Drew McIntyre just flipped WWE’s main event on its head. In a shock finish on SmackDown, he beat Cody Rhodes clean and walked out with the gold. The arena went silent, then it roared. The Scottish Warrior is back on the throne, and he did it in stunning fashion.
The Shock That Shook SmackDown
This was a gut punch to the Rhodes story. Cody came in steady and confident. He left staring up at the lights. McIntyre wrestled with purpose, power, and a nasty edge. He cut off Cody’s rhythm, then slammed the door. The upset landed like a thunderclap, and it sent a clear message. The chase is on again.
McIntyre has long been a main event anchor. Tonight, he proved it is not nostalgia. It is now. He wrestled like a man who was done waiting for a window, so he kicked down the door. The title picture, overnight, looks very different.
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A 3 Stages of Hell With Real Teeth
WWE is not letting this simmer. The company moved fast to set a 3 Stages of Hell showdown between McIntyre and Rhodes. That match type is a pressure cooker. Two out of three falls. Three different stipulations. No safe spaces, no excuses. It is designed to settle scores.
Cody needs it. He needs a test that breaks bad habits and rebuilds his swagger. McIntyre wants it. He thrives in chaos and heavy stakes. These two are built for a fight that gets louder with each fall.
McIntyre vs. Rhodes in 3 Stages of Hell resets WWE’s top tier, and it does it immediately.
What Changes Right Now
- The title chase is back on, and Cody becomes the hunter again.
- McIntyre cements himself as the guy to beat, not just the spoiler.
- The next PLE card shifts, with a clear, hard headline.
- The locker room map redraws, opening fresh rivalries.
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Cody Rhodes, Pushed to the Edge
Cody is best when the climb gets steep. He connects with fans because he feels human. He wins, he loses, he fights again. This loss forces him to reach deeper. The 3 Stages of Hell match is the right stage for that. He will need to adjust his pacing, tighten his defense, and build to a big finish. If he does, the comeback will hit even harder.
There is also the star power factor. Cody brings crossover attention. McIntyre brings menace and legitimacy. Together, they give WWE a true main event set, not just a title match. The emotion is already baked in. The stakes are sky high.
Expect both men to reveal their stage picks soon, and expect mind games to start at once.
The Ripple Across the Roster
One shock win never lives alone. It creates space, and it squeezes others. Jacob Fatu’s return on the same night adds fresh electricity to the blue brand. He is a chaos agent who changes how heels and babyfaces move. That matters when a top title just changed hands.
There is more under the surface. Tiffany Stratton’s status is being watched closely, and her next step affects how the women’s scene stacks up around major events. Oba Femi’s momentum is real, and his rise gives WWE another heavy hitter with presence. These pieces matter when the main event lane opens and closes so quickly.
McIntyre at the top also shifts who steps up next. LA Knight, AJ Styles, and a hungry midcard all see new lanes. Some will orbit the title scene. Some will test the champion’s resolve in non title fights that still sting. It is good for the show, and great for the audience.
Why This Moment Hits Different
This is not just a result. It is a tone shift. SmackDown felt more dangerous tonight. The matches had bite. The angles had weight. McIntyre’s upset did not feel like a twist for shock value. It felt earned, and it felt like the start of something relentless.
Cody’s loss brings out the best of him. McIntyre’s win brings out the worst of everyone else, because the target is back on his shoulder. That is when WWE thrives. High heat, simple stakes, loud payoffs.
Conclusion
Drew McIntyre snatched the crown and changed the night. Cody Rhodes now faces the fight of his year, a brutal 3 Stages of Hell that could define his legacy. Around them, the roster is waking up, and the path to the next PLE just snapped into focus. This is the main event scene, rebuilt in one night, and it is must see. 🔥
