WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001): Difference between revisions

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|title=<center>WWF Backlash</center>
|title=<center>WWF Backlash</center>
|image=Wwfbacklash1.jpg
|image=Wwfbacklash1.jpg
|imagecaption=Alleged screenshot of the game, which was thumbnail of AmitDabydeen's WWF No Mercy Mods video.
|imagecaption=Alleged screenshot of the game, which was actually the thumbnail of a ''WWF No Mercy'' mods video.
|status=<span style="color:grey;">'''Non-existent'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:grey;">'''Non-existent'''</span>
}}
}}
'''''WWF Backlash''''' is a non-existent cancelled Nintendo 64 professional wrestling that was developed by AKI and was set to be published by THQ prior to cancellation. It was claimed to have served as a sequel to ''WWF No Mercy'', with a release planned for 2001.
'''''WWF Backlash''''' is a non-existent cancelled Nintendo 64 professional wrestling that was said to have been developed by AKI and be published by THQ prior to cancellation. It was claimed to have served as a sequel to ''WWF No Mercy'', with a release planned for 2001.


==Background==
==Background==
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The game was believed to have been cancelled after being around 30% complete. The main reasons surrounding cancellation were that THQ had intended to start working on games for the Nintendo GameCube, as well as the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Additionally, the WWF had purchased WCW and ECW in 2001, resulting in a highly expanded roster that may have further compromised development.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/12/ign-presents-the-history-of-wrestling-games?page=4 ''IGN'' detailing possible reasons why ''WWF Backlash'' was cancelled.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref>
The game was believed to have been cancelled after being around 30% complete. The main reasons surrounding cancellation were that THQ had intended to start working on games for the Nintendo GameCube, as well as the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Additionally, the WWF had purchased WCW and ECW in 2001, resulting in a highly expanded roster that may have further compromised development.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/12/ign-presents-the-history-of-wrestling-games?page=4 ''IGN'' detailing possible reasons why ''WWF Backlash'' was cancelled.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref>


However, some speculated that the game never actually existed. One area of concern involves the alleged ''GamePro'' screenshot, which has never resurfaced, with some claiming that it was a fabrication or that it was a doctored image from ''WWF No Mercy''. A different screenshot, featuring The Undertaker and Sting battling inside the Cell has also been claimed to be that of ''WWF Backlash''.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/nomercyn64/posts/the-first-and-only-supposed-screenshot-of-the-cancelled-wwf-backlash-on-n64wow-v/988954354859355/ Facebook post discussing an alleged screenshot of ''WWF Backlash''.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref> The problem however is that The Undertaker's appearance in the screenshot originates from his return to WWE in 2004, and was he actually wrestling in the early-2000s under The American Badass gimmick.<ref>[https://www.thesportster.com/the-undertaker-ruthless-aggression-deadman-gimmick-return-sucked/ ''The Sportster'' discussing The Undertaker's 2004 return, which contradicts the early-2000s alleged screenshot of ''WWF Backlash''.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref> Thus, the screenshot is highly unlikely to have originated from ''WWF Backlash'' due to the time differences between the game's development and The Undertaker's 2004 return. It turns out that it was actually thumbnail from one of AmitDabydeen's WWF No Mercy Mods video.
However, some speculated that the game never actually existed. One area of concern involves the alleged ''GamePro'' screenshot, which has never resurfaced, with some claiming that it was a fabrication or that it was a doctored image from ''WWF No Mercy''. A different screenshot, featuring The Undertaker and Sting battling inside the Cell has also been claimed to be that of ''WWF Backlash''.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/nomercyn64/posts/the-first-and-only-supposed-screenshot-of-the-cancelled-wwf-backlash-on-n64wow-v/988954354859355/ Facebook post discussing an alleged screenshot of ''WWF Backlash''.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref> The problem however is that The Undertaker's appearance in the screenshot originates from his return to WWE in 2004, and was he actually wrestling in the early-2000s under The American Badass gimmick.<ref>[https://www.thesportster.com/the-undertaker-ruthless-aggression-deadman-gimmick-return-sucked/ ''The Sportster'' discussing The Undertaker's 2004 return, which contradicts the early-2000s alleged screenshot of ''WWF Backlash''.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref> Thus, the screenshot is highly unlikely to have originated from ''WWF Backlash'' due to the time differences between the game's development and The Undertaker's 2004 return. Ultimately, it was discovered that the screenshot was actually a thumbnail from a ''WWF No Mercy'' mods video.


