The Create-A-Wrestler mode has been a necessity in WWE games sinceWWF Warzoneback in 1998. It allowed players to recreate their favorite superstars, or even their own OCs, and take them to the company’s biggest prize for decades now. But lately, they’ve felt more limited in their games. The story modes either follow set plots based on real WWE feuds or only let the player slightly edit a really boring original character.
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Any created wrestlers, or CAWs, are left to the randomly generated storylines in Universe Mode, which aren’t quite the same. They feel more sterile compared to these classic games, where players could make any crazy CAW they wanted and make them the top dog.
8Smackdown Vs RAW 2011
SvR 2011doesn’t actually let CAWs become champions, but they can get another accolade: beating the Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak. The Undertaker’s habit of winning his matches at the WWE’s biggest event was originally more due to happenstance than design. Eventually, it became a big deal until Brock Lesnar finally broke it at WrestleMania 30. So, why shouldn’t players make their own CAW and beat the Beast Incarnate to the punch?
The ‘Vs Undertaker’ Road to Wrestlemania will have them embark on a story that involves fighting a battle royal against a host of druids, collecting souls in the Undertaker’s urn, and fighting his past WrestleMania opponents like Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts. Then the player finally gets to the PPV and can become the 1 in 18-1 (as it was at the time). Or the 19 in 19-0 and get locked in a casket.
7Smackdown Vs RAW 2006
Beating the Streak is nice and all, but what if the player wants gold? They’ll have to roll back the clock toSvR 2006. The player’s character, CAW or otherwise, will either be trying to figure out who ran down GM Theodore Long on Smackdown, or in a long-running feud against HHH on RAW during its Season Mode. Their actions will determine whether they’re a face or a heel, which superstars they ally with, and which Road to WrestleMania they end up on.
It’s where the season mode culminates, as the CAW can be getting one-upon John Cena, feuding with Rob Van Dam, fighting the traitorous Batista, or toppling HHH for good. Or mess with the momentum of the storyline and switch brands if dealing with one side or the other is not to one’s liking. Either way, all the player has to do at that point is win and become the face of the company.
6Smackdown Vs RAW
The firstSvRgame made challenging for titles as simple as earning enough points for a title shot. It takes about 85 points to challenge for the World Heavyweight or WWE Champion titles, depending on whether the CAW is on RAW or Smackdown. So, it may take a few storylines to get to that point, be it a regular feud, or earning a Diva’s favor. But with enough wins, the CAW will get their title shot and then (hopefully) the belt too.
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The circumstances differ depending on the PPV, as it could be part of a tournament, or choosing whether to side with or shun Mr. McMahon. Even after getting the title, the CAW will then have to defend it against all challengers until WrestleMania, where the champion of each brand has to defend their honor against the other. It’s a pretty busy mode, to say the least.
5Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain
Often regarded asthe bestSmackdowngame,Here Comes The Painhad smooth animations, great graphics, and a strong roster of characters. Perfect for a well-designed CAW to run through. It’s more or less the same as its successorSvR: earn 85 Superstar Points to qualify for either the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship belts. Chances are the CAW will earn shots for other titles along the way too, like the Hardcore, Intercontinental, etc.
If the Season Mode storylines don’t offer those shots directly, the player can go see GM Eric Bischoff (on RAW) or Stephanie McMahon (Smackdown) and request one instead. However, some of them will be locked off by storyline requirements. Especially the top two titles. So, if all else fails, keep playing, keep winning, and keep going for the champion to get that chance.
4Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth
Immediately precedingHere Comes the Pain,Shut Your Mouthwas the first game to feature the brand split. Players can pick RAW or Smackdown, but getting the Undisputed Title means wrestling on both shows anyway. Earning shots is essentially the same as its sequel: either earn enough points and request one directly from the GMs or enter a storyline for it.
While it’s not as solid asHere Comes the Pain(the CAWs have weird, gummy mouths), it arguably has better storylines. If the player does well enough, they can feud directly with the nWo and try to bringHollywood Hulk Hoganback to the light side. That, or join the combined criminal might of GMs Mr. McMahon and Ric Flair. Either way, they’ll end up contending for, or defending the title in a 6-way Hell in a Cell at Armageddon if they’re good enough.
3Day Of Reckoning
The problem with the olderSmackdowngames is that they were PS2-exclusive. The other consoles had to make do with a mixed bag of alternatives. Luckily, Gamecube owners had one of the best wrestling games around withWWE Day of Reckoning. While it was made by the same developers as theSmackdowngames, its gameplay skewed closer to Nintendo 64 classics likeWWF No Mercy.
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Its single-player mode was also focused on taking a CAW from the Performance Center to the top of the tree. They go from competing on B-shows like Heat or Velocity, to being part of a faction: HHH’s Evolution on RAW, or Undertaker’s New Ministry on Smackdown. Keep winning, and the CAW will get to compete for the title against HHH or Undertaker at WrestleMania.
2Day Of Reckoning 2
The sequel is much the same as its predecessor, only the player’s CAW has a more involved storyline toward regaining the belt. It follows on from the first game’s RAW storyline, where the CAW has since lost the World Heavyweight title and has tumbled down the card. But they can regain their reputation and earn the heart of WWE Diva Stacy Keibler along the way.
Things take a turn when, right as they’re about to get a shot at the World Heavyweight Title, the belt gets stolen. The CAW gets framed for it and fired from RAW. Luckily, SmackdownGM Theodore Longis there to pick them up with a lifetime contract. Now the player has to clear their name and compete for the WWE Championship instead. As roundabout as it is, it’s an engaging and entertaining storyline.
1WWF No Mercy
It’s inevitable a list of WWE games will mention this N64 classic. The game is often regarded as thebest wrestling game overall, let alone of its generation or on Nintendo’s little box of delights. Its story mode offers seven paths for each of the WWE’s different titles at the time. Play well enough, and the player will earn the belt at the end. This applies to any playable character that’s either part of the roster or a CAW too.
They could have a male character compete for the Women’s Championship, or female ones going for every other belt, including the WWF Championship. So, if players want to recreate their favorite female wrestler and make them lord over Stone Cold, The Rock, and every other top star in the company,No Mercywill let them do that.
