Chapter 3: RAW Storylines

The Smackdown vs. RAW season mode spans both shows. At the halfway point of the season, you will be sent to compete on the other brand. There are many storylines but you may only see a handful during any particular season. Each storyline leads to a specific pay-per-view and the particularly storyline you take part in depends on whether or not you currently hold the championship belt, if you are going for the championship belt, or neither. The order of RAW pay-per-views is WrestleMania, Backlash, Vengeance, SummerSlam, a nd Unforgiven. Theres one storyline per payper-view. Weve presented walkthroughs for many of the storylines in this section. You will not see all the storylines during a particular play-through and may not participate in the order presented here. The walkthroughs cover the conditions for each storyline as well as specific strategies for completing the matches. Some storylines are also character dependent. For instance, in the storyline titled "Taking on the Show" you are going to be battling Big Show. If you selected Big Show as your wrestler, you wont participate in the storyline. Also, if you have selected a wrestler thats part of an upcoming title challenge storyline, you wont be able to participate in it even if you win the required matches. Note that you may face different opponents that those revealed in these walkthroughs. It depends on your selected wrestler; however, the matches and story are essentially the same. Taking on the Show Most RAW wrestler selections begin here (unless you chose Edge or one of the participants of this storyline). You also begin here if you lost the belt at the end of the Smackdown season. The storyline begins with a singles match against the mammoth Big Show. After the match, you attempt to make friends. But Chavo Guerrero and Daviri enter with lead pipes and take down the big man. Carlito enters the stage and claims the four of you guys are together...when did that happen? Apparently these "little guys" are tired of being pushed around by the heavyweights. In the next RAW youll compete against Viscera in a singles match. Big Show arrives -he doesnt seem pleased about that ambush. Big Show issues a devastating choke slam that goes "halfway to China" according to Jim Ross. How are you going to calm the angry giant? By the way, your little gang of misfits is nowhere to be found during this entire incident. Check the messages after this battle and you can choose to either team with the little guys against Big Show or you can try to explain yourself to the Big Show to avoid another choke slam. If you decide to team with the little guys, youll take on Big Show in a two -on-one (one on tag) handicap match. After the match, Big Show takes out his anger on your partner, who suffers enough injury to put him out of commission for a couple weeks. You receive a message from Carlito; he wonders where you were while your partner was getting thumped. To make up for it, he gets you to join in on a one on three handicap match against Big Show. Tip: If you refuse help from Carlito, you end up teaming with the Big Show in a tag team match. Allow Big Show in the ring to work over those little guys. The next match is a handicap one on tag match against Carlito and one of his crew. Focus your attacks on one opponent and try and force the off the apron to prevent interference. The final battle is a no-disqualification tornado tag with Big Show as your partner! After the match, the angry giant awakens again. He chokes slams both of your partners while you carefully make your way out of the squared circle. Big Show suggests no interference next week in a cage match! Win this match by climbing out of the cage or going through the door. The Big Show can sustain a lot of pounding so it can take awhile to get him on the ground long enough to climb out of the cage. Use submission holds on Big Shows head; youll want his head in the red before trying to escape. A finishing move that inflicts head damage will provide the time necessary to get out and win the match.

Keepin It Real
If you start on the RAW storyline, you must select Edge to participate in this story. You will see this storyline if you are transferred from Smackdown as the current champion. Stephanie wants to determine the number one contender for your title. She wants to assign every wrestler a superstar rating, or "S-rating," to see whom the fans want as the RAW champion. Apparently John Cenas rating was off the charts -Stephanie is backing Cena as number one contender. The storyline begins with a singles match against Shelton Benjamin; expect Torrie Wilson to serve as your manager. Apparently Shawn Michaels defeated John Cena in the contender match but Stephanie is still backing Cena to challenge your title. The following week on RAW you and Torrie Wilson battle Cena and Mickie James in a mixed tag team match. After the match, Cena uses some of his charisma to temporarily steal your girl and your belt. Another tag match is next: you and Shawn Michaels against John Cena and Shelton Benjamin. Also based on the email, it doesnt sound like things are going smoothly with Torrie. Shawn Michaels is still fuming over the fact Cena

