5 Takeaways from WWE Backstage (February 25th, 2020)

With WrestleMania weekend inching ever closer, there were several facets of programming that made it's way onto this week's episode of WWE Backstage. The Super Showdown event was briefly analyzed and the Bellas joined the show after they were announced as 2020 inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Street Profits went to therapy with Rachel Bonetta and were "ordered" to have appointments for therapy every week for a year. Since the rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder took place over the weekend, it was also briefly analyzed after Booker T predicted a win via knockout for Wilder.

Christian and Booker fantasy booked Fury's next opponent in WWE with Booker picking Baron Corbin because he's "the guy who knows a whole lot about the art of pugilism." The group also wished Ric Flair a happy birthday and each panelist offered up a story about the Nature Boy.

Mark Henry also joined the show and discussed what it meant to be a black athlete in the WWE and how things have changed over the years. The show ended in a funny segment as the Bellas, who are both currently pregnant, coached both Henry and Christian in a showdown to correctly put diapers and clothes on a baby.

With a huge week ahead, here are five takeaways from the February 25th edition of WWE Backstage.

#5 New wrinkles in ongoing stories

Instead of merely running out the same match-ups week after week, a new layer was added to the ongoing feud between Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens. Since Owens is a Canadian and a huge fan of wrestling, he came out to confront Orton this week regarding the attack on Edge.

Christian loved the choice, saying that he loved "the reason why Kevin Owens went out there, looking for answers. He said that "he's 'coming out here not as a WWE Superstar, but as a fan'." The potential of facing Edge in a contest was "taken away" due to Orton's brazen attack on the Hall of Famer. Captain Charisma added that "this could be the best possible version of Randy Orton that I've ever seen."

Booker T added that "we as performers get to the point where we say why couldn't I have figured this out 10 years ago" regarding Orton's character work. The two-time Hall of Famer added that the Viper's "painting his best Picasso" at the moment.

Naomi's victory over Carmella on SmackDown last week was also addressed. The former two-time SmackDown Women's Champ appears rejuvenated after a lengthy hiatus and the panelists agreed. Mark Henry felt that "Naomi is doing anything she can to bring prominence back to the women's division."

Booker added that "Naomi is definitely worthy" of challenging and potentially winning the title once more. Christian added that he thinks "Naomi's time is coming again, but I just don't think it's right now." He stated that he'd "like to see Bayley carry her momentum into WrestleMania" because "if there's a big title change to happen, WrestleMania is the time to do it."

#4 The Bellas have had a lot of memorable moments in WWE

News broke late last week that both Nikki Bella and Brie Bella would be among the WWE Hall of Fame inductees for 2020. The twins joined SmackDown last week to confirm the news and also joined the show this week to talk about several things.

The first thing they addressed was obviously about how they found out that they were joining the prestigious HOF. Brie revealed that when "Nikki and I first got the call, we missed Vince's call." Since they didn't immediately pick up the phone, Brie "thought we were in trouble" but when "he told us, we were just shocked and then overwhelmed with such gratitude." Nikki added that "when you've worked hard for so long and to have him call, it was amazing. I still can't believe it."

The twins have been with the WWE on and off for almost 15 years and have witnessed a lot. They were asked about moments in their careers that stood out to them. Brie named the Divas Search and "being denied there and just begging for another chance."

Nikki recalled being "the longest reigning Divas Champion, fighting Ronda Rousey in the main event of Evolution" as well as "fighting our boss (Stephanie McMahon)" during one feud.

#3 The Bellas interview, continued

Since the twins were in the middle of the changing philosophy of women in the sport, they were asked about the "women's evolution" in wrestling. Brie noted that "the locker room changed a lot. From the first day we started, we were always fighting for more time. In the beginning, they (various Divas) might have been fighting more for themselves."

Nikki added that "even though we're fighting for what's better, we had to fight as a unit" rather than as a disjointed division. She added that "we all had the same vision of wanting more and wanting better" regarding the new crop of women from NXT that joined WWE in 2015 (Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair).

The twins immediately noticed a big change in the different caliber between the Divas and the new crop of talent. Because the newer stars focused on wrestling, the twins felt that better opponents "make you better mentally and physically." They also felt that they "we're finally in the ring with the best women" and that made them want to take their "game to the next level." They also believed that "when people want to be better it makes you better."

Nikki addressed her main event match against Ronda Rousey at Evolution. She made the revelation that they "only trained for about 20 minutes prior to the match." The former Champ also added that she "had to wrestle different. I had to be more aggressive" and that she "felt that power (from Rousey) and it was something totally different" than what she had dealt with before.

#2 Super Showdown ahead

Who leaves Saudi Arabia as Universal Champion?

The Street Profits will challenge Seth Rollins and Murphy for the RAW Tag Team titles at Super Showdown. Each panelist offered up their thoughts on how the match should play out. Booker T felt that the "Street Profits are coming up but I don't see it right now" because "they need to feel a little bit more."

Captain Charisma added that "from an entertainment aspect, they are very reminiscent of Edge and Christian promos. You have to have a connection with the audience but it has to be a different type of connection when you step through the ropes." He added that they (Rollins and Murphy) just won the titles and challenging for them "lets you step up a level." Christian also claimed that Seth Rollins "is one of the top stars on RAW and gives validation to them (the titles)."

Goldberg returned a couple of weeks ago in order to challenge The Fiend Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship. Henry weighed in saying that "as much as I would like to see Bill take the title from The Fiend, The Fiend has too much value going forward. He's the future."

Christian added that "the name Goldberg means a whole lot. For The Fiend to go out there and (potentially) beat him clean will go on to enhance his aura even further." Booker felt that "there's a moment here to be had for someone, but it's to be continued."

The analysts agreed that Brock Lesnar would be leaving Saudi Arabia as Champion. Henry claimed that "on this night, he (Ricochet) will go down in flames. It's time for Brock Lesnar to put him through pain." Christian agreed because "historically, he's (Lesnar) had some of his best matches against smaller opponents."

#1 A long road regarding Black history in WWE

Two Hall of Famers discussed a long path to success.

As Black History Month comes to a close, both Mark Henry and Booker T reflected on their journeys as well as the journeys of other black athletes in pro wrestling. Henry started off by remembering the past, saying that he couldn't "just talk about my journey. I have to talk about guys like Ernie Ladd." Henry recalled that Ladd told him that "they're doing things with you that they haven't done before with an African American talent. Don't mess it up."

Booker T recalled another Legend talking to him, saying that he remembered "Ox Baker told me 'you got a lot of talent but you're going to have a lot of obstacles. You have to figure out how to go over, under around, through those obstacles." Booker added that wrestlers need to know "how to be Champions inside the ring and outside of the ring."

Henry also went back to praise his time in the Nation of Domination, claiming that he "was fortunate enough to be in the Nation to have guys like Ron Simmons and The Godfather who were veterans" by his side. He added that "because of their teaching, we (he, The Rock and D'Lo Brown) were able to rise up and become our own individuals."

Booker T added that the world title wasn't necessarily one of his goals, saying that "winning the World Championship wasn't ever a thought in my mind." His brother, Stevie Ray, felt differently as Booker claimed that Ray told him that he "was better than everyone in the locker room."

The former strongman added that he's tried to help the next generation of black athletes in WWE. He's tried his best "to be a source of advice for NXT and the Performance Center" because "that did not exist for us." Both men went on to praise current NXT star Bianca Belair as "the cream of that crop" at the PC.

Booker and Henry "made young people like Bianca Belair say 'if Mark Henry and Booker T can do it, it's possible for us.' That's exposure." Henry also added that "if you're willing to put the work in, I'm willing to vouch for you."