The atmosphere within the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, was nothing short of electric as WWE continued its aggressive international expansion, bringing one of its flagship programs to a passionate European audience. While the card was stacked with high-stakes encounters, the collective focus of the wrestling world was squarely fixed on the evening’s monumental main event. Cody Rhodes, the standard-bearer of the modern era, was set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against the formidable Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre. This was not merely a standard title defense; the two titans were scheduled to settle their long-standing grievances within the grueling confines of a Three Stages of Hell match. This rare and punishing stipulation is reserved for only the most personal of rivalries, requiring a competitor to secure two out of three falls across three distinct match types. The sheer physicality promised by such a format meant that whoever walked out of Berlin with the gold would likely do so at a great physical cost, but nobody could have predicted the external forces that would ultimately decide the fate of the richest prize in the industry.
The first stage of this trilogy of violence was a traditional wrestling match, designed to test the pure technical acumen and conditioning of both athletes. McIntyre, fueled by a relentless desire to reclaim his spot at the top of the mountain, asserted his dominance early on. His blend of power and agility proved difficult for Rhodes to overcome in the opening minutes. The Scotsman’s strategy was clear: neutralize the champion’s speed and prevent him from building the momentum necessary for the Cross Rhodes. The opening fall concluded relatively quickly when McIntyre caught Rhodes with a devastating maneuver, securing a three-count and putting the champion in an immediate deficit. With one fall already in his pocket, McIntyre appeared to be on the verge of a dominant night, leaving Rhodes with no margin for error as the match transitioned into its second, more chaotic phase.
As the bell rang for the second stage, the rules shifted to a Falls Count Anywhere stipulation. This allowed the violence to spill out of the ring and into the various sections of the Uber Arena. The two men brawled through the crowd and onto the staging area, utilizing the environment as a weapon. This was where the resilience of Cody Rhodes began to shine through. Despite the early setback, the American Nightmare refused to succumb to McIntyre’s onslaught. The turning point of this stage occurred when the action moved toward the ringside area, where a table had been positioned by a desperate Rhodes. In a moment of pure adrenaline, Cody managed to hoist the much larger McIntyre and drive him through the wood with a thunderous Cross Rhodes. The referee’s count hit three, evening the score at one fall apiece and setting the stage for the final, deciding act of their saga.
The tension reached a fever pitch as the massive steel cage was lowered over the ring, signaling the start of the third and final stage. The cage match is the ultimate equalizer, designed to keep interference out and ensure a definitive winner. Both Rhodes and McIntyre were visibly exhausted, their bodies battered from the previous two stages. The final fall was a grueling back-and-forth affair, characterized by several heart-stopping near falls and desperate attempts to escape the structure. The Berlin crowd was on its feet, sensing that they were witnessing a classic encounter. However, the integrity of the cage was soon compromised by an unexpected and violent arrival. Just as the match reached its crescendo, the familiar and intimidating figure of Jacob Fatu emerged from the back, storming toward the ring with a level of intensity that sent shockwaves through the arena.
Jacob Fatu had been absent from WWE television for five months, leaving a void in the roster that few could fill. His return was not just a surprise; it was a calculated strike against the man he held responsible for his hiatus. Months prior, in October 2025, Fatu had been written off television following a particularly brutal confrontation with Drew McIntyre. That segment had left Fatu sidelined with significant injuries, including the need for serious dental surgery. As Fatu reached the cage, his focus was initially locked on the Scotsman. He managed to infiltrate the structure and unleash a primal assault on McIntyre, seemingly gaining retribution for the physical trauma he had endured the previous year. The sheer power of the Samoan Werewolf was on full display as he laid waste to the challenger, but his path of destruction did not end there.
