Drew McIntyre claimed a surprise victory and captured the Undisputed WWE Championship on the January 9 episode of WWE SmackDown, held in Berlin, Germany. This WWE SmackDown title change occurred after a dramatic Three Stages of Hell main event against Cody Rhodes, featuring unexpected interference and high-stakes consequences for the Royal Rumble event.
Main Event Showdown Features Three Stages of Hell
The SmackDown main event featured Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. The unique match structure included three consecutive rounds: a standard wrestling match, followed by falls count anywhere, with the deciding round set inside a steel cage. McIntyre quickly took the first fall, but Rhodes fought back to even the score, setting up a final confrontation locked inside the cage.
Jacob Fatu’s Return Alters the Outcome
Tension mounted in the final stage when Jacob Fatu, recently sidelined after being attacked backstage, made a shocking return. Fatu forced his way into the steel cage and attacked McIntyre—who some speculated may have been involved in Fatu’s previous injury. However, Cody Rhodes objected to Fatu’s interference, sparking an altercation between Fatu and Rhodes inside the ring.
With chaos erupting, McIntyre found himself alone and seized the moment to escape through the open cage door. This maneuver secured the deciding fall for McIntyre, officially ending Rhodes’ championship reign and crowning McIntyre as the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
McIntyre’s Championship Legacy and Future Title Defense
This victory marks McIntyre’s fourth time as a WWE world champion. His prior accolades include two WWE Championship wins in 2020 and a World Heavyweight Championship win earlier in 2024. By winning the Undisputed WWE Championship, McIntyre joins a select group, becoming only the fourth champion in the belt’s lineage since the Bloodline era, following Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and John Cena.
Looking ahead, McIntyre is set to defend his new title at the Royal Rumble. His challenger will be determined at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which will feature a four-way contest. The participants for that match will be decided through four qualifying contests on next week’s SmackDown: Randy Orton faces The Miz, Matt Cardona battles Trick Williams, Damian Priest meets Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn takes on Ilja Dragunov.
Impact on WWE Storylines and Fan Reactions
The WWE SmackDown title change in Berlin has reshaped the championship scene and injected new energy into the lead-up to Royal Rumble. With Drew McIntyre’s unexpected win and Jacob Fatu’s return, the outcomes of upcoming matches and feuds now carry added unpredictability. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who emerges as McIntyre’s first challenger and how storylines involving Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and others develop in the weeks ahead.
