WWE Backstage is Phenomenal!
WWE Backstage gets Phenomenal as AJ Styles joins the panel! What will he have to say about his increasingly intense feud with The Undertaker?
Renee Young arrives to Fox Studios.
But she parks in a no parking zone and almost runs over a stage hand! Wait, she can, because she is running late after her flight got cancelled and the drive was 16 hours. Please park that for her, though. And then she enters through the “PLEASE KEEP DOOR SHUT” door for loading and unloading only. Hopefully no big wigs see this…
Renee makes her own entrance onto WWE Backstage!
Just in time! Booker helps Renee in as she explains why she was running late. She hugs Booker and welcomes back Ember Moon and Xavier Woods to the show! Ember’s rocking a sunset gradient for her hair and Woods has a very golden jacket. But with not even a month left until WrestleMania, Backstage gives us…
Just the Highlights!
For Elimination Chamber: Obviously the Chamber matches themselves are highlight reels! The Golden Lynx learned how to fly (or at least fall with style) while Otis crashes through a pod and OUT of the Chamber! But in the end, STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Miz & John Morrison! AJ Styles was shocked to see Undertaker show up again, and after a Choke Slam and a Black Mass, the Phenomenal One would Fade to Black. Kevin Owens showed up more as a fan than a competitor, and Seth Rollins’ rage kept him and Murphy from winning. STILL your Raw Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits!
And last but certainly not least, the Queen of Spades tore through everyone in the Women’s Chamber match. Natalya, Sarah Logan, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and even Asuka would pass out, leaving Shayna Baszler standing tall towards WrestleMania!
For Raw: The Phenomenal One was furious! And he called out Taker in the biggest way possible: using his shoot name, “Mark Calaway!” Styles wants to make the “broken down old man” rest in peace! And the Rated R Superstar returned again! MVP talked too much trash and got a SPEAR for it! The Viper tried to strike but Edge would steal the RKO! And then give MVP not one but two Conchairtos! Is Edge saving the third chair shot for Orton?
The panel discusses the WWE’s past few days.
First and foremost, the dominant performance by Shayna Baszler in the Elimination Chamber and how she is now poised to take on The Man. Booker knows Shayna is highly touted from NXT, but there’s still quite a gap between being big in Full Sail and shining in the spotlight. Shayna ran the gauntlet and took the spotlight. Booker has been in such positions, and he is giving Shayna a benefit of the doubt. There is a lot left unknown, but after we get Becky VS Baszler 1v1, it will be the people that determine what works.
Renee feels this isn’t a question of Shayna’s star power, it’s just the timing. To be catapulted to the spot, how does this affect Shayna? Woods says that Shayna was so dominant for the first time in that Chamber, and hasn’t been part of Raw for very long, that she better be ready to be thrust into this position. Ember knows Shayna from NXT, and there is something different in Shayna compared to everyone else. Shayna is trying to take that dominant position and leave no doubts. Shayna dominating the Chamber wasn’t that different from how she dominated NXT. It’s not asking if Shayna is ready but if Becky is ready. Shayna’s already very accomplished, especially in MMA and catch wrestling, and people might be underestimating her.
Renee then poses it like this: Shayna is not a kid, not a rookie, not a stranger to this position. If she wasn’t as exposed to things as she is, maybe that changes things. Ember agrees, and Booker says it’s even more than that. Booker says the WWE is looking for a female star to strap a rocket to. Shayna deserves this shot. It will be hard to hold onto the spotlight, so there’s still that question mark. Renee adds that Shayna may not have Ronda Rousey star power, but just looking at her, is her legitimacy just a layer of “coolness” added on?
