All Three Stages of Hell matches in WWE history

By Abhijit Singh

Abhijit has been telling sports stories through his words at Khel Now since 2024. He covers Pro wrestling, MMA, Boxing & Formula 1.

Published at :December 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM

Modified at :December 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM

(Courtesy : WWE)

Since its inception in 2001, it has rarely been used in WWE.

An Undisputed title showdown between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre inside a brutal Three Stages of Hell match has been announced for the January 9 episode of SmackDown in Berlin. This has sparked massive interest in the match, its history, and rules.

A Three Stages of Hell match is a multi-fall match in WWE designed to test wrestlers in increasingly punishing conditions. The match consists of three separate pinfalls, each with different stipulations. In order to win, a wrestler must secure two out of three pinfalls.

Each fall is contested as an individual match with its own set of rules, with all stipulations revealed ahead of time. These bouts are rare in WWE and are typically reserved to provide a definitive conclusion to a rivalry.

The format also generates significant fan excitement, as it pushes competitors to showcase their endurance, versatility, and resilience. Let us now take a look at all three stages of hell matches in history.

All Three Stages of Hell match in WWE history

S. No.	Event	Match	1st Fall	2nd Fall	3rd Fall	Winner
1.	No Way Out (February 25, 2001)	Triple H vs Stone Cold Steve Austin	Standard match	Street fight	Steel cage	Triple H
2.	Armageddon (December 15, 2002)	Triple H vs Shawn Michaels	Street fight	Steel cage	Ladder	Triple H
3.	The Bash (28 June 2009)	Randy Orton vs Triple H	Standard match	Falls count anywhere	Stretcher	Randy Orton
4.	Payback (16 June 2013)	John Cena vs Ryback	Lumberjack match	Tables match	Ambulance	John Cena
5.	NXT TakeOver: Toronto (August 10, 2019)	Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole	Standard Match	Street Fight	Steel Cage	Adam Cole
6.	SmackDown(January 9, 2026)	Cody Rhodes vs Drew McIntyre	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBD

The first-ever Three Stages of Hell match took place at the 2001 edition of No Way Out between Triple H and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The match began with a standard singles match, followed by a street fight and a steel cage, with Triple H winning the match (2-1).

On the other hand, Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Toronto (2019) was the most recent time the promotion used the Three Stages of Hell stipulation. The match began with a Street Fight, followed by a standard singles match, and culminating in a Steel Cage match, with Cole ultimately winning the final two falls to retain the NXT Championship

What is the Three Stages of Hell match in WWE?

A Three Stages of Hell match is a multi-fall match designed to test wrestlers in increasingly punishing conditions. The match consists of three separate pinfalls, each with different stipulations. In order to win, a wrestler must secure two out of three pinfalls.

When was the last time a Three Stages of Hell match took place?

Adam Cole vs Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: Toronto (2019) was the most recent time the promotion used the Three Stages of Hell stipulation.

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Abhijit Singh

Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.