Backstage Pass: Tales from Beyond the Squared Circle

by David Sahadi

The world of professional wrestling is paradoxical. Storylines are intricately plotted by creative writers, refined by the agents and the wrestlers the day of the match, and performed live in front of worldwide audiences to evoke drama and emotion. It’s it’s “fake.” Yet, more often than not, it is the real-life backstage machinations, the behind-the-scenes tales of drama and deceit, of pettiness between allies and adversaries, that feel as though they were actually penned by Hollywood’s finest scriptwriters.


David Sahadi’s Backstage Pass is a firsthand account of what occurs beyond the squared circle — stories that are often more compelling and dramatic than anything that occurs on TV or inside a ring. These never-before-told stories are glorious, nefarious, and at times truly five-star mega-bouts between the powers that rule, the leaders and decision-makers who are often in agreement (but mostly at odds), and the superstars themselves.


This book is a tale of defiance, decadence, and denial — and you do not have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it.

224 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked learning more about what went into making commercials and promos, what some of the wrestlers were really like and how things were backstage during the attitude era in WWF/E and during a good chunk of TNA. The author came off as very braggy and like he thought he was the best ever.
He made the best videos and commercials and promos. Everyone cried when they watched his stuff. He thought of the best ideas, won everyone over and helped start the Attitude Era (That last part may be true. I wasn't there.) Then he did the same thing for TNA, minus the Attitude Era, but he did get them a TV deal. It just felt like so much bragging and patting himself on the back and he sounds really bitter.
The writing style is also odd because Sahadi doesn't use any contractions (don't, won't, etc) so everything is fully written out. I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley and ECW Press in exchange for and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jason Eifling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of Backstage Pass. I decided to read this title because I enjoyed professional wrestling growing up, and the Attitude Era holds prime memories from my late childhood. Although I did not immediately recognize Sahadi’s name, I did recognize and remember his past work with wrestling-related videos and content.

Just when I thought the boom of wrestling books and podcasts had already told it all, this title manages to offer some new information for those who think they’ve heard everything. While the book mainly focuses on TV production and behind-the-scenes elements, Sahadi does bring some fresh perspective to the subject matter.

It’s a solid read, but don’t expect any groundbreaking news or major revelations. If you’re looking to take a nostalgic trip back to the Monday Night Wars and beyond, this book provides an enjoyable journey down memory lane.