5 Takeaways from the December 3rd episode of WWE Backstage

While RAW may have been stuck in a holding pattern this week, WWE Backstage provided all the entertainment that we might have not seen on Monday night. CM Punk was off the show for the second straight week and it was a good thing since Seth Rollins joined as a special guest. Arrow star Stephen Amell was originally slated to join the show and participate in a promo battle but he had to pull out a few hours before the show.

Both Rollins and Kevin Owens had featured segments on Backstage with The Architect giving an honest and transparent interview about a multitude of things. The panel got to look the subject of their criticism right in the eye and he took everything they said and fans have said in his stride.

Just like Adam Cole last week, Owens had a therapy session on the show. It appears that those segments will continue on Backstage and that's fine by me. They're hilarious little snippets that allow Superstars to be shown in a new light.

Paige also revealed that the Kabuki Warriors are better off without her while the panel discussed Sheamus and his return promo on the last episode of SmackDown. Booker T suggested Drew McIntyre as a first feud if he was on RAW and Sami Zayn on the blue brand. With that being said, here are five takeaways from the December 3rd edition of WWE Backstage.

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#5 The Lana, Lashley and Rusev Love Saga

Lana and Lashley were the ones taken away in cuffs this week.

The panelists once again tackled one of the most prominent angles on RAW involving Lana, Rusev and Lashley. Kevin Owens was unfortunately shoved into the proceedings this week as he just wanted someone to fight. Owens fought the All Mighty after a long-winded promo from Lana but the match was broken up by AOP. Rusev later tested the waters of his "restraining order" by attacking Lashley after emerging through the crowd.

No one mentioned it on Backstage, but Lana's whole sequence in the beginning took up too much time. Her prancing around on stage is a part of her arrogant persona, but it went on for too long. The promo rambled on and on and even Owens had trouble at points getting her to finish up her words.

Last week, Paige mentioned that Lana "couldn't cook, clean or listen" and after she sped through another confusing promo, the Anti-Diva was correct. The Ravishing Russian took exception to Paige's comments and apparently has been bothering her (Paige) on Twitter.

The former Divas Champion went on to say she felt that "Rusev is massive right now" due to the angle. Seth Rollins chimed in with a good suggestion, commenting that "the only way this ends is with Lana in a shark cage." It wouldn't be the first time a feud was topped off with someone hanging over the ring while two people fought. Booker T felt that the feud "is one of those wait and see moments regarding pay off" and that "the pay off is there but we need to just wait for it."

#4 The Architect Interview

Rollins had a lot to say.

A few weeks after CM Punk showed up on Backstage and Rollins challenged him to a match via Twitter, it was the Beastslayer's turn to join the show. There were a few weeks of back and forth and Rollins felt that a potential match with Punk "was off the table" and that he had "exhausted all my energy on the topic." He also added that "it's time to move onto something that matters."

The panelists all asked Rollins about the fans and how they have somewhat turned on him lately. The former Universal Champion started by saying "you look at where I was sitting a year ago at this time. I was the guy."

He went on to add "in my opinion, I thought I was very successful in that role and I got all the way to WrestleMania and to Brock Lesnar and to taking that title." Things changed when "we shifted gears and I don't really have an explanation why. I have been the same guy the whole way through."

The panelists each asked if the boos bothered him and Rollins held nothing back. He commented "I think it affects you whether you confess to it or not," and that "there's a small contingent of our audience that is very vocal on social media." The Architect made sense when he said that if "I feel like I'm getting disrespected, I'm going to push back."

The group agreed that the Fiend feud is where the criticism started and Rollins said that it was "sort of a tipping point in Sacramento with the crowd at Hell in a Cell." He also claimed to not be a fan of the red light and how it clashed with the red steel cage. Rollins added that he "had no idea that it (the red light) was going to stay on (during the match)."

#3 News about Samoa Joe and John Morrison

John Morrison is back on his way to WWE.

One of the more newsworthy segments of the night is always the Satin Sheet with WWE Insider Ryan Satin. He announced news regarding a current star who was injured as well as news about a huge former WWE Superstar returning to the company.

After weeks of speculation about his future, Satin confirmed on Backstage that former Intercontinental Champion John Morrison had indeed agreed to terms with the WWE. Specifics like the length of his deal, when he would return or which brand he would be joining were not disclosed.

Among the panelists, Christian had perhaps the best advice since he had left the WWE, went to TNA and returned. Captain Charisma claimed that "sometimes you need to step away to become a better performer," and that "it happened for myself and I came back better than when I left."

Satin also divulged that until he is medically cleared, Samoa Joe will remain on the RAW commentary team. Joe had been filling in for the injured Dio Maddin who has been off of TV selling an attack from Brock Lesnar. Maddin apparently wants to pursue an in-ring career so Joe's wise and insightful voice will be heard alongside Jerry Lawler and Vic Joseph.

#2 Thoughts on the recent Dana Brooke/Batista Twitter love affair

Flex appeal indeed.

The digital video production crew was the MVP of this week due to the video package they created around the Twitter exchanges between Brooke and Batista. It was hilarious and came off like a cheesy made-for-TV soap opera based on their comments. Both wrestlers were given appropriate voice-overs that sold the whole video package.

Rollins gave his take on the online romance, saying that he hoped it continued and that he "wanted to see the next chapter so bad" because it "would take the heat of me." He added that Brooke and Batista "can give Lana and Lashley a run for their money." Once again, Captain Charisma had the comment of the discussion, saying that "maybe this is true love" and that we should "let these crazy kids do their things on Twitter."

#1 Rowan's cage and its potential contents

Daddy will protect you.

One of the stranger albeit intriguing angles after the WWE Draft has involved Rowan and his cage. We have seen him carry it to the ring for a few weeks now and we have also seen him talking sweetly to whatever is in it.

During a few of his matches, the "local talent" have dared to try and sneak a peek to see what exactly is in the cage. Before they each gave their prediction for what was in the cage, Christian praised Rowan, saying that "you can't teach size" and that "it's nice to see him step out and do his own thing." Rowan has been a lackey of the Wyatt Family, of Luke Harper and of Daniel Bryan, so now he truly gets to branch out on his own.

Captain Charisma guessed that perhaps some of Razor Ramon's old toothpicks or a shrunken Luke Harper was in the cage. He also added that perhaps some of Booker's beard gloss could be inside since they were making it a point that Booker T is putting out men's beard care products.

The former 5-time Champ guessed that a little pig was in the cage, something similar to what Alexa Bliss has as a pet. Booker T added that "Rowan needs something like that to keep him balanced."

Since it's all the rage nowadays, Paige guessed that Baby Yoda was in the cage as Rowan has promised to protect the contents. Whatever the pay off with that reveal is, it needs to be something tangible and not an empty cage. They don't need to sell him as a crazy guy talking to an empty cage, but who knows what will be revealed as the object of Rowan's protection.