remains number one contender-Shawn seems to unearth that Stephanie has a crush on Cena. But it implodes when Stephanie catches Cena backstage with Torrie Wilson. The woman scorned decides perhaps Shawn is the right man after all! Before the title match, however, you compete in a triple threat against both contenders: Shawn Michaels and John Cena. Try to separate the competitors so your pin isnt interrupted. Of course nailing both with a finishing move will work nicely as well! The following week is the title match on RAW; its against Shawn Michaels for the WWE title. Win the match and you continue on in the storyline; losing the title sends you to an alternate storyline. John Cena still believes hes the deserving contender-though Stephanie is still fuming over the "Torrie" incident. A new match: you versus John Cena in a number one contender match with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee. If Cena wins, hes the number one contender; otherwise Shawn gets a WrestleMania rematch. After the match, Cena gets some revenge with a steel chair. Shawns subsequent injury names Cena the number one contender. You take a brief break from the Cena and Michaels triangle to face off against Chavo Guerrero. Cena ambushes you before the match so you must battle Chavo with a minor head injury. The following week is a tune-up for WrestleMania-a non-title match against John Cena. Looks like Torrie has returned to your corner...wait, not so fast! After the match, Torrie double-crosses you (right where it hurts) and Cena knocks you out with the belt. Finally at WrestleMania, you face off against John Cena in a Last Man Standing match. Its no disqualification so anything goes-grab some weapons from under the ring! You must knock Cena down for a full 10 count to win the match. Accomplish that feat by working location damage on Cenas head. Saving up a couple finishing moves cant hurt either. Make sure you replenish stamina in between weapon uses-dont get tired and caught sucking in air. Winning this match unlocks the WrestleMania trophy, the WrestleMania 22 arena, and the Immortals package in the WWE shop. Retaining the title means continuing to another storyline in which youre champion. If you lose the title, you advance to a storyline in which you dont have the title nor are you competing for the titl e. Cleaning up RAW Encounter this storyline when you arent champion or eligible for a title shot. This storyline leads up to the first WrestleMania in the season. Candice thanks you for showing her all those "moves and holds" over the weekend-shes battling Mickie in a singles match on tonights show. Youll control Candice during the match. After the match Lita enters the ring and punishes both divas. Stephanie McMahon ap pears on stage and suggests its time for someone to clean up the filth around RAW. The next week youre back to controlling your selected superstar -in a battle against Viscera. Check out his email before the match and see that he has some ideas for entertainment afterward. Complete the match and leave with Torrie Wilson while Kurt Angle administers the ankle lock on Viscera. You definitely got the better end of that deal! Apparently Kurt Angle is pledging his support to the clean up RAW crew. Hes hoping t o return "Real Athletic Wrestling" back to his wholesome roots. You challenge Angle and Lita to a mixed tag match. Trish Stratus sends an email and offers to be your partner for the battle. You can look for chances to pummel Lita when she wanders in the ring. You chosen superstar will be much stronger and can inflict heavy damage with just a few moves. In the next week you have the chance to assist Trish-shes battling Lita in a no disqualification match. You will be her manager at ringside. Apparently the WrestleMania card is set: an ultimate submission match against Kurt Angle. This is the ironman match for submission holds. Theres a 20 minute time limit and you must get your opponent to submit more times than you submit. Obviously your choice of wrestler can greatly affect the difficulty of this task. If you have selected a submission specialist, your holds will inflict greater damage. If your submission holds are weak, it may take longer to get a skilled submission wrestler like Angle to tap out. Work on the same body part throughout the match and get that body part into red damage as quickly as possible. As soon as you get a tap out, go for another hold on the same body part. Splash in some finishing moves to keep your opponent down and vulnerable to holds. If youre up in points and the match is close near the end, run around in and out of the ring to burn clock. Winning this match unlocks the WrestleMania trophy, the WrestleMania 22 arena, and the Immortals package in the WWE shop.

Conflict of Interest
Enter this storyline if you are current champion as of WrestleMania. This storyline leads to the Backlash and Vengeance pay-per-view events. Edge sends you a voice message: hes the number one contender to the title and looking forward to his title shot at Backlash. Oh and Triple H is serving as an interim general manager of RAW. Triple H hopes to find a worthy number one contender (Edge just doesnt measure up) and enters you into a six -man over-the-top-rope battle royal. Think of this as a mini-Royal Rumble. The six competitors are already in the ring and

must be eliminated over the rope. This means the ring-out meter will come into play. Check the Royal Rumble section of the match strategy for tips on completing an over-the-top-rope match. Edge complains about his contender status so Triple H puts you in a two on three "tag on trio" handicap match. Complete this encounter like other tag team matches; though expect greater interference from your opponents non legal men. The following week, Edge wins a fatal four-way to cement his position as number one contender-but not according to Triple H. After a backstage assault, Edge is suspended. Compete in a singles match against Ric Flair. Triple H announces the number one contender who will face you at Backlash for the championship: himself. Its a standard singles match. Successfully defend your title at Backlash and unlock the Backlash trophy, Backlash arena, and the Perfect Package in the WWE shop. You also continue in this storyline. Triple H feels the officiating during the Backlash match was a bit questionable. Mr. McMahon puts Triple H in his place. Back in the locker room, check your messages and you can choose your opponent in a non-title match: Kurt Angle or Kane. Expect to face both in a triple threat the following week. After the match, Angle and Kane rough you up. And Edge rescues you...right before he spears you. Vince names Edge the number one contender for the title at Vengeance. But Vince isnt pleased with Edges lack of gratitude and schedules a tag match: you and Edge against Angle and Kane. On the next RAW, Triple H interrupts the Vengeance contract signing-apparently he also has a contract. Vince decides a triple threat is in order. The winner gets to choose the match type. If you lose, whoever pins you gets the title shot. If you win, the competitor you dont pin will be your opponent at Vengeance.

Re-volution
Youll encounter this storyline if you have chosen to challenge for the title. The best way is to win every match in the Taking on the Big Show storyline. Re-volution leads up to the first WrestleMania pay-per-view. The storyline opens with a match against Kane. Triple H "The Game" appears on stage-hes the current WWE Champion. He offers a deal. Go to Smackdown and send Randy Orton a message that starts with "1, 2, 3" and Triple H will make the WrestleMania championship match a no-disqualification match. You will battle Randy "The Legend Killer" Orton the following week on Smackdown. Next week Triple H has a new offer. Take out Smackdown superstar Batista and hell let you choose the match type at WrestleMania! Exp ect Orton to show up and eventually take position ringside as manager. Randy Orton and Batista invade RAW the following week; you team with Triple H in a standard tag team match. But before the action takes place, you get to choose your WrestleMania match if you have defeated both Smackdown stars leading to this encounter. After the match, expect Triple H to get started early with help from a sledgehammer. You will begin the WrestleMania match with minor injuries, nothing too severe but still a setback against one of the best superstars in the game. Defeat Triple H in your chosen match at WrestleMania to win the title. Winning at WrestleMania unlocks the WrestleMania trophy, the WrestleMania arena, and the Immortals package in the WWE shop. High and Dry This storyline leads to the Backlash pay-per-view and will be encountered if you arent champion or eligible for a title shot. RVD is hoping to team with you to make a run at the tag team title. The storyline begins with a normal tag match against Ric Flair and Chris Masters. Follow standard tag team match strategies--watch out for the Nature Boy, he may be old but hes still skilled, especially with submission holds. Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade, the tag team champions, ambush after your match...they want to take out the significant threats to the tag team championship! Youre signed to a match against Trevor Murdoch; its a singles match. Time to get out your aggression! After the match, Murdoch ambushes RVD, whos currently battling Lance Cade in another singles match. Like a good tag team partner, you come to the rescue only to get pounded by Murdoch, Cade, and a steel chair. The rivalry is building! Completing this segment elevates you to the number one contender position for the tag team titles. The next match is against the champions, Murdoch and Cade in a normal tag match. Well, it was supposed to be a tag match. RVDs entrance music plays but he doesnt emerge...well, he finally emerges but hes not friendly. RVD is bitter about the ambush last week. Apparently you didnt help him quickly enough! He leaves you alone to face Murdoch and Cade all alone. The former tag team match is now a one on two handicap match Tip: These handicap matches are tough. If you miss a counter or two, Murdoch and Cade could string a series of moves together and inflict serious damage before you can even consider escaping-even the odds by tossing one out

