Backstage Detail On Why Cody Rhodes Lost The WWE Championship On SmackDown

Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre on WWE SmackDown.

The Three Stages of Hell was a brutal match, and after the three rounds, it was The Scottish Warrior who secured the gold.

However, it wasn’t a victory that McIntyre secured over Rhodes. Jacob Fatu interfered during the final stage, the Steel Cage Match. One of the rules of the Steel Cage is that a superstar wins if he can escape the cage.

So when The Samoan Werewolf was attacking Rhodes in the cage, The Scotsman escaped the steel cage to steal the win.

Cody Rhodes played a role in WWE’s decision to dethrone him

The WWE Universe wanted Drew McIntyre to emerge as the victor. So when he did, the fans were ecstatic about it. However, it’s always bittersweet to see the former champion standing devastated in the ring.

Interestingly, both McIntyre and Rhodes pitched the idea to change the title hands. They had pitched the same for Wrestlepalooza, but Rhodes retained the title there. As per Bodyslam, McIntyre is extremely over with the fans as a heel, and WWE pulled the trigger.

Sources indicate to Bodyslam that both Rhodes and McIntyre pitched for the title change once again, just like they did back around WrestlePalooza.

WWE decided the time was right and pulled the trigger to crown Drew in front of a red-hot crowd in Berlin.

Sources indicate to Bodyslam that both Rhodes and McIntyre pitched for the title change once again just like they did back around WrestlePalooza.

WWE decided the time was right and pulled the trigger to crown Drew in front of a red hot crowd in Berlin.

(Bodyslam+) pic.twitter.com/R9ft5YsVWT

— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) January 9, 2026

A feud will likely brew between Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu next, while Randy Orton emerges as Drew McIntyre’s first feud as champion.

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