Drew McIntyre is a strong contender to upset Cody Rhodes in tonight’s Three Stages of Hell on SmackDown. For bettors, a McIntyre title win would likely shorten his odds for a WrestleMania push and create live-value on Rhodes to regain the belt later — consider small live or outright wagers on McIntyre and hedges on Rhodes depending on in-match momentum.
SmackDown Live Preview: Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre in Three Stages of Hell
Cody Rhodes defends the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre tonight in Berlin in a Three Stages of Hell Match — a best two-of-three falls encounter designed to settle one of WWE’s top rivalries before WrestleMania season. This is the fourth televised title meeting between the two, with stakes and intensity ratcheting up as the company heads toward its biggest events of the year.
Match Stipulations and Order
The first fall will be a traditional singles match, per McIntyre’s request to prove superiority in a straight-up contest. If needed, the second fall becomes falls count anywhere, permitting the fight to spill through the arena. The decisive third fall, should it be required, will take place inside a steel cage — a setup that favors brutality, momentum swings, and dramatic finishes.
McIntyre’s Case to Win
Since losing the WWE Championship via a Money in the Bank cash-in in February 2021, McIntyre has evolved into one of WWE’s most convincing heels — physical, relentless, and credible. There’s a growing belief backstage that his body of work merits a lengthy run at the top, and a win tonight would finally reward that sustained presentation with tangible gold.
Cody’s Reigns and Predictability Concerns
A recurring critique of Cody Rhodes’ championship runs is predictability: few challengers have sold the idea of taking the title from him. Aside from John Cena’s WrestleMania 41 victory, title changes involving Rhodes have been sparse, which has prompted calls for more volatility and genuine threat in the title picture to re-engage portions of the audience.
Inside the Company: Push for a Surprise
There is an internal push from multiple decision-makers to put the title on McIntyre, arguing that an unexpected switch now would inject unpredictability ahead of the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania build. That strategy could reshuffle long-term storytelling, forcing fresh opponent matchups and creating compelling “what’s next” narratives for the coming months.
Storyline Stakes and Future Scenarios
A McIntyre victory tonight would alter the WrestleMania roadmap: it could set McIntyre up as the centerpiece of the promotion’s pre-WrestleMania narrative or serve as a short-term swerve that returns the belt to Rhodes later, keeping both men central to the title scene. If Rhodes retains, it reinforces his current status but risks furthering the narrative of predictability.
Betting Implications
Punters should monitor live markets closely. A backstage push toward McIntyre increases the probability of an upset, which could already be reflected in early lines. For value plays, consider a small outright or live bet on McIntyre if odds remain favorable pre-match, or a hedge on Rhodes to regain the title later if you expect a short McIntyre run. In-play momentum will be critical given the multi-fall stipulations.
What to Watch Tonight
Key indicators to watch: McIntyre’s control in the opening fall, any weapons or outside involvement during falls-count-anywhere, and how the pacing is built toward a potential cage climax. Those moments will signal whether tonight is a decisive title change or a chapter in a longer Rhodes-McIntyre feud.
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Will Drew McIntyre leave Berlin, Germany with the WWE Championship around his waist?
Si