of the ring with an Irish whip. This will also help when you want to go for the win. Get one out of the way then use a finishing move on the other and go for a quick pinfall. Shane McMahon hopes you and RVD can work through issues during a singles match. Perhaps you can talk through the problems between pile drivers? McMahon hopes to pair you and RVD back up in a tag team championship match at the Backlash pay-per-view. Looks like things havent changed. After the match, RVD joins Cade and Murdoch in a little betrayal steel chair style in the RAW locker room. Shane McMahon gives up on the hope of a tag team title match at Backlash and instead signs a hardcore match. Time to give some of that steel chair love back to RVD! Rules go out the window in a hardcore match. Grab a weapon and if you cant find one, search under the ring. Use the weapons! Watch your stamina, which will deplete significantly between weapon strikes. The weapon hits will elevate your momentum meter quickly. Go for a finishing move and if it doesnt end the match return to the weaponry. Winning this match unlocks the Backlash Trophy, the Backlash arena, and the Perfect Package in the WWE Shop.

Framed
This storyline leads to the Vengeance pay-per-view and will be encountered if you arent champion or eligible for a title shot. Shawn Michaels has formed a new group with Shelton Benjamin and Gregory Helms and promises no double-teaming or acting like punks in your singles match with Shelton. Because if you are impressive in the match tonight, the Heartbreak Kid may offer you a spot in the group! Shelton has nothing but good things to say about the nights match . He claims Shawn Michaels is ready to invite you into the new group. Check your messages the next week, though; apparently Gregory Helms claims you attacked him! And group leader Shawn isnt too pleased about this development. In fact hes so mad you face him in a singles match. You attempt to plead your innocence after the match-youre greeted with sweet chin music. The following week you compete in another singles match. Backstage, Shawn Michaels discovers that Shelton Benjamin and Gregory Helms were lying about the attack. Shawn apologizes to you and arranges a match between you and Gregory Helms-perhaps you can get a little payback. HBK also suggests teaming up at Vengeance against Benjamin and Helms in a steel cage. Tip: Before going to Vengeance you can choose your opponents. You can accept Shawns apology and team up against Helms and Benjamin in a tornado tag; you can choose to fight Shawn Michaels alone; and finally you can choose a fatal four-way against all three opponents. All matches are in a steel cage. Select your opponents and match type leading to the pay-per-view. The fatal four-way is certainly the most difficult and challenging while facing just one opponent, Shawn Michaels, is the easiest-even if it isnt the nicest way to end the storyline! Winning this match unlocks the Vengeance trophy, the Vengeance arena, and the D-X package in the WWE shop. The Angle Invitational This storyline leads to the Vengeance pay-per-view and will be encountered if you are eligible for a title shot. Kurt Angle, the current champion, is ready to take on any contender and youre happy to oblige. Apparently nervous at your eagerness to pummel him, Kurt Angle plans a number one contender tournament leading up to the Vengeance pay-per-view. The storyline begins with a tag team match; youre teamed with Shelton Benjamin. This plays out like a standard tag team match. Shane-O Mac warns that any of these superstars may end up being your adversaries in your quest for the championship. The following week the tournament officially begins. You face Carlito in a singles match. In the other tournament match, Chris Masters, with the assistance of Kurt Angle, eliminates your former tag team partner Shelton Benjamin. Looks like the fix might be in--Kurt Angle has chosen his horse in the race: the Masterpiece Chris Masters. In the number one contender match, you battle Chris Masters in a singles match with managers-Shelton Benjamin in your corner and Kurt Angle in the Masterpieces corner. After the match, the tables turn dramatically. It appears Kurt and Shelton were setting you and the Masterpiece up all along-while Kurt puts Masters in the Masterlock, Shelton Benjamin gives you a good old fashioned beatdown. Get your revenge in the next match, a no-disqualification match against Shelton Benjamin (Kurt Angle joins him as a manager). Without disqualifications, grab a weapon and exact your revenge.

Emerge victorious as the number one contender for the title and you battle Kurt Angle at Vengeance pay-per-view for the WWE Championship. This is a standard singles match. Kurt Angle is highly skilled in submission holds; keep Angle away with whips, big grapple moves, and aerial attacks. Defeat Angle and capture the WWE Championship. Winning this match unlocks the Vengeance trophy, Vengeance arena, and the D-X Package in the WWE Shop.

