Backstage Notes On Booking Of Tonight’s WWE Smackdown Main Event (SPOILER)

WARNING: Spoilers follow for the main event of tonight’s episode of WWE Smackdown.

A new report has a backstage note on the booking of WWE Smackdown’s main event. As noted in the spoilers, Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages Of Hall match in order to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. The finish came in the third fall, a steel cage match, when Jacob Fatu returned to WWE and got involved. Fatu went after McIntyre and when Rhodes tried to stop Fatu, he got laid out. McIntyre was able to fall out of the cage door to the floor and was declared the winner.

According to Bodyslam+, sources indicated that both Rhodes and McIntyre pushed to have the title change hands. They had reportedly pushed for a title change back around WrestlePalooza as well.

The report notes that WWE decided that the time was right tonight and decided to crown McIntyre the champion in front of the Berlin, Germany audience.

As noted, McIntyre will defend the title against the winner of a Fatal Four-Way match that will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The winner of that match will challenge McIntyre at the Royal Rumble on January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Smackdown aired live on Netflix for international audiences earlier today but doesn’t air on USA Network until the usual time at 8 PM ET. 411 will have live coverage starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.