Undisputed WWE Championship changed hands in stunning fashion as Drew McIntyre overcame Cody Rhodes in a grueling Three Stages of Hell match at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, during Friday’s WWE SmackDown. This extraordinary night of action, packed with surprises and fierce rivalries, saw McIntyre seize the top title in a conclusion that left the WWE Universe stunned and set the stage for major shifts across every division. WWE SmackDown Results Berlin are poised to fuel conversations as the road to the Royal Rumble heats up.
Opening Confrontation: Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and The Miz Set the Tone
The episode launched with iconic WWE ring announcer Alicia Taylor welcoming fans, followed by Randy Orton addressing the Berlin crowd in the ring. Orton was soon interrupted by rising star Trick Williams, leading to a verbal showdown laced with bravado and mutual respect. Williams declared his intent to seize the spotlight, while Orton pointed to his championship pedigree and warned Williams about the dangers of underestimating “The Viper.” Williams’ defiant attitude led to a physical altercation, which escalated until The Miz ambushed Orton from behind. Orton ultimately gained the upper hand, flooring The Miz with a trademark RKO, signaling that old and new rivalries are far from settled on SmackDown.
Trick Williams Battles Rey Fenix in a Fast-Paced Opener
The first match of the night pitted Trick Williams against Rey Fenix. From the opening bell, Williams’ power was matched by Fenix‘s agility, with both athletes exchanging near falls and a flurry of signature maneuvers. Williams utilized his size advantage, landing knife-edge chops and a Tilt-A-Whirl Slam, but Fenix countered with quick escapes and high-flying attacks, including a double springboard missile dropkick. The contest escalated with both men trading blows and pin attempts, leading to an intense finish. Williams ultimately secured a narrow victory by rolling up Fenix with a handful of tights for the pinfall.
Winner: Trick Williams via Pinfall
Giulia Retains Women’s U.S. Championship Amidst Interference
In the second match, Giulia, accompanied by Kiana James, defended the WWE Women’s United States Championship against Alexa Bliss. The action was heated from the start, with both competitors engaging in a tense shoving contest before trading suplexes and strikes. Bliss took momentary control with a cannonball senton to the outside, but Giulia and her manager repeatedly used underhanded tactics to sway momentum. Frequent interference from James and a late illicit assist by Lash Legend—who shoved Bliss from the top rope when the referee was distracted—allowed Giulia to connect with the Northern Lights Bomb for the decisive victory. After the match, Bliss suffered a post-match assault at the hands of Legend and Nia Jax.
Winner: Giulia retains WWE Women’s United States Championship via Pinfall
Royal Roster Changes and Rivalries Ignite Backstage
Backstage segments highlighted roster transformations and continued feuds. General Manager Nick Aldis formally welcomed Jordynne Grace to SmackDown, immediately booking her against Alba Fyre after Chelsea Green demanded a rematch for the Women’s United States Championship. Alba fired verbal shots at Grace, which set up their ensuing contest. Meanwhile, Kit Wilson continued his campaign against what he calls “toxic masculinity,” aiming at Matt Cardona, while Aldis rebuffed his interruptions.
Another notable backstage moment featured Matt Cardona, reflecting on his return to WWE after nearly six years, now with renewed determination to pursue the WWE Championship—a message delivered personally to Cody Rhodes. The moment underscored the swelling ranks of hungry contenders eyeing the WWE’s top tier.
”You think you did something? You think you’re special? Well, now you’re on my show, and I am that bitch.” – Jade Cargill, Star Wrestler
Tag Team Turmoil: The Wyatt Sicks Fall to MFT’s in 8-Man Showdown
The rivalry between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFT’s escalated as both squads clashed in a chaotic eight-man tag team bout. Early sequences saw Dexter Lumis and Tanga Loa trade strikes and tags, leading to high-impact combos as both teams cycled through their heavy hitters. Lumis and Gacy worked in tandem before GOD’s interference turned the tide. The match became a blur of rapid tags, standoffs, and signature moves, with moments of control swinging wildly back and forth. Ultimately, Tonga capitalized on a distraction caused by Solo Sikoa holding the lantern and Talla’s big boot to Howdy, pinning Howdy after executing The Cut Throat. This result signals continuing bad blood and unfinished business between these stables.
Winners: The MFT’s via Pinfall
Grace Makes a Triumphant SmackDown Debut Over Alba Fyre
Newly signed Jordynne Grace made her in-ring SmackDown debut, facing Alba Fyre (with Chelsea Green at ringside). Both women engaged in a highly physical match, exchanging hard shots and suplex attempts. Fyre scored with a swinging DDT but Grace fought back with powerful slams and a package sit-out powerbomb. Chelsea Green attempted to interfere, but Grace countered, forcing Fyre to collide with Green and then landing The Beast Mode for the win. The moment was capped by a confrontation with Jade Cargill, hinting at a future rivalry.