Uh Oh, Its Magic

You encounter this storyline if you arent champion or eligible for a title shot; it leads up to the SummerSlam pay -perview. You begin the storyline in a singles match against Edge; Candi ce manages him at ringside. Its a nodisqualification match so dont hesitate the bend the rules a bit! A cut scene interrupts the action as you go for the three-count-Candice enters the ring with...a magic wand. Candice hits you with the wand, which knocks you out and gives Edge an easy, and quite improbable, victory. Tip: When you battle Candice in your new girlish figure, you actually have the exact same move set (and presumably the same statistics) as your originally selected superstar. Its rather amusing watching the buxom blonde pulling off Big Shows array of maneuvers. Next week backstage you meet up with Edge, Candice, and the magic wand again. Candice challenges you to a match, which certainly sounds absurd. Until she taps you with the magic wand and you transform into a buxom blonde. Okay, now that sounds absurd! You battle Candice in a singles match. Backstage Candice pulls off more magic wand shenanigans (much to the disappointment of Viscera). You battle Candice again in a singles match-this time as your normal manly self. Again backstage, Candice goes crazy with the wand and creates a one on tag handicap match for you against Boogeyman and Edge...who is also Boogeyman. Knock the non-legal opponent off the apron after pulling off a finisher on the legal man. You need to prevent the interference. Candice promises a magical SummerSlam-its a ladder match against Edge with Candice serving as manager. Incapacitate your opponent as far away from the rings center as possible. Drag him outside and per form some environmental grapples, finishers, and weapon attacks to keep your opponent down. Grab the case over the ring to win the match. You break Candices pink wand after the victory. Winning at SummerSlam unlocks the SummerSlam trophy, SummerSlam arena, and the four Faces of Foley package in the WWE shop.

Elimination!
You encounter this storyline if you choose to challenge for the title after SummerSlam. Its the return of the Elimination Chamber and it leads to the Unforgiven pay-per-view. John Cena is the current WWE Champion and hes going to prove himself in a six-man over-the-top-rope battle royal. Think of this as a mini-Royal Rumble. The six competitors are already in the ring and must be eliminated over the rope. This means the ring-out meter will come into play. Check the Royal Rumble section of the match strategy for tips on completing an over-the-top-rope match. The following week Shane-O-Mac gives you the chance to pick your partner in a tag team match against other competitors in the upcoming Elimination Chamber match. After the match, expect a Big Show and Snitsky ambushdouble choke slam! The next match is a triple threat tornado tag match-all six men in the ring at once and the first guy to gain a pinfall wins the match for his team. And its hardcore! Its pure chaos. Grab weapon after weapon and dish out punishment against every opponent in the ring. Toss the weakest opponent out of the ring and try and get a pinfall far from the action to limit interference. Leading up to Unforgiven, Shane provides an option to determine your number for the Elimination Chamber. You can compete in a tag team match (winner gets five and six, loser gets one and two) or in a singles match (winner gets six, loser gets one). The singles match is likely the easier choice-plus it guarantees the best spot if you win. The Unforgiven main event is a six-man Elimination Chamber. Hopefully youre the sixth man to enter! The match begins with two superstars; remaining superstars enter one at a time. If youre the sixth superstar, most of the damage should already be done. Just like a battle royal, sit back and watch the carnage. Go for pin opportunities and avoid high-flying computer-opponents diving off chambers. Winning the match unlocks the Unforgiven trophy, Unforgiven arena, and the Bam Bam Package in the WWE Shop.

With Friends Like These

This storyline leads to the Unforgiven pay-per-view and will be encountered if you arent champion or eligible for a title hot. Chris Masters is seeking the tag team championship and has chosen you to become his partner. What an honor, right? The storyline opens with a standard tag team match against a couple RAW superstars. After the match, it sounds like the Masterpiece wants to take credit for any team success. Plus Candice wants you to contribute more in the matches so Chris doesnt get all tired out! Oh, brother. Youll face another combination of RAW superstars. RAW Magazine has cover story praising Masters; and now Torrie Wilson has joined the "try to measure up as a partner" bandwagon. In the locker room you confront Chris Masters about the slanted magazine article; the match tonight pits you against the champs, Kane and Snitsky, in separate single matches. The following week its a non -title tag team match against the champs. Before the match you have a choice: you can put up with Masters ego and join him for the tag team match in preparation for the Unforgiven pay-per-view or you can cut him loose now and let him battle Kane and Snitsky alone. Leave the Masterpiece high and dry and watch him score an improbable victory-one that will surely feed his everexpanding ego. Unforgiven arrives-either with Masters or against him depending on your selection (battle Masters in a no disqualification match). Winning the match unlocks the Unforgiven trophy, Unforgiven arena, and the Bam Bam Package in the WWE Shop. It also concludes the RAW storylines; after Unforgiven, youre traded to the Smackdown brand. Behind Every Great Man... This storyline leads to SummerSlam and Unforgiven and will be encountered if you are the current champion. This storyline opens with a singles match against RVD. After the match, Chris Masters and the WWE Womens Champion Trish Stratus enter the stage. She claims this will be last week youre champion because next week on RAW its you against the Masterpiece in a Ladder Match. Trish Stratus serves as Chris Masters manager at ringside. Dont worry about the belt hanging over the squared circle just yet. Work on immobilizing Chris Masters. Youll have to keep him on the ground long enough to climb the ladder and snag the belt. Utilize the ladder as a weapon. Throw Masters out of the ring to provide extra time to set up and ascend the ladder. The cut scene is same no matter how the actual match turns out-both of you topple off the ladder after a series of strikes. Trish scampers up the ladder and retrieves the belt; the referee inexplicably declares Chris Masters the new champion. Controversy ensues! Despite your pleas, Shane-O Mac says the next rematch against Masters isnt for the title. Shane-O Mac calls a meeting-he plans a title match at the SummerSlam pay-per-view. Shane even says Trish will be in the ring! But before the SummerSlam pay-per-view, it is another night of RAW...a mixed tag match with Mickie James as your partner against Chris Masters and Trish Stratus. Follow strategies of other tag matches. Try and get some hits on Trish Stratus when she wnaders in the ring to help Masters kick out of a pin or struggle out of a submission hold. The match at SummerSlam is officially a triple threat-you versus Chris Masters versus Trish Stratus. Win the match and Trish takes matters into her own hands. She wallops you with the championship belt and gives Chris Masters and the referee painful blows below the belt. Trish Stratus exits SummerSlam with the WWE Championship belt held proudly above her head. Winning this match unlocks the SummerSlam trophy, the SummerSlam arena, and the four Faces of Foley Package. Lose and youre sent to the "With Friends Like These" storyline that leads to Unforgiven where you arent the current champion. In the subsequent week of RAW, you assume the role of Mickie James in a match against "current" champion Trish Stratus. General Manager Stephanie McMahon cant stand the title controversy any longer. She decides to take the title back. Stephanie admires Trishs tenacity and decides to allow Trish to choose your opponent for the vacant title at the upcoming Unforgiven pay-per-view match. On the following week of RAW, face off against Masters and Big Show in a triple threat match. Look for an opportunity to immobilize one opponent while attempting to pin the other. Simply inflicting heavy damage to one opponent may not be enough because you could allow the other superstar to get an easy victory. Instead try and toss one out of the ring. After the match, Trish promises Big Show to take him all the way to the title, just like she took Chris Masters. The following week youre in a singles match against Snitsky. Big Show arrives to cause trouble eventually going ringside to serve as a "manager" to Snitsky, or perhaps to keep an eye on you. Big Show cuts Trish loose-he doesnt

