WWE Backstage: 5 Takeaways from this week's episode (February 18th, 2020)

A few small changes happened on this week's show as a guest from NXT - and not RAW or SmackDown - joined the show. And instead of CM Punk or Christian joining the panel, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry joined the panel alongside fellow Texans, Booker T and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee.

Lee's rapid ascent over the last six months was discussed as was a brief history of big men in the sport. Having two athletic big men on the panel helped legitimize the conversation. Former NFL star Shawne Merriman battled Booker T in a promo battle and both Ricochet and Adam Cole relived the ladder match to crown the inaugural NXT North American Champion.

It's always interesting to hear the panelists' takes on various situations on both RAW and SmackDown. Lee was the obvious focal point of this week's show but there were other things to get to. Here are five takeaways from the February 18th, 2020 edition of WWE Backstage.

#5 Opening shots

She isn't actually telling Ziggler to go away . . .

The show always tackles the week that was in WWE. One big development on RAW saw the Street Profits fight back against the Monday Night Messiah by aiding Kevin Owens and the Viking Raiders at the end of the night. Booker T claimed that "for them to actually get a piece of the action, a chip in the game, I'm happy." He did add that "they need to get a little dirt on them" as well as that "sometimes it's what you need to do outside of the ring and not inside of it" that matters.

Mark Henry agreed, saying that "they need to get tougher in the ring, but it doesn't mean that they can't have fun outside the ring." Henry also added that "when you enjoy wrestling, you can see it" but he felt that Dawkins and Ford seemed "more worried about the success of moves rather than winning titles" at this moment.

The date that wasn't between Otis and Mandy Rose was also addressed. Henry had some funny but true comments, claiming that he felt for Otis and "for every big guy around the world that considers themselves fluffy, stout, husky, it's a disappointment." He also added that "Dolph Ziggler is such a piece of trash."

The former WWE Champ did feel that "Otis can take this moment and say 'you know what, Dolph you aren't going to ruin my life and take my woman away from me' and stand up." Henry also put some of the blame on Rose for letting Ziggler sit down at her table, saying that "Mandy needs to stand up for her man." I know that the world wants them to get together but it was just a first date, not a trip to the Hall of Pain.

Booker T added that with the moment,"you can take advantage of it or never get it back" as well as that "some women love to see men fight over them." Paige ended things by saying that "the way she's (Rose) going about it is wrong" since she didn't tell Ziggler to buzz off.

#4 Basking in his glory

After a whirlwind last six months, Lee was asked about the time. Of his showdown with Brock Lesnar in the Royal Rumble, he claimed that "it was intense. When you get into the ring with a specimen like that, you have no chance but to feel it." He added that "competition excites me" and that "it was a special day, a lot of family came out just in case an opportunity struck and I was in it (Royal Rumble match)."

Paige asked him about his other stand-out day with RAW and SmackDown stars, the Survivor Series PPV. Lee claimed "that day was just as intense and I didn't really know what was going on." He went on to say that "I ended up being one of the last three in the match and that moment (with Reigns) right there set a tone for me." Lee also revealed that Reigns told him that he wanted a one on one match with the Limitless One.

Lee has had a long journey from the independents to the WWE and has seen a lot in the locker room. Since he's a member of NXT but isn't one of the younger guys, Lee has had a mixed bag of interactions. He claimed that "it's strange at times, but I also try to be the guy that's understanding, not so much leading but by setting an example and not telling people what to do."

A big part of the job is giving back as CM Punk stated on last week's show. Lee agrees as he claimed that he'd "show up at the Performance Center and help them (some new recruits) out." He credited his work ethic and mindset to his father, saying that he prides himself on "mental fortitude taught by my father and grandfather and books I've read."

Paige asked him about some of his dream opponents in the WWE. Lee responded "I think the obvious answers are people I've already tangled with" but "originally, it was Kurt Angle." The Limitless One went on to say that "if I had to pick right now, that match belongs to Cesaro because the man is a machine, a beast and that's something I can relate to."

#3 Reliving the ladder match to crown inaugural NXT North American Champion

Adam Cole and Ricochet recounted the bonkers ladder match that determined the first-ever NXT North American Champion. Cole felt that "it was a really big WrestleMania weekend" and that he "was super excited and wanted to make a good impression." Ricochet added that "it was my debut for NXT" and that he didn't "have any fear going into a match like that."

The leader of the Undisputed Era reiterated what a lot of stars say regarding nerves before a match. He claimed that for him, "there was a lot of nerves and pressure to live up to the expectations and that energy and passion the fans have is unlike anything else."

Everyone brought their best in the match and the current NXT Champ added that "there was a point where all six of us were on the ladder with the title within reach." After remaining atop the ladder and pulling down the title, Cole revealed that "there was so much emotion going through my body when I'm on top of that ladder - pride, relief, a little bit that I survived." He ended by saying that the event was "one of those nights where everything just clicked and everyone knew that. It was hopefully something that would last forever."

#2 Keith Lee on himself

Sometimes betting on yourself is the best way to go.

Lee joined the show for many of the various segments, and one was during a sit down with Mark Henry. Since he's had a long journey and his path to the WWE hasn't necessarily been easy, Lee has molded himself into a strong and confident yet humble performer.

Of himself, he claimed that his "personality is to be humble, but to get into the ring is to display otherwise" A big reason for that is because he doesn't "look like everyone else" or look "like a typical WWE Superstar." He hoped that because of his handling of things, he hopes "that someone will work harder and become even greater than Keith Lee."

Because he's had an alternate journey just to get his foot into the WWE, he claimed that "my duty right now is to carry that in the ring right now and inspire." He wants others fighting to know that they should "push yourself, reach further than the stars and capture every goal that you've created for yourself." Judging by how he has been handled over the last six months, it's becoming more and more apparent that his mission statement is a great blueprint for him and one that could work for others who don't fit the mold.

#1 The "Big Man" Evolution

Once again, Henry and Lee recounted things as they are both known for being athletic big men who didn't fit the mold of "typical WWE star". Henry feels that it has been missing for a while but is back in style with Lee and Dominik Dijakovic. He asked the North American Champ what it was like to "bring the big-guy magic back."

Lee started his response by first claiming that "before all of that, for me it's such an enormous thing to have someone such as yourself speak my name in that manner." He added that "it allows me the platform to present myself in that way" as a big guy who jumps and moves all around the ring like a guy 60 pounds lighter.

The Limitless One was a bit hesitant to give himself all of the credit but Henry told him that "you have to own it. You deserve it due to all the hard work you've done." The Mayor of the Hall of Pain than gave a huge endorsement to Lee, claiming that "the last person with that athleticism as a big guy was the Undertaker. There's nobody recently that I've seen that can do the things that you do." Henry also added that when he sees Lee, he sees a mix between Yokozuna and Bam Bam Bigelow.

The process to crafting his style was the culmination of many things. Lee claimed that "it's such a string of things, of experiences and studies and studying; mixing styles is my specialty." He added that "there are big- guy things that I study and then I mix all of these things together. I feel that in the ring, I am the most versatile specimen that has ever been seen."

Edited by Habil Ahmed Sherule