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WWE Backstage did things a little differently this week as the show didn't start with its usual panel of guests. Instead, Renee Young was joined only by Booker T and Seth Rollins. The trio discussed several goings-on in Rollins' life, including becoming a dad, adding a new member to his group as well as touching upon the impact that FCW had on his WWE journey.
Double J, Jeff Jarrett, also joined the show for a few segments to discuss various topics. One was the ongoing Intercontinental Championship tournament while another was to relive the first of Booker T's five WCW World Championship wins. The first came at Bash at the Beach in 2000 and the two men fought each other for the title at the event.
Apollo Crews' win over Andrade was also addressed as was the recent passing of former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard. Renee spoke with Kofi Kingston briefly about the impact that Gaspard had on not only Kingston but many others. It was also revealed that the show would return to its 11 P.M. time slot next week with CM Punk in tow. Here are five takeaways for WWE Backstage for May 26th, 2020.
#5 Rollins and memories of FCW
It has been available on the WWE Network but before this week's show, the history of FCW aired on FS1. Rollins was a part of the transition of FCW to WWE NXT and he spoke about the role it played in his development as a Superstar.
Rollins claimed "that place was extremely influential in making me into the performer I am today" and that it was "the first experience with the hierarchy of how the business works sometimes."
The former multi-time Champion went on to reiterate that "there was respect but it was just a different animal" regarding new recruits mixed with those who were transitioning. He also added that "what you see at the Performance Center was not the developmental system I showed up with. I think what I learned there was how to play the game behind the scenes more so than in the ring." Between the ropes was easy because he had his "stuff together when it came to wrestling - it was learning how to play that game backstage. It wasn't just about you do in the ring."
#4 Monday Night Messiah musings
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins got to speak out of character for the first time in a while after it was revealed to the world that he and former WWE RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch were expecting a child. When asked about the biggest realization for being a dad, Rollins responded that it's "the idea that I'm responsible for the livelihood of another human at some point." The main reason was because "in this business, you have to put yourself first, so now knowing that there's going to be someone else that's No. 1 on the list" was going to be a big change.
The WWE RAW Superstar also added that it's changed him because "once my son or daughter is born, it'll give me a different perspective of what I do in the ring. I don't know if this is going to work for me in five years if I want to play with my kid in the backyard or coach sports. This is something that I might need to think about in a few years."
The Monday Night Messiah character has helped to rejuvenate Rollins' WWE career. He claimed that "for whatever reason, I've been so in tune with this character and I'm clicking on all cylinders. When you feel it, everything just comes to you simply. Once I hit that stride it's like a runner's high."
Rollins also was able to cut a promo with a limited crowd in attendance for the first time in months. He claimed that he's "gotten into a groove doing the promos with no one in the crowd" and that "the other night it was cool because I go out on my entrance and I got boos. This feels like wrestling again. It was cool to get some of that energy back."
His role as the leader of a group is also a change of pace for Rollins as he claimed that he's "been fortunate enough to play roles in some cool groups" but now he has "the role as the clear leader and the mentor to the younger talent."
With the change in dynamic, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion said he's "taken all of that experience that I've been able to amass and is bestowing it upon these two young cats." When asked about his group growing even larger he revealed that "I've always got my eyes on somebody. There is somebody who is out there that is very close to me that I think would be a great addition."
Which WWE Superstar could be joining Seth Rollins in the coming weeks on WWE RAW? Let us know in the comments below.
#3 A new US Champion and closer to a new IC Champ
Apollo Crews finally saw a payoff from his injury angle before WWE Money in the Bank. After qualifying for the match, he had to be taken out due to injury. He returned a few weeks later and defeated Andrade to become the new US Champion on the latest episode of WWE RAW. Former WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer Mark Henry said that "it's time for him to enjoy the moment and have a good time but now you have to be the Champion. It's harder to stay the Champion than get there."
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T claimed that he's "stood next to him (Crews) and he's not a small guy. I haven't seen too many guys that can pull that off with the greatest of ease." Booker did say that he thinks "he needs an edge" and that he's "hoping that's what is going to bring out the real Apollo." Jeff Jarrett commented that he needs to "string together a couple of moments" and that "he needs to have some high-profile matches. He has the tools. He's very likable and it translates through the camera."
The panelists were asked again about who should win the IC title tourney. Mark Henry said that they all want it but "Jeff Hardy wants it too. He was on a roll but through his trials and tribulations, this story of redemption, I feel he needs it. For him in this singles run I think he wants and needs to keep his momentum going."
Booker T said that he's "thinking about the wrestler first and foremost. I have to think about consistency first. Of course, every man wants to be redeemed. I'm saying the guy who has all the consistency since he's been in WWE is AJ Styles." Jarrett ended things by saying that "how many times does the best wrestler win? I don' think it's a shoo-in for Daniel Bryan" to win the title.
#2 Jeff Jarrett and Booker T relive WCW Bash at the Beach 2000
Since WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett was a part of this week's episode, he, Booker T, and WWE Backstage host Renee Young looked back at the match they had at Bash at the Beach 2000. The title win marked the first of Booker T's five WCW World Championship triumphs.
Former WWE and WCW Superstar Booker claimed that "if not for Vince Russo, I didn't think I'd ever win the WCW Championship." The event was infamous as Hollywood Hogan won the title after Jarrett laid down for a pin. Things were switched up greatly when Russo announced that Booker T and Jarrett would square off for the title later in the night.
After he defeated Jarrett, Booker claimed that "when I watched those people react it was a real moment for me. It was literally a moment and a dream come true that I never had. None of that would have been possible without a Jeff Jarrett."
Being in WWE at the time, Mark Henry claimed that he "always cheered for Booker T" and that he "was happy that he got that opportunity." The event took place during the tail end of the Monday Night Wars, but Henry revealed that "there was no beef between the boys. We wanted to see good matches." He did say that "it was tense during the wars. According to what's going on on WCW, there were three or four scenarios (for each match). We won the war but we lost a lot of battles."
Jarrett was in WCW at the end and claimed that "it was a complete mess. At that time, WWE had pulled considerably ahead." He also revealed that he "knew it wasn't going to be good on any level knowing that this could go any which way at any time. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to go out there and do the right thing."
#1 Kofi Kingston remembers Shad Gaspard
Renee Young took some time to pay tribute to the recently departed Shad Gaspard. Gaspard passed away earlier this month when trying to save his son while swimming. Kingston recalled his first time in a WWE ring, saying that "there's a point in time where the extras get to get into the ring and show what they have. Shad said he was going to work with me."
Kingston claimed that he was "so flabbergasted that someone would do that from me" because "he (Gaspard) went out of his way to put me over. That's the kind of person that Shad always was."
Several current and former WWE stars attended the memorial for Gaspard in California, including the members of the New Day. The former WWE Champion claimed that he "was amazed by the people from all different walks of life that were there." What wasn't surprising was the number of people because the former member of Cryme Tyme was "a gentle giant who just loved being in the presence of others."
Kingston also said that "with the glass-half-full mentality, it highlights how to live your life with enthusiasm and passion so that when you get called to a different place, you leave an impact."
