6 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE Backstage (Dec 3)
Seth Rollins responds to 'The Voice Of The Voiceless' on CM Punk's new home turf.
"WWE Backstage begins...right now!" was Renee Young's typically effusive kickoff to this week's edition of what has already turned out to be one of the strangest projects of 2019.
Upon clunky, double-pilot launch, Backstage was little more than another show about the shows. Raw and SmackDown were reviewed, other Fox Sports events were previewed, and an enjoyably cohesive panel had what appeared to be an enjoyable time together sharing a shiny network floor. A touch on the bland side? America thought so - the first episode proper scored worryingly low audience of just 49,000 - but an agent of change was fast approaching.
CM Punk's shocking arrival at the end of the November 12th episode and interview/hosting appearance the following week predictably serviced the brand and the interest levels well, but his absence last week (with Triple H as a guest, no less) stymied the buzz and acclaim his arrival had reclaimed.
The vaunted voiceless went without their voice, this week too. Though his potential WrestleMania opponent still had plenty to say...