Hahaha I like how Morrison had BABYFACE FIRE going on at the end.

<font color=goldenrod>I'd mark if the new match type is an 8-man Survivor Series tag...surely they are at the point where they can have that many people on screen without hardcore lag.

Bet it's some shitty divas match though.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009: Backstage Brawl
It's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack and improved.
by Greg Miller

August 27, 2008 - The time is nigh. After months and months of waiting, the floodgates are about to open on all things WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, and IGN is the only place to get the scoop.

And we mean the only place to get the scoop.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week, we'll be bringing you videos, screens, and info about three new parts to the SVR franchise. Then, on Monday, September 1, the brand new SmackDown Countdown will kick off. Things are going to be a bit different this year, but we're pretty sure you're going to dig the changes.

Until Monday, you'll just have to whet your appetite with this …
Backstage Brawl

After taking some time off, the Backstage Brawl is back in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. This year, there are actually two environments to brawl in -- the gorilla position and the locker room.

Aside from the concrete floor and dumpsters you can see in the screens below, THQ says the gorilla position -- the area directly behind the entrance to the stage -- is going to have a stock of weapons including a table, ladder, trash can, fire extinguisher, ring bell, and barbed wire 2x4. Meanwhile, you'll be able to interact with environmental objects such as metal doors, equipment containers, oil drums, trash dumpsters, trash bins, wooden table, and a TV Monitor.

Pucker up.
Pucker up.
Over on the never-before-seen locker room side, you're going to have some more implements of destruction to maim your opponents with. Weapons include a steel chair, crutches, Singapore cane, dumbbell and a guitar. You'll also be able to toss your foe into the lockers, big screen TV, potted plant, and a dry erase board.

Want more? Be sure to come back Friday for a video walkthrough from THQ that details one of this year's most anticipated features.

-------

Well, pretty cool I guess...though like other backstage brawls it'll be useless once you discover all the hot spots. Better than a divas match though.

Looks like Friday's update will be on the Road to WrestleMania Mode. I'm looking forward to hearing about it, supposedly it's only a 3 month mode but every wrestler you can use in it is meant to have a different storyline, so at least there's some replayability. And there's still the mystery mode in there.</font>

Thats good news, I hope the mystery mode is worth them keeping their mouths shut so long.

MEH

Saw that video with Morrison and Mizz, what the fuck is with those glass/screen shatters after big moves?

To signal a damaging effect or something like that??? No real point, I'm sure they just want to make it look cool for all the little kiddies....*shrugs*

Looks gay.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah it's pretty gay...I wouldn't mind if it was just finishers, but every impact move? Blah. Hopefully there's a way to turn it off.

The IGN boards are hilarious...just topic after topic about what the "change" in the Countdown is gonna be. The consensus is that it's gonna just be a blind countdown with no idea as to who made the cut, but Greg did say "we think you'll like the changes"...and from the sounds of things, nobody thinks it's a good idea :lol:

Maybe they actually bothered to include a load of real tag teams in the game...and so their countdown day will be done as a tag team instead of solo, or something.</font>

The time is nigh. After months and months of waiting, the floodgates are about to open on all things WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, and IGN is the only place to get the scoop.

And we mean the only place to get the scoop.

This week we showed you how SVR 09's tag team stuff would work, the Wii's interactive entrances and celebrations, and just what is going on with the Backstage Brawl match as we built up to the big news. Today, we continue that tradition of extensive SVR 09 coverage, but remind you that Monday's the day you've been waiting for -- September 1st, the brand new SmackDown Countdown will kick off. Things are going to be a bit different this year, but we're pretty sure you're going to dig the changes.

Until Monday, you'll just have to whet your appetite with this …

Create-A-Finisher

Way back in March, THQ shook the very foundation of the SVR Nation when it announced that this year's game would pack one of the most fan-requested modes -- Create-A-Finisher. Through a ten-step process, players chain together strikes, taunts, clutches, and slams for a finishing move that's all their own. There's poison fog, groin kicks, choke slams, and more. You can speed up or slow down animations, instantly preview a segment or the entire move, and watch as the move parts make use of multiple camera angles.

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242641&downloadURL=http://xbox360movies.ign.com/xbox360/video/article/902/902573/SDvR2009_CreateAFinisher_082508_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Some of the best news? You can assign the finishers to any wrestler in the game -- Superstars, created characters, Divas -- and save 30 of your created masterpieces. You can choose from 30 pre-set move names so the announcers can call the brutality as it happens, but you can also type in one that's all your own.

Want more? Be sure to come back Monday for the greatest spectacle in Sports Entertainment videogame character profiling -- the SmackDown Countdown.

