5 takeaways from WWE Backstage (January 14th, 2020)

WWE Backstage had many special guests this week as both Xavier Woods and Ember Moon joined the show as special panelists. Freddie Prinze Jr. and The Usos joined as special guests with Prinze Jr. providing insight behind his time as a writer with the WWE. He also took part in the best "Promo Battle" of the season against Woods. Prinze Jr. said of his time with WWE that he "wouldn't trade it for anything" but had to leave to become a dad.

The therapy session with Rachel Bonetta returned, this time featuring the team of Fire and Desire. Bonetta's notes revealed that some of her other "patients" thought that Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were bullies. Deville backed up those claims by threatening the therapist and her belongings.

The developments in the storylines involving Becky Lynch and Asuka and Seth Rollins were also analyzed as Buddy Murphy joined Rollins and the AOP on the latest RAW.

A new segment also aired featuring impersonations of WWE personalities and teams squaring off in order to guess the impersonations. The Usos easily defeated the tandem of Moon and Woods 7 to 3.

Here are five takeaways from the January 14th, 2020 episode of WWE Backstage.

#5 The Evolution of Buddy Murphy

Murphy joined Rollins' collective on RAW.

One of the biggest developments in the last two weeks was Buddy Murphy allying himself with Seth Rollins and the Authors of Pain. After falling to Aleister Black yet again, Murphy remained dejected at ringside for the remainder of RAW following his match.

As the main event "Fist Fight" took place, Rollins was thrown to the outside and into Murphy's vicinity. The Architect pleaded with Murphy to help them against the Big Show, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe. After some immediate reluctance, Murphy finally made his decision to join Rollins as he hit the Big Show with a low blow. He then threw him through a table in the corner of the ring.

Of Murphy's new direction, Moon claimed that she loved it and that she's "tired of seeing Murphy lose to Aleister because he's (Murphy) so talented". She also added that she was "glad to see this evolution of going from this losing streak to becoming a pivotal member in a main-event stable" for the former Cruiserweight Champion.

#4 An Interview with The Usos

Following their return from a month-long hiatus from the ring, The Usos joined this week's show. They were asked many things, including what it was like being back alongside Roman Reigns. They felt that "you pick up right where you leave" claiming that it wasn't really hard to back up their cousin.

Woods was on stage for the interview and praised his multi-time opponents because "we have great chemistry" and it was great to "bring storytelling back into the tag division."

Moon praised how in the rivalry between the New Day and The Usos that "every match was killer and every match was different" including ladder matches and one inside of Hell in a Cell. The Usos claimed that they "tried to top each other each time" as opponents often do.

Since Booker T was instrumental in The Usos' development as pro wrestlers, their time in his Reality of Wrestling promotion prior to WWE was discussed. The two-time Hall of Famer claimed that when they were in ROW, he wanted to "change the Samoan lineage" in wrestling." He also wanted to move in a "totally different direction" with the Usos instead of the previous trope of Samoan wrestlers always "coming out barefoot."

Jimmy and Jey were also asked about their time off from the WWE and what they learned. They claimed that "you almost get tunnel vision on the road" and that "we didn't slow down and almost had to get away from it."

Booker added that sometimes it's hard to "understand what you got and how quick it can be gone in a quick moment." Jimmy and Jey also revealed that since today's youths are so much further ahead then the previous generation that "you can't play dumb" about your missteps as an adult. Their kids "are old enough to see through any lies so we have to be accountable and be leaders."

#3 Thoughts on Otis/Mandy Rose angle

When it comes to love stories in the WWE, it's safe to say that a lot more people are enjoying the antics between Mandy Rose and Otis on SmackDown. While the Lana/Lashley/Rusev/Liv angle might be getting more press, the Golden Goddess and the Dozer are having a more entertaining and endearing angle.

Regarding the pairing of Mandy and Otis, Ember Moon showed the big guy some love, saying that "Otis is the people's champion - he has the charisma, the vocals and that belly". And since the conversation about Mandy and Otis came after the therapist segment, Moon also praised her fellow SmackDown women.

Of Rose and Deville, the Shenom claimed that she was "so happy that they were in this storyline because they (Fire and Desire) have so much depth to them outside of being this tag team".

Moon has previously expressed her desire for more and different women to get some spotlight on programming and this storyline is doing that for Rose and Deville. Moon also claimed that like many, she wants "to see this (Otis and Mandy together) happen".

Will Moon and the fans get their wish or are the cakes the best Otis can hope for?

#2 Asuka getting her due

The Empress of Tomorrow misted the Champ on the latest RAW

Contract signings always end in calamity and the latest one between Asuka and Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship didn't disappoint. Prinze Jr. has always loved Asuka saying that he's "been a fan of her since she came in" and that "this new philosophy she's taking is old-school" regarding the mist and her arrogant promos in Japanese.

The actor went on to say that "she (Asuka) has embraced it on another level" and that "her personality is really coming through". Prinze Jr. also loves how the Empress of Tomorrow "is a great, real, legitimate obstacle for Becky Lynch who's been a steamroller" over the past year and a half.

Woods added that "it's great that we remember how dangerous Asuka can be" because "we sometimes forget how dangerous people are" after falling to the likes of Charlotte Flair and other top stars.

Moon provided some more great insight as usual, saying that "Asuka is a hard-hitter. Asuka is a dominant force. She is the monster that she was in NXT and it took a while to get back to that."

She also added a great idea for WWE at the Royal Rumble if they were so bold, claiming that "if I was booking this, Asuka would win. If Asuka won at Royal Rumble, that would steal the show". Her reasoning was that it "would give Becky more depth and more of an evolution because I love Becky chasing the title."

#1 New deal for Elias, Mercedes Martinez immediate impact

The likes of the Miz, Paige, Dana Brooke and the members of the New Day all signed new deals with the WWE over the last few months. The Drifter, Elias, added his name to that already stacked list of stars.

During his Satin Sheet segment of the show, WWE Insider Ryan Satin revealed that Elias had signed a multi-year contract extension with the promotion. The Drifter had been out for some time at the end of 2019 due to an injury, but he returned before the calendar turned to 2020. Fans and fellow Superstars alike will be able to "Walk With Elias" for the foreseeable future.

Just as Elias re-signed with the company, another star who just signed with the promotion was also slated to make an immediate impact. As she was introduced with the likes of Jake Atlas and Emily Andzulis (Titan Games) as the newest WWE PC recruits, Mercedes Martinez was going to show up on NXT much sooner than most recruits do.

Since she has plenty of experience in the industry and some with the WWE, it was also announced that Martinez would be a part of the battle royale to crown Rhea Ripley's opponent at TakeOver: Portland.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram