WWE Backstage is often a welcome break from WWE's occasionally intimidating content churn.
A selection of short segments being cut to pieces rather than long vignettes stretched beyond the point of enjoyment is wholly opposed to the entire philosophical approach of Monday Night Raw since it became a three hour show. The interchangeable panel promises a diverse section of takes rather than a crew listlessly linked to one single-minded writing team working in fear of their insular ageing boss. For a show on a Fox channel, it's not SmackDown.
All big positives.
But how will it survive the Road To WrestleMania? WWE has so much to get to on the main shows at this time of year that a shoulder programme may instead feel as though it's weighing everything down. There is at least a lot to discuss...
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
