Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes are set to escalate their intense feud during a pivotal Drew McIntyre WWE Championship match, as they clash in a Three Stages of Hell encounter for the Undisputed WWE Championship in Berlin. With McIntyre choosing the stipulations and both superstars at their breaking point, the outcome could mark a defining moment in WWE history and potentially end Rhodes’ reign atop the division.
Three Stages of Hell: Rare Match, Higher Stakes
The upcoming match carries unique weight, as the Three Stages of Hell stipulation has only been used five times before in WWE. Structured as a best-of-three falls contest, each fall employs a distinct match type, testing the limits of each competitor’s endurance and adaptability. This time, Drew McIntyre holds a crucial advantage—he is entitled to select all three match formats, turning the odds in his favor and raising concerns for reigning champion Cody Rhodes.
What amplifies the tension is the speculation that McIntyre might nominate Nick Aldis as the referee for the final stage. In a twist, if Rhodes gets disqualified or counted out in that deciding fall, he would lose his Undisputed WWE Title. This maneuver could serve as McIntyre’s ultimate strategy to dethrone Rhodes, using the authority of the chosen referee and stipulation to his advantage.
The Role of Nick Aldis and Previous Confrontations
The fraught dynamic between Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis adds another layer of volatility. In recent weeks, their relationship deteriorated after Rhodes openly stated that Aldis does not control him, but rather the reverse, which many saw as a public slight. Tensions reached a boiling point when Rhodes, albeit unintentionally, struck Aldis during a SmackDown segment. Although accidental, the incident likely soured their relations further, creating a scenario where Aldis could harbor a personal stake in the outcome if he is chosen as the official for the critical third stage.
Potential Outcomes and McIntyre’s Tactical Edge
If Drew McIntyre leverages his authority to install Nick Aldis as the referee, the risk for Rhodes increases dramatically. In such a scenario, McIntyre could position himself to avoid direct conflict, prompting Rhodes into a mistake that could see him attack Aldis. Should this occur, Aldis would be within his right to call for the match to end, awarding the championship to The Scottish Warrior. This potential outcome transforms McIntyre’s stipulation choices from mere strategy to a decisive game-changer that could conclude Rhodes’ championship era.
A Feud Approaching Its Final Chapter
The animosity between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre has grown ever more personal, and their upcoming showdown on the January 9 edition of SmackDown in Berlin could be the brutal finale their rivalry demands. WWE has historically reserved the Three Stages of Hell stipulation to signal the end of significant storylines, making it unlikely that this saga will carry on past the upcoming bout. With the Royal Rumble season on the horizon, fresh narratives for both superstars are anticipated following what could be their last confrontation in this feud.
The stepped-up anticipation for the Drew McIntyre WWE Championship match underscores the gravity of what is at stake. The outcome of this fierce rivalry will not only shape the future for Rhodes and McIntyre but could also impact the wider WWE landscape as the company ushers in its next chapter.
THREE STAGES OF HELL?!??
These two are going to absolutely destroy each other 🫣@DMcIntyreWWE @CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/n8MS0mWkUB
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025
