The only problem here is that they aren’t wrestling in the ring, and the rules are thrown right out the window. Backstage Assault, from Electronic Arts for the PlayStation console, is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred slugfest in a variety of venues. From the Truck Arena, where high-flying aerials are possible, to the Locker Rooms, Loading Bay, Bathrooms, The Block, Parking Garage and Media Center, you can guide superstars into perfect sidewalk slams, Irish whips, figure-four leg locks, and crippling choke holds.

As you progress, you can unlock more wrestlers, or open new moves – which can be used when building your own superstar.

Backstage Assault is a thumb-tiring, momentum-building excursion, sporting the thrills and skills of WCW action. And because it is a no-holds-barred battle fest, you can use whatever weapons are on hand. The mirror on the wall of the bathroom makes the most refreshing crash when pounded over the head of a foe.

There are three modes of play: Exhibition, Hardcore Challenge and Hardcore Gauntlet. The exhibition is just a one-on-one battle featuring any one that you wish. However, be forewarned – just because you have a supposed target like Jimmy Hart taking on Goldberg, or Hunk Hogan against blond bombshell Torrie Wilson doesn’t always guarantee a win. Hart can take a licking and do a little stomping. Wilson may be a lady, but she backs down from no one. In the Challenge, you engage a single-player, multi-match challenge in three difficulty levels (Hardcore, U.S. and World), and should you survive the test, and accumulate a high enough score (areas include range of moves, aerials, weapons, with bonus points if you knock out your foe), you can make it into the Hall of Champions. 

The Gauntlet is seven matches with no time to rest. It is best to try to finish your matches quickly. If you use too much energy finishing off the early opponents, you will be a sitting duck for the latter wrestlers in the line-up. Someone like Sid Vicious, or Hogan or Goldberg, are great at quick wins, but also use a lot of energy quickly.

Though some of the wrestlers are far superior, the rest are on an even playing field and bring a plethora of unique moves to the program. Controls are quick in depth, and take time to learn. The graphics are well rendered and the sound, with play-by-play action and sarcasm included, make it an enjoyable time.

You can set the game for blood, if you want to enable cuts and see wrestlers disabled and wearing the marks of a 2x4 against the skull. Multiplayer is limited to the exhibition mode.

This product is rated Teen. 

Backstage Assault may promote the violence inherit in the sport, but this product does a very nice job of bringing the action of the sport to the console world.

Install: Easy
Though not really applicable, this program does come up fast and only uses one block on a memory card.

Graphics: 8 
The polygonal wrestlers look a little angular and sharp, but the movements are really quite good. Each wrestling move seems to be faithfully rendered in this product, giving a nice look.

Difficulty: 7
This program is not that tough to get into, and though the controls are intricate, you can work into the mix quickly if your fingers are fast enough.

Multiplayer: 7
You can only go one-on-one in the exhibition format, the other formats are single player gaming. It would have been nice if a tag-team feature was included in this program.