Friday night’s WWE SmackDown from Berlin delivered one of the most chaotic main events of the year, as Drew McIntyre walked out as the new Undisputed WWE Champion after surviving Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell Match — with a shocking assist from a returning Jacob Fatu.

The match was built to test endurance and brutality, and McIntyre and Rhodes wasted no time living up to that promise. The opening stage was a traditional singles match, and McIntyre immediately showed a more ruthless edge. While brawling spilled outside the ring early, the decisive moment came when McIntyre distracted the referee by exposing a turnbuckle. With the official turned away, McIntyre delivered a low blow to Rhodes and followed it with a Claymore to steal the first fall.

The second stage shifted into Falls Count Anywhere, and the intensity ramped up quickly. McIntyre introduced a table at ringside and drove Rhodes through it, but the champion somehow powered out at two. The fight spilled into the crowd and backstage area before Rhodes managed to regain control. In a highlight-worthy moment, Rhodes climbed into the stands and launched himself off the railing, crashing through McIntyre and a table below.

Rhodes wasn’t done there. After dragging McIntyre back toward the ring, he cleared off the commentary desk and delivered a Cross Rhodes that sent both men crashing through it. The impact was enough to even the score at one fall apiece, forcing the match into its final and most dangerous stage.

With the steel cage lowering around the ring, both men fought with urgency, knowing escape would mean victory. McIntyre repeatedly tried to flee through the door and over the top, while Rhodes answered with relentless offense. Despite eating multiple Cross Rhodes and a Cody Cutter, McIntyre refused to stay down. Even a Claymore couldn’t put Rhodes away for good, as the champion continued to dig deep.

The turning point came when McIntyre attempted another escape through the cage door — and ran directly into a returning Jacob Fatu. Believing McIntyre was the mystery attacker who sidelined him months ago, “The Samoan Werewolf” unleashed a brutal assault. Rhodes stepped in to confront Fatu, only to get caught up in the chaos himself.

As Fatu and Rhodes brawled inside the cage, McIntyre seized the moment. He crawled through the door and escaped to the floor, officially ending the match and capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship. Inside the ring, Fatu looked on in disbelief as McIntyre celebrated, leaving more questions than answers about what comes next.

McIntyre’s reign begins amid controversy and unfinished business, while Fatu’s return instantly shakes up the title picture. One thing is certain: SmackDown’s main event scene just became far more unpredictable.