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As any die-hard WWE follower will know, the behind-the-scenes stories that emerge from the sports-entertainment world are sometimes just as interesting as what fans witness on a weekly basis on Raw, SmackDown and NXT.
Twenty years ago, it would have been difficult for people to find out what their favourite Superstars thought about certain aspects of the business. However, with so many media interviews and other public appearances taking place in 2019, we know more about the WWE roster now than at any time in the company’s history.
This week, for example, a Hall of Famer told a hilarious story about the time that he was forced to apologise to The Undertaker in the Attitude Era, while we also found out the real reason why Sasha Banks took a break earlier this year.
In this article, let’s count down five of the most interesting backstage stories that we learned this week.
#5 Bubba Ray Dudley's apology to The Undertaker
One of the defining moments of The Dudley Boyz’s WWE careers came on an Attitude Era episode of Raw when Bubba Ray Dudley (aka Bully Ray) powerbombed Mae Young off the stage area and through a table.
In the minute that followed the shocking incident, WWE's cameras stayed focused on Bubba’s wide-eyed face as he went into a trance before rolling his eyes into the back of his head.
Almost two decades later, Bully Ray revealed this week on Twitter that he received a phone call the next night at a SmackDown taping from The Undertaker, whose “Deadman” character regularly rolled back his eyes in a similar fashion.
“Hey kid, somebody around here already does that eye-roll gimmick.”
Those words from ‘Taker prompted an apology from Bully Ray, who stopped using the “eye-roll gimmick” in WWE.
#4 Real reason why Sasha Banks took a break
Sasha Banks and Bayley lost the Women’s Tag Team titles to The IIconics in a Fatal 4-Way match at WrestleMania 35 in April 2019.
Despite being advertised for a TV show appearance and a segment on the next episode of Raw, Banks suddenly disappeared from WWE programming and did not return until she attacked Natalya and Becky Lynch shortly after SummerSlam in August.
The four-time Raw Women’s Champion confirmed in a recent promo on Raw that she cried on the locker room floor after losing the tag titles at WrestleMania, while she admitted to “taking her ball and going home” following the event.
In an out-of-character interview with WFNZ this week, Banks spoke openly about her WWE career and revealed that she took an unplanned leave of absence because she felt like she needed a break for the first time in seven years.
“I’ve been doing this for seven years straight. No breaks. People need to step back and re-evaluate their lives. Take care of their souls and their minds. And I’m back and I’m better than ever.”
#3 When the Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks story really began
A career highlight for all four of WWE’s ‘Horsewomen’ came on this week’s episode of Raw when Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair defeated Bayley & Sasha Banks in a tag team match at Madison Square Garden.
While the current storylines ahead of Clash of Champions revolve around Lynch vs. Banks and Bayley vs. Flair, there is no denying that the 2016 rivalry on Raw between “The Boss” and “The Queen” will go down as one of the best women’s feuds of the decade in WWE.
Speaking to ESPN before the MSG match, Banks revealed that she knew she would “make magic” with Flair after the first time they locked up at WWE’s Performance Center.
“The first one I met was Charlotte Flair. We were in class together doing a drill and our coach told us to lock up and instantly we just snapped -- the chemistry was just there. From the instant of the lock up, I knew I would be making magic with her in the future in that ring.”
Flair went on to recall that Sara Del Rey, assistant head coach at the Performance Center, shared the same opinion.
“The very first time Sasha and I locked up in the ring, Sara Del Ray was like, 'Wow, that's chemistry.’ I'll remember that forever.”
#2 Big Cass regularly talks to WWE
Big Cass was released from his WWE contract in June 2018 following the conclusion of his rivalry with Daniel Bryan.
The 7-footer revealed to Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin in July 2019 that he had problems with alcohol and mental health during his time with WWE, and he now believes that he would be able to manage situations better if he returned to the company.
It was recently reported that WWE had approached Cass (aka CazXL) and Enzo Amore (aka nZo) about a return, but NXT boss Triple H insisted he had “zero interest” in the tag team.
Now, in the latest update on Cass’ possible next move, he has told Wrestling Inc. that he is in regular touch with WWE and he is open to doing business with them again.
"Yes, [WWE and I] have been in contact. I talk to them. Who know what will happen? I could get a call tomorrow, so I've been in contact with them and we chat on a regular basis. But nothing is concrete yet, so we'll see what happens."
He went on to clarify that the false report about him rejoining WWE with Amore was not leaked by him or his tag partner.
#1 Alexa Bliss’ future outside of a WWE ring
Alexa Bliss suffered two concussions in 2018 and questioned whether she would be able to return to WWE as an in-ring competitor. As it turned out, the Women’s Tag Team Champion was medically cleared in January 2019 and made her comeback as a participant in the Royal Rumble.
During her time away from the ring, WWE continued to use Bliss in an on-screen role by making her an unofficial General Manager who worked alongside another Superstar who transitioned into an authority figure, Baron Corbin. At the same time, she also began to host talk show 'A Moment of Bliss'.
Speaking in an interview with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Bliss revealed that she would have been happy to become a permanent General Manager if she was told she could not compete again.
“WWE’s been incredible in helping me with all my injuries and everything. They sought out the best medical team for me and they were incredible by giving me 'A Moment of Bliss'. So maybe more of that route [if she could not wrestle]. Maybe General Manager. I like to boss people around so I think it would have been okay.”
After becoming a frequent in-ring competitor again after WrestleMania 35, Bliss was involved in a SmackDown Women’s Championship storyline with Bayley before joining forces with Nikki Cross to defeat The IIconics for the Women’s Tag Team titles.
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