:eek:

I wonder if we can do a total crotch finsiher. Where we kick him in the nads, then punch him in the nads, then....GRAB his nads, spin him around, and then bites his ass

:yes:

holy fuck I wasn't going to get this game but now it's a total buy unless everything around CAF sucks complete ass

I wonder how demented you are to want to kick, punch and grab another man's genitals

That looks pretty god damned awesome to me. The amount of different combinations and variations you could make over 30 slots is something to look forward to.

Looking at that vid, it is kinda annoying that they have to take out Punks tattoos still.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah CAF looks pretty awesome, it all flows nicely...dare I say they may have done it right the first try.

I'm gonna have to hear more before I buy, but at the very least it's a guaranteed rent for me...just to try out that mode.</font>

Lush

I was thinking the same thing. :lol:

Well apart from the bite his ass bit. :wtf::shifty:

Just hope that broken glass efect can be turned off, though im near sure last years game the triple replay thing couldnt be disabled in regular matches. :foc:

Hopefully theres a demo this year.

CAF looks really sweet, but you can just imagine how badly the online dicks are gonna spam out the long moves.

I will be having one of my quick moves. A sudden punch, and a pounce type move.

Last game I had pounce and this random clothesline

<font color=goldenrod>A longass finisher would be great in a Royal Rumble, keeps you occupied and unable to be thrown out until the move is finished :cool:

Countdown today...hopefully getting the roster. Half of IGN will be on suicide watch if it isn't</font> :lol:

<font color=goldenrod>LOL....turns out he IS doing a day-by-day roster reveal.

However, Santino Marella is the first Superstar on the Countdown</font> :cool:

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242641&downloadURL=http://xbox360movies.ign.com/xbox360/video/article/906/906733/santinomarella_090108_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all%"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360'></embed>

<font color=goldenrod>"If you see the Countdown pop up on your channel with videos from the PS3, it's not a mistake. That appearance means that character is in your version of the game. We're hoping to have weekly updates to your media sections with platform-specific stuff".

---

Hmm, judging by that, even PS2 will be getting a cut-down roster this year.</font>

Gruesome Greggy :love:

Pissed off already, saw Santino do the spike headbutt, an online move which is barely reversible. Why don't they just remove it...

Grab your steel chair, elbow pads, and Magic Marker-laden poster board -- the SmackDown Countdown is finally here.

For eight years IGN's been teaming with THQ to bring you videos, screens, and information for every playable character in the latest WWE videogame, and this year is no different -- except for the fact that it's very different. Rather than hand you the entire roster at the onset of this feature and then profiling the people on it day by day, we're going to give you the roster one person at a time.

That's right; every day we'll be announcing a new character in the game.

Monday through Friday from now until the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, we'll be profiling Superstars, showing their entrance, signature move, and finisher on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. Now -- PSP, PS2, and DS users -- if you see the Countdown pop up on your channel with videos from the PS3, it's not a mistake. That appearance means that character is in your version of the game. We're hoping to have weekly updates to your media sections with platform-specific stuff.

We've got a long way to go, but keep in mind that you're a huge part of this Countdown. Both Friday Fights and the THQ&A are back this year. Every Friday -- in addition to the Countdown -- IGN will post either a match in its entirety or a quick developer Q&A. If you check the IGN SmackDown vs. Raw message board, you'll find threads where you'll be able to vote on who you want to see fight and in what match as well as post your questions for the developers.

Can you smell what we're cooking?

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...9021846068.jpg

It will forever be known as the "Milan Miracle." On the night of April 16, 2007 in Milan, Italy, Mr. McMahon issued a challenge to anyone in the audience to battle the reigning Intercontinental Champion, Umaga, in a title match. As expected, no one was itching to face the Samoan Bulldozer.
Enter Santino Marella.

Marella, perched in the front row, not only volunteered, he also got off to a surprisingly quick start. Quick enough, in fact, that Mr. McMahon changed the bout to a No Holds Barred Match. Under those rules, it appeared as if Umaga would destroy Marella, but ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley intervened. After the ECW Champion nailed the Samoan Bulldozer with a chair and a vicious spear, he dragged Marella over and placed him on top of Umaga. The Italian became the new Intercontinental Champion in one of the most improbable moments in Raw history.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Dirty Pin
Referee Shield
Move Theft
Steal Taunt
Possum Pin

Signature Moves
Back Wheel Trip
Diving Headbutt 3

Finishers
Neckbreaker 13
Neckbreaker 16

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/906/906134/ssc-svr-1-wwe-wii_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

Santino Marella PS3/360
Santino Marella Wii

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

It's actually gonna have some move by move commentary I see.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...2110911700.jpg

Finlay has made his mission clear: he's here to fight. That's exactly what he's going to do, and he's always been good at it. Hailing from the mean streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Finlay will tell you that he loves to fight, and this double-tough individual can back up his bravado.

Throughout his career, Finlay has been regarded as one of the toughest men to ever step foot inside the ring. Originally plying his trade in Europe, Finlay held 16 major championships in Great Britain and Germany before coming to the United States in the mid-1990s.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Dirty Pin
Referee Shield
Hammer Throw
Durability
Submission

Signature Moves
Finlay Press
Steam Roller

Finishers
Celtic Cross
Celtic Knot

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907170/finlay_090208_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/907/907149/svr-finlay-countdown-1_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Fit Finlay PS3/360
Fit Finlay Wii

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

<font color=goldenrod>I'm a little underwhelmed by Finlay only because he looks exactly the same as the last two games...guess it's worth noting that the crowd was chanting "Horny!"...unless he's a season character, I don't think he'll even be in, he would be glitchy as hell if he were a playable character.</font>

I'd imagine they could do a ring post-type move where Horny could throw you a weapon.

In fact, that should be an option. Create a Midget. :shifty:

Well, it looks like they haven't fixed the fucking submission system.

Wow, thank GOD they didn't include the Unibrow&trade; for Santino.

Also, gorilla position :heart: that rocks

Guess they left out the announcing changes from the draft. Wonder if JBL is still the Smackdown color commentator or if it's Foley.

Meh, I'm really not digging this glass breaking thing, looks totally gay.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah the glass breaking kinda sucks, especially after a submission it looks retarded.

The only cool finisher effect was being able to control your matrix effect in SYM</font>

Coach is smackdown's colour commentator(proof by watching Finlay's Wii vid) and I agree that the glass breaking sound is really stupid.

Santino's post updated with his Signature Moves and Finlay's post updated with his Signature Moves and embedded Wii vid.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...3031207898.jpg

Originally, Beth burst onto the Raw scene in May 2006. Coming through the crowd, she attacked then-Women's Champion Mickie James. James was able to escape Phoenix and yelled "What are you doing here!?" as she left the ramp.

In the days to come, WWE fans would learn more about Beth Phoenix. Former Women's Champion Trish Stratus introduced Beth as an old friend of Mickie James, and insinuated that in the past, James had wronged her. Two weeks after Beth's first appearance, Stratus officially introduced her as the newest Raw Diva. Beth then welcomed herself to Raw by once again attacking Mickie James from behind, chasing her through the crowd and out of the arena. The following week, Beth made her in-ring debut, teaming with Torrie Wilson to defeat Candice & Victoria as James looked on from outside the ring.

However, in her first solo match against Victoria, Phoenix suffered the injury that would keep her sidelined for over a year. After suffering a fractured mandible, she had a titanium plate inserted in her jaw the next day.

Upon her return, the relentless Phoenix proved that her newly acquired titanium jaw had only fueled her hunger for gold. As the "Glamazon," Phoenix came to dominate Raw with her considerable size and strength advantage. She leveraged that advantage heavily, and quickly drew a bead on the reigning Women's Champion at the time, Candice. After a couple of losses, Phoenix managed to blunt Candice's speed and agility to capture the Women's Championship in October 2007.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Dirty Pin
Hammer Throw
Durability

Signature Moves
Sidewalk Slam 4
Body Press Drop FW

Finishers
Northern Lights Driver
Michinoku Driver Pin

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242641&downloadURL=http://xbox360movies.ign.com/xbox360/video/article/907/907561/0903_beth_phoenix_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/907/907533/svr-countdown-wii-beth-p-1_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Beth Phoenix PS3/360
Beth Phoenix Wii

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

<font color=goldenrod>Beth :love: WOuld have been funnier if her strength was higher than Santino

Shame she's really the only diva I was actually looking forward to...prolly gonna be like 9 more this year</font> :o

Looks like the weight restrictions for finishers still doesnt work.

<font color=goldenrod>MEH Kelly Kelly. 2 divas in a row</font> :mad:

That pisses me off too.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...4105444028.jpg

When she debuted on June 13, 2006, Kelly Kelly became the youngest Diva in all of sports-entertainment. A self-proclaimed exhibitionist, she put on strip shows dubbed "Kelly Kelly's Exposé" for our fans and won several body competitions.

