WWE Backstage: 5 Takeaways from this week's episode (March 3rd, 2020)

The first March edition of WWE Backstage addressed a variety of topics. One included the controversial Universal Championship change at Super Showdown while another piece involved the panelists' thoughts on the Elimination Chamber structure itself.

Mark Henry rejoined the panel again this week while the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy, was the show's special guest of the week. The newest WWE Hall of Fame inductee was also named as JBL will join the nWo, Batista and the Bella Twins in the 2020 class.

Hardy gave some updates regarding both his health and his future plans as well as what he was doing in the near year off from the WWE. Also discussed were the situations like the confrontation between AJ Styles and The Undertaker and also the segment between Beth Phoenix and Randy Orton. Here are five takeaways from WWE Backstage (March 3rd, 2020).

#5 Take your pick

One of the biggest things to happen in the WWE over the last week had to be Goldberg taking the Universal Championship from The Fiend at Super Showdown. Booker T claimed that "the internet was abuzz" and that "he (Goldberg) was the perfect person to take the belt off Bray Wyatt." Looking back to how the new Champ was booed on SmackDown in Boston, perhaps it was indeed the right decision. They didn't want that for Reigns.

The Undertaker and AJ Styles crossed paths for the first time in the WWE at Super Shodown. Paige claimed that "it was a rookie mistake to turn his back on the Undertaker." Booker added that when you're in there with the Phenom "you almost become a fan." He does think that AJ "gets a chance to regroup and this is going to be the biggest moment of AJ Styles' career."

RAW's biggest takeaway involved the ongoing saga between Edge and Randy Orton. Edge's wife, Beth Phoenix, confronted The Viper and received an RKO for her efforts. Paige claimed that she hasn't been "that emotionally invested in someone's promo in such a long time" because "the wonderful thing about it is that I relate to both stories." She added that the "the storytelling was great, the whole thing was just beautifully done." Renee Young felt that "you don't get to see this side of Orton very much and it just adds layers." Mark Henry felt that "this (Edge vs. Randy Orton) should be the main event" of WrestleMania 36.

#4 Jeff Hardy is back and ready for action

The Charismatic Enigma joined Backstage and confirmed that he was medically cleared and ready to get back into the swing of things. He claimed that he'd "been at SmackDown the last two weeks" and has "been waiting for the right Creative spot." Hardy revealed that he has "tons of ideas" in his mind and that he'll "be different. I will be the 2020 version of Jeff Hardy." He also claimed that he just wants "to get that first moment (coming back) over with and feel the anticipation" and that he's "ready to hear the reaction from the crowd."

While he was away nursing his own injury, Hardy revealed that he was able to help his dad out because he was also ailing at the time. He also said that he went to rehab, claiming "it (going to rehab) was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself with in-patient rehab."

Even though he's been wrestling for more than 20 years, Hardy claimed that "there's something left for me to do in the WWE." A big part of Hardy's presentation is his face paint. He remembered his childhood, stating that "I remember seeing Sting as a kid and seeing how he had different face paint at every stop." Since Hardy himself is an artist, the face painting is therapeutic. In therapy, Hardy revealed that "one day at a time is something I've learned in recovery" and also "don't worry about what you can't change."

Renee Young asked Jeff about the future of his brother, Matt, since he had moved on from WWE. Jeff claimed that he didn't "know what his plans are" but "even if we are in different wrestling worlds, it's still cool that we can go our separate ways and still be Hardyz." The Charismatic Enigma also claimed that "there's a huge moment there for me and Roman Reigns" when asked about someone he'd like to tangle with.

#3 Welcome to the Hall of Fame, JBL

Former WWE Superstar, JBL was revealed to be the newest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. He joined the show and claimed that "it's always been my dream" to make it to the HOF and that the "the reality (of his career) has far exceeded the dream."

He was quick to praise several of his contemporaries, saying that the "biggest break of my career was meeting Ron Simmons." The duo went on to success as a tag team and when JBL went solo, he met another foe who helped him out in Eddie Guerrero. JBL claimed that his "character was not working" but all of "the heat" he had from crowds was because of Eddie Guerrero. "If it wasn't for Eddie, I wouldn't be going into the HOF," he added.

Since he was such a great villain during his era, he was asked about possibly wanting to do things differently. He bluntly answered "no because you want them (the fans) to believe that you're that villain" and that he wasn't interested in anyone cheering him. JBL claimed that "if you have a heel section cheering for you, you're failing as a heel." He added that "the art of being a heel is being something unredeemable."

John Cena appeared in a pre-taped video and claimed that "without you (JBL) there is no me (Cena)" since the former franchise won his first World title from the rich heel. JBL revealed a story about when Vader was on his way out of WWE and wanted to give him the rub. Since Vader had done the same back during the earlier stages of his career, Layfield wanted to do the same for someone, and it turned out to be the 16-time Champ. "When it was my turn, I was so fortunate to do it for someone like John," he claimed.

#2 Not a lot of love for the Elimination Chamber structure

With the Elimination Chamber taking place nearly a week after Super Showdown, the panelists recounted their participation in those matches. Booker T claimed that coming from WCW he "wasn't used to anything like steel cages and I find myself in the first one." He also revealed that he's claustrophobic, saying that "I don't like being in a pod. To be in a structure like that, I didn't like it."

Mark Henry claimed that he's "still feeling the effects" because "that structure is unforgiving." He also added that "every guy that I've talked to afterwards said that 'I don't want to do it no more'' regarding competing in another Chamber match.

JBL and Jeff Hardy rejoined the panel to give their takes on the match. JBL said that he "was in that pod and I didn't want it to open" and that the "structure is meant for someone like Jeff." The daredevil himself added that he had an interesting idea for a spot.

He wanted to "crawl up to the circle (in the top middle of the cage) and do a splash" but it didn't work out that way. Will someone in one of the two Chamber matches do something memorable other than winning this Sunday?

#1 It's the Kevin Owens' Show

Kevin Owens made an instant name for himself by stepping up to John Ce

Back in May of 2015 when Elimination Chamber used to take place after WrestleMania, a particular NXT Champion named Kevin Owens made his WWE PPV debut against John Cena. Owens remembered that "one of the things that was so striking was that it was so sudden" because he "had just started in NXT and then going toe to toe with John Cena on RAW was pretty surreal."

The moment was special to Owens for many reasons including that he "was ready to hear his (Cena's) music and hear the crowd reaction to him (Cena) and show everyone why I should have been here before I was." While some of the WWE Universe follows NXT, some do not. Owens revealed that "a lot of the audience didn't really know me at the time but every time I did something that someone who looks like me doesn't normally do, they got on board."

Owens also recounted the fan reactions, claiming that after he defeated Cena "the faces of the fans around the ring, everyone was shocked but I wasn't." The win was also huge because "that night, I beat the franchise of WWE. That's huge. That's the kind of statement you want to make when you debut."

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.

Edited by Alan John