They seem to always leave out one set of tag champs, they have done it for the last couple of games.

I hope Gregory Helms comes with the Hurricane costume as an alternate attire.

Last year they left out both. They seem to be doing it this year too though I'm guessing they'll have MNM and Big Show and Kane as Tag champs.

Yeah, like this is the first time the tag champs have been excluded.

Even though I'm dissapointed about the SS and London/Kendrick, thats still a killer roster. We can never have it all, can we? :'(

They should throw in Alex Trebec as a legend. Just to fuck with us.

Oh well. We can create whomever is not in. With thier own music too. On my Xbox 360 anyways.

Nice Roster. Shame about London and Kendrick.

gameingrings coverage begins

HANDS ON: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007...First impressions!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every year, August rolls by and people think that the current year's version of Madden NFL Football is the biggest game of the year. Wrestling fans, I myself included would be inclined to disagree with those people. Because every year for the past seven years, in November when Yukes and their publisher THQ release the latest iteration of the Smackdown series...To wrestling fans, this is our Madden.

As well, with every year of another Smackdown game being released marks another year of great coverage by us at Gamingring.com, this year is no different as the coverage for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 is about to start full force this week for the thousands of people who visit our site each day.

I wanted to give everyone here my thoughts on the game as I have played it a good bit for the first time today. Let me tell you Smackdown fans, you will not be dissapointed. The first time you load up the game you will be asked if you want to watch some video tutorials on the new controls on the Smackdown engine. Take my advice people, you are going to want to watch it all and study it very carefuly. This game, while having four different sets of control (Including old school controls for you guys that just can't accept change.) you are going to want to get familiar with the standard set of the controls to give you the upmost control of your Smackdown experience this year.

One of the first things I had to get used to was the way you moved your character. Gone are the days of the d-pad on standard controls, you will now be controling your wrestlers movements with the left analog stick. All of your taunts have been moved to the four directions on your d-pad. Which at first I thought would be horrible but the more I played around with it, the more I enjoyed it. In some of my later matches I switched to the second controls which basically keeps the new controls set up, but allows you to move with the d-pad and taunt with the left analog stick. At first I was really happy, but as the match went along...I found myself going back to the left analog stick to try and move my character. It actually grows on you quite nicely after awhile.

The way the wrestlers move this year and perform grapples and reversals also seem to be streaming quite well too. The reversal system almost seems like a great way to utilize a chain wrestling mechanic. As you could go to having your opponent in the armbar and when you go to twist his arm with the analog stick they can reverse it to a side headlock and so on. The strong grapple moves that you actually control yourself are alot of fun, once you execute a strong grapple (R1 button and a direction on the right analog stick) you press down on the right analog stick again and depending on what grapple state you have him in you will do a certain controllable move. Like a stalling suplex, a choke slam, a spinning neck breaker, and so on. Some wrestlers i've seen differ in these moves to make each wrestler feel unique to the person who is controlling him. Along with the strong grapple interactive moves there are newly featured "hot spots" in the game this year as well.

The interactive hot spots are not only entertaining but painfully easy to use as well. From a strong grapple Instead of slapping a direction to perform a move just drag your opponent to one of the many hot spots in the ring, around ringside, or even out in the crowd area to inflict more damage on your opponent. As the grapple takes your character right into the hotspot in an almost seemless transition. It is very nicely done.

Also this year in addition to the hotspots it looks like THQ decided to pay alot of attention to some of the minor details to make the game even more realistic. I don't know about you all, but I always found it funny walking ontop of the commentators table with all the TVs and the black angle piece still intact. Well you won't have to worry about that this year. If you walk over to the commentators table and stand beside it, a simple press of the action button (x) will cause your wrestler to grab the black part of the comentators table, throw it off and then proceed to rip out the monitors as well before you decide to make that climb onto the table to inflict some serious damage on your opponent.

The graphics this year, from what I have seen so far I truely believe that THQ and Yukes are pushing the PS2 to the absolute limit of what it is capable of, and it shows. All the character models this year look fantastic, although some seem to have been re used from last year (ie: Triple H's torso...He's not that buff anymore people!) for the most part it seems THQ has taken an extreme effort to make sure all the characters look fantastic and updated. Attention to detail on certain superstars is also refreshing to see. Where as Booker T comes out with the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist...Johnny Nitro comes to the ring with the Intercontinental Championship hanging from his pants! Just little details like that will take this game a very long way in terms of enjoyment and replay value to the most hardcore WWE fans.

And last but not least, I would just like to touch on the roster that has now "officially" been confirmed by IGN today. I don't know what everyone's opinion on the roster is but in my opinion I truely believe this is the best and most up to date rosters that THQ has ever had in a WWE Smackdown game. I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate THQ on in what my opinion is indeed the greatest roster they've ever done.

