WWE Backstage (April 14th, 2020): 5 Takeaways from this week's episode

CM Punk rejoined the panel alongside Renee Young, Booker T and Christian on this week's episode of WWE Backstage. Christian's best friend, Edge, participated remotely as the special guest of the week. With WrestleMania 36 in the rear-view, sights have now turned to the next PPV, Money in the Bank. Qualifying matches started on this week's RAW with Asuka, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler all picking up spots in their ladder match.

The new feuds for both Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman were also discussed as were the controversial comments made over the last week by Ronda Rousey. Becky Lynch had another therapy session with Rachel Bonnetta and ended it by ripping the head of a Rousey action figure.

Edge's return to the ring was also a big topic of the episode as his process to return was analyzed. He also revealed that his WWE 24 documentary wasn't supposed to be about an in-ring return but that's what ended up happening. Here are five takeaways from WWE Backstage for April 14th, 2020.

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#5 Cinematic matches and Money in the Bank

The Boneyard match might lead to more pre-taped matches.

The panel has already tackled matches like the Firefly Funhouse and Boneyard matches last week but revisited those bouts with Punk returning to the show. The former star felt that with those types of matches "it's good and it's bad" but that the Boneyard match was his favorite.

He liked it because "The Undertaker has the currency with the fans where he can do some hokey stuff and if you do that with the guys who don't have that currency with the fans, it exposes them." Punk also felt that with those matches "don't beat it (constantly utilizing cinematic matches) into the ground."

With MITB next on the schedule, Punk and Captain Charisma chimed in with their memories from when they were a part of the ladder match. Punk revealed that "there's always somebody that is like the general in these matches" and that "Christian was in most of them to direct traffic." The Voice of the Voiceless also claimed that his "first WrestleManias were three consecutive MITB matches" and that he "did a lot of stupid stuff because I was young and hungry and ready to put my body on the line."

Christian jokingly said that "the only reason I was in these matches was to put them together." An experienced competitor was essential in those matches as "you have to be aware of not only what your'e doing but what everyone else is doing." As should be the case, Christian reiterated that "these types of matches change the trajectory of a career for that individual that gets the contract."

#4 On this day...

Edge's return at the Royal Rumble was one of the best and most emotional moments in WWE history. You could see it in his eyes and face the moment he came through the smoke. He was asked about what it was like being back out there and his first comment was expected, as he said "it was odd this year with everything going on, so there's that aspect you try to wrap your head around."

He also claimed that "the Rumble is a different beast. When you are in there in a singles capacity it's a lot more." Edge also felt that "by the time it was done, I felt like I could have gone another two hours in terms of cardio and how good I felt. That (the match with Orton) was the litmus test that I could do this again."

The Rated-R Superstar is also one of the performers who has knocked his empty-arena promos out of the park. He claimed that he's "really enjoyed the promo aspect a lot more" because of "the attention to detail and you can hear it because it (the promo) can get lost in a crowd" when given in front of a live audience.

Since he's dabbled in some acting since he retired from the ring, the promos are a different beast this time around for Edge as he revealed that he "just treated it like it was a monologue in theater." He also revealed that the promos have been the funnest part of his return thus far. Without a crowd, however, he does "miss the instant gratification of the audience but we are delving into some areas we haven't done so before with the craft."

With no live crowds, things have changed but there have been some benefits in Edge's mind as he believes the promos become more personal. He also feels that "if you don't look at the camera it seems weird" and he thinks "that's how they have to be within these confines."

#3 Edge on the Orton feud

Renee Young asked about how the great 'Mania feud between Edge and Orton was put together and Edge revealed that "it was just natural" because when he "first came back and sat down, I said 'it has to be Randy and this is how it should go.'" As Punk and the other panelists have mentioned, Edge said "when he (Orton) can sink his teeth into something there's no one better. When he's motivated, watch out. He can take it to another level that I don't think he knows he has."

The moment he knew it was the right call was the day after the Rumble as he revealed "when I heard the audience screaming after he attacked me, I felt that we're already taking this beyond what I thought it would be." Working with Orton was also the right call because Edge said that "I realize that I might be rusty so who better (for the feud)" and he knew that "we're going to push each other to be better."

