WWE 'SmackDown' highlights: A new United States champ; Three Stages of Hell for Rhodes vs. McIntyre

"Three Stages of Hell is a rare best-two-out-of-three-falls match that originated in 2001, with a different stipulation for each fall. For Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels in 2002, for example, the Three Stages of Hell match was a street fight, followed by a steel cage match, then a ladder match. This format can get creative, bringing in different elements used throughout the wrestlers' rivalry. And the match is likely to go to the third fall, so expect the match to be 1-1 after two falls."

"The final WWE "SmackDown" of 2025 revealed unusual stipulations for two big upcoming matches, a treatment usually reserved for the final clash of a rivalry. And that could be the case for the long feuds between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, as well as between Damian Priest and Aleister Black. We also got a surprise title change -- surprising not because of who won the belt, but because of the timing."

Final WWE "SmackDown" of 2025 announced a Three Stages of Hell match for the Undisputed WWE Championship between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre on Jan. 9 in Berlin. McIntyre said he wanted a fair match held outside the United States and closer to home. Three Stages of Hell uses different stipulations across best-two-of-three falls and often goes to a third fall. A fall by McIntyre could fuel claims of being cheated and extend the rivalry. Carmelo Hayes defeated Ilja Dragunov to win the United States Championship. Additional results included Joe Hendry over The Miz and Charlotte Flair over Lash Legend.

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