trust her motives. Before the match at Unforgiven, you must battle the Big Show in a backstage brawl match in the parking lot. When you finally reach the Unforgiven pay-per-view, you battle Big Show in a singles match. Winning this match unlocks the Unforgiven trophy, the Unforgiven arena, and the Bam Bam Package in the WWE Shop. Winning at Unforgiven also unlocks the WWE Championship belt and concludes the RAW storylines. If you started as a RAW wrestler, you will be automatically traded to Smackdown if you are victorious here. You will enter the Smackdown season as champion and start at the "A New Leaf" storyline.

Rescue the Princess

Youll encounter this storyline if you are using a wrestler thats part of another storyline (since this storyline uses legends) and if you possess or are going for the belt. Vince McMahon plans a "legends" initiative, though Stephanie "the million dollar princess" doesnt seem to agree. Todays fans dont want to see legends; they want to see todays superstars. Start the singles match against the legend: old school versus new school! Tip: This walk-through and Legends End is duplicated in the Smackdown Storylines section of this game guide. Rescue the Princess and Legends End feature WWE legends and will be encountered if your selected wrestler plays an integral role in another storyline. Vince continues to push his initiative and puts you in a handicap match against two of his handpicked legends to be fought on Smackdown. Stephanie hopes to find a Smackdown superstar to even the odds and make it a tag team match. The following week on RAW, Vince books a six-man legends battle royal (you included). Competitors are eliminated by pinfall; be the last man in the ring! You can allow the other legends to fight while you remain back and take your opportunities. Vince arrives on stage after the match: he has a few more legend matches up his sleeve. Next week youll join Smackdown for a six-man elimination tag team match followed by a title match against yet another legend. Vince is serious about his initiative! On Smackdown, Vince and Stephanie have another tiff-old school versus new school continues. Stephanie offers a choice of tag team partners: a couple RAW or Smackdown superstars to join you against the legends. Choose your partners and face the old school. The title match arrives-its a steel cage match against the legend. Win by escaping through the door or over the top of the cage. Inflict heavy damage and perform a finishing move to keep your opponent down as long as possible before attempting to climb out of the cage.

Legends End
Youll encounter this storyline if you arent champion or going for the title but have selected a wrestler thats used in a vital role for another story. The storyline begins with a singles match against a superstar on the rival brand. Checking your e-mail reveals a message from the legendary Mick Foley-who gets crushed in a legends exhibition match in the following cut scene. Back in the locker room, check your e-mail again; Vince offers you a choice of your next match. Vince wants to right some of the wrongs in that previous legends exhibition. You can take on both legends in a handicap match or one legend in a no-disqualification match. Mick Foley, swinging a crutch, saves you from a legends ambush. The next week youre partnered with another superstar and face both legends in a tag team match. More post-match steel chair shenanigans ensue. The next week you battle Piper in a singles match. Its time for a new betrayal! After the match, Mick Foley, once again with crutch in hand, decides to crack you in the back. It turns out Piper and Foley were in cahoots the entire time. Check your messages and choose to accept Bigelows offer of help or remember that he hit you with a chair also and refuse his assistance. Refusing help means battling Piper and Foley alone in a one-on-two handicap match. If you team with Bigelow, expect the finale to be old school-style, tornado tag in a steel cage.

Chapter 4: Smackdown! Storylines

The Smackdown vs. RAW season mode spans both shows. At the halfway point of the season, you will be sent to compete on the other brand. There are many storylines but you may only see a handful during any particular story

mode. Each storyline leads up to a specific pay-per-view and the particularly storyline you take part in depends on whether or not you currently hold the championship belt, if you are going for the championship belt, or neither. The pay-per-view order is No Mercy, Survivor Series, Armageddon, Royal Rumble, No Way Out, and finally WrestleMania. You will only see one storyline per pay-per-view. Weve presented walkthroughs for many of the storylines in this section. You will not see all the storylines during a particular play-through and may not participate in the order presented here. The walkthroughs cover the conditions for each storyline as well as specific strategies for completing the matches. Some storylines are also character dependent. For instance, in the storyline titled "The Rabid Wolverine and the Deadman" you are going to be battling Chris Benoit. If you selected C hris Benoit as your wrestler, you wont participate in the storyline. Also, if you have selected a wrestler thats part of an upcoming title challenge storyline, you wont be able to participate in it even if you win the required matches. Some of the compe titors listed in the walkthroughs may differ depending on your selected superstar, though the storylines and matches remain generally the same.