After an ugly break-up with Mike Knox, Kelly clinged to a pair of equally spicy Divas, including Layla. The trio billed themselves as Extreme Exposé, though they would go their separate ways when The Miz, who owns the Divas' contracts, promised to make Kelly's life a living hell if she dated Balls Mahoney. Ignoring the Superstars' warnings, the blonde pursued and suffered the consequences, though she has proven herself in the ring while fending off any attacks from The Miz, Layla or anybody else.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Referee Shield
Move Theft
Fan Favorite

Signature Moves
Hurricanrana 5
Headscissor Takedown

Finishers
Fame Kisser
DDT 17

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907862/svr_kelly_kelly_090408_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/907/907807/svr-countdown-kellykelly_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

Kelly Kelly PS3/360
Wii link only up for insiders

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

<font color=goldenrod>I'm getting a little worried about the roster...I mean as happy as I was to see Santino and even Beth...the fact is all 4 people confirmed through the countdown were pretty much locks :o

Maybe I'm weird, but I've always played as the undercard guys more than the big names...so the roster is pretty important for me. I couldn't get around how awful it was last year.

That being said, it's still early...so we'll see.</font>

I too hope they start releasing superstars who people don't think are in.

Jesus Christ people, this thing just started. At least they gave us Santino, I was more worried they were going to leave him out more than anything.

I only use my CAW so I dont give a monkeys.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...4013927367.jpg

Growing up on the dangerous streets of urban Orangeburg, S.C., Shelton Benjamin felt pressure to join gangs. He lived in an area known for drug trafficking and weapons use, hung out with drug dealers and even found himself in the crossfire of several gunfights. To say that life was rough is an understatement, and Shelton admits that he could have easily slipped through the cracks and fallen into the traps of his hometown.

But rather than ending up on the wrong side of the tracks, he exceeded everyone's expectations; instead of getting caught up in the drugs and violence, Shelton got his life on track. An exceptional athlete, Shelton won two South Carolina state high school heavyweight wrestling championships. He was accepted to the University of Minnesota, continuing his career as a stand-out amateur wrestler and eventually becoming a WWE Superstar. And after all he went through early on in life, it's no wonder that Benjamin is so self-confident in the squared circle.

Achieving the goal of becoming a WWE Superstar was a life-long dream for Benjamin – a longtime sports-entertainment fan. Ever since he was young, Shelton was awed by the athleticism he saw in the ring each week on television. In fact, he even remembers the match that first caught his eye – Magnum T.A. vs. Wahoo McDaniel for the United States Championship in 1985.

Not only a great athlete, Benjamin also excels at video games, at one point winning the annual WrestleMania fan fest championship tournament three years in a row.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Dirty Pin
Hammer Throw
Ladder Match
Outside Dives
Springboard
Possum Pin

Signature Moves
Powerslam Pin 3(his T-Bone)
Dragon Whip 2

Finishers
Jumping Complete Shot(Pay Dirt)
Super Kick

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907867/svr_shelton_benjamin_090508_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/908/908236/svr-countdown-shelton-1_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Shelton Benjamin PS3/360
Shelton Benjamin Wii

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

Are you ready?

Each and every day, IGN brings you a brand new wrestler on the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 roster, but we're not content to just give you glimpses of the latest Superstars. For the second year in a row, IGN brings you a weekly treat every Friday -- either a reader-led Q&A with THQ or a wrestling match shown in its entirety that the readers picked by voting on the IGN SVR board.

This week, it's the debut of Friday Fights.

Yes, over on the boards the kids voted on what match they wanted and who they wanted to see in it. Below is the fruits of democracy.

Enjoy

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/908/908050/svr_fridayfights_090508_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Finlay vs Santino Marella Hell In A Cell

<font color=goldenrod>Wooo Shelton :cool: Had a feeling it'd be either him or MVP today. Felt weird not having him in last year.

haha, Justin Roberts did an awful announcing job there.

As for the Friday Night Fights...pretty cool little addition there where they showed Finlay staring down Santino as Santino made his entrance</font>

I'm a little annoyed.

Them calling it the jumping complete shot...I mean seriously...

Also, while I rather hear Joey Styles, part of me was wishing for Adamie to be in.

<font color=goldenrod>ROFL last night someone on IGN posted a link to another board, where someone had a "magazine scan" leaking the entire roster. It was ridiculously well done, but it was obviously fake.

The roster had 70 active superstars and no legends (like 12 useless divas)...and it would have been the most outdated roster of all time because it was seemingly based no later than early January.

