WWE Backstage (April 28th, 2020) - 5 Takeaways from this week's episode

Renee Young was joined by Mark Henry, Booker T, and Christian this week to discuss the week that was in WWE. Shawn Michaels appeared as the show's special guest and he named three NXT stars to watch in the near future. Each panelist gave their top five picks if they were building a new promotion. Each person chose current WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, but the rest of the picks varied greatly.

Jinder Mahal rejoined RAW this week with a win over Akira Tozawa while The Forgotten Sons made their impact in the SmackDown tag team division. Dennis Rodman called out current 24/7 Champion Rob Gronkowski in a match-up that Christian said would be "the blind leading the blind".

With Gronk now back in the NFL, where does that leave the title he holds? Which stars had memorable weeks on RAW and SmackDown? Here are five takeaways from WWE Backstage for April 28th, 2020.

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#5 The Champion we need?

Things heated up between champ and challenger on RAW this week

Drew McIntyre might be the WWE Champion, but Seth Rollins has claimed that he is the man we need to be WWE Champion during the contract signing for Money in the Bank. Booker T has claimed that Drew is "stepping into his own, even performing without a crowd" because "he's bringing the realism effect."

Mark Henry added that "Seth Rollins is really believing everything that he's saying," and that "Drew McIntyre came across exactly how I hoped he would have." Captain Charisma liked that "he (McIntyre) kept his cool. He was composed and I like that he got right to business. From Seth's point of view, I think he's playing off of real feelings."

Christian also likes that Rollins "thinks the reactions weren't matching the performances he was giving" and that "we (the fans) don't realize we need a leader but he's (Rollins) going to tell us why they do."

Booker thought that Rollins "got put in that position and you're either going to deliver or falter" and that "he's channeling something that is beautiful." Henry praised the Monday Night Messiah, saying that "his work-rate is something we haven't seen since Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock" and that "he's delusional but he's a guy you want to see in a title match."

#4 25 years or more of HBK

The celebration was certainly entertaining in various ways.

The celebration for Triple H on SmackDown was an interesting segment. Michaels was asked about it, claiming that "it started out as a comedy segment" and that "the whole social distancing joke from the beginning was from my daughter." He also felt that "every time you think you've seen everything that this job has to offer, you realize that you haven't."

The Heartbreak Kid also revealed that "all of this is always a fun process and believe it or not, there's always a real life aspect between us whenever we (he and Triple H) are out there." While he didn't get his own celebration after two decades, he said that he likes "flying under the radar a lot more."

With Edge returning to action after a nine-year hiatus due to injury, Mr. WrestleMania was asked about the similarities between each man's return. Michaels suffered a serious back injury in the late 1990s. Regarding Edge's comeback, he said: "That's a huge decision. I wanted to hear his reasoning and how he felt and I was surprised at how similar it was."

HBK added: "Through time and a lot of different things, you understand that our job is different than anything else. Whenever there's that question mark from the doctors, they say you can't do it because they haven't seen it."

Michaels further opined that Edge having overcome the injury led to an opening: "There seemed to be enough of an opening there and he thought it was something that he could do safely and I'm glad he was able to do it on his own terms."

#3 Michaels lets us know who to watch out for

The Heartbreak Kid

The former multi-time champion has been a trainer/coach at NXT for the last few years. Instead of constantly being front in center, Shawn Michaels revealed that "he's wanted to stay behind the scenes" because "it's even more enjoyable watching these other young upstarts have their moments out there." He also feels that it's "so much more fulfilling than I thought it would be" and that "it's never tough to go to work" while working with NXT.

Renee Young asked him about which stars are currently ones to watch, and Michaels named three men - Karrion Kross, Tim Thatcher, and Dexter Lumis. He claimed that there are "a number of guys that are coming up that will make their mark."

HBK also shared an interesting story about the current WWE Champion and how he asked to come and train with Michaels in NXT. HBK said "That's the reason why I love this job so much. He didn't have to come and he did that four-hour round trip, was always willing, had a desire to learn, and was willing to improve."

Michaels also felt that McIntyre is naturally talented. He added, "He was so appreciative, so respectful. He almost had to go back down to the bottom before to get to the top."

#2 Forgotten Sons and returning Maharajas

Mahal is back!

Jinder Mahal made his triumphant return to action on the latest episode of RAW, defeating Akira Tozawa. Henry opined on the same stating, "I was so excited not just because he returned, but he returned looking like Adonis. I always thought his one weakness was his legs but not anymore."

Booker T felt that he "would have liked a much better build up for him making his return." Christian added that "maybe it (his return) was meant to be a surprise" but that he "did feel that he (Mahal) needed to find another gear to stay like he was when he was the Champion."

Since McIntyre did it recently, Captain Charisma said that "there's no reason why he (Mahal) can't follow Drew's blueprint." Booker T added that they should "give the Maharaja about ten weeks of Tozawas." The 5-time WCW Champ also felt that he didn't "think we need to rush Jinder Mahal into anything right now."

The Forgotten Sons joined Friday nights following WrestleMania 36. Christian added: "They had a chip on their shoulder, but I like their message. The fact that they served their country but haven't been respected for it, use those talents that they have to serve them instead of serving other people."

He further states: "There is a different feel, a different style on each show. I feel like it's the same thing as Elias here for the Forgotten Sons. I think they'll fit better on SmackDown." Booker T chimed in, saying that "they're in a sink or swim position. Are they gonna make it on the main roster? It's yet to be seen." Mark Henry revealed that he "spent a lot of time with them and both have gone through the training they went through in the Funkin Dojo (Dory Funk's school)."

#1 The Draft, WWE Backstage style

The Scottish Psychopath made each list.

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books. Renee Young asked each panelist which five stars they would choose if they had to build a promotion from the ground up. Booker T went first, picking the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler suggesting, "I need my women's division to be strong and as real as it can possibly be."

He also chose Rhea Ripley, saying that he looks at her as a diamond and "she just needs a little polish on her" before she's a bonafide star. His third choice was WWE Champion Drew McIntyre because "he's a guy that I need because he is a bonafide heavyweight."

His last two choices were Roman Reigns because "there is not a better leader" and another former WWE Champion in AJ Styles. He wants Styles because "you need a guy that's going to bring the noise every PPV and give you five-stars every match."

Christian chose his best friend, Edge, first because he felt, "all you have to look at is the Championship pedigree. He elevates talent." He also chose Ripley because "she's this good lately and hasn't even hit her potential." His last three choices were Aleister Black because "he's unflappable and has ice in his veins", McIntyre because "he's the heir apparent", and Bray Wyatt because "the guy's a generational talent".

Mark Henry was last, first picking Kevin Owens, adding that "KO can do it all. Good, bad, or indifferent, he gets the job done. He elevates the talent." Henry also picked Randy Orton as "he's in his prime but he still has room to grow" and because "he can lead the rest of the roster." Like the other two before him, he chose McIntyre who "went away as a kid and came back as a grown man and beat The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar."

His lone female pick was Charlotte Flair because "she's the one that everybody can battle to see who is second or until someone grows into the position to dethrone her." The final pick was Lesnar. Henry claimed that: "Brock is going to come back angry. I don't think he's coming for the title. I think he's coming for Drew." Renee topped things off by saying "no Seth or Becky Lynch? Very surprising."