The idea of Drew McIntyre defeating Cody Rhodes completely clean in the first fall of a Three Stages of Hell match before ultimately losing the final two falls is a masterstroke in long-term storytelling. It immediately subverts expectations while protecting both competitors.
Drew winning the first fall clean establishes him as dominant, focused, and justified in his belief that he deserves to be WWE Champion. It sends a powerful message to the audience that this is not a fluke or interference-driven victory, but a decisive statement of superiority in that moment.
When Drew wins the first fall without controversy, the psychological tone of the match shifts dramatically. The crowd is forced to reconsider their allegiances, and Cody’s underdog narrative suddenly gains new urgency.
Drew, standing tall after the first fall, can be seen muttering to himself, “I told everyone I was the better man,” reinforcing his growing obsession with validation.
This clean victory gives Drew moral leverage later in the story, making his eventual downfall not a result of injustice, but of his own decisions.
As the match progresses into the second stage, cracks begin to form in Drew’s composure. Cody adapts, showing resilience and intelligence rather than brute force. By winning the second fall, Cody doesn’t erase Drew’s dominance but instead reframes the battle as one of endurance and strategy.
The audience understands that Drew could still walk out champion if he keeps control, yet frustration starts to cloud his judgment. His earlier confidence slowly transforms into agitation, signaling the beginning of an internal collapse.
By the time the third and final stage arrives, Drew is no longer fighting just Cody Rhodes; he is fighting his own choices. The match becomes less about physical superiority and more about emotional unraveling. Cody capitalizes on Drew’s mistakes, securing the final fall and the victory.
This outcome feels earned rather than forced, as the story clearly shows that Drew’s inability to adapt is what costs him the championship opportunity.
The true brilliance of this booking lies in what happens after the bell rings. Cody, battered but victorious, doesn’t gloat in a traditional heroic manner. Instead, he delivers a line that cuts deeper than any finisher: “It’s your own fault, man.
If you had just chosen a normal match, you’d be WWE Champion right now.” This line reframes the entire feud, transforming Drew’s loss into a self-inflicted tragedy rather than an injustice.
That single statement becomes the catalyst for Drew McIntyre’s complete psychological descent. The audience can see the realization hit him in real time. His eyes change, his posture stiffens, and his silence becomes louder than any rant.
Much like Michael Douglas’ character in Falling Down, Drew reaches a breaking point where logic gives way to resentment. He isn’t just angry at Cody; he’s furious at the system, the fans, and ultimately himself.
From a character development standpoint, this loss elevates Drew far beyond a simple heel turn. He becomes a man who believes he was right all along but sabotaged himself through pride.
In backstage segments following the match, Drew can be shown repeating Cody’s words with bitterness: “A normal match… that’s all it took.” This obsession gives WWE weeks, if not months, of compelling narrative material rooted in realism and emotional depth.
From a character development standpoint, this loss elevates Drew far beyond a simple heel turn. He becomes a man who believes he was right all along but sabotaged himself through pride.
In backstage segments following the match, Drew can be shown repeating Cody’s words with bitterness: “A normal match… that’s all it took.” This obsession gives WWE weeks, if not months, of compelling narrative material rooted in realism and emotional depth.
Cody Rhodes, meanwhile, emerges stronger without damaging his credibility as a champion or top contender. He doesn’t defeat Drew by luck or outside help; he survives him. That distinction is crucial for maintaining Cody’s image as a resilient, principled competitor. His post-match comment isn’t cruelty—it’s honesty.
He doesn’t insult Drew’s talent; he exposes his flaw, which is far more devastating and believable.
This storyline also resonates deeply with fans because it mirrors real-life consequences. Drew’s downfall isn’t caused by conspiracy or unfair treatment, but by his own insistence on making things harder than they needed to be.
Wrestling audiences respond strongly to characters who reflect human weakness, and Drew’s spiral feels painfully authentic. His anger becomes justified in his own mind, even as it alienates him further from redemption.
Ultimately, this booking scenario achieves what modern wrestling storytelling strives for: layered characters, logical outcomes, and emotional consequences. Drew McIntyre doesn’t lose momentum; he gains complexity. Cody Rhodes doesn’t simply win a match; he changes a man.
The Three Stages of Hell becomes more than a stipulation—it becomes a psychological turning point that defines both competitors moving forward in WWE history.