The things that made it obviously fake include:

1. Big Show was in there despite not returning until No Way Out, whereas a guy like Kofi Kingston was missing even though he debuted earlier
2. Chuck Palumbo wasn't there even though he actually had a big storyline at that point (Jamie Noble however, did get in)
3. People who were rarely used, MIA, or injured for a long time like Boogeyman, Helms, Dykstra, and Mike Knox all somehow made the cut
4. Jobbers like Balls, Nunzio, and Stevie got in somehow
5. Shane McMahon was in and on the Raw roster for some reason
and
6. OVR ratings and brands were included...all of the OVRs of people we've seen in the countdown were all wrong and the brands were outdated to reflect the time period (ie: Chavo and Kane on SD, Shelton on ECW, etc)...I suppose those two things are easily changeable, but its still clearly fake...case in point, I remember Vince had a higher OVR than Regal.

I was gonna post the pic here but the boards were down for a while last night and I can't find the topic on IGN anymore. :mad: If I find it I'll post it. But yeah, I just find it hilarious how not only did someone go through the trouble of making a top-notch mag scan replica but people actually believed it.</font> :lol:

You wont be laughing if it turns out to be true.

<font color=goldenrod>Actually I'd be pretty psyched if it turned out to be true because like I said, I like using a lot of the undercard guys and this roster had a fuckload of them.

Anywho, someone on IGN posted the roster but the link to the "mag scan" doesn't work anymore. Topic'll prolly be closed soon so here it is:

(RAW)
BRIAN KENDRICK-85
CARLITO-87
CHRIS JERICHO-92
CODY RHODES-83
HARDCORE HOLLY-86
JEFF HARDY-94
JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD-91
JOHN CENA-97
LANCE CADE-86
MR.KENNEDY-93
PAUL LONDON-85
RANDY ORTON-95
SANTINO MARELLA-84
SHANE MCMAHON-85
SHAWN MICHAELS-96
SNITSKY-84
SUPER CRAZY-82
TREVOR MURDOCH-86
TRIPLE H-96
UMAGA-93
VINCE MCMAHON-86
WILLIAM REGAL-85

(ECW)
BALLS MAHONEY-84
BIG DADDY V-83
BOOGEYMAN-85
CM PUNK-94
ELIJAH BURKE-88
JOHN MORRISON-92
MIKE KNOX-85
NUNZIO-83
SHELTON BENJAMIN-90
STEVIE RICHARDS-84
THE MIZ-85
TOMMY DREAMER-86

(SMACKDOWN)
BATISTA-95
BIG SHOW-91
CHAVO GUERRERO-88
CURT HAWKINS-83
DEUCE-84
DOMINO-84
EDGE-95
FESTUS-83
FINLAY-87
GREGORY HELMS-86
JAMIE NOBLE-84
JESSE-83
JIMMY WANG YANG-85
KANE-88
KENNY DYKSTRA-84
MARK HENRY-86
MATT HARDY-92
MONTEL VONTAVIOUS PORTER-91
REY MYSTERIO-94
RIC FLAIR-87
SHANNON MOORE-83
THE GREAT KHALI-84
UNDERTAKER-98
ZACK RYDER-83

(DIVAS)
ASHLEY-65
BETH PHOENIX-74
CANDICE MICHELLE-71
JILLIAN-62
KELLY KELLY-66
LAYLA-64
MARIA-63
MELINA-70
MICHELLE MCCOOL-65
MICKIE JAMES-73
TORRIE WILSON-68
VICTORIA-72

-edit-

About 5 minutes after I posted this, the topic did get deleted...further cementing the obvious fakeness. Still looking for the mag scan somewhere tho cause the dude who did that was obviously awesome at photoshop</font>

Just emailed THQ, they said the list was 100% REAL!

NO KIDDING!

<font color=goldenrod>HOLY SHIT really??? :eek:

My cousin's boyfriend's adoptive father works for THQ and said there were a few inaccuracies.</font>

Is his name Bob? Because I know that guy.

<font color=goldenrod>Funny, I know him as Robert.

In all seriousness though, real curious about how it all winds up. Ledesma (who obviously tends to be full of shit) said it would be the biggest roster yet...but then Bryan Williams (who is actually pretty good) said it would be 30-40% larger than last year which would be a solid 65+.

Be pretty funny if we get a 65+ roster in a year where DLC is likely to be brought in.</font>

Man, I hate this thread when the countdown starts. My scrollwheel gets a hell of a workout.

Kinda psyched for this after the CAF video though. If the iMPACT game has good gameplay (bar it's obvious online/moveset flaws) I hope they steal it.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...7044829062.jpg

Hailing from the tropical climate of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaican Superstar Kofi Kingston brings unique in-ring abilities, style and lingo to Raw.

For weeks, WWE fans were offered a glimpse into Kingston's island paradise where the vibrant Superstar took troublesome matters into his own capable hands. Mixing it up with his lightning quick arsenal while maintaining his bright, amiable smile, Kofi undoubtedly made ECW his own private Island of the Extreme.

