Drew McIntyre Riles Up His Rivalry Against Cody Rhodes, Announces Three Stage of Hell Match For the WWE Undisputed Championship

Drew McIntyre made sure to launch a personal attack on Cody Rhodes before announcing a Three-Stage of Hell match against him for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Drew McIntyre was asked to pay a hefty fine and apologize to the referee to lift the suspension off him. Drew McIntyre agreed to the contract under one condition: if Cody Rhodes laid a hand on him, he would be stripped of his title.

The condition itself gives Drew McIntyre an upper hand and puts Cody Rhodes at a disadvantage. Drew McIntyre made sure to use the leverage and provoked Cody Rhodes by bringing his wife, his daughter, and his father into the conversation. Cody Rhodes pushed Nick Aldis, who was stopping him from going after Drew McIntyre, but walked straight into the Claymore.

Of course @DMcIntyreWWE couldn't just apologize… @RealNickAldis pic.twitter.com/Fr7ZUXtENB
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025

Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre, “Three Stages of Hell” Match

The tension began earlier when Nick Aldis warned Cody Rhodes not to lay hands on Drew McIntyre or else he would have to strip him of his title. Drew McIntyre was recently reinstated after he signed a contract, but he spent the evening taunting the referee after apologizing and then going straight after Cody and his family.

Keep his wife's name out of your mouth, @DMcIntyreWWE! 😤@CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/w8YKkMa6XD
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025

Drew McIntyre sarcastically apologized to the referee he previously injured and then started insulting him. Cody Rhodes entered the arena, and Drew McIntyre turned his attention towards him. Drew McIntyre was granted the right to choose the stipulation of their upcoming title match on January 9, 2026, and he chose the “Three Stages of Hell” match.

Drew McIntyre’s Scathing Personal Attack on Cody Rhodes

Drew McIntyre baited Cody Rhodes into swinging first. He first used Cody Rhodes’ wife and his daughter to force him to lose control. He then dropped the coldest line that silenced the arena:

” When I drag you down to hell and bury you, make sure to say hi to your dad for me.” Cody Rhodes snapped after Drew McIntyre mentioned his father, the late Dusty Rhodes. As Cody moved towards Drew to hit him, Nick Aldis stepped in to restrain him from doing so. Cody Rhodes pushed Nick Aldis, but the distraction proved to be fatal.

THREE STAGES OF HELL?!??

These two are going to absolutely destroy each other 🫣@DMcIntyreWWE @CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/n8MS0mWkUB
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2025

Drew McIntyre leveled the champion with a Claymore Kick, and the show went off air with the former standing over fallen Cody Rhodes, holding his WWE Undisputed title.

Image Credit: WWE.com

Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre

Friday Night SmackDown

Nick Aldis

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Ashish Negi

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I am Ashish Negi, and I work as a WWE and NFL writer at The Playoffs. I have 5 years of experience in content writing, and I have written in different domains like Real Estate, but I found my love while writing in sports. I love watching sports and have been a fan of WWE and cricket. I got an opportunity to write full-time on WWE and NFL here, so following the footstep of my hero John Cena, I turn heel on my last company