The True Story Behind N64's WWF Backlash Game That Never Happened

AKI were enlisted to team up with Electronic Arts and provide the game engine for 2001's WCW Mayhem 2 on PlayStation. That, obviously, was another false dawn. Mayhem 2 was cancelled when the WWF acquired WCW early that year.

Thinking on their feet, AKI and EA re-appropriated the skeletal assets they had and re-worked them to create the gameplay for Def Jam Vendetta. That hip-hop beat 'em up, heavily inspired by pro wrestling, landed on PS2 and Gamecube in 2003. It was (largely) the game Mayhem 2 was supposed to be.

The question is this: Why didn't AKI return to the shell they had with Backlash and re-appropriate that for a new wrestling title on the Gamecube? The obsession with new hardware and relentless drive towards new, new, new had killed their hopes of making the game. That's why.

Backlash was caught in a weird time for AKI and the WWF. Vince McMahon's roster was flooded with new stars from WCW and ECW, and THQ wanted to focus on making games for the Gamecube, not the N64. That all conspired to leave No Mercy's follow up in no man's land.

A quick search on social media reveals that there's still an appetite for the game. Some fans would love to see Syn Sophia return to the fold, rescue their work on Backlash, update the engine (whilst still keeping many familiar elements) and finally release a sequel to wrestling video game heaven.

Will it ever happen? Fingers crossed, but there'd need to some interest from WWE's side first.

Would you like to see a follow up to WWF No Mercy on modern hardware someday? For more like this, check out 7 Things You Need To Know About Virtual Basement’s Mystery Wrestling Video Game and WWE 2K21: 10 Ways To Save A Dying Franchise!