Kofi has engaged in a series matches against Shelton Benjamin as of late. Although he had done incredibly well in them, Benjamin is responsible for giving Kingston's his first loss in WWE. Rather than slowing him down, this has only inspired Kofi to work harder and do ever better in the future.

The day after defeating ECW's Gold Standard in an Extreme Rules Match, Kofi Kingston was randomly drafted to Raw in the Supplemental Draft on June 25. The Jamaican Superstar will now be looking to make an impact on Monday nights.Source: WWE.com

Abilities
Object
Fan Favorite
Outside Dives
Springboard
Possum Pin

Signature Moves
Double Back Chop
Flying Forearm Smash 2

Finishers
Trouble in Paradise
Twin Leg Drop

<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907871/svr_kofi_kingston_090808_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>
<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/908/908584/svr-superstar-kofi-1_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Kofi Kingston PS3/360
Wii link is insider only

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

<font color=goldenrod>JAMAICAN ME CRAZY</font> :love:

Apparently its very hard to say "pay dirt"

This was in last years game :wtf:

Last year's game was poo.

That it was

I hope they have Orton's new theme in here. That's what custom music is for I guess.

Yeah, and Kofi Kingston sucks.

When did Orton debut the new music, wasn't it early May, it should be, Kofi doesn't have his pyro so im highly disappointed :(

<font color=goldenrod>I never even played last year's game. :o The gameplay seemed atrocious from the demo, 24/7 mode sounded totally unappealing, and the roster may have been the worst in SD game history</font>

Gaming Ring Podcast

Mike Regan creates the Canadian Destroyer
<EMBED src=http://blip.tv/play/4iHMr0+MrQc width=640 height=510 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></EMBED>
Orton Stomps Triple H
<EMBED src=http://blip.tv/play/4iHMtEOMrQc width=640 height=510 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></EMBED>
Randy Orton beats Triple H with The Punt Kick(called Orton Boot) then a Stalking RKO(winning intro showed he has his CURRENT theme)
<EMBED src=http://blip.tv/play/4iHMsUGMrQc width=640 height=510 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></EMBED>

I wonder if I'll be able to create my Fire Pro finisher, Deadly-Go-Round.....

Is everybodies finisher a roll up?

BO! BO! BO!

I HEAR DEM SHELTON, I HEAR DEM BRIAN!

<font color=goldenrod>I'll prolly change Orton's stalking RKO to a regular front-move RKO just because I prefer everyone having at least one front (or back) finisher, so they won't be totally useless in backstage matches.

The Boot looks awesome.</font> :cool:

Orton doesn't do the Greek God pose anymore. I wonder if he has the same entrance.

<font color=goldenrod>News on the Road to WrestleMania mode will be up on IGN soon and apparently the news will also have an impact on the countdown starting tomorrow.

Real interested in hearing about the mode...even if its only a 3 month story, if everybody you can use in it (even if its only around 20) has a unique story then it could at least be replayable.</font>

OK, I really cant wait to get my hands on CAF, looks FREAKIN awesome.

I really would love to toy with the CAF but I don't know if that alone is enough to justify purchase of this game. The last installment sucked ass.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...9002236961.jpg

Breaking records, pumping iron and devastating opponents with his unmatched strength, it's no wonder they call Mark Henry the World's Strongest Man.

Mark Henry's rise to fame began in 1992 at the Olympics in Barcelona, where he competed in weightlifting in the super-heavyweight division.

Three years later at the Pan American Games, Henry captured a gold, silver and bronze medal, solidifying his place as one of the strongest men ever to walk the planet. He has also engaged in Strongman competitions, including the 2002 "World's Strongest Man" competition at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic, where Henry earned first prize.

Henry began his WWE career in 1996, and the future looks frightening for anybody that gets in Henry's way. After battling back from many obstacles including periods of down time and uncertainty due to injuries suffered through the years of his career, he is now at the top of his game.

After being drafted to the Land of the Extreme, Henry reached the pinnacle of his career by capturing the ECW Championship. He was also recently named the "Second Strongest Man That Ever Lived" by Flex Magazine. And above all else, he has vowed to destroy anyone who gets in his way.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
K.O.
Lock Pick
Hammer Throw
Submission

Signature Moves
Big Splash Pin
Headbutt 2

Finishers
World's Strongest Slam
SS Bearhug

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907877/svr_mark_henry_090908_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>
<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/908/908878/svr-countdown-markhenry-1_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>

Mark Henry PS3/360
Wii links might be insider only now

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

<font color=goldenrod>Wow :|

Triple H
CM Punk
The Undertaker
John Cena
Chris Jericho
Batista & Rey Mysterio (Tag Team)

That's it for playable characters in Road to WrestleMania mode......granted, each has a totally different story with possible different endings. But christ, of that list I'd probably only be Jericho or Punk.

