official scans from OPS2UK
IGN info
The 4000 grappling fans lucky enough to take part in Sony Computer Entertainment's online beta test for WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW received some disheartening news today as it was revealed that the process has been delayed for a week. The official drop date for eligible testers is now next Friday, August 20.
new pics from SD6.net
info from Official PS2 Magazine
Confirmed roster now includes (as in "there's been screenshots released of"): Molly, Sable (she may be deleted), Garrison Cade, Rene Dupree, Rico, JBL (as J.B. Layfield), Hardcore Holly, Shawn Michaels, Booker T, John Cena, Edge, RVD, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle (as a wrestler and SmackDown GM), Rock, Eddie Guerrero, Trish, Matt Hardy, Undertaker, Kane (unmasked and masked), Stacy Keibler, HHH (as wrestler and in suit as a ringside pest), Benoit, Torrie, Mark Jindrak, Andre The Giant (legend), Rhyno, Victoria, Batista, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Scotty 2 Hotty, Chavo Guerrero, Randy Orton, Ric Flair. Interestingly, EVERY wrestler on the roster will have their voice in the game.
Victoria's Widow's Peak is in (thankfully)
Kurt Angle and Eric Bischoff will be the game's GMs
Tazz and Michael Cole (SmackDown) AND Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler (Raw) will be in as commentators. They are apparantly selectable for exhibition matches, and they are present at ringside. In one screenshot, they run away from the desks, like in real life. Unfortunately, in the "versus" screenshots, all four of them are posing as if they were boxers... which makes Cole look like a real twat...
Commentary is still a bit hit and miss right now - JR repeats himself A LOT in the build the PS2 magazine was testing, but Tazz (as in reality) rattles off anecdotes about wrestlers during the game.
There are Legend Challenges during the game, where you can recreate matches. HOWEVER, it's not as in LOW: Showdown - you have to pull off certain spots during the matches (i.e. you have to throw Mankind through the cell as Undertaker).
Bret Hart is in (he's not named, but the magazine says one of the challenges "forces you to pull off a Sharpshooter against the man who's most famous for using it"). If this means Montreal is going to be a Legend Challenge, I'll eat my hat.
Online is confirmed (the main menu screenshots show: Exhibition, Create, PPV, Season, Online, Shop Zone and Option).
The number of backstage areas has been greatly reduced. You're stuck with the backstage set from last year (not the parking lot with the big truck; but this year it lets you electrocute your opponents, a la Goldust), and the parking lot. No training room, or WWE Times Square.