Why Cody Rhodes Really Lost the WWE Championship—One Mistake Changed Everything on SmackDown
Cody Rhodes’ reign as Undisputed WWE Champion came to a shocking and controversial end on the January 9 episode of SmackDown in Berlin, and fans are still debating how everything unraveled so fast.
Heading into a brutal Three Stages of Hell match against Drew McIntyre, Rhodes looked confident and in control. The first two falls were evenly split, setting the stage for a dramatic steel cage finale that was meant to settle the rivalry once and for all. But what followed was chaos that no one saw coming.
Just as the cage lowered, Jacob Fatu made a stunning return and completely altered the match. Fatu stormed into the chaos, briefly clashing with McIntyre before turning his attention to Rhodes. Instead of escaping the cage and securing the win, Rhodes chose to fight back.
That split-second decision proved fatal.
With Rhodes distracted by Fatu, McIntyre seized the opportunity, slipped out of the cage, and walked away with the WWE Championship. Rhodes wasn’t pinned, submitted, or outpowered—he simply lost focus at the worst possible moment.
Backstage plans reveal the real turning point
According to backstage chatter, the title change wasn’t a last-minute call. Rhodes and McIntyre had reportedly been in discussions with WWE officials for weeks about shaking up the main event scene. WWE felt a championship switch before the Royal Rumble would inject new life into the top of the card, and Berlin was chosen as the perfect stage.
The chaotic ending—including Fatu’s return—was designed to make the loss unpredictable and controversial. Still, the cage escape rule became the decisive factor. While Rhodes stayed inside to fight, McIntyre played it smart and took the championship.
Fans continue to argue that Rhodes didn’t truly lose to Drew McIntyre—he lost because of one costly hesitation. And that moment may define his title reign long after the shock wears off.