Also, the rosters for it are pre-WM obviously...which probably means you can't be a heel in story mode yet again

Also, those 7 guys will represent the next 7 days of the Countdown, along with a vid of each character's story</font>

Let's be frank: the single-player career in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 wasn't that great. WrestleMania was in the same city every year, the storyline repeated, and characters were forced into situations that they'd never be in on the show so the players never felt like they were actually walking in that Superstar's boots.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is looking to change all that with Road to WrestleMania.

Rather than have a mode that drops whatever character you pick into an incredibly generalized, vanilla story, THQ and Yukes have created six completely original, character-specific storylines for you to tackle this year. Pick up your controller, and you can take on the show-to-show life of Triple H, CM Punk, Undertaker, John Cena, Chris Jericho, or the tag team of Batista and Rey Mysterio.

<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/908/908769/SvR09_RoadToWM_090908_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

As you play these storylines, you'll have to deal with fights breaking out backstage, the McMahons interfering, your friends turning on you and more. There will even be optional match objectives -- such as beating someone in a certain amount of time or putting them through a table -- that will unlock SVR 09 bonus content such as hidden characters, new environments, and new match types.

"We really wanted Road to WrestleMania Mode to differentiate itself from Exhibition matches," said Bryan Williams, THQ creative manager. "Though they all have their own vibe, each story promises plenty of twists and turns while staying true to the characters players follow every Monday, Tuesday and Friday night as part of WWE programming."

Williams said that the fully voiced cutscenes that drive the tales make up about two and half hours of the -- roughly -- 14 hours it'll take you to play through all six stories. Of course, that overall time estimate doesn't include the multiple paths and multiple endings.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...936883-000.jpg

"We've worked hard to make everything look, sound and feel like you're a part of WWE programming," Williams said. "It's the little details, such as match-specific commentary and end-of-show trademark graphics, which we think hardcore WWE fans will appreciate."

Sounds cool, no? Well, we'll have a full-fledged hands-on preview going up next Monday, but today's announcement is also going to be reflected in the IGN SmackDown Countdown, which is where we reveal a SVR 09 Superstar every day. Starting tomorrow -- Wednesday, September 10 -- the Countdown will begin profiling the seven Superstars from Road to WrestleMania and giving you video snippets of their storyline in addition to their traditional Countdown vid.

It's a good time to be a wrestling fan on IGN.

Road to Wrestlemania

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

I'm starting to wonder if they should waste resources creating a story mode at all.

<font color=goldenrod>I'm really just irked at the fact that, just like all SD games, you won't be able to be a heel.

This new mystery mode is meant to give you free reign though, we'll see.</font>

Looks a little interesting i must say

<font color=goldenrod>I'm thinking maybe the mystery mode will be an old-school style season mode. I mean, if you don't have a mode to put CAWs through it will piss a LOT of people off.</font>

Man i really wish you could use all the roster in season mode.

EAT 'EM UP! Eat 'em up!

MAKE A SNACK! Make a snack!

Nice, Orton's current theme is IN. I should have the (nearly) full theme come November. ;)

What the fuck...

WHY couldn't they have done a generic story mode FOR THE OTHER 60 WRESTLERS!!!!

This is unbelievable. Morons.

Yeah this is kinda dumb, a step in the right direction in a sense but only 6 characters?! bah... gonna get it regardless though, since I haven't had a SVR game since 07's version.

Would've been nice to play as orton and do the whole legend killer storyline as well

My two biggest gripes with Smackdown were in cage matches you couldnt exit through the door and in storymode you couldnt wrestle as a diva. Last years fixed te first problem but it doesnt look like the second one is fixed this year.

Why would you want to wrestle as a diva, also you could exit through the door, just not on two feet, problem with crawling your way to victory Shaggy?

Rey Mysterio vs The Miz
<EMBED src=http://blip.tv/play/4iHMyVSMrQc width=640 height=510 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></EMBED>

A short Q/A with THQ by Gaming Ring

All questions answered by Dan Ryan, associate creative manager, THQ.

How has the AI changed compared with 08?

Dan Ryan: Improving the AI in all areas of the game was a big focus for us while developing WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. Players will definitely find computer-controlled Superstars smarter, more competitive and behaving more realistically than in past installments. In fact, we here at the office still find ourselves getting surprised and beaten by AI opponents from time to time.

How is the auto targeting system compared to last year’s game?

Dan Ryan: The automatic targeting system has been completely redone in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, and the results are much more responsive and intuitive. Depending on which direction the player is moving the Left Stick, the game will automatically direct their Superstar’s attacks in the proper direction so that they are always targeting the intended opponent.

