Individuals Behind Pitched WWE Title Change at SmackDown in Berlin Revealed

The dramatic ending to WWE SmackDown on January 9, 2026, wasn’t just a creative decision handed down by the writing team — it was a move driven directly by Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre behind the scenes.

According to Bodyslam.net, both Rhodes and McIntyre went to WWE officials ahead of the show and personally pitched the idea of a WWE Title change, believing the moment called for something major. This wasn’t the first time the two men aligned creatively — they previously pitched a similar idea back before WrestlePalooza, showing their willingness to help shape long-term storytelling.

WWE agreed that the timing and location were perfect. With a packed house at the Uber Arena in Berlin and the energy at a peak, the company gave the green light and pulled the trigger.

That decision played out in one of the wildest matches of the year: a 3 Stages of Hell showdown where McIntyre challenged Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The first fall was won by McIntyre in a straight-up wrestling match. The second fall, fought under falls count anywhere rules, saw Cody even the score with a brutal Crossroads through a table.

Then came the third fall — inside a steel cage — and the return of Jacob Fatu, who stormed the ring and tore into both men. After taking out Cody and exacting revenge on Drew for the injury that sidelined him in October, Fatu left chaos in his wake. McIntyre managed to escape the cage, barely crawling out to win the third fall and capture his fourth world championship.

While fans were stunned by the outcome, the title change wasn’t just for shock value — it was a carefully planned, wrestler-driven decision. With WrestleMania season heating up, Drew McIntyre is once again at the top of the mountain, and Cody Rhodes finds himself knocked down just when he thought he had finally cemented his legacy.

Now, with Jacob Fatu back in the mix and WWE already planning the next #1 contender, SmackDown’s main event scene is more unpredictable than ever.

Was this the right moment for Cody to drop the title? Should WWE have waited until WrestleMania? Let us know your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear what you think.