The much-anticipated Drew McIntyre Three Stages Hell match is officially set, with stipulations revealed on the January 2 episode of WWE SmackDown. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and challenger Drew McIntyre faced off during a dramatic segment at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, ahead of their high-stakes title bout scheduled for January 9 in Berlin, Germany.
This announcement comes at a crucial moment in WWE, as tensions between Rhodes and McIntyre have reached a boiling point. The segment underscored growing personal animosity, promising a confrontation that aims to test both men’s endurance and resolve inside and outside the ring.
Details of the Three Stipulation Match Announced
The reveal on SmackDown clarified the structure for the Drew McIntyre Three Stages Hell match, designed to push both competitors to their limits. Each fall will introduce distinct challenges, increasing intensity as the match progresses and capturing the attention of wrestling fans worldwide.
The match will begin with a traditional wrestling contest, allowing both Rhodes and McIntyre a chance to showcase their in-ring technique. If neither emerges victorious after the first fall, the second stipulation comes into play: a Falls Count Anywhere scenario, signaling that the action may spill far beyond the squared circle. Should both men claim one fall each, the final test awaits inside a steel cage—a nod to the storied history of grueling WWE stipulation matches where interference is impossible and only one can claim victory as Champion.
Recap of the SmackDown Confrontation
The January 2 SmackDown segment began with Cody Rhodes, known as “The American Nightmare,” entering the arena amid raucous fan support. Rhodes lifted his championship in the air, fielding questions about his motivation and highlighting his unique mentality in the ring: preparation, focus, and viewing every challenger as an obstacle to be conquered rather than a threat.
Rhodes took a moment to reflect on his journey, remarking on the pressure that comes with holding the Undisputed WWE Championship. As fans chanted his name, he spoke about the public perception surrounding the title, mentioning the fame, fortune, and unparalleled responsibility that follows. Despite acknowledging McIntyre’s envy, Rhodes declared his readiness to face the challenge head-on, emphasizing that his championship mindset would remain unchanged when he enters Berlin to defend his title.
Drew McIntyre’s Message and Stipulation Choices
McIntyre appeared on the arena screens from outside, taking the opportunity to critique Cody Rhodes’s approach and wrestling philosophy. Positioning himself as a force opposed to tradition and predictability, McIntyre asserted his belief that Rhodes is ‘old school’ and ‘vanilla’ amid a constantly shifting wrestling landscape.
The Scottish Psychopath then revealed the match breakdown: the first round as a traditional wrestling contest, the second as Falls Count Anywhere, and, if necessary, the tiebreaker as a steel cage battle. McIntyre made it clear that interference would not be tolerated in the final stage and vowed to prove himself the superior wrestler and, most crucially, to claim the champion’s gold.
“The first stage is a straight wrestling match, he will prove to Cody that he is the better wrestler. Fall number two, the falls will count anywhere. And if by some miracle it is 1-1, they go to a third fall, it is inside an old school steel cage. No outside interference, no bs, two men enter, one Champion leaves.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
McIntyre did not pull any punches, declaring that he had bested Rhodes psychologically and intent on continuing his campaign of dominance by breaking him physically next week in Berlin. He warned Rhodes that any pre-match physical contact would result in the forfeiture of the championship, ensuring both would have to exercise restraint before their climactic showdown.
“He has broken Cody mentally and next week, he will break him physically. That is if Cody is still Champion because if Cody touches him, he is stripped of the title. They will have a lesson in self control.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
Escalation of Rivalry: Personal Attacks and Emotional Stakes
Continuing the tense segment, McIntyre revealed he had visited the Cody Express, Rhodes’s tour bus, in his absence and found personal mementos, including gifts from Rhodes’s children and a cherished picture of Cody with his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes. Brandishing the photograph, McIntyre used it to provoke Rhodes further, casting doubts on Dusty’s pride in his son and implying a legacy tainted by current events.
“He wishes Dusty was still there today to see the man Cody is today but he knows Dusty is looking up truly ashamed.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
McIntyre delivered one final insult, referencing the adage that it would be a “cold day in hell” before he is champion again, then taunted that Dusty should be prepared for a chill as he set the photograph ablaze in the center of the ring.
“He says he knows a lot of people think it will be a cold day in hell before he is Champion again but he hopes Dusty has a coat because it is about to get very chilly.”
— Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
This deeply personal gesture enraged Cody Rhodes, prompting him to race for the ring, only to be restrained by security and WWE officials. Notably, Nick Aldis, an authority figure, assisted in preventing any physical altercation, upholding the stipulation that could jeopardize Rhodes’s championship prior to the scheduled match.
The Competitors: High Stakes for Both Wrestlers
Both Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes are no strangers to arduous matches or personal rivalries. The placement of such a stipulation-laden contest reflects their history and WWE’s ongoing focus on deeply personal storytelling. Rhodes, holding the title of Undisputed WWE Champion, must contend not only with physical threats but also with verbal provocations targeting his family and legacy, connecting the story to the legacy of Dusty Rhodes—an icon within wrestling lore.
McIntyre, known as “The Scottish Psychopath,” has consistently sought to prove himself among WWE’s elite, and this match provides a massive opportunity. His comments and actions in Buffalo have already ignited anticipation, as the narrative edges closer to an explosive confrontation in Berlin.
WWE SmackDown’s Larger Impact and What’s Ahead
The unveiling of this Three Stages Of Hell match represents more than simply another title defense. WWE SmackDown’s first episode of 2026 at the KeyBank Center featured not just this dramatic announcement, but also reinforced the show’s reputation as the stage for evolving rivalries and career-defining moments. KeyBank Center in Buffalo served as the backdrop for a night that spotlighted enduring storylines and unexpected developments, including segments involving Nick Aldis, and continued debate about the evolving nature of championship prestige within WWE.
The forthcoming match in Berlin is expected to draw global attention, as fans across the world— from Buffalo to Germany—train their eyes on Rhodes and McIntyre. This contest, with its personal stakes and punishing stipulations, joins the ranks of renowned WWE rivalries and lays the foundation for future drama at WrestleMania, the company’s grandest stage.
Significance of the Match and Fan Anticipation
As the event nears, speculation continues regarding who will emerge as champion and how the emotional turmoil, particularly involving Dusty Rhodes’s legacy, will weigh on Cody. The WWE Universe is abuzz with the significance of the stipulations and their potential to alter both men’s trajectories. With the SmackDown event in Berlin serving as the crucible, the Drew McIntyre Three Stages Hell match may be remembered as one of the most emotionally charged and technically demanding main events in recent memory.
Rhodes’s preparation and resilience face their most formidable test yet, while McIntyre seeks vindication and another run as champion. WWE officials, including Nick Aldis, will play vital roles in ensuring the stipulations are enforced and the contest proceeds without interference. The world will be watching as two of the company’s most compelling figures put everything on the line under the bright lights of Berlin, both fighting for personal pride and the Undisputed WWE Championship.
