Drew McIntyre shocked the WWE Universe Friday night by defeating Cody Rhodes to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion, ending Rhodes’ 159-day title reign.
The dramatic finish came in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown, which took place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Watch highlights below.
Three Stages of Hell: McIntyre’s Path to Victory
The match was contested under the punishing Three Stages of Hell format — a traditional singles match, followed by a Falls Count Anywhere match, and concluding with a steel cage showdown.
McIntyre struck first with a low-blow, followed by a devastating Claymore to win the opening fall.
Rhodes evened the score in the second round by hitting a Cross Rhodes through the announcer’s table.
In the final stage, chaos erupted when Jacob Fatu made a surprise return and attacked both superstars. His interference derailed Rhodes’ momentum, allowing McIntyre to crawl through the cage door and win the match and the championship.
No longer bored at work pic.twitter.com/GMt3pqzgNg
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) January 10, 2026
This marks McIntyre’s fourth world title in WWE and places him at the center of the company’s main event picture heading into WrestleMania season.
What an unforgettable night for NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, @DMcIntyreWWE 👏 pic.twitter.com/TyBDUTfPV2
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2026
Other Highlights from SmackDown
- Giulia successfully defended the Women’s United States Title against Alexa Bliss in her first title defense.
- Carmelo Hayes retained the United States Championship, defeating Andrade.
- WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill confronted new SmackDown arrival Jordynne Grace, teasing a high-profile rivalry.
- Trick Williams made his in-ring debut on SmackDown with a victory over Rey Fenix.
What’s Next: Road to the Royal Rumble
Following McIntyre’s win, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that a Fatal 4-Way Match will take place on Saturday Night’s Main Event to determine the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The winner will go on to challenge McIntyre at the Royal Rumble, setting the stage for what could be a defining title run in the months to come.
McIntyre’s win not only reclaims him a spot at the top of the WWE mountain, but it also signals a seismic shift in the company’s direction just weeks before the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.
The 39th annual Royal Rumble will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Watch the match highlights:
