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

[Scott Kersh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently read Backstage Pass by David Sahadi. As a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, I am always eager to find new books outlining the history of the business. Knowing Mr. Sahadi’s role in production and in the background of some major wrestling companies, I looked forward to reading from a different perspective than that of a wrestler or promoter.

Sahadi did a great job sharing his path into wrestling, and his excitement to be involved. The book gives some background information about many companies including WWE, TNA, and MLW. There are not many salacious secrets like you mind find in the road stories of other books. This is more of a look at how shows are produced, what happens backstage to bring the magic to your television screen, and some of the personalities that we do not normally hear about. It highlighted a part of wrestling that most fans don’t think about.

My biggest takeaway is that David Sahadi’s biggest fan is…David Sahadi. While he obviously has done good work in his career, the reader can quickly see that Mr. Sahadi has a very high opinion of his work and his impact on the business. Some of his stories seem to overstate that importance, especially in cases where his employment with said company ended quickly.

Overall, I think this is a good read for a student of professional wrestling history or a reader with an interest in the production side of the sport. There are some good stories shared that helped broaden my knowledge.

[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.

[David Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from a friend and found the stories fascinating. A life-long WWE fan, these behind-the-scenes stories revealed the people beyond their on-screen personas. It was very Interesting to see how some WWE Superstars handled fame, and others adversity. This book is more than just about wrestling, it reveals humanity at its finest and it’s worst, and I learned a lot about the author, too. I could sense how he personally evolved during his career in the shady shadows that is pro wrestling. For any fan of wrestling, or Sahadi’s work, it’s a must read!