Winner: Jordynne Grace via Pinfall
”You think you did something? You think you’re special? Well, now you’re on my show, and I am that bitch.” – Jade Cargill, Star Wrestler
Backstage Interviews Chart the Course for Championship Aspirants
Byron Saxton conducted a series of interviews that shaped the night’s overarching stakes. He spoke with Damian Priest, still recuperating from a brutal Ambulance Match, who declared interest in joining the hunt for the WWE Championship, potentially bringing him into conflict with Cody Rhodes or Drew McIntyre. Drew McIntyre, prepping emotionally for the main event, referenced Cody’s father’s legacy and predicted how the Three Stages of Hell match would unfold. Sami Zayn, queried on his prediction for the title bout, expressed conflicted support but made clear his intention to challenge for the championship regardless of the outcome.
Carmelo Hayes Defends United States Title in High-Stakes Showdown
The United States Championship was on the line as Carmelo Hayes defended against Shinsuke Nakamura. The contest balanced Hayes’ technical prowess against Nakamura’s striking offense, resulting in a see-saw battle with numerous reversal sequences and hard-hitting counters. Hayes survived targeted attacks on his knee and connected with high-impact moves including the Flying DDT and Superkick, while Nakamura deployed Good Vibrations and a barrage of mid-kicks. The closing sequence saw both men exchange signature finishers, with Hayes ultimately fending off a final Kinshasa attempt to hit Nothing But Net for the pin. Mutual respect was shown as Hayes shook hands with Nakamura after the bell.
Winner: Carmelo Hayes (retains United States Championship) via Pinfall
Royal Rumble Plans Announced and Tournament Bracket Revealed
Nick Aldis broke significant news regarding the Royal Rumble: next week on SmackDown in London, four Number One Contender Qualifying Matches will be held, with the winners advancing to a Fatal Four Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The victor from that event will earn a spot against the WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble, ensuring the championship picture remains fierce and unpredictable. Among the matches set for the tournament bracket: Randy Orton vs. The Miz, Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams, Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov.
Climactic Main Event: Three Stages of Hell Match Delivers a Stunning Title Change
The much-anticipated main event pitted Cody Rhodes against Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a punishing Three Stages of Hell match—a spectacle unfolding across standard wrestling, falls count anywhere, and steel cage stipulations.
Stage One: Standard Wrestling
Rhodes started aggressively, gaining momentum with rapid strikes and a suicide dive, but McIntyre used a low blow to set up the Claymore and secure the first fall by pinfall.
Stage Two: Falls Count Anywhere
McIntyre escalated the brutality with a powerbomb on Rhodes through a ringside table. The action spilled to the ramp, the crowd, and backstage, where both men traded suplexes, strikes, and weapon shots. Rhodes fought back, landing a crossbody through a table and a dramatic CrossRhodes through the announce desk for the pin, tying the score at 1-1.
Stage Three: Steel Cage
With the score tied, a bloodied Rhodes and a battered McIntyre battled through torturous conditions, throwing each other into the steel and exchanging finishers. Close calls abounded, including a Cody Cutter from the top of the cage. The climax arrived when Jacob Fatu appeared at ringside, attacking McIntyre and then Rhodes in the chaos. McIntyre, seizing the moment as Fatu assaulted Rhodes, slipped out the open cage door to claim the championship.
Winner: Drew McIntyre wins Undisputed WWE Championship (2-1 via escape)
Fallout and Implications: What’s Next for WWE’s Top Contenders?
The WWE SmackDown Results Berlin signal dramatic changes for the WWE landscape. As Drew McIntyre celebrates a hard-fought victory, Cody Rhodes is left to reckon with the shocking interference that cost him the championship and ignited a likely feud with Jacob Fatu. The Royal Rumble qualification tournament promises immediate stakes for returning superstars like Matt Cardona and Trick Williams. At the same time, Giulia’s reign and the emerging rivalry with Jade Cargill set the stage for major moments in the women’s division, as Jordynne Grace establishes her presence on SmackDown. Elsewhere, tensions between stables like the Wyatt Sicks and The MFT’s ensure explosive confrontations in the coming weeks.
The WWE Universe now awaits SmackDown’s arrival in London, where tournament matches will decide the next challenger to McIntyre’s title, and the drama continues to build on the road to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season.