The Rabid Wolverine and the Deadman

This storyline leads to the No Mercy pay-per-view and will be encountered if you arent current champion. Teddy Long plans to make you the special referee during tonights Smackdown match between two of its greatest superstars: Chris Benoit and the Undertaker. You can join in the fun without consequence-perform maneuvers on either opponent if you wish. Once a superstar goes for a pin, press the "A" button to make the count as fast or as slow as you wish. Neither Benoit nor Undertaker seems terribly impressed with your referee skills. Both superstars seek a rematch without your aid. Over the next couple weeks, youll participate in singles match against the Undertaker and Benoit while their feud heats up on Smackdown. Teddy Long announces that plans are in the works for all three to participate in a main event at No Mercy.

Match victories during this storyline determine which superstar you battle at No Mercy and the match type.

The following week is a triple threat match against Chris Benoit and the Undertaker. These are two of the strongest Smackdown wrestlers. Try to separate these competitors before going for a pin or submission victory. Throw one out of the ring or perform a couple finishing moves to keep an opponent on the ground as long as possible so the other competitor wont interrupt your pin or submission attempt. Win the match and you get to choose what type of match for the No Mercy pay-per-view (single, ironman, table, hardcore, submission, or first blood). Youll face the superstar you failed to pin. If you lose the triple threat match, the opponent that pinned you will get the match selection. Be victorious at No Mercy and you will unlock the No Mercy trophy, No Mercy arena, and the Diva Package at the WWE store.

Ive Got Your Back

This storyline leads to the Survivor Series pay-per-view and will be encountered if you are eligible for a title shot. The storyline begins with a single match against Johnny Nitro. After the match, Nitro offers his assistance in your title run (why did he carry around the steel chair first, though?). The following week you take on Benoit in a non-title match. As the match concludes, Johnny Nitro emerges again with a steel chair to "help" you out. Instead it provides the necessary distraction for Benoit to put you in the crippler crossface long enough for you to tap out. Thanks, Nitro! The next match is a tag team battle-you team up with Nitro against Benoit and another Smackdown superstar. With friends like Nitro, who needs enemies? As the match concludes, Nitros distractions put you once again on the mat and inside a Benoit crippler crossface.

Nitro attempts to win back your favor with a triple threat match leading up to your Survivor Series title shot-you versus Benoit and Nitro. Win the match and you get some revenge on Chris Benoit. Nitro hits him with the championship belt and you get in a little crippler crossface special move steal for good measure. The title match at Survivor Series against Chris Benoit is an ultimate submission match. Theres a 20 minute time limit and you must score more tap outs than Benoit. Hes a skilled submission wrestler so it wont be easy, especially if you have a lower submission score. Focus your attention on specific body parts (with any type of moves) and once you have gotten a body part into red damage, go for submission holds. Winning this match unlocks the Survivor Series trophy, Survivor Series arena, and the Hart Foundation Package at the WWE shop. Defeating Benoit also means you become the World Heavyweight champion and move to a storyline to defend your title.

A New Leaf This storyline opens the Smackdown season if you selected Booker T (current World Heavyweight champion) or if you were traded from RAW as champion. This story leads to the No Mercy pay-per-view and the Survivor Series payper-view. A New Leaf opens with a singles match against Hardcore Holly. After the match, JBL befriends you backstage-youre such a noble champion, he claims. His friendship comes at a good time. Next week on Smackdown you have a tag team match against Ken Kennedy and Hardcore Holly and you need a partner. Prepare to team up with JBL! After the match it looks like Kennedy is considering an ambush on your celebration when JBL comes in with a clothesline from hell as preventative maintenance. Unfortunately, his exuberance puts JBL on the shelf for a week-Teddy Long didnt look kindly on JBLs "unprovoked" attack. The following week on Smackdown you battle Ken Kennedy in a singles match. Once again, JBL comes and saves the day. After rescuing you from Ken Kennedy, JBL suggests a "return favor" by asking for a title shot the following week at the No Mercy pay-per-view. Before the match, theres one more Smackdown show to take care of -Teddy Long wants to promote the pay-per-view with a mixed tag, you and Melina against JBL and Jillian Hall. No Mercy pay-per-view arrives and its a singles match against JBL, as promised. Win at No Mercy at unlock the No Mercy trophy, the No Mercy arena, and the Diva Package. Winning progresses the story as champion; if you lose, youre sent to another story leading to Survivor Series. The following week, Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro greet you in the locker room. They claim that JBL is just pretending to be your friend-hes just sucking up to find a way to get a hold of the World Heavyweight Championship belt. JBL interrupts the fun and stands up to Mercury and Nitro--looks like hes still the new JBL...for now. Its a tag team match: you and JBL versus Nitro and Mercury with Melina at ringside. Next on Smackdown you face off against Nitro while JBL battles Joey Mercury. JBL is working you hard for a title rematch at the upcoming Survivor Series. Teddy Long doesnt think a champion should have to face the same challenger in consecutive pay-per-views; but then again, your match was one for the ages, right? Battle Nitro in a singles match. Next week, JBL offers to manage you against the Boogeyman. You battle JBL in a singles match in a precursor to Survivor Series. Its a friendly match, right? After the battle, the two friends celebrate together in the ring until JBL decides to unleash a clothesline from hell when you least expect its arrival. JBL is done sucking up to the champ! Teddy Long spices up the pay-per-view by making the main event of Survivor Series a Last Man Standing match. The Last Man Standing match is no-disqualification, no rules. You must win by a 10-count knockout. You must keep your opponent on the ground for a full 10-count. Use maneuvers that inflict head damage and continue to work that body part until its in red damage. Grab weaponry f rom under the ring to help the cause. Winning the Survivor Series match unlocks the Survivor Series trophy and the Hart Foundation Package in the WWE shop and keeps you current champion.

