Overview
- The Jan. 9 SmackDown in Berlin will feature Rhodes vs. McIntyre in a Three Stages of Hell title match with falls set as a standard bout, Falls Count Anywhere, and a Steel Cage.
- On the broadcast, McIntyre entered Rhodes’ tour bus, smashed a framed photo with Dusty Rhodes, and later burned the picture in the ring to provoke the champion.
- Security held Rhodes back as a pre-match condition states he will be stripped of the title if he makes physical contact with McIntyre before the bell.
- Three Stages of Hell is a rare two-of-three falls format where each fall has different rules, with the last WWE instance reported to be about 12 years ago.
- McIntyre obtained the right to choose the stipulations following his reinstatement from suspension, using it to define the rematch’s terms.