Overview
- Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the Jan. 9 SmackDown in Berlin during a Three Stages of Hell match that featured Jacob Fatu’s return.
- Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reports that WWE changed course last week, with Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns III now described as “probably not happening.”
- A potential three-way involving McIntyre, Jacob Fatu and Rhodes is being discussed as an option, though it remains unconfirmed and not tied to a specific event.
- Forbes reports WWE will hold an eight-man mini-tournament this week, culminating in a Jan. 14 Fatal 4-Way to determine McIntyre’s challenger for the Jan. 31 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.
- Meltzer has retracted an earlier suggestion of an imminent Roman Reigns return to TV, adding uncertainty to his near-term role in the storyline.