5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 Jan - Results & Review)
Downs...
5. WWE Pick Lame ‘Stages Of Hell’
Aw man, it honestly hurts to put this in the 'Downs' section, but that's due to WWE's decision making more than anything Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes did. Here, Drew was delicious as a dirtbag heel daring to be punched in the face so Cody would forfeit his WWE Title without the pair even reaching Berlin for their '3 Stages Of Hell' match next week.
It is a bit strange that Cody was so cut up about a printed photo he could surely redo and reframe, but it was the symbolism and insult to his family that he was so mad about. That part made sense. What doesn't make sense is the formatting for '3 Stages'. Could it be anymore obvious? The company really could've been a lot more creative with these choices.
Cody and Drew will contest a straight up wrestling match (which lacks intensity as a pick), a 'Falls Count Anywhere' clash and then a steel cage bout "if necessary". It will be necessary, and everyone knows it. Again, McIntyre's promo and his smashing then burning of the Dusty picture was top heel work, but WWE are letting the duo down with the '3 Stages Of Hell' trio they've chosen.
This is one of those occasions when Hell In A Cell would be perfect. We all know what Drew is capable of when he's mixing it with a hated rival inside the Cell - just look at his epic vs. CM Punk for proof of that. There's still a chance they'll get away with this lacklustre formatting, but it could've been so much better on paper.
Oh well.