This is just the beginning of our coverage folks! Look for videos...more hands on impressions...and lots more coming this week! As soon as videos are approved by THQ they will be up for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more coverage of Smackdown vs Raw 2007 right here at Gamingring.com.

Hot

Good news. Good news indeed.

Anything to do with the Great Khali is good news.

LOL. Rob.

<font color=goldenrod>This game sounds pretty fucking sick.

Cannot wait for the countdown to start. Especially Kennedy's day. God, if they put VO in his entrance...</font> :drool:

MISTEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR KENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEDDDDDDYYYYY........
















KENNEDY.

Thanks, CanadianCrippla. Wasn't sure what he meant.

I think by VO he meant voice over thats why I did that.

Oh. I guess that makes sense.

Eugene isn't in the game, he was take down from the confirmed roster because THQ made a mistake in his confirmation

proof

<font color=goldenrod>NOOOOOOOOO :(

Oh well, at least he should be fairly easy to create just so long as his moves are still in</font>

My name is Finlay and I love to fight.

That trailer is pretty underwhelming... Some of the hotspot stuff looks cool though, like raking the ropes... And I'm happy they've have some limb specific hot spots (Booker slamming Shelton's arm into the pole.)

Thing is with Gamingrings video's is they have to let THQ see them first to make sure they are happy with them, which is why they are kinda lame at the moment.

Also, lol no Eugene. I don't think I ever used him or had a match against him.

Gamingring Q&A session 1

Hey everyone,

Welcome to the first edition of Gamingring.com's WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2007 Q+A!!!

Keep in mind, if your question was not answered tonight it simply means that I don't have an answer for you at this time. Later Q+As as we draw closer to the release of the game will feature more and more information that the fans of this game crave, so stay tuned...

One thing I would like to quickly get out of the way though is all questions are being answered from the PS2 build. Not the X-Box 360 build. So no questions specifically related to the X-Box 360 version of this game will be answered...Thanks for understanding...

But without further ado, I present the first Q and A...

__________________________________________________ __

Q: How do you execute the finishing moves on the new control system?

A: Exactly the same way you performed finishers in the past versions, L1 for all of your finisher needs.

Q: When you take apart the table can you still use the monitors to hit someone or will it disappear?

A: In our current build, the black part of the table and the television monitors vanish. I would expect that to probably remain that way to keep clutter out of the way for the wrestlers to be able to walk around ringside.

Q: When you hold R1 and flick a side of the right stick, does it go to the old svr 06 grapple state or straight up does the move?[ala dor]

A: That's the great thing about the grapple system this year, as it seems to have a mix of both games. With just a flick of the right analog stick in any direction you automatically do one of four moves, unless you are countered of course.

But holding the R1 button and then the direction on the stick following puts you into one of your four grappling states, just like the past SVR titles. Another flick of the switch in any direction will do one of your moves from that grapple stance, or press the right analog stick to go into one of your own interactive moves. The system when first hearing about it I thought would be very confusing, but now I think its fantastic. It will only take a few matches to change your whole attitude on the new control scheme...I promise.

Q: I just want to know more about the wearing of the belts, like being able to choose how it's worn, or if everyone has their own style of wearing it.

A: We don't have all of the details yet, but the entrance of Johnny Nitro would suggest that wrestlers that don't wear the belt around their waist may very well carry it their own unique way to the ring. Unfortunatley that is just pure speculation, and nothing is confirmed one way or another at this time.

Q: We've been told that in tables matches, you must have a finisher before being able to put someone through. I was wondering though, in matches that aren't table specific, but do have tables in (like a TLC or Hardcore match), can we break the table at any time?

A: Yes in regular matches, there are tables in the crowd interaction area, you can put your opponent on the table, climb the scaffold and splash down on top of them putting them through the table. No finisher required. I believe that is a stipulation only for table matches to make them more interesting this time around.

Q: Are there any new weapons added to game?

A: Just in our build alone I have seen several new weapons this year, like the cables of the monitors inside of the broadcast booth to choke your opponent with, a crutch, and an umbrella just to name a few.

Q: Also, do you still have to stand on the table to put them through it? I really would love to see table finishers. Like setting up the table into the corner and having Edge spear them through it. Stuff like that. 3D through tables.

A: I can't really speak for matches with tables at ringside, because all i've had tables in my build are inside the crowd area. But I would like to believe they are improved as with the Undertaker you can lift up your opponent for a chokeslam, walk over to the broadcast booth, and chokeslam him through it! Without having to be on the table...That makes the game much more realistic and I hope the actual wooden tables will share the same features in some of the hardcore matches.

Q: Does HBK have his new tights?