With abilities such as hardcore and high flying, how are they being used for each wrestler this year.

Dan Ryan: In WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, each Superstar had two Fighting Styles, each made up of a number of unique abilities. This year, in order differentiate Superstars even further from one another, we decided to eliminate the specific styles and instead allow Superstars to have any combination of individual skills, including a number of brand new abilities that are making their debut.

Is custom music still available for Create an Entrance?

Dan Ryan: Yes it is, and this year players will also be able to use customizable entrance music on the PS3, as well on the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Have to say that I'm underwhelmed.

Like Vito I've always wanted to play as a proper heel in SM (I remember playing thru as Orton and annihilating Eugene during a tag team story mode two years ago and the next show we're friends again - stupid).

6 seperate 3 month story lines is pretty lame.

AND NO STORY MODE FOR ORTON!?!?!

Maybe the announced mode is a season mode or a revamped GM mode which integrates storylines and cutscenes normally seen in season modes where you can use EVERYONE in the game?

I just want to wrestle as a diva to change things up. I like wrestling as everyone else in the game and want something different for once. My favoritge thing to do in the past games is pick like the worst Diva and put her in a elimination chamber against people like Big Show, Kane, Undertaker, Khali and Triple H...just to see if I can win.

I just wanna be a diva in storymode to shake things up a bit.

I sometimes like to play as divas once in a great while. Why must guys only stick to controlling male wrestlers?

I would, but they have shit moves.

Made a female CAW back in like 06 or something.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/ar...0111422976.jpg

Let's be honest: hailing from the rolling hills and broad valleys that constitute West Newbury, Mass., will likely never earn you "street cred" -- unless, of course, you're John Cena. Then again, it didn't happen overnight for him, either. Long before he became the Dr. of Thuganomics, young Cena had to endure the neighborhood rocker kids' taunts about his baggy pants and rayon Kwamé shirts. His love for freestyling lyrics about rebellion and individualism just didn't fit within the small rural community. By the time he turned 15, however, those same kids would stop teasing him, for it became apparent that Cena had been developing another passion: hitting the gym.

After applying to more than 60 colleges (and being accepted by 58), Cena attended Massachusetts' Springfield College, where he excelled as a Division III All-American offensive lineman and team captain for the Pride. But as much as he fondly remembers his college football accomplishments, he's equally as proud of earning his degree in Exercise Physiology, which he attributes to making him a smarter, more durable performer in the ring today.

Though a huge WWE fan since childhood, rooting for heroes like Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Shawn Michaels, Cena had honestly never even considered a career in sports-entertainment. Instead, he flew out to California in 2000, to pursue a profession in bodybuilding (a move he now admits to making simply because his father had told him he wouldn't make it out there). But while working behind the counter of Gold's Gym in Venice, a discussion with a wrestler-in-training encouraged Cena to enroll in classes at Ultimate Pro Wrestling. He was instantly hooked, and became motivated to learn everything he could about his newfound craft. He obviously proved a quick study; within a year, World Wrestling Entertainment signed Cena to a developmental contract to train at Ohio Valley Wrestling. By June 2002, he had joined the SmackDown roster, and less than a year later headlined the first of what has since become countless main-event matches.

That said, Cena has never forgotten his roots. In fact, remembering where he came from has helped him evolve into the man he is today: a well-versed hip-hop artist, a successful movie star and a blue-collared Chain Gang Soldier who's always ready to fight. In his jean shorts and Reebok Pumps, he leads his WWE fan-based army into battle with the mission statement he's been down with since Day One: hustle, loyalty and respect.

Source: WWE.com

Abilities
K.O.
Hammer Throw
Resiliency
Durability
Kip-Up

Signature Moves
5-Knuckle Shuffle
Diving Leg Drop 3

Finishers
F-U 3
SS STF-U

PS3/360
<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/907/907880/svr_cena_091008_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>
Wii
<embed src='http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf' flashvars='object_ID=14242659&downloadURL=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/video/article/909/909234/svr-countdown-cena-1-wii-09_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='433' height='360' ></embed>
Road to Wrestlemania
<EMBED src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf width=433 height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash flashvars='object_ID=14242649&downloadURL=http://ps3movies.ign.com/ps3/video/article/909/909070/091008_RTW_John_Cena_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all"'></EMBED>

John Cena gameplay
John Cena's Road to Wrestlemania

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

What about him?

Kinda like Cena's entrance... :shifty:

Cena's in this game! No Way!

YESSSS Finlay's voice is in.

Road to WM does look interesting even tho you can only choose 6 storys.