The upcoming Cody Rhodes WWE Championship match will feature a Three Stages of Hell stipulation as Cody Rhodes defends his title against Drew McIntyre next week on WWE SmackDown in Berlin. This highly anticipated encounter is set to be the final WWE Championship match between Rhodes and McIntyre, with unique conditions shaping the contest and its outcome.
Three Stipulations Confirmed for WWE Title Clash
During the latest WWE SmackDown broadcast, fans learned that the Cody Rhodes WWE Championship match will unfold in three distinct bouts under the “Three Stages of Hell” structure. Announced by Drew McIntyre, the first contest will be a standard wrestling match, testing both superstars on their technical abilities and endurance.
If a second fall is needed, the competitors will battle under Falls Count Anywhere rules, allowing pinfalls or submissions to take place in any area of the arena, dramatically increasing the level of risk and unpredictability. Should the championship match require a decisive third fall, the showdown will move into a Steel Cage environment, where escape and survival tactics will be as crucial as wrestling talent.
This stipulation was set after last week’s SmackDown officially confirmed the title defense. However, in a strict twist, Cody Rhodes is forbidden from making physical contact with Drew McIntyre before the match; breaking this rule would cost Rhodes his WWE Championship before he even enters the ring in Berlin.
Tensions Escalate as Personal Rivalry Intensifies
Emotions reached a new height when Drew McIntyre made his way to Cody Rhodes’ personal bus, seized a cherished photograph of Cody and his late father Dusty Rhodes, and brought it to the ring for a dramatic display. In front of the live audience, he smashed the photo on the mat and then set it ablaze, deepening the psychological warfare headed into their final bout.
“OH NO 😭@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk” — WWE (@WWE)
This act underscored the highly personal animosity fueling their rivalry, as well as the mental strategies in play as each superstar seeks any advantage for the upcoming Three Stages of Hell showdown.
Other Contenders Emerge for Future Title Opportunities
The night also saw other major WWE names, including Sami Zayn and the recently returned Randy Orton., stepping into the spotlight by declaring their intentions to challenge for the top championship. This signals a competitive landscape for whoever leaves Berlin holding the WWE Championship.
What’s at Stake in Berlin?
The Cody Rhodes WWE Championship match is more than a title defense; it is the culmination of a heated rivalry, with significant personal undertones and professional consequences. As Berlin plays host to this Three Stages of Hell contest, the outcome will not only determine the immediate fate of the WWE Championship, but also set the stage for future challenges from superstars like Zayn and Orton. As anticipation mounts, all eyes will be on how Cody Rhodes navigates the psychological and physical obstacles in a match designed to test every limit.
OH NO 😭@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