In a shocking twist that left the audience in a state of disbelief, Fatu shifted his aggression toward the champion. Cody Rhodes, who had no direct involvement in the injury that sidelined Fatu, found himself in the crosshairs of the returning powerhouse. Fatu’s double-pronged attack created a vacuum of leadership inside the ring, leaving both legal competitors incapacitated. This chaos provided the opening that McIntyre needed. Despite the beating he had just received from Fatu, the Scottish Warrior was able to capitalize on the distraction. While Fatu was occupied with the champion, McIntyre mustered the last of his strength to scramble toward the cage door. He managed to exit the structure and hit the floor just seconds before Rhodes could recover, officially ending the match and securing his fourth world championship reign. The image of McIntyre walking away with the title, battered but victorious, was a stark contrast to the destruction left inside the cage.
The return of Jacob Fatu in Berlin was the culmination of months of speculation and behind-the-scenes rumors. Earlier on the day of the event, reports had begun to circulate that Fatu had been spotted backstage at the Uber Arena, leading fans to wonder if and when he would make his presence felt. By choosing the main event of a major international show to make his comeback, WWE has signaled that Fatu is destined for a prominent role in the 2026 landscape. His absence had been a long one, with his last televised match occurring on the August 15, 2025, episode of Friday Night SmackDown. On that occasion, he had teamed with Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn to secure a victory over the group known as the MFTs. That win had served as a high point before the October incident with McIntyre derailed his momentum. Now, with his dental surgery and rehabilitation behind him, Fatu appears more dangerous than ever.
The fallout from this match is expected to be extensive. By costing Cody Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Championship, Fatu has not only settled a personal score with McIntyre but has also ignited a new and volatile feud with the former champion. Rhodes, who has been the face of the company for a significant period, now finds himself without the gold and with a new, terrifying adversary to contend with. Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre begins his fourth stint as world champion under a cloud of controversy. While he technically won the match by escaping the cage, the interference of Fatu will undoubtedly lead to questions regarding the legitimacy of his victory. The Scottish Warrior has never been one to shy away from a fight, but he now has to navigate a title reign with both Cody Rhodes and a vengeful Jacob Fatu lurking in the shadows.
Looking ahead, the blue brand is already moving to address the vacancy in the contender’s circle. With the championship changing hands in such dramatic fashion, WWE has announced plans for a major tournament to determine the next number one contender for McIntyre’s title. This tournament will likely serve as the primary focus of SmackDown in the coming weeks, as the rest of the roster vies for the opportunity to challenge the new king. The landscape of the show has been fundamentally altered by the events in Berlin. The power dynamics have shifted, and the return of a wild card like Fatu introduces an element of unpredictability that has been missing during his five-month stint on the sidelines.
The decision to have Fatu return in Germany underscores the importance WWE places on its global audience. By delivering a major title change and a massive return on an international stage, the company continues to prove that significant historical moments can happen anywhere in the world, not just at North American premium live events. The fans in Berlin were treated to a masterclass in storytelling, as the Three Stages of Hell match provided the perfect canvas for Fatu’s re-emergence. The brutality of the cage, the history between the participants, and the shocking conclusion all combined to create a night that will be remembered as a turning point for the 2026 season.
As the dust settles on the Uber Arena, the questions surrounding Jacob Fatu’s motivations remain. While his initial attack on McIntyre was rooted in revenge, his decision to also target Cody Rhodes suggests a broader agenda. Fatu has always been a force of nature, a performer whose physical gifts are matched only by his intensity. Whether he is seeking championship gold for himself or simply looking to burn the established order to the ground, his presence makes him the most dangerous man on SmackDown. The road to the next major event is now fraught with new rivalries and unresolved tension, and the WWE Universe will be watching closely to see how the new champion, the former champion, and the returning monster interact in the weeks to follow.
The championship victory for Drew McIntyre marks another chapter in his storied career, one defined by resilience and an unwavering belief in his own abilities. However, the shadow of Jacob Fatu looms large over his celebration. The 2026 run for Fatu is clearly being positioned as a marquee storyline, and if his actions in Berlin are any indication, the coming months will be defined by his unique brand of chaos. With a number one contender tournament on the horizon and the fallout from the Three Stages of Hell still being felt, the blue brand has entered a new era of uncertainty and excitement. The return of the Samoan Werewolf has changed everything, and the hunt for the Undisputed WWE Championship has never been more treacherous.
