More Backstage Notes on Drew McIntyre Winning WWE Title From Cody Rhodes on SmackDown

As previously reported, Drew McIntyre won the WWE Undisputed Title from Cody Rhodes yesterday on Friday Night SmackDown in a stunning upset. BodySlam+ has a new report with more details on the finish in the Three Stages of Hell Match.

According to the latest update, the wrestlers involved in the main event were not informed of the direction of the finish until a few hours before the match took place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.

It’s said that there were “a few different pitches” for the finish of the match, but WWE ultimately went with McIntyre winning as a result of receiving some unintentional help from Jacob Fatu. Fatu interfered to attack McIntyre, seemingly in retaliation for taking him out on SmackDown months ago. However, Rhodes pulled Fatu off of McIntyre, and McIntyre used that opportunity to escape the cage and win the match.

Additionally, BodySlam+ reports that WWE wants to have a different approach for the Road to WrestleMania this year, as McIntyre winning the title opens different storylines heading into the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 42 in April.

As previously noted, WWE will hold a Fatal 4-Way Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event later this month. The winner will go on to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event takes place on Saturday, January 31 at the King Abdullah Financial District.