A: Yes he has his new tights, but not the green D-X tights, they are red. But that might change in a future build...But I doubt it.
______________________________________________

That about wraps things up for the first edition of our Q+A, check back next week for another edition of Gamingring Q+A!!

Veeeeeeery good.

I demand all these Great Khali be PM'd to me so I don't miss them.

I'm buying this game to play as the Great Khali and the Great Khali only.

Phew.

I thought I was the only one.

I think we should send each other pics of us playing as The Great Khali.

It better be in for ALL modes or I WILL BE PISSED!:mad:

And mommy and daddy will take away your gaming priveleges.

I wonder if you play as FINLAY you can bring the Little Bastard out from underneath the ring. :D

lol it would be just like pulling out a weapon

Oh it's on like donkey kong.

Heel special.

:drool: @ Everything

HHH introduces Benoit to the announcer's table...

HHH and Cena battle it out....

credit - Charles Shane, gameingring.com

I'm really liking these hotspot area's, I'm glad they put them in. It seems they have reannimated some moves already, like the way Benoit falls out the ring and when he kicks Triple H in the nutts.

Is there anything that doesn't have you amazed and jizzing yourself?

<font color=goldenrod>It's official, countdown starts Monday</font>

http://boards.ign.com/wwe_smackdown/...6548695/p2/?18

To be honest the Countdown does little for me. The roster revealed and gameplay impressions matter most to me. Now I just wanna play the damn thing.

<font color=goldenrod>I love the countdown, mainly because its the first time you get to see a lot of the characters. Also, I've been rather disinterested with the latest vids posted just because I've already seen everyone in them.

Though I do wonder how its gonna work seeing as its starting much later. Maybe he'll do all the divas in one day so we can kill 7 birds with one stone</font> :cool:

Mae young in a bra and panties match

Thankfully, that is NOT included.

Custom Soundtracks for 360's CAW isn't comfirmed or denied yet. I'm wondering if it's because A) It's so obvious it doesn't warrent mention, or B) because it flatout isn't there.

They need to cough up some sort of info. I'm dying here.

WTF!! THIS GAME IS GONNA BE THE WURST GAME EVAR!!111 I'TS nUT REALISTICK ENUGHO!!!!!11

Oh my fucking word these people need help. They took up an entire page debating what date "mid-September" is and still argue AFTER the fucking dude confirmed Monday.

I feel terrible reading that and being able to automatically translate it :(

i will get this fo shore

It better damn well fucking be. The other WWE games for XBox had it so why wouldn't this?

Hahaha, really. And those games were train wrecks. They'd be stupid not to.

I hope they do that to :)
sandman caw coming to the ring to enter sandman :drool:

Yeah, I have the big WWE anthology of themes from all the eras, so they can go fresh onto my Created Legends :cool:

ye and my caw coming down to the ring to lost prophets :D

The thing is, one the most frustrating thing about CAWs is that I can never find the right track in the game's library. Now it could be like, "four great themes; which one to choose..?"

Yeah the pre-set themes suck, its just like *Fast drums* *Random riff*

Triple H injures Benoits family jewels

Undertaker goes to the sky through a table

credit - Charles Shane, gameingring.com

Great Vids DSD so O is gonna regain stamina huh? I might stick with the old controls.

so who's getting this for 360 and whos getting for ps2?
heard a rumour this was cmin out for ps3 in march?
lies?

I'll get it for PS2 at Christmas. As for the rumour, The PS3 is coming out March in Europe, SvR 07 wont be coming out for PS3 but SvR 08 will be the first PS3 Smackdown game, so I doubt it will be on PS2

I can't wait to see the "new" wrestlers. Lashley, Finlay, Kennedy, and such.


































KENNEDY!

I'm really gonna try NOT to look at the countdown this year!

Every year I watch the vids, read the news, etc. but then I feel a bit deflated when I get the game cos I've seen eveything already.

It's gonna be hard though!

Also I'm thinking of getting a 360 soonish. With the news that PS3 has now been put back to March AND both SD! 07 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 are now exclusives I think my decision has been made for me.

Vids look good. These hotspots look really cool. I like the old low blow with the ring post move as well as the other ring post moves/barrier moves/table moves/steel steps makes for far more depth.

Didn't like the weapon shots in the HHH/Benoit match. They look really weak again and like they don't actually connect. One day they will provide me with realistic looking sledgehammer/barbwire 2x4 shots, one day!

I only watch the Countdown vids for the entrances, Kennedys' is gonna be a must see. :D

<font color=goldenrod>I'm getting it for 360.....so I kinda hope that the media is done using PS2 so I can take pride in knowing its gonna look that much better when I get it :cool:

Can't help but think the first day of the countdown is gonna be a bit of a disappointment though. It's Monday so it'll be a Raw guy, and he usually likes starting it off with a big name, so I wouldn't be at all shocked if its someone we've already seen like Cena/HHH/Orton :o

But yeah, I can't wait to see Kennedy, Khali, Umaga, Burchill, Finlay, and of course VITO</font> :love:

I hate 360.

