5 Takeaways from WWE Backstage (March 31st, 2020)

After a two week hiatus, due to extenuating circumstances worldwide, WWE Backstage returned to the air. It was not the typical format of a studio show with a panel and guests. Instead, working with what is available, Renee Young emceed the show from her home and she was joined by Paige, Mark Henry and Booker T via Skype.

Each contributor offered their thoughts on the upcoming matches at WrestleMania 36. Some of the fantastic promos from the go-home RAW were also discussed. Paige and Young conversed with Charlotte Flair about her experiences with WM and how she felt things would go this year.

The final match of Stone Cold Steve Austin's career was also re-watched by Young, Booker and Henry. The Rock offered a response to the match via social media, claiming that "it was the last match of his (Austin's) career. No one knew it but we knew it." The Hollywood star then revealed that he "whispered to him 'thank you so much for everything that you've done for me' and I said "I love you" and he said "I love you too." With 'Mania on the mind, the panelists were full of opinions. Here are five takeaways from WWE Backstage for March 31st, 2020.

#5. The Fiend and the Man

Who will walk out of WM 36 as the RAW Women's Champ?

A few of the upcoming matches at WM 36 were discussed, including Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler and John Cena vs. the Fiend. Cena is appearing on the go-home SmackDown and the guests were asked what they thought we would see. Henry said that "I don't know what we're gonna see but I'm very curious as to what a Firefly Funhouse Match is."

Booker added that "Big Match John always shows up, especially at WrestleMania." He also praised Wyatt, claiming that "Bray Wyatt has brought this character to the level that, like the Undertaker, we might be watching it for years."

Renee asked Paige about the RAW Women's title match and the Anti-Diva said "I think that the Championship is going to switch hands." She added "I love you Becky but it's time for a change." Mark Henry agreed while Booker T claimed that "I'm still on the fence with Baszler. Prove me wrong. Prove that you are really as good as you think you are."

#4. Thoughts from the Queen, Part 1

Charlotte Flair took some time out from her preparation to give some insight on the Show of Shows. About the first-ever main event featuring women, she revealed that "the one thing that was going through my mind all day was this is what it feels like to say you're going to do something and do it." She didn't want to alter her approach, saying "do exactly what got you there and don't do anything different. Being in the main event, you think you need to do more." Flair also felt that the "moment was so much bigger than the three of us."

Young asked Flair about which 'Mania stood out for her and the Queen had a surprising answer. She picked her match against Asuka at WM 34, saying that "I felt like I had so much to prove and she had this incredible streak." Flair added that "everyone knew I was a good performer but I felt that night took me to the next level."

Putting on show without a crowd has also been a huge topic of conversation. Flair offered that she's "found that challenge to make... promos better" and that "it gives you that opportunity to show you how good [of] a performer you are."

She also weighed in on WM 36 being a two-day event. The 10-time Champ felt that "to be honest, the one day feels like two days." Flair did, however, feel that it was a positive because "it's going to give more people an opportunity to be on [the show]" and that it "might just give the talent more time that day to dedicate to that storyline." The Queen isn't a fan of "cramming everything into one day. I feel like giving it two days is only an opportunity for everyone."

#3. Thoughts from the Queen, Part 2

Young and Paige also discussed the NXT Women's title match against Rhea Ripley. When Flair was asked about what we can expect from the match, she claimed that "when I think of NXT, I just think of sitting in the arena watching Paige and Emma and wanting to take the lead from that match."

Since the Nightmare stepped up to the Queen, Flair feels like "Rhea challenging me is like Rhea saying that NXT is the third brand and we're all equal. It took a lot of confidence to come out to RAW and challenge me." She added that "it's another opportunity for NXT to say that we deserve the same amount of respect of RAW and SmackDown."

Challenging for the NXT title was also something Flair reflected on, saying that "being able to take my career full circle and compete for the NXT title blows my mind." She also felt that "the title being defended at [WM] is also a historic moment and the Royal Rumble winner is in that match. That just goes to show how big the company is." The Queen added that "to me, it looks like Rhea performs really well under pressure. I hope she comes out even better, and this opportunity will take her to the next level."

#2. Empty arena promos

Don't cross the Deadman in any of his forms.

One thing that all pro wrestlers have had to do lately is cut promos without an audience. A lot of fantastic promos have been given on the Road to WrestleMania. A few great ones even took place on the go-home episode of RAW.

Captain Charisma chimed in on the promo Edge gave on RAW. He claimed "that there hasn't been an audience has enhanced the promos." Christian also added that he likes "the fact that grit means something different to each man and that they both think their version is right."

He added that "this is Randy's best work, and it took Edge to get it out of him. Sometimes a match can be bigger than any title." Mark Henry also praised the Rated R Superstar saying that "Edge has always been one of the greatest cerebral performers. Now he's really had a chance to prove how good he is again since he's been gone just long enough. He's just as good or better than he's ever been." Henry added that "we have another major player in pro wrestling. He's somebody that can put Randy Orton and check, and its been a long time since someone did that to Randy."

#1. More thoughts on playing to an empty arena

Paul Heyman and the WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar, closed the go-home episode of RAW. The promo Heyman cut was the usual manual of how he thinks all matches with Lesnar will go. Paige said that "McIntyre's journey is very inspiring. He makes this big comeback on NXT, and he wins the Royal Rumble. That's huge for him." Young added that "he (McIntyre) doesn't really take days off."

Of the promos, Mark Henry said that "you're projecting to the screen and to the camera. A lot of guys take it for granted." He added that the main difference was that in times past, "you can reach the guys at home just by showing up. That's not the case now." Paige put things bluntly, saying that "you have to learn to adapt" since there haven't been audiences allowed at the recent WWE shows.

Regarding the Undertaker's promo on AJ Styles, Booker said that "wasn't the Deadman talking but a man talking to another man." He added that not having fans has "brought the best out of each of our performers." For Styles, Booker thinks that "this is a moment that he's (AJ) going to remember for the rest of his life." Paige added that "AJ took a page out of Samoa Joe's book" referencing how Joe brought Styles' wife Wendy into their title feud. Renee felt that "everyone's adapted to it (no audience) very well."

Do you agree with their thoughts? Comment below!