Another integral part of Edge's return to active duty in WWE was his WWE 24: Edge documentary. He felt that "the production team just crushed this documentary" because "it (the documentary) wasn't supposed to be this but we were able to get the capsule of this happy accident" instead.

The whole idea was actually to document how things were going outside of the ring but then "we just happened to be filming it (his return) while it was happening" and it was even more special now because "back in 2011, people didn't record their reactions to things." Those fan reactions were special because "it was just so humbling to see the effect that this can have on some people and it reminded me to why I first gravitated to this as a kid."

Young also asked about his wife, Beth Phoenix, and her role on his road to getting back to the ring. He revealed that of his match with Orton, they both "watched it together and I can't say she was totally pleased when she saw me take a DDT on the top of the truck" but "she's happy. She's proud of me." The main accomplishment the documentary team wanted was to try "to get this gut reaction out of people because that's something that's hard to do today. I think it worked."

#2 New feuds for new Champions

With new Champions on both RAW and SmackDown, the attention turned to the first feuds for both men. On both shows, we received our answers. Seth Rollins attacked Drew McIntyre on RAW. Booker T claimed that "it (the attack) puts Seth Rollins right in the mix. The magic that they create I'm highly anticipating seeing. We're always looking for those two guys who are married to each other for a while" in an angle.

Christian added that he likes "this shift in Seth Rollins. I like that Seth seemed more in control. His presence, his confidence and air of unpredictability - I like the idea of a different dynamic than Lesnar." Punk added "I think this is the best possible spot for Seth and Drew to be in right now. These guys could - if done right - extend the rivalry to SummerSlam." The Voice of the Voiceless also felt that "Seth puts a lot of unneeded pressure on himself when he's the guy."

Another development in April is the growing stable under Zelina Vega's tutelage. Christian praised the diminutive dynamo claiming that he thinks "she's great on the mic and every time she goes out there she gains more confidence in herself. That confidence gives credibility to her and why those wrestlers aligned with her."

Punk added that he thinks she "is focusing on being that valet but it's such a forgotten art. You have a stable of guys and you are in charge of it. When it's a woman, it's a different dynamic." With another growing group on Monday nights, Punk feels that "she can be the one who brings it (meaningful valets) back. She's the nucleus of the group. I'd like to see them add maybe one or two more people."

New Universal Champion Braun Strowman appears to be headed for a showdown with former Champion Bray Wyatt. Punk, for one, wasn't a huge fan right away, saying that "I don't really like this. Both guys aren't really on sure footing yet. Braun finally has pulled the trigger and is looking down the barrel of a gun of a guy that the fans love and of who some feel didn't get the chance he did." He ended by saying that instead "this feels like a SummerSlam feud."

Christian agreed with Punk to a point, claiming that "I think you can get there eventually with the built-in backstory. We've seen the title flip flop a few times." Since Strowman took "the place of Roman Reigns, let him run with it. Let's build them up. Let them do their own things and then revisit it."

#1 Rowdy words for the wrestling world

Rousey had some harsh words recently for pro wrestling

Over the last week or so, the wrestling world has been targeted by the words of former RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey. She blasted the fans and it has not sat well with a lot of fans and stars alike. Punk chimed in, claiming that "she's doing her job. This is pure chaos and I don't see this ending well whether it's real or scripted." He also felt that "some people are going to get offended" but "wrestling is the best when you blur the lines."

Her misstep, however, was when "you say it's (pro wrestling) phony and that thin ice breaks and you fall in the water." The former WWE Champion also felt that this could lead to a battle between both factions of Four Horsewomen.

Booker T was highly offended, saying that "when you talk about fake fighting, you step into a different territory. We embraced her and put her on a pedestal." The two-time Hall of Famer also said that "she disqualified herself from coming back" and that "we embraced her after some catastrophic losses. It's disrespectful and I think she needs to apologize to every woman in that locker room."

Christian feels that "she's been a lightning rod her entire career" and that "she thrives when people don't like her." The most important words from Captain Charisma were that "as a wrestler, the word fake is offensive and that's what struck a chord. When we feel like someone is attacking us, our natural reaction is to fight back. What happens when you react is that that person gets what they want."

Someone brought up that Connor McGregor said the same things a few years ago, but Booker T summed it up best by saying "the only difference is that Connor didn't come to WWE and pick up a big check."

Edited by Nishant Jayaram