The landscape of the blue brand was forever altered on the january 9 episode of SmackDown in Berlin, Germany. Cody Rhodes defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match that pushed both men to their physical limits.
What is a Three Stages of Hell Match?
The Three Stages of Hell match is a rare stipulation that requires a competitor to win two out of three falls under different rules. The first fall was a customary wrestling match, which saw McIntyre secure an early advantage. Rhodes fought back in the second fall, a Falls Count Anywhere match, evening the score with a CrossRhodes on the announce table to send the contest into the third and final stage.
The Shocking Return of Jacob Fatu
The final fall took place inside a Steel Cage, where a significant disruption occurred. Jacob Fatu, who had been sidelined since October following a backstage attack, made a shocking return by attacking both men. The storyline suggests Fatu believed McIntyre was responsible for the attack months prior.
A Controversial Finish and a New Champion
During the chaotic interference, McIntyre managed to fall out of the steel cage while Fatu was fighting with Rhodes, securing the win and the title.This victory marks McIntyre’s first Undisputed WWE Championship reign since February 2021,ending Rhodes’ run as champion.
🚨 AND NEWWWWWWW 🚨
DREW MCINTYRE IS FINALY THE NEW UNDISPUTED CHAMPION 😭🔥#SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/6RQF4zzce4— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) January 9,
2026
JACOB FATU IS BACK!
HE STOPS DREW FROM ESCAPING THE CAGE!
AND NOW HE’S BEATING HIS ASS!#SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/QVG0ToANtu— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) January 9,
2026
DREW MCINTYRE GANA EL WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII #SMACKDOWN
pic.twitter.com/7qEh7ZFp8O— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) January 9,
2026
JACOB FATU ATACA A DREW MCINTYRE
NO JODER NO #SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/hJuffGWhrz— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) January 9,
2026
