The winds of war are blowing fiercely through the WWE landscape, and the air is thick with anticipation for the upcoming episode of Friday Night SmackDown, slated to emanate from Berlin. At the heart of this brewing storm lies the coveted WWE Championship, currently held by Cody Rhodes, and the relentless challenger, Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior, fueled by a burning ambition to reclaim the top prize and a deep-seated animosity towards Rhodes, has officially laid down the gauntlet, dictating the terms for what promises to be an unforgettable WWE Championship showdown. This isn’t just another singles contest; it’s a monumental "Three Stages of Hell" match, a brutal, multi-faceted encounter designed to push both competitors to their absolute limits and definitively settle their escalating feud.
The genesis of this high-stakes confrontation can be traced back to a series of increasingly personal confrontations between Rhodes and McIntyre. While Cody Rhodes has been diligently trying to navigate the treacherous waters of his championship reign, his attention has been repeatedly drawn to the shadowy presence of Drew McIntyre. The challenger, never one to shy away from psychological warfare, has been orchestrating a calculated campaign to destabilize Rhodes, both physically and mentally. This past week on SmackDown, the tension reached a boiling point. Rhodes, searching for his nemesis backstage, found only an empty void. However, McIntyre, with his characteristic cunning, revealed himself not in the immediate vicinity, but strategically positioned near Rhodes’ personal transport, a symbolic assertion of his pervasive influence. It was from this vantage point that McIntyre delivered the chilling pronouncements, outlining the three distinct phases of their championship encounter.
The first stage, as declared by McIntyre, will commence as a traditional, one-on-one wrestling match. This is where the technical prowess and fundamental grappling skills of both men will be put to the test. Rhodes, known for his resilience and his ability to adapt, will need to rely on his technical acumen to gain an early advantage. McIntyre, a powerhouse with a devastating arsenal of strikes and a formidable ground game, will aim to impose his physical dominance from the outset. The aim here is clear: secure a fall through conventional means, setting the tone for the brutal proceedings to follow. This initial bout is crucial, as it will not only establish a physical and mental edge but also dictate the immediate momentum heading into the subsequent stages.
Should the WWE Champion and the challenger fail to reach a definitive conclusion within the confines of the first match, the contest will escalate into its second phase: a "falls count anywhere" stipulation. This dramatic shift in rules throws out the traditional limitations of the ring, transforming the entire arena into a battlefield. Weapons, the environment, and sheer desperation will become key factors. Rhodes and McIntyre will be free to utilize anything and everything at their disposal to gain an advantage, leading to potential brawls through the arena concourses, backstage areas, or even out into the parking lot. This segment of the match is where the raw, unadulterated aggression of both men will truly shine. The unpredictability of a falls count anywhere match means that a moment of brilliance, or a catastrophic mistake, can end the contest. Rhodes’ resourcefulness will be tested, while McIntyre’s penchant for destruction will find ample opportunity to manifest.
The ultimate test, the third and final stage of this "Three Stages of Hell" encounter, will be a no-holds-barred steel cage match, should it become necessary. This iconic stipulation represents the nadir of wrestling warfare, a claustrophobic, unforgiving environment where escape is the only objective, and the cage itself becomes a weapon. With the stakes at their absolute highest, and both competitors likely battered and bruised from the preceding stages, the steel cage match promises to be an emotionally charged, physically grueling climax. The confines of the cage strip away any pretense of finesse, forcing a raw, primal battle for survival. Rhodes will have to overcome McIntyre’s brute strength and potential attempts to use the cage to his advantage, while McIntyre will face the challenge of containing a determined champion desperate to retain his title. The visual of the steel structure, a symbol of finality, will loom large, amplifying the desperation and the sheer will to win.
However, Drew McIntyre’s strategy extends far beyond simply dictating match stipulations. His animosity towards Cody Rhodes is deeply rooted, and he has employed a campaign of psychological warfare designed to dismantle Rhodes’ composure. In a particularly vile act, McIntyre revealed his presence on Rhodes’ bus, a clear invasion of the champion’s personal space. He not only took a photograph of himself with a framed picture of a young Cody Rhodes, evoking memories of the champion’s early days in the business, but he then proceeded to desecrate this memento. The framed picture, a symbol of Rhodes’ past and his journey, was deliberately smashed to the ground. This act was a direct assault on Rhodes’ personal history and a calculated attempt to provoke an uncontrollable emotional response.
Rhodes, understandably enraged by this deeply personal affront, stormed backstage in pursuit of McIntyre. This is precisely the reaction McIntyre had gambled on. By desecrating the photograph, McIntyre aimed to push Rhodes to the brink, hoping that an impulsive attack would lead to Rhodes being disqualified or even stripped of his WWE Championship. However, Rhodes managed to regain some semblance of control, though the fury clearly simmered beneath the surface. The drama continued to unfold as McIntyre, now in the ring, held aloft the tattered remains of the photograph and a lighter. As Rhodes approached ringside, he was physically restrained by security, preventing him from engaging with McIntyre directly. In a final, taunting gesture, McIntyre ignited the photograph, tossing the burning image into a trash can, further escalating the personal vendetta and leaving Rhodes seething with a potent mix of rage and helplessness.
This deeply personal vendetta, coupled with the high stakes of the WWE Championship, promises to make the "Three Stages of Hell" match an event of immense significance. The narrative arc is clear: McIntyre seeks not only to win the championship but to utterly dismantle Cody Rhodes, both physically and psychologically. Rhodes, on the other hand, must defend not only his title but his legacy and his personal pride. The addition of the "Three Stages of Hell" stipulation elevates this feud from a typical championship rivalry to a truly epic confrontation, one that will test the mettle of both men in ways they have never experienced before.
Beyond the main event, the upcoming SmackDown broadcast in Berlin will feature other significant bouts that contribute to the unfolding drama on the blue brand. The formidable faction known as the Wyatt Sicks is set to collide with the group of up-and-coming talents, the MFTs, in an eight-man tag team match. This clash of styles and ideologies promises an action-packed encounter, showcasing the diverse talent pool on SmackDown and providing another avenue for rivalries to develop and intensify. Furthermore, a highly anticipated in-ring debut is scheduled as Trick Williams, a prominent figure from NXT, makes his official SmackDown in-ring debut. He is slated to face the highly skilled and charismatic Rey Fenix. This match was seemingly set in motion following a recent confrontation between the two Superstars, hinting at a burgeoning rivalry that will now be settled in the squared circle. The inclusion of these diverse matches ensures that SmackDown remains a must-watch program, offering a blend of championship drama, faction warfare, and exciting individual contests. The stage is set for a monumental episode of SmackDown, culminating in a WWE Championship match that will undoubtedly etch itself into the annals of WWE history.