Ember notes that people forget that Shayna was wrestling on the indies before WWE and NXT. That experience is a very important detail. Shayna has had to figure out how to make it in wrestling, she has those tools now, and she knows what she wants. Becky is in serious trouble because of how unique Shayna is with her catch wrestling style. But Shayna isn’t even trying to be more than what she is, and that is “an extreme badass.” Booker still wants to know if that translates to “behinds in seats.” Ember feels it will. Fantasy booking right now, Ember predicts Shayna winning and putting Raw on notice! Ember may have lost her mind but it’s the truth! Will this Prophecy of Flame pan out?
Shifting gears, Renee brings up Styles tearing into Taker with his promo! No more “mythical monster,” just a “broken down old man.” Style was shooting hard on Taker and real-life wife Michelle McCool! Styles vows to run Taker into the ground! What does everyone think about those harsh words?
Ember says Styles can do no wrong. Woods is hurting because Styles is attacking the nostalgia! Those words cut deep into Woods’ soul! Taker is “the last one we have left!” The last sacred thing in wrestling! Ember says we need new sacred things, and that starts with Styles. Ember is a huge fan of both men, and this is a money-making dream match! It doesn’t matter what is said, Ember wants to be front row to shout at them both, “Hit him!”
Renee asks if “humanizing the Undertaker” might be a step too far. Booker says that Styles taking his moment is what this business is about. Styles took a long time to get to the WWE, and then he dominated! Now, to step to the Undertaker is a stamp on Styles’ legacy. To go and mock Taker was something you’re supposed to do! But we still have three weeks until Mania! Woods says there is going to be three more weeks of this, and Styles surely understands Taker isn’t around much. Everyone in the locker room wants this moment, and Styles found his way to get Taker to come to him. Booker says that’s because Styles is talented. Booker even feels Styles is the most talented guy in the WWE today! And he’s not just saying that because Styles is Backstage.
Renee agrees that everyone wants after Taker, but everyone also wants after Styles. This is a dream match, for sure. Ember speaks to idolizing Styles and you can see it in her moveset. Thanks, AJ! What about Booker? Oh yeah, she uses his moves, too, but makes them better. OH~! But at the same time, Styles has been around a long time. If you don’t think he has something up his sleeve for Taker, especially with the attacks Taker’s been doing, think again. Styles will join Backstage later on, what will he say about all this talk?
But now, to the even more intense story on Raw: Edge and Orton! The Rated R Superstar’s newest return was thirsty for revenge! Poor MVP. MVP just wants to get his money, get a stable together, but he did mess up talking bad about Beth Phoenix. You can’t put stank on words like “wife” and get away with it. Renee is also very curious about the MVP faction. Ember thinks it was a ploy to get back that inflatable entrance tunnel. We all know MVP had to give that up because of bankruptcy. Booker says that MVP was the perfect person for the job. But MVP does have a lot of knowledge, and what he did in that segment might be small, but it works so well in the big picture. The locker room needs to understand that.
Renee moves to specifically Edge and Orton. Did this get everyone even more pumped for the inevitable Mania match? Ember says yes. She wishes this segment opened Raw, because Ember was waiting to see what Edge was going to do. She also wishes they didn’t just give away his return. Yes, ratings, but MVP starting off with his open call, and then Edge just shows up, gets out, calls out Orton, and we get the same things as we did last night. Ember loves the angle and they can do no wrong, but still. Booker adds that Edge is like John Wayne. Hopefully you younger folk know who he means. Of course Woods and Ember know about John Wayne! Booker is old, but they’re not that young.
But Booker’s point is that Edge should be limping into Mania, like it’s the 13th hour. Everyone wonders if Edge can even show up, and he does and performs. Edge is a high commodity, he has star power, he needs no build up. The music alone makes you go nuts. If Mania had it where no one knew if he’d show, and then he does, “Oh mah GAWD.” Imagine the roar! Road Warriors ’86 levels!
AJ Styles speaks.
“You mother lovers are in for a treat!” Because when WWE Backstage returns, he’s going to make it Phenomenal! He’s more than ready to talk about his Road to Mania, and a showdown with Taker. So stay tuned. Especially you, Michelle McCool.