People I wanna see:

Lashley
Boogeyman (In a weird way)
Finlay
Ken Kennedy
Kid Cash
Lance Cade
Mark Henry
Burchill
Psycosis
Super Crazy
Vito

Yeah so basically all the wrestlers that are new in the game.

Pretty much, and chavo and HBK

Lets see... Lashley will obviously come out to his theme, Boogeyman will be kind of weird, "My name is Finlay and I love to fight.", "Mistttttttterrrrr Kennedy.....


KENNEDY., Kid Kash will probably come out to his normal theme song not the cross between him and Noble, Cade and Murdoch will come out to their theme, I doubt Mark Henry is gonna come out to the Three Six Mafia version, Burchill will come out to the pirate theme, Super Crazy and Psicosis probably to the Mexicools theme, and Vito to his new dress gimmick theme.

Will Vito be wearing the dress?

LOL. Probably and that will be funny.

hmmm
Boogeyman... i wonder if the boogey man will be in story?
like instead of when people used to go on about being the best on smackdown, instead of undertakers gong, the light turns red and all you here is "I'm the boogeyman and i'm coming to get ya!"
Then there is a little mode, kinda like indiana jones running from a boulder, but you running through the crowd away from the boogie

Getting it for 360, I only use my PS2 for Guitar Hero now, don't plan on getting any new games for it apart from Guitar Hero 2.

Also, shall I do my annual countdown notes? :yes:

If you use the old controls you really wont get as much out of the game IMO. The new stick controls are vital for this game not getting boring so quick like the last games.

<font color=goldenrod>Yes, yes you shall.</font>

MK Armageddon?

If the X Box version is not compatible with the 360 I'll have to get it for PS2.

If it is, I'm done with PS2 for good and will sell it.

<font color=goldenrod>K then...I'm incredibly bored so I'm gonna just take some random stabs at this week's countdown:

Monday: Randy Orton
Tuesday: Hardcore Holly
Wednesday: Candice Michelle :mad:
Thursday: Daivairi
Friday: Jillian Hall :mad:

Also, I officially declare that the Sea-4/C-4 will be my CAWs finisher :shifty:
Unless of course they got lazy and didn't create it</font>

and mine ;)

I was looking forward to it when I first heard about it, seeing as it's the last game of the current gen, but I'm not so sure now :-\

I call F5/Five Star/Diamond Cutter/TKO as mine.

total knock out?

You know Test's spinning Diamond Cutter thing, Mark Mero used to do it years ago and called it the TKO.

o cool...
i can't wait to get a 360
Gamertag - Funk Bro

Countdown starts today :D

<font color=goldenrod>Yep. :cool:

Wouldn't expect it until a little before or right after Raw though...just to make us wait longer</font> :o

Who will be the first superstar on the countdown? I say someone like Triple H or maybe HBK. Diffinitely an older wrestler will be first not some of the newly added superstars, such as Lashley or Finlay.

I call Orton as the first superstart to be counted down.

And I call the Dragonrana for my finisher (stand on top turnbuckle, flip on top of opponent's shoulders, do hurricanrana cradle pin type thingie). Probably impossible to do in real life, but looks killer. :D

And am I the only one who doesnt mind Divas in the games? I mean, Christ, we've had Mae Young and Moolah in No Mercy 64, and Divas in EVERY game. Just accept it and move on. I know I'm gonna enjoy FINALLY HAVING CANDICE MICHELLE'S FULL-LENGTH FUCKING THEME!!!!

I all Pedigree 2(Dark Buster) and Tower-Hacker(Dark-Bomb) as mine.

STR 9
SUB 8.5
DUR 9.5
TEC 8.5
SPD 6
HRD 9
CHA 9

Are you sure it will be full length?

And what about Burchill's theme?

overalls don't really matter, it's skill, I can beat Big Show with Trish on smackdown mode

thats true, I'm better at submission A then B though

If XBLive offers tag matches, who'd be my tag partner? Which two TPdubers are most likely to tag up? Who do you see being the TPWW Tag Champs? The most entertaining? Make a team from stratch or put two existing CAW's together after some all-4-1 melee's?

Well in XBlive if you can play people from europe and uk, then i would be a parner :D

I shot up dudes from the UK in Halo 2, so I guess it's a safe bet.

yeah but in the last svr on ps2, you couldn't

I'm assuming XBL's online hub is just that much more widespread than PS2's, which went game by game.

Sucks we have to specualte in these things, what does 'news coverage' mean these days?