5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (26 Dec - Results & Review)

2. '3 Stages Of Hell' Incoming

Drew McIntyre was a delight as a horrible git trying to get under Cody’s skin. First, he feigned an apology to referee Dan Engler for laying hands on him before his suspension, then McIntyre laid out a tasty ‘3 Stages Of Hell’ stipulation to Rhodes for SmackDown in a few weeks. Drew didn’t detail what each stage will be though, so we’ll have to wait for that announcement.

Personally, this guy isn't so sure they needed to go with the ‘Dusty’s in hell’ line, but it is what it is and Cody was clearly cool with it or it wouldn't have happened. Even so, this will conjure up images in select fan minds of Randy Orton bashing Eddie Guerrero to Rey Mysterio back in 2006. The circumstances are different (Guerrero had only passed a few months before that line), but still.

Bold statement incoming: Drew has to win the WWE Title when this '3 Stages' encounter happens. That’d rock the road to Royal Rumble/WrestleMania and give him some much-needed credibility in title matches to boot. Cody’s a big boy, so he can take the loss and move forwards. Plus, Rhodes could always reclaim the belt before 'Mania if the creative team begins to panic.

This will be the first ‘3 Stages’ on the main roster since John Cena vs. Ryback in 2013. It's the first one in WWE generally since Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole on NXT in August 2019 (which feels like a bloody lifetime ago!), so there's merit to Drew busting out the announcement in 2025. Fans don't see these epics too often, so this one should land.

'No DQ', 'Steel Cage' and then 'Last Man Standing' could be a fun combo. Just saying.