You do not have to be WOT to reach maximum torque output. All you have to do is hit barometric pressure in the intake manifold and be in power enrichment fueling. At lower rpm you can hit atmospheric pressure in the intake manifold at 1/2 throttle or less. With factory GM transmission programming you hit full load well before the PCM unlocks the torque converter or downshifts.
.
That is what a lot of people can't get their heads around.
That at around half the rpm of maximum power rpm, half throttle is WOT.