WWE SmackDown results, review, grades: Drew McIntyre beats Cody Rhodes for WWE title; Jacob Fatu returns

Fatu's surprise return on WWE SmackDown cost Rhodes the undisputed WWE title

Drew McIntyre has finally beaten Cody Rhodes for the undisputed WWE championship. McIntyre, after countless close calls, returns to the mountaintop on WWE SmackDown, and he can thank Jacob Fatu for the unintentional assist.

McIntyre and Rhodes fought for the undisputed WWE title in a Three Stages of Hell match, only the sixth time WWE has used the stipulation in 25 years. McIntyre and Rhodes were tied one apiece, culminating in a dramatic steel cage match. Fatu, returning from an extended absence, inserted himself into the main event. Though Fatu initially attacked McIntyre, his interjection ultimately allowed McIntyre to sneak away with the WWE title.

The new undisputed WWE champion will need eyes in the back of his head. There's bound to be fallout with Rhodes and Fatu, but he must also prepare to defend the title against the winner of a newly announced tournament.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Uber Arena in Berlin.

McIntyre beats Rhodes in Three Stages of Hell, thanks to Fatu

Backstage, Rhodes ran into his longtime friend Matt Cardona. The former Zack Ryder informed Rhodes that he wasn't just back, he was back to become the undisputed WWE champion. Cardona can prove his worth in a mini tournament later announced by SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis. The first round will consist of four singles matches: Randy Orton vs. The Miz, Cardona vs. Trick Williams, Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov. The winners will compete in a fatal four-way to determine a No. 1 contender, set to challenge the undisputed WWE champion on the Jan. 24 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event.

Undisputed WWE Championship -- Drew McIntyre def. Cody Rhodes (c) via cage escape to win the title in a Three Stages of Hell match. McIntyre won the first fall by nefarious means. He distracted the referee with an exposed turnbuckle, allowing him to strike Rhodes with a low blow and Claymore kick behind the official's back. Rhodes evened the score in a chaotic Falls Count Anywhere match. McIntyre put Rhodes through a table, only for Rhodes to later frogsplash McIntyre through a different one. Rhodes put a number on the board after hitting Cross Rhodes on the announcers' desk.

Both men nearly secured a pinfall in a dramatic finale. Rhodes' close call came after he ran into an exposed turnbuckle and turned directly into a Claymore. McIntyre nearly bottomed out after eating a super Cody Cutter from high up the cage wall. Ultimately, a returning Fatu was the harbinger for the title change. Fatu attacked McIntyre, the prime suspect in an injury that sidelined "The Samoan Werewolf." Rhodes got involved, leading to a brawl between him and Fatu. Amid the chaos, McIntyre snuck out of the cage and now possesses the undisputed WWE championship.

Better late than never. For the last couple of years, McIntyre has been in a vicious cycle of nearly becoming champion or losing it moments after winning it. It was great for his character, but unsatisfying for the talented worker portraying him. Few believed WWE would pull the trigger, especially with SmackDown airing on tape delay in the U.S. However, WWE made a surprising pivot, taking the title off of poster boy Rhodes. "The American Nightmare" looked strong in defeat. Fatu's return is great for the company, and McIntyre is finally champion for more than a few minutes. It's a positive turn after weeks of uninspired booking. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Trick Williams def. Rey Fenix via pinfall with a handful of tights. Before the match, Randy Orton got the better of Williams and The Miz in a verbal altercation that turned physical.
• Women's United States Championship -- Giulia (c) def. Alexa Bliss via pinfall to retain the title. Post-match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend taunted Bliss.
• The MFTs (Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa & JC Mateo) def. The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) via pinfall after Tama hit Howdy with a cutthroat. Sikoa stole Bray Wyatt's lantern on the way out.
• Jordynne Grace def. Alba Fyre via pinfall with a torture rack powerbomb. Post-match, WWE women's champion Jade Cargill confronted Grace.
• Johnny Gargano, dressed as Axiom, attacked Nathan Frazer backstage.