Get ready for an intense wrestling showdown! The WWE SmackDown event on January 9th, 2026, delivered a match that will go down in history. Cody Rhodes, the WWE Champion, faced off against the formidable Drew McIntyre in a grueling "Three Stages of Hell" match.
The first stage was a classic wrestling encounter. Drew took advantage of a distracted referee, dealing with an exposed turnbuckle, and delivered a low blow to Cody. He then pinned him with his signature Claymore move, securing the first win. The Twitterverse erupted with excitement, and the hashtag #Smackdown trended as fans cheered on their favorites.
But here's where it gets controversial... The second stage, a Falls Count Anywhere match, saw the action spill out of the ring and into the crowd. Cody, in a moment of madness, bit Drew's head and even took a selfie with a fan's phone! The fight continued backstage, with Cody jumping off the top balcony onto a table where Drew lay waiting. Cody's Cross Rhodes move put McIntyre through the announce desk, and he picked up the win, leveling the playing field. Respect to the fan who held his hand steady for that epic jump!
And this is the part most people miss... The third and final stage was a Steel Cage match, where McIntyre tried to escape early on. Cody attempted to climb the cage, but McIntyre countered with a superplex. The action was back and forth, with both men delivering powerful moves. Cody's Cross Rhodes and McIntyre's cutter kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. But it was McIntyre's Claymore that almost sealed the deal, until Cody kicked out, refusing to give up.
The match climaxed with both men fighting atop the cage. Cody landed a super Cody Cutter, but McIntyre kicked out yet again. Just as McIntyre seemed poised to escape through the door, Jacob Fatu made his surprise return, attacking McIntyre. However, Fatu's interference backfired as he also attacked Cody, allowing McIntyre to slip away and claim the WWE Championship.
So, who's to blame for Cody's loss? Was it Fatu's interference, or did Cody's own tactics backfire? What do you think, wrestling fans? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss this controversial ending!
