During the January 2nd broadcast of WWE SmackDown at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, Drew McIntyre shocked the audience when he set fire to a cherished family photograph belonging to Cody Rhodes, escalating their ongoing feud. The heated confrontation came one week before their high-stakes championship clash in Berlin, capturing intense emotions and heightening anticipation for their upcoming showdown.
An Emotional Night Brings Unexpected Turmoil for Cody Rhodes
The recent episode of WWE SmackDown was packed with surprises, featuring significant returns, headline-grabbing signings, and crucial announcements that kept fans captivated throughout the night. Amid the excitement, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes found himself at the center of an unexpectedly painful incident, marking a turning point in his rivalry with McIntyre.
McIntyre Issues Challenge with 3 Stages of Hell
Cody Rhodes entered the arena prepared to address the WWE Universe about his next opponent. He awaited Drew McIntyre’s appearance to finalize the details of their upcoming match. McIntyre intervened with a video message from backstage, announcing the specifics of their three-stipulation contest, scheduled to take place in Berlin. The match will open with a standard wrestling bout, continue with a Falls Count Anywhere confrontation, and potentially culminate in a brutal Steel Cage match, promising an unforgiving gauntlet for both competitors.
A Personal Attack Leaves Rhodes Stunned
After McIntyre laid out the stipulations, he took the rivalry beyond the ring by targeting Rhodes personally. He entered Rhodes’ private vanity van, found a framed photograph of Cody with his late father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, and smashed it to the ground. The attack escalated further when McIntyre set the picture on fire in front of horrified fans and viewers.
“OH NO ðŸ˜@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk”— WWE (@WWE)
The shocking moment saw Rhodes quickly rush to the parking lot, but by the time he arrived, McIntyre had already moved to the ring with a trash can ready to dispose of the burning remains. Stunned and visibly shaken by this deeply personal assault, Rhodes was restrained by WWE officials as McIntyre looked on, intensifying the emotional and psychological stakes ahead of their clash.
A Feud Reaches New Heights Ahead of Berlin Showdown
Drew McIntyre’s actions on WWE SmackDown underscore the intense animosity between the two superstars and add a deeply personal layer to their upcoming championship match. As the world turns its attention to Berlin, where the 3 Stages of Hell match will decide the fate of the WWE Championship, fans await to see how Rhodes responds to this searing attack, both in and beyond the ring.
OH NO ðŸ˜@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