Further, Lost Media Wiki Forum user cinnamon0999 made a post discussing ''WWF Backlash''. In the post, they claim the game may not exist, because much of the information, including the GameCube cancellation explanation, the promotion of Hell in a Cell match, and being 30% complete, were never officially verified.<ref>[https://forums.lostmediawiki.com/thread/7803/wwf-backlash-n64-mayhem-2000 Lost Media Wiki Forum post where cinnamon0999 claimed ''WWF Backlash'' never existed.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref>  
Further, Lost Media Wiki Forum user cinnamon0999 made a post discussing ''WWF Backlash''. In the post, they claim the game may not exist, because much of the information, including the GameCube cancellation explanation, the promotion of Hell in a Cell match, and being 30% complete, were never officially verified.<ref>[https://forums.lostmediawiki.com/thread/7803/wwf-backlash-n64-mayhem-2000 Lost Media Wiki Forum post where cinnamon0999 claimed ''WWF Backlash'' never existed.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref>  
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   |service2    =youtube
   |service2    =youtube
   |id2          =ylpvKixfKMk
   |id2          =ylpvKixfKMk
   |description2 =Supposed footage of ''WWF Backlash''.
   |description2 =Footage of a ''WWF No Mercy'' mod containing the fake ''WWF Backlash'' screenshot.
}}
}}


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[AJ Styles vs Kenny Omega (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2006)]]
*[[Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs John Cena (partially found master tape footage of untelevised Hell in a Cell match; 2011)]]
*[[Awesome Kong vs Melissa Anderson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2009)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Blood Circus (partially found Santo Gold film; 1985)]]
*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
*[[Bradshaw vs Christian (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2001)]]
*[[Bret Hart-Hulk Hogan photoshoot (lost professional wrestling promotional photos; 1993)]]
*[[Bret Hart-Hulk Hogan photoshoot (lost professional wrestling promotional photos; 1993)]]
*[[Bret Hart vs Tom Magee (found untelevised professional wrestling match; 1986)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Celebrity Wrestling (partially found ITV professional wrestling reality show; 2005)]]
*[[Celebrity Wrestling (partially found ITV professional wrestling reality show; 2005)]]
*[[Chowdaheads (partially found unaired professional wrestling cartoon show; 1999)]]
*[[Collision in Korea (found professional wrestling event in North Korea; 1995)]]
*[[Collision in Korea wrestler sketches (lost North Korean pencil sketch portraits of professional wrestlers; 1995)]]
*[[Cultaholic (found debut video of professional wrestling YouTube channel; 2017)]]
*[[ECW Anarchy Rulz (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 port of professional wrestling game; existence unconfirmed; 2000)]]
*[[ECW Anarchy Rulz (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 port of professional wrestling game; existence unconfirmed; 2000)]]
*[[ECW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
*[[ECW Hardcore TV final episodes (lost episodes of Professional Wrestling Show; 2001)]]
*[[ECW Hardcore TV final episodes (lost episodes of Professional Wrestling Show; 2001)]]
*[[FMW at E3 2000 (partially found footage of professional wrestling at gaming trade event; 2000)]]
*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
*[[GFW Amped (partially found unaired professional wrestling show; 2015)]]
*[[The Giant's moonsault (lost footage of professional wrestling move; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)]]
*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
*[[GLOW (lost unfinished final season of Netflix comedy-drama series; 2019-2020)]]
*[[Goldberg's pre-television debut matches (lost footage of professional wrestling dark matches; 1997)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)]]
*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
*[[Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream (lost footage of alternate finish to professional wrestling match; 2019)]]
*[[Kurt Angle vs Owen Hart (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1999)]]
*[[The Last Battle of Atlanta (found untelevised professional wrestling steel cage match; 1983)]]
*[[Lita's training matches (partially found training videos of professional wrestler; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Low Ki & Mercury vs Ric Blade & TCK (partially lost footage of hardcore wrestling tag team match; 2000)]]
*[[Mark Jindrak in Evolution (partially found unaired vignettes of professional wrestling stable; 2003)]]
*[[Pat Tanaka vs Rocco Rock (lost footage of "Body Count" professional wrestling match; 1993)]]
*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
*[[Radio WWF (lost professional wrestling radio show; 1993-1994; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Screwed: The Bret Hart Story (lost unfinished wrestling documentary film; 2005)]]
*[[Screwed: The Bret Hart Story (lost unfinished wrestling documentary film; 2005)]]
*[[Sex University (lost WWE webshow; 2006)]]
*[[Sex University (lost WWE webshow; 2006)]]
*[[Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Gekitou Densetsu (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy wrestling game; 1995)]]
*[[Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Gekitou Densetsu (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy wrestling game; 1995)]]
*[[Strange Kentucky People (lost recording of Chris Jericho "tribute"; 1994)]]
*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
*[[WCW All Nighter (partially lost professional wrestling compilation show; 1994-1995)]]
*[[WCW Classics (partially found professional wrestling compilation show; 2000-2001)]]
*[[WCW Internet-only Special Events and PPVs (lost audio streams; 1997-1998)]]
*[[WCW Internet-only Special Events and PPVs (lost audio streams; 1997-1998)]]
*[[WCW/nWo Live (lost build of cancelled PlayStation professional wrestling game; 1998)]]
*[[WCW/nWo Live (lost build of cancelled PlayStation professional wrestling game; 1998)]]
*[[WWE 24x7 (lost professional wrestling compilation show; 2007)]]
*[[WWE Brawl (lost build of cancelled fighting game based on professional wrestling; 2012)]]
*[[WWE Brawl (lost build of cancelled fighting game based on professional wrestling; 2012)]]
*[[WWE Crush Hour (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of vehicular combat game; 2002)]]
*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
*[[WWF In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog (lost untelevised wrestling PPV matches; 1996)]]
*[[WWE Wrestlemania 36 (lost footage of alternate finishes to professional wrestling matches; 2020)]]
*[[WWF Attitude (lost professional wrestling recap show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF Excess (partially found professional wrestling talk show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog (partially found untelevised professional wrestling matches; 1996)]]
*[[WWF Livewire (partially found professional wrestling recap and talk show; 1996-2001)]]
*[[WWF No Mercy (lost Game Boy Color games based on Nintendo 64 wrestling game; 2000)]]
*[[WWF No Mercy (lost Game Boy Color games based on Nintendo 64 wrestling game; 2000)]]
*[[WWF Shotgun (partially found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997)]]
*[[WWF Shotgun (partially found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997)]]

