The Tape WWE Never Wanted You To See?

The Long-Unreleased 1995 WWF Backstage Recording

A 1995 WWF backstage recording made by Darryl Peterson—known in WCW as Maxx Payne and in WWF as Man Mountain Rock—may finally be released. WrestlingNews.co host Angel Aramboles says a new trailer is expected the following week, with the footage itself due later that month. Joe Dombrowski of Pro Wrestling Library announced the release, renewing interest in a tape first teased online about two decades ago.

Peterson’s Wrestling Career

Peterson trained with Red Bastien and wrestled in Japan, Memphis, and Europe before joining WCW in 1993 as Maxx Payne. His character carried a guitar and played it in the ring. Peterson recounted that, after playing the U.S. anthem at a WCW show, he followed it with Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” at Jesse Ventura’s suggestion. He said WCW then rarely let him play publicly.

The video identifies Peterson’s most memorable WCW appearance as a 1994 Spring Stampede street fight in Chicago, where he teamed with Cactus Jack against the Nasty Boys.

Peterson moved to WWF in early 1995. The character became the more family-friendly Man Mountain Rock after WWF rejected the Maxx Payne name, reportedly because his look was too close to The Undertaker. He debuted on WWF television in February and left by October, after about eight months.

The Locker-Room Setting

The tape comes from a turbulent period for WWF. Diesel (Kevin Nash) held the championship for most of 1995, while Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, the 1-2-3 Kid, and the newly arrived Hunter Hearst Helmsley were among the prominent names.

Aramboles discusses the reputation of the group known as the Kliq and the demands of the touring schedule. He also describes the era’s drug and alcohol problems, while noting that accounts of the Kliq’s conduct and influence have been contested by people involved.

The Madison Square Garden Performance and Camera

In a later interview, Peterson said Vince McMahon wanted him to perform live at Madison Square Garden to test whether the Man Mountain Rock character would work. Peterson recalled that he had inadequate sound equipment and could not hear himself because of the arena’s PA delay. He said he warned McMahon the performance would fail but was told to go ahead. Peterson later described it as the only time he was booed.

Peterson said he knew his WWF run was ending by the fall European tour, which he regarded as his “two-week notice.” Before leaving, he asked McMahon if he could bring a video camera and said McMahon agreed. Peterson recalled road agent Tony Garea initially telling him to stop filming, then allowing it after checking with McMahon. Peterson said he recorded roughly two weeks of life on the tour.

Tour Incidents and Alleged Footage

Peterson said Louie Spicolli, then wrestling as Red Redford, had to go to the hospital after Owen Hart accidentally sprayed cologne in his eyes, triggering an allergic reaction. With Spicolli unable to wrestle, Peterson said he offered to fill time by playing guitar. He recalled performing for 15 minutes on the tour’s final five nights, improvising over backing tracks, and said German audiences demanded encores. He also said he arranged for a crew member to record the performances so McMahon could see the crowd’s response.

Peterson claimed the footage shows the Kliq—specifically Triple H, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall—mocking him. The video emphasizes that these are Peterson’s accounts and that stories from the era have multiple versions. Peterson also said Spicolli appears in the film and recalled speaking with him shortly before Spicolli died in 1998.

The tape reportedly includes other wrestlers and scenes from life on the road, including hotel and bus footage.

The Missing Film and What Happens Next

Peterson’s film is titled What Shouldn’t Be. Aramboles remembers a two- or three-minute trailer appearing online around 2008, with tour footage that included Diesel and Spicolli. The full project did not emerge at the time.

Although fans speculated that WWE’s lawyers had blocked the release, Aramboles says he found no evidence for that explanation. Others have suggested there may not have been enough footage.

Peterson later left wrestling, briefly returned to Europe, and then went home to Utah so he could attend his children’s graduations. The video says the tape’s rights eventually passed out of his hands. Dombrowski’s announcement now points to a new trailer and a full release.

Aramboles cautions that the trailer will likely emphasize the most dramatic moments; the complete film may also include ordinary, uneventful backstage scenes.

Presenters and Sources

• Angel Aramboles of WrestlingNews.co
• Joe Dombrowski and Pro Wrestling Library
• Darryl Peterson’s interview with James Walsh of Wrestling Epicenter
• Peterson’s 1995 footage and the earlier online trailer