5 Takeaways from WWE Backstage (February 4th, 2020)

It seems as if the last two competitors in each Royal Rumble match might be the special guests for February on WWE Backstage. After runner up Roman Reigns joined the show last week, the man who won this year's bout, Drew McIntyre, joined the show this week as the guest. It was also revealed that the Queen, Charlotte Flair, would be in studio next week for the show.

The panelists picked McIntyre's brain regarding his journey of getting fired to then working the independent scene before then being rehired in WWE. The WrestleMania 33 match between Reigns and The Undertaker was also revisited as Reigns and the panelists reflected on the match.

Promo school was a bit different this week as only a guest, Greg Miller of Kinda Funny on YouTube, cut an in-studio promo on an absent Xavier Woods. Both are heavily involved in the gaming world so it made sense to have Miller target Woods.

Many other recent happenings were discussed like Flair's victory in the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton's "promo" from the latest RAW and the return of Ruby Riott. Otis and Mandy going on a date was also briefly addressed.

Here are five takeaways from the February 4th, 2020 edition of WWE Backstage.

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#5 Opening thoughts

Is the Beast among the Top 5 of all time?

Late last week, John Cena claimed that Brock Lesnar was the "greatest in-ring performer of all time." The panelists agreed that Cena "knows a thing or two about what goes on in the WWE."

Christian felt that The Beast is "probably top five in my opinion to step into the ring and do this." Ember Moon rejoined the show and agreed, saying that "Brock Lesnar is the best. He's an attraction and people pay money to see him whether they say it or not."

Booker T added that Lesnar is a "guy that's no nonsense" and that he "makes it real. He makes you feel something that no other guy in the locker room makes you feel." Christian added that the Beast "gives you the feeling that things could go off of the rails very quickly" and that "when you share space with Brock Lesnar, he elevates your status."

Charlotte Flair's Rumble victory was also briefly discussed. Moon chimed in, saying that "Flair was not my fan pick to win the Rumble but I love this match up" after Rhea Ripley confronted the Queen on RAW. Moon went on, saying that "Rhea has proven her dominance. She's beaten so many women who have paved the way for this evolution."

Some were cautious of Ripley's upcoming match with Bianca Belair being overlooked. Christian claimed that because of that "it adds layers (to the eventual match)" and that "she (Belair) should be offended" by the potential 'Mania showdown taking spotlight away from her upcoming bout with the Nightmare.

#4 Drew McIntyre interview

Welcome to the main event, former Chosen One!

Saying that Drew McIntyre has had a roller coaster ride to his current spot today would be an understatement. When asked about when things finally fell into place for him, McIntyre stated that he honestly didn't know but "the pieces just went in to place the last few months."

He felt that he didn't know if he was "having fun or overthinking things," but felt that "there was something holding me back" because he wasn't being himself. He was, however, "having fun beating people up and the people were having fun with me."

McIntyre went on to say that when he was "away from the company, I really found myself. There was just something missing." He added that "I wasn't relaxing, letting go and being myself," but he was "100% Drew McIntyre right now."

He was also asked about the usual point Rumble winners make towards the WrestleMania sign. The Scottish Psychopath claimed that his "face said it all when I threw Roman over the top rope." That moment was the culmination of "the ups the downs, everything from the last 19 years" as well as that he's "waited a long time for my first world title shot" and that "any time I see a WrestleMania sign I just instinctively point."

An interesting moment in the interview happened when he revealed that "leaving the company was essential so I could apply everything I learned in WWE and be the face of other companies." One of those stops was UK promotion ICW, and in his time there he knew he made "a difference in growing a brand (ICW)" because "it was the perfect training ground to prove I could be the franchise player in WWE."

#3 Reliving The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 33 in 2017

One of the biggest matches of Roman Reigns' career was revisited.

A match from the past is often revisited on Backstage, and this week delved into the main event match at WrestleMania 33 between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns. Reigns reflected on the match, saying that "when I found out the news (that he'd be facing Undertaker), it was kind of a mixed bag of emotions."

He said that there's "nothing like seeing it (Undertaker's entrance) at WrestleMania" and that "the respect everyone has (for 'Taker) makes it a huge moment." Reigns also felt that "everybody should want to have that moment with him" because "it was an honor" for him to have it.

Reigns also pointed to the moment after he won where he raised his arms in the entrance way. He said that "the hardest part of it all is I almost look sad" because after beating the Deadman, "it felt like he was retiring and for me to walk away from that it was a lot heavier than I anticipated."

The Big Dog also revealed that the 15 minutes of booing on RAW after he thwarted 'Taker was "by far the coolest moment of my career." The booing "just shows the respect they had for Undertaker." He also added that "you don't usually want to be on the other end of those chants but I felt like I owned it for those 10-15 minutes."

#2 Rapid fire reactions

No explanation is sometimes an explanation enough for someone's actions

A "Rapid Fire" segment often allows the panellists to address many goings-on from the week that was in WWE. A big situation that was addressed was Randy Orton's actions with Edge and the "promo" explaining them.

Of the promo, Captain Charisma said that because of "the emotion of Edge making his return at the Royal Rumble, you saw the look of disdain on the faces of the crowd" after the attack. He went on to claim that "no words needed to be said" from Orton because "sometimes with your body emotions and facials" it is enough to get across a message.

Ruby Riott returned on this week's RAW and Ember Moon addressed her rejoining Monday nights. Moon claimed that she wished "they would have brought Ruby back in the Rumble" because once she came out after Liv Morgan beat Lana again "not for a second did I believe that this wouldn't have turned south."

She also expressed desire for a different home, saying that she wished "she would have gone to SmackDown to flush herself out (character-wise) before ending with "this feud will be amazing." It will be amazing when this feud adds Sarah Logan and she finally gets a role on RAW instead of losing in quick matches to Flair.

The love affair of the century was also addressed. Otis asked Mandy Rose out on a date last week. After initially declining, the Golden Goddess agreed to have a meet up on the following week's show which just happens to be Valentine's Day. Booker T gave some advice to the Dozer, saying that Otis needs to "make sure you treat her right" on the date.

He went into some more detail on the potential relationship, but that's assuming the date goes well for both sides. Will it or will the most endearingly awkward love story in WWE be over before too long?

#1 Signings of Killer Kross and Timothy Thatcher

Two of the newest signings to WWE

Two big free agent pieces fell into place for the WWE. During the Satin Sheet segment with WWE Insider Ryan Satin, it was announced that both Killer Kross and Timothy Thatcher had signed deals with the company. Specifics, like when they'd debut or on which brand they would be, were not given during the announcement.

Widely regarded as the top free agent after getting released in December of 2019, Killer Kross is a huge get for WWE. He had been taking independent bookings since his release, including an appearance against former MLW Champion Tom Lawlor at MLW's Fightland event.

Impact Wrestling had stopped using the talented big man after his feud with Eddie Edwards ended over the summer of 2019. Kross' girlfriend, Scarlett Bourdeaux, is currently a member of the NXT brand.

Thatcher is a grappling expert and has competed for many promotions worldwide. His time has included stints in Evolve, wXw, MLW and other independent companies throughout the US and the rest of the world. He was a part of WWE UK Champion Walter's Ringkampf stable along with Marcel Barthel during one stop.

Depending on the amount that each man signed for, they may likely be heading in completely different directions. Thatcher would make sense on either NXT brand while Kross could start in NXT or head straight to either RAW or SmackDown. He's a ready-made character that's more than perfect for either show.