A Traitor of Smackdown?
Youll encounter this storyline if you arent Smackdown champion or going for a title shot. This storyline leads to the Survivor Series pay-per-view. There are RAW superstars in the arena tonight and Teddy warns you to keep an eye on them-especially with Survivor Series coming up.

Look to battle RAW superstar John Cena in the opening match. Later that night, Triple H ambushes Booker T in the Smackdown parking lot. Next week you take on Flair in a submission match. Backstage you question Batista about allowing RAW wrestlers in Smackdown areas of the arena-is Batista a traitor in the ranks? Check your messages after the match. Booker T thinks Batista is the traitor. Teddy gives you a choice: do you think Batista is the traitor or not? For the sake of this walk-through, well choose that Batista isnt the traitor (check the tip box for what happens if you think he is the traitor). Tip: If you choose to believe Batista is the traitor, the storyline finishes in a similar fashion. Booker T is still revealed as the traitor after a handicap match. You eventually reach Survivor Series out numbered by the RAW roster. You battle Triple H with Booker T serving as your manager. After the match, Batista saves you from a Triple H sledgehammer assault...but then Booker T ambushes Batista. Apparently Booker T was the traitor! Check messages after the match and select a new team member to replace Booker T. This Smackdown superstar will serve as a manager in your tag team match against Booker T and Triple H. The main event of Survivor Series becomes a six-man elimination tornado tag. All participants are in the ring at once in three-on-three action. Pin an opponent and hes eliminated from the match. Gaining a superstar advantage is huge. Concentrate your assault on one opponent. Pull off a finisher while your partners have the other opponents occupied to avoid interference. Enjoy the pipe assault at the end of the storyline.

Its Not the Size, Its How You Use It

Youll encounter this storyline if you are current champion; it leads to the Armageddon and Royal Rumble pay -perview events. According to the WWE website, you will battle Rey Mysterio in a "champion vs. champion" match. This singles match ends in mutual respect. Teddy Long enters the stage to congratulate both wrestlers. Rey expresses interest in competing for the World Heavyweight title but Teddy Long says Rey already has a title. Instead, you must prepare for a couple top contenders-Chris Benoit and the Undertaker. On next weeks show you battle both in a tag team match with Rey Mysterio as your partner. Win this match and you choose your opponent at Armageddon--Benoit or Undertaker. As Armageddon approaches, you battle the Undertaker or Beniot in a singles match. After the match, Rey Mysterio comes to your rescue, although you didnt really need it. Perhaps it looks a bit weak if you need a cruiserweight to bail you out after matches! The following week on Smackdown you participate in a four-man battle royal against Benoit, Undertaker, and Mysterio. Eliminate each superstar in turn. You can sit back and allow the other superstars to inflict all of the damage-you simply must get the last pin! Win and you get to choose the type of match for Armageddon against Undertaker or Benoit: single, hardcore, ladder, ironman, submission, or cage. Otherwise, expect your opponent to select the match type. Defeat your opponent at Armageddon and retain your title to unlock the Armageddon trophy and the Shane-O-Mac package in the WWE Shop. Winning at the pay-per-view continues the storyline. Rey congratulates you on your victory on the next episode of Smackdown. Before he can ask for a title match, Teddy Long interrupts and agrees to a champion versus champion match--except no titles are at stake. Not exactly what Rey was hoping for! Teddy Long schedules a ladder match and also plans more matches against Undertaker and Benoit in the next few weeks to determine which superstar will face you at the Royal Rumble. You face Undertaker in a singles match. In another match the same night, Benoit puts Rey in the crippler crossface and doesnt let up the hold even after Mysterio taps out. Next week, Teddy is still trying to find that perfect matc h for the Royal Rumble and now pits you against Chris Benoit in a singles match. In the other match, the Undertaker crushes Mysterio. Perhaps hes not ready for primetime, though he does get in some nice attacks after the match concludes. Teddys thinking of a triple threat for the title at the Royal Rumble. In the meantime, its a tornado tag match against Benoit and Undertaker with Mysterio as your partner. In a tornado tag, all participants are in the ring at the same time. This makes it much easier to go for a tap out of pin as your partner can occupy the other opponent. Taker tries to get some payback on Rey after the match. In the end, Rey goes after all three of you guys: he even pulls of a 619 against you. Hes determined to prove he belongs in a match against the big boys-Mysterio demands that Teddy Long make the match a fatal four-way. So finally at the Royal Rumble, its a world title event: fatal four way versus Rey Mysterio, Chris Benoit, and the Undertaker.

Having Rey in a fatal four-way is both a blessing and a curse (depending on your superstar selection, of course). Rey is a cruiserweight; hes fast but relatively weak compared to Undertaker and other heavyweights. You can focus your attacks on Rey but it may allow Benoit or Undertaker to score an easy pin on the weakened cruiserweight. Another strategy could be to keep Rey healthy and focus attacks on the Undertaker and Benoit so both are heavily damaged by the time you want to pin Rey. Win the match to retain your title. You do not unlock the Royal Rumble trophy or the Stone Cold package in the WWE shop however; you can only unlock those by completing the Royal Rumble storyline with a rumble victory.

Misterrrr... MARK HENRY!

