The January 9 edition of SmackDown saw a dramatic Cody Rhodes championship loss as Drew McIntyre seized the Undisputed WWE Championship in Berlin, Germany, overturning expectations in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match. The fiercely contested event left the blue brand shaken as McIntyre emerged victorious, ending Rhodes’ reign in a chaotic and stunning fashion.
Action Unfolds Across Three Grueling Rounds
The championship encounter began with both superstars battling under standard wrestling rules. McIntyre controlled the tempo early, taking the opening fall and immediately forcing Rhodes on the defensive. The intensity escalated when the second stage shifted into a Falls Count Anywhere brawl, with action spilling beyond the ring. Rhodes rallied back, executing a powerful CrossRhodes on the announce table to tie the score, sending the clash into a decisive final phase.
Steel Cage Finale Marred by Interference
The match’s conclusion took place inside a Steel Cage, descending rapidly into chaos with the surprise return of Jacob Fatu. He intervened, targeting both Rhodes and McIntyre, prompted by a storyline belief that McIntyre had a hand in a past backstage assault that sidelined Fatu for months. The brawl caused confusion in the cage, allowing McIntyre the opening he needed to escape the structure and win the championship.
New Era Begins After Shocking Title Switch
McIntyre’s victory marks his first tenure as Undisputed WWE Champion since February 2021, while Cody Rhodes’ rise to the top was abruptly cut short. The controversial finish left fans and competitors stunned, setting the stage for new rivalries and unresolved tensions. The aftermath of this match is poised to reshape storylines on SmackDown as McIntyre begins his reign and Rhodes deals with his sudden defeat.
“🚨 AND NEWWWWWWW 🚨DREW MCINTYRE IS FINALLY THE NEW UNDISPUTED CHAMPION 😭🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6RQF4zzce4”
– EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B), January 9, 2026
🚨 AND NEWWWWWWW 🚨
DREW MCINTYRE IS FINALLY THE NEW UNDISPUTED CHAMPION 😭🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6RQF4zzce4
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) January 9, 2026