Revision as of 15:34, 26 February 2022

Wwfbacklash1.jpg

Alleged screenshot of the game, which was actually the thumbnail of a WWF No Mercy mods video.

Status: Non-existent

WWF Backlash is a non-existent cancelled Nintendo 64 professional wrestling that was said to have been developed by AKI and be published by THQ prior to cancellation. It was claimed to have served as a sequel to WWF No Mercy, with a release planned for 2001.

Background

WWF No Mercy proved to be a highly successful professional wrestling game, selling 1.15 million copies in the US alone,[1] and receiving critical acclaim.[2] Thus, it was claimed that AKI and THQ worked to produce a sequel entitled WWF Backlash.[3] One of the main features planned for the game was to allow matches to occur inside Hell in a Cell, a steel cage match concept that was introduced in the WWF pay-per-view Badd Blood: In Your House on October 5th, 1997, at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[4]

It is claimed that a 2001 issue of GamePro provided a screenshot of WWF Backlash featuring Kurt Angle and The Undertaker battling atop the Cell. The magazine was also said to have claimed that six-man tag-team matches and usage of the N64 memory expansion so that multi-man events could occur without experiencing issues.[5]

Cancellation and Rumours of Non-existence

The game was believed to have been cancelled after being around 30% complete. The main reasons surrounding cancellation were that THQ had intended to start working on games for the Nintendo GameCube, as well as the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Additionally, the WWF had purchased WCW and ECW in 2001, resulting in a highly expanded roster that may have further compromised development.[6]

However, some speculated that the game never actually existed. One area of concern involves the alleged GamePro screenshot, which has never resurfaced, with some claiming that it was a fabrication or that it was a doctored image from WWF No Mercy. A different screenshot, featuring The Undertaker and Sting battling inside the Cell has also been claimed to be that of WWF Backlash.[7] The problem however is that The Undertaker's appearance in the screenshot originates from his return to WWE in 2004, and was he actually wrestling in the early-2000s under The American Badass gimmick.[8] Thus, the screenshot is highly unlikely to have originated from WWF Backlash due to the time differences between the game's development and The Undertaker's 2004 return. Ultimately, it was discovered that the screenshot was actually a thumbnail from a WWF No Mercy mods video.

Further, Lost Media Wiki Forum user cinnamon0999 made a post discussing WWF Backlash. In the post, they claim the game may not exist, because much of the information, including the GameCube cancellation explanation, the promotion of Hell in a Cell match, and being 30% complete, were never officially verified.[9]

Confirmation of Non-existence

In March 2020 as part of the Talk Shit! podcast, Pro Wrestling X producer Dave Wishnowski interviewed Sanders Keel, the THQ producer behind professional wrestling games including WWF No Mercy. Wishnowski asked Keel why a sequel was never developed by AKI, with Keel responding that corporate issues, including AKI not wanting to work on any Nintendo systems in favour of the PlayStation systems following WWF No Mercy, as well as THQ committing towards a relationship with Yukes.

Additionally, a Facebook comment from Keel discussing the podcast fully confirms WWF Backlash never existed, as he stated that THQ did not plan any further N64 or AKI titles following WWF No Mercy, as AKI was set to work with EA to make Def Jam Vendetta for GameCube and PlayStation 2.[10]

Gallery

Videos

WhatCulture video on WWF Backlash.

WrestleGamia video on WWF Backlash.

Top Hat Gaming Man video on WWF Backlash.

Talk Shit! podcast where Sanders Keel debunks WWF Backlash (starts 4:08).

Footage of a WWF No Mercy mod containing the fake WWF Backlash screenshot.

See Also

References