WWE Backstage (May 5th, 2020) - 6 Takeaways from this week's episode

Among the discussions this week were Money in the Bank and the shows leading up to it. Renee Young was joined by panelists Booker T, Paige, and Christian. Both Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black joined as special guests participating in the men's ladder match. Mysterio also looked back at the history of Latin stars in wrestling since it was Cinco de Mayo.

Young talked MITB strategy with a few of the participants in both MITB matches as Carmella, King Corbin, and Otis all gave brief thoughts on the upcoming match at the WWE HQ. Corbin claimed that at the WWE HQ "there are a lot of expensive things I can break over people's heads."

The hacker from SmackDown briefly took over the Backstage telecast unbeknownst to the panelists. Each contributor offered up their top star of all time as well as their picks to win each of the ladder matches. It was also revealed that CM Punk will join next week's show. Here are six takeaways from this week's episode (May 5th, 2020).

#6 Who's your top performer of all time?

Several professional athletes recently listed their top five wrestlers of all time on social media. Stars like quarterback Robert Griffin III, Chiefs' wide receiver Mecole Hardman and Raiders' quarterback Derek Carr all got in on the fun. Carr didn't have Bray Wyatt on his list and the former Universal Champ took exception to the omission. The two made up but Renee Young asked each of the panelists for their top star of all time.

Booker T chose Macho Man Randy Savage saying that "watching WrestleMania 3 made me want to get into the business." It was at that PPV where Savage and Ricky Steamboat had their historic clash over the Intercontinental Championship. Booker claimed that "Macho Man - he was a showman. He was flamboyant and he'd go out there and dive off the top rope before anyone was doing it. He was the precision tactician."

Paige chose Stone Cold Steve Austin, saying that she felt like "everyone will agree with me on this one. He was just on another level and will always be cool." Christian agreed with the Anti-Diva because "he was successful in the ring before Stone Cold but we all know he took that up a notch. He single-handedly raised the WWE to heights it never went to before." Young chose Bret Hart because he was "an incredible storyteller and an incredible tactician."

#5 A different side of the Dutch Destroyer

The former NXT Champion was the first special guest of the night and he revealed a lot about his ascent to the WWE. He qualified for the MITB match and was asked about it. He claimed that "it's excitement and caution because it's such a unique time and a unique moment. I don't know what to expect other than climbing the ladder. There's some mental planning going on inside my head as we're leading up to Sunday."

Christian asked Aleister Black about his mindset and what a win for him would mean. Black answered "winning it obviously will propel me to the next stage where I feel as a competitor I need to go. It gives me recognition and broadens the horizons that is me, that is Aleister Black."

Regarding the match at WWE HQ, Black felt that "the uniqueness can be an advantage as well as a disadvantage. No one knows what we're walking into." He added that "we don't know what the conditions are of the building itself. For all of us, it brings an element of surprise that can work to our advantage or against us." Black also said that he's "a very adaptable individual. If I play my cards right, I can use this to my advantage."

Black also addressed the claims from AJ Styles on RAW that he'd throw Black off of the roof. The Dutch Destroyer responded that "he's going to have to work incredibly hard to manage that. If that is your mindset, it tells me the length that you're willing to go through. It kind of gives part of your game plan away."

#4 The Dutch Destroyer, continued

Ever since he joined RAW, Black has seen a steady rise. Some of that can be attributed to executive director Paul Heyman and some other prominent stars. Black claimed that "it's so strange that people like yourself (talking to Christian), like Paul Heyman and Edge and so many others I can call on to give me advice or to give me a mindset."

The Dutch Destroyer also detailed his history, claiming that "never in a million years did I think a kid from Amsterdam would be in a position that not only would he be in MITB but he would be a fan favorite in the MITB and be led by people like Heyman, Christian, and Edge." Black continued that he has "accepted that part of myself that it is necessary for me to have these people in my life because that is what will elevate me to the next level."

His wife, Zelina Vega, has also been prominently featured on programming following WM 36. Black praised Vega, saying that he's "incredibly proud" and that he knows "that she is capable of that and so much more. She's an incredibly talented individual and she's only been able to show a glimpse of what she can do."

He also feels that "in the coming months and this year, you're only going to see an expansion on the amount of people she's going to take under her wing and guide." Due to the unique situations created by the pandemic, Black felt that "situations like this always create unique opportunities for people and some people step up to the plate and some people don't." Black ended by saying that "she is hitting this whole situation at random out of the park. She makes me match her game and she makes me want to step up my game." That's a smart husband.

