recovered enough himself to stop Cody from interfering. KO wins.
The field is now set: Bron Breakker vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Penta vs. CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens, with the winner earning the briefcase with a contract for a guaranteed championship match anytime the holder decides over the next year. It goes down on Sat., Oct. 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The updated Money in the Bank card:
