On January 9th’s WWE SmackDown in Berlin, Cody Rhodes lost the WWE Championship in a dramatic 3 Stages of Hell match, sparking strong reactions from his close friend Matt Cardona. Cardona, who is currently aiming for a WWE title opportunity himself, publicly addressed his hopes for Rhodes and clarified his own championship ambitions, keeping the focus squarely on the aftermath of Rhodes’ defeat and the road ahead for both men.
Cody Rhodes Falls to Drew McIntyre in Berlin
Cody Rhodes’ second stint as WWE Champion ended when Drew McIntyre outlasted him in a fiercely contested 3 Stages of Hell bout at SmackDown’s Berlin event. McIntyre struck first by securing the initial fall under standard match rules, but Rhodes quickly recovered, tying the score during the Falls Count Anywhere segment.
The final stage, a Steel Cage match, brought unexpected chaos as Jacob Fatu intervened, intending to decide the outcome but ultimately creating confusion. Fatu’s interference escalated into a fight with Rhodes, providing McIntyre the chance to escape the cage and seize victory. With the pinfall, McIntyre reclaimed the WWE Championship before a roaring gathering in his Scottish homeland, leaving Rhodes visibly frustrated by the events that led to his downfall.
Matt Cardona Expresses Support and Sets His Sights on WWE Gold
Earlier in the SmackDown broadcast from Berlin, Matt Cardona and Cody Rhodes were seen discussing their championship aspirations backstage. Cardona, a close friend of Rhodes and a contemporary from their early WWE days two decades ago, made his intentions clear regarding the WWE title.
After the turbulent match in Berlin, Cardona turned to social media to boost Rhodes’ spirits while reaffirming his own determination to pursue the title that has eluded him thus far. On Instagram, Cardona wrote:
“I know my bud (Cody Rhodes) will become a 3 time champ, but there’s 1 championship that’s eluded me my entire career…I’M NOT FINISHED!”
These words not only bolstered Rhodes’ prospects of regaining the WWE Championship but also underlined Cardona’s persistent drive to reach the top of WWE’s ladder himself.
The Tournament Pathway to WWE Title Opportunity
Currently, Matt Cardona stands as one of eight contenders in a high-stakes tournament designed to determine the next challenger for the WWE Championship. Four singles matches are set for the January 16th SmackDown:
1. Randy Orton vs. The Miz
2. Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
3. Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
4. Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
The victors from these contests will advance to face each other in a Fatal 4-Way match scheduled for Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th in Montreal, a night set to be electric for hometown favorite Sami Zayn. Whoever emerges triumphant in Montreal will earn a title match at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh on January 31st, where they are expected to challenge current champion Drew McIntyre, following his decisive win over Rhodes.
A Shifting Landscape in WWE’s Main Event Scene
As Drew McIntyre celebrates his championship return in front of his fans in Scotland, many eyes remain on Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona. Rhodes, known as the “American Nightmare,” is left to contemplate the controversy and heartbreak of his title loss. Meanwhile, Cardona’s bold statement of support and renewed pursuit amplifies anticipation for how both men’s stories will unfold in the coming weeks.
The outcome of the tournament and the events leading to the Royal Rumble promise to further reshape the WWE championship picture, as new contenders, rivalries, and alliances come to the forefront on the road to one of wrestling’s biggest nights. With emotions running high, the aftermath of Cody Rhodes’ WWE title loss continues to generate buzz and speculation as the journey toward redemption and opportunity presses on.