#3 Latin history in wrestling

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, the show couldn't proceed without an appearance from the legend himself, Rey Mysterio. The talented star recounted the history of his people in the business as well as his own experiences. In WCW, he claimed that "it was an incredible time for us. We were branching out, getting an opportunity for the first time to be seen worldwide, and make a huge impact on wrestling worldwide."

Because of the exposure in WCW, Mysterio claims that it "gave WWE a reason to bring in Latin Superstars." The former World Champ listed his main influences, saying that his "uncle was always my biggest inspiration" and that he "also grew up watching El Hijo del Santo, Negro Casas, and Dr. Wagner." Mysterio also felt that "the time I grew up with was a beautiful time in Lucha Libre."

Mysterio also said "I didn't think I'd have this type of success in Mexico" because "I was always told I was too small and too skinny. I was just a kid that had a dream that wanted to eventually step inside a Lucha Libre ring and perform in front of a large audience. It was hard but not impossible."

With such a talented group of current WWE stars that trace their roots to Mexico, Mysterio plays a big part in their development. He claimed that "the one thing that stands out that is very important in WWE is the fact that you have to be able to speak and dominate both languages. If you only speak Spanish, you will not succeed." The main reason for this is because "Vince likes to get his characters over and the only way to do this is to communicate with fans. You can't just push English aside."

#2 Thoughts on first feuds for new WWE and Universal Champions

Money in the Bank will mark the first PPV title defenses for both Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman. On the McIntyre/Rollins feud, Christian claimed that he "likes what both guys are doing. I like the confidence that Drew has right now and the ease that he's going about doing his business."

Since it's the first PPV defense after "beating Brock Lesnar at WM, he needs to follow it up with another big win." The Monday Night Messiah, however, already "has enough equity built up in who he is as a performer and enough big wins that a loss here won't hurt him in the long run. A loss here could allow him to get darker and not to mention, he can make excuses." Booker T added that "both guys are going to get so much out of each other over the long haul" and that "both of these guys at the end of the day will win."

Regarding the Strowman/Wyatt feud, Booker revealed that "at the beginning of the feud I was of the consensus of getting it over quick" because he "didn't see either guy gaining anything from this." On the last few episodes of SmackDown, however, "we've gotten to see the human side of Braun Strowman. I think we're going to be looking at a monster that thinks and that's something that could be very, very dangerous." He added that "both of these guys can elevate each other but it's about how they play it out."

While Paige agreed with Booker T, Christian still felt that things could be different, saying that "it's been rushed a bit. I feel like it's bigger or like a SummerSlam match." One of the main reasons was because he didn't want "to see Bray Wyatt or the Fiend lose coming off a loss to Goldberg. I want to see him be as dangerous as ever. I don't think this helps either guy at this time."

Christian did "like the story he (Wyatt) told with the black sheep. Those are the things that make Bray Wyatt different from everyone else - to be able to tell these stories and hook the viewer." The main thing Captain Charisma suggested was for the feud to "get off at an exit and then get back on on the way to 'Slam" because he thinks "it could have been built more. The intrigue in this will never go away."

#1 Money in the Bank picks and the SmackDown hacker

Since MITB is this Sunday, the show couldn't go on without the panelists picking their winners for each briefcase. Booker said that AJ Styles should win because "he's a guy that came to WWE and that got the ball and started running and never gave it back. He's the guy that has the ability to climb every stair."

For the women's match, he said "the woman that has the most momentum is Shayna Baszler. I was a critic right here on the show, but she's going out there and she's willing to do whatever it takes to be the best."

Christian felt that "this is not a traditional match so it changes my thinking. If Baron Corbin won it again, how mad would people be? He would get nuclear heat." Instead, however, Christian claimed that "this match is going to be a fight and who wants to pick a fight with Aleister Black?" Regarding the women's match, Christian said that "the odds on favorites are Baszler or Jax and both women don't need it. I think Asuka should win it. I would love to see her get another chance."

Paige looked at things differently, claiming that "purely for shock factor, Otis. He got the girl and now he can get the briefcase. For the females, I would say for shock factor - Dana Brooke. She's elevated herself in the ring and it's a nice surprise to see her in it."

The hacker on Friday nights has also provided intrigue. Christian said that "it's different and I like the surprise element. I hope it's somebody new and fresh. It's a great vehicle for someone to make their way onto the show." Paige added that she's "excited about it because we don't have a crowd now." Renee thought it could be CM Punk while Booker thought that "truth" was the important word.

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Edited by Kaushik Das