4 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 Oct - Results & Review)

2. Tatum Shines & SmackDown Opens Hot

Tiffany Stratton won a Triple Threat over Tatum Paxley and Candice LeRae to qualify for MITB. Sure, the 3-way stuff has worn thin by now, and so have those pin-stealing results, but these women did well despite that samey feel to previous Triple Threats en route to the next PLE. In particular, Tatum looked really good out there.

This was her best performance by far since joining the main roster.

There was a really nice opening sequence of near falls to sell the ‘need eyes on the back of your head’ format, and the final few minutes deserved that, “This Is Awesome” chant from Denver's masses. Stratton winning to progress likely makes sense due to her history with Money In The Bank, but Paxley's time is definitely coming. She's going to be undeniable by this time next year.

As the intro stated, that women’s ladder match field looks excellent. Stratton being the most experienced ladder match campaigner of the lot speaks volumes about how the division is shifting in late-2026 (she was a fresh face herself at the turn of 2025!), and it feels like anybody involved would be a fine title challenger coming out of the show. Neat work, creative team. Very neat work indeed.

Credit has to go to LeRae for being the glue holding everything together too. She doesn't get a ton of plaudits, and her entrance does play before crickets, but Candice's experience came in handy and surely gave both Tiffany and Tatum more confidence. Together, all 3 women produced a slick watch.