Summary (tl;dr)

Drew McIntyre is trending after he defeated Cody Rhodes to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion in a "Three Stages of Hell" match on the January 9, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown in Berlin, Germany.

Essential Background

Cody Rhodes had been the Undisputed WWE Champion, and Drew McIntyre had been on a long and often frustrated quest to regain a top championship, having previously held the title during the "ThunderDome days" and experiencing a brief World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania XL before losing it. McIntyre had also been vocal about his dissatisfaction with past booking decisions, including a shelved "Bloodline Hunter" storyline he had pitched. Their rivalry culminated in a demanding "Three Stages of Hell" match, a rare stipulation in WWE history designed to definitively end their feud.

The Full Story

On the January 9, 2026, episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, held at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, Drew McIntyre challenged Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal "Three Stages of Hell" match. The match consisted of three distinct falls: a standard wrestling match, a Falls Count Anywhere match, and finally, a steel cage match. McIntyre secured the first fall via nefarious means. Rhodes evened the score by winning the second fall. The decisive third fall, a steel cage match, saw the unexpected return of Jacob Fatu, who interfered by attacking both McIntyre and Rhodes. Amidst the chaos, McIntyre capitalized on the distraction, escaping the steel cage to win the match and become the new Undisputed WWE Champion for the third time.

Why It Matters

Drew McIntyre's victory marks a significant shift in the WWE's main event scene, ending Cody Rhodes's championship reign and ushering in McIntyre's third run as Undisputed WWE Champion. This title change, particularly in front of a fervent European crowd, is seen by many as a long-overdue reward for McIntyre's dedication and popularity. It also resets the top championship storyline, potentially forcing Cody Rhodes into a new, more desperate chapter of his career as he seeks to reclaim the title. The controversial finish involving Jacob Fatu's interference adds intrigue, suggesting future confrontations and potentially new alliances or rivalries heading into major events like the Royal Rumble.

Geographic Location

• Uber Arena, Berlin, Berlin State, Germany (WWE Friday Night SmackDown event where Drew McIntyre won the Undisputed WWE Championship)