Drew McIntyre Claims Undisputed WWE Title on SmackDown

Three Stages of Hell main event ends in chaos

Summary

– Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match

– A late distraction involving Jacob Fatu played a key role in the finish

– McIntyre secured his third reign as Undisputed WWE Champion

Drew McIntyre emerged as the new Undisputed WWE Champion on Friday Night SmackDown after defeating Cody Rhodes in a grueling Three Stages of Hell match. The championship bout served as the night’s main event.

The deciding moment came during the final cage match. McIntyre escaped through the cage door while Rhodes was distracted by a confrontation with the returning Jacob Fatu.

Fatu entered the cage and initially stopped McIntyre from escaping. As Fatu attacked McIntyre, Rhodes intervened, pulling Fatu away, which led Fatu to turn his attention to Rhodes instead.

That opening allowed McIntyre to exit the cage and secure the victory. The sequence ended the match and crowned a new champion.

The Three Stages of Hell match consisted of a standard singles match, a Falls Count Anywhere bout, and a cage match. Each fall, the momentum shifted between the competitors.

McIntyre captured the first fall after a low blow, followed by a Claymore Kick. Rhodes responded by winning the second fall with a Cross Rhodes through the announce table.

The title change marks McIntyre’s third reign as Undisputed WWE Champion and his first since 2021. Rhodes’ championship reign ends after 159 days with four successful defenses.