This storyline leads to the Armageddon pay-per-view event. You will encounter this story if you arent champion or eligible for a title shot. You face Ken Kennedy in a singles match to open this storyline-enjoy some verbal bashing from Ken Kennedy and his personalized introduction. The following week its Mark Henry with Ken Kennedy serving as manager. Once again, Ken Kennedy dishes out a verbal throwdown in his introduction as you make your way to the squared circle. After the match youll suffer a vicious beatdown at the hands of Kennedy and Henry. Apparently you didnt r espect Kennedy enough! Teddy Long decides you need some backup so he partners you with another Smackdown superstar to battle Ken Kennedy and Mark Henry in a tag team match. Ole big mouth performs another pre-match routine. Win the match and get some post-match revenge against Kennedy and his big mouth. The following week is you versus Mark Henry in a table match. To win a table match, you must slam your opponent through a table. The table can be standing in the middle of the ring, outside the ring, or even propped up against a turnbuckle-pretty much like what happens to Ken Kennedy before the match. Store a finishing move and drag Henry to the standing table and perform a finisher through the table for the victory. The match at Armageddon is a triple threat match against Ken Kennedy and Mark Henry. Follow typical triple threat strategy. Henry is much stronger than Kennedy so avoid getting into strong grapple wars with the big guy. Focus attacks on Kennedy and try to get Henry out of the picture by tossing him out of the ring or performing a finishing move to keep him on the mat for an extended period of time. Win at Armageddon to unlock the Armageddon trophy and unlock the Shane-O-Mac Package in the WWE shop.

The Royal Rumble

Teddy Long accidentally left you off the entrants list to the Royal Rumble. However, theres a Smackdown superstar (JBL or Randy Orton depending on your selected superstar) whos angry hes been designated as the number one entry-Teddy figures if he doesnt want it, you can take it! Youll participate in a singles matches to move up in rumble entries. The closer you are to the last man in the ring, the better your chances of winning the Royal Rumble! Next week its a triple threat no -disqualification match with rumble entry numbers on the line. Win the match and youll move up but not as high as you thought: turns out that #29 entry was actually a #9 entry. Still, you captured #13 and are almost halfway to the last few rumble entries. The next battle is a four-man battle royal: the longer you stay in the match, the better your rumble entry will be. The winner of the match has their entry number increased by ten places. All losers of the match have their numbers lowered by places. After the match you learn all your hard work might be for naught-Teddy may have had no legal right to give you the number one entry. Before the rumble you must complete one more match against the former number one entry. Its a ladder match. Lose this match and you miss out on the Royal Rumble!

Winning the Royal Rumble awards a title shot at WrestleMania.

The main event of this storyline is the 30-man Royal Rumble. Your entry number will be dependent on how you performed during the storyline. Enjoy the on-screen action and wait for your opportunity to enter the ring. Once inside the ring, avoid big confrontations. Keep away from the ropes and look for opportunities to double-team competitors. When you see an opponent on the apron, go for a grapple to lower the wrestlers ring -out meter. When the rumble is down to the last few competitors, try to eliminate the healthier opponents if possible. You can gain a big advantage by battling the weakest opponent in the final one-on-one battle for the rumble victory. Irish whip the opponent near the ropes to send him onto the apron. Perform a grapple and button mash to lower the ring-out meter. Keep a stored finisher at all times to counter an attempt to push you off the apron. This is the only season opportunity to win the rumble so its the only way to u nlock Stone Cold Steve Austin in the WWE shop. Winning the rumble also makes you the number one contender at gives a title shot at WrestleMania. You are sent to the Bounty Hunter: The Hunted storyline to defend your contender status. Winning the Royal Rumble and unlock the Royal Rumble trophy and the Stone Cold package in the WWE shop.

Chivalry
This storyline appears if you arent champion and you dont win the Royal Rumble. It leads to the No Way Out pay per-view event. The number one contender for the title will be decided at No Way Out-youre one of the participants in this upcoming fatal four-way match. In the opening match you battle Matt Hardy and Bobbly Lashley; your partner is Randy Orton. These are your opponents in the upcoming contender match. Randy Orton is harassing Jillian Hall-Bobby Lashley comes to her rescue. Next you battle in a singles match against Matt Hardy. After the match, Lashley is attacked and injured-was it Orton or does he have an alibi? Several superstars go to Theodore Long to get to the bottom of what happened. Meanwhile, you and Matt Hardy take on Orton in a handicap "one on tag" match. Finally you have the advantage! Matts been ambushed and Jillian nearly strikes you with a lead pipe! Aha...that explains things. Looks like Randys competitors in the upcoming fatal four-way are being systematically ambushed! Teddy decides to make the No Way Out pay-per-view match a mixed tag team against Randy and Jillian (your partner is Melina). First, you battle Randy in a singles match to promote the upcoming event and then control Melina in her singles match against Jillian. The winner of the mixed tag becomes number one contender. Complete this match like a standard tag team match. If Jillian sneaks into the ring, perform some maneuvers on her; your strength means shell inflict big damage in a short period of time. Losing this match sends you to the Hollywood Goes WrestleMania storyline; win the match to proceed to either the Bride of Kane or the United We Stand storyline depending on your superstar selection.

Hollywood Goes WrestleMania

You will encounter this storyline if you fail to win the number one contender mixed tag match at No Way Out or lose the title at No Way Out. This storyline leads up to WrestleMania. You begin in a singles match against Rey Mysterio. After the match, Rey suggests teaming up and going for the tag team titles. Speaking of, MNM (Mercury, Nitro, and Melina) the current tag team champions enter on stage and show off the belts. Teddy Long sets up a non-title tag team match the following Smackdown: you and Rey against MNM. Its a chance to go to WrestleMania as the number one contender. Unfortunately, MNM emerge totally hung over from too much Hollywood partying (allegedly). Instead you face off against Psicosis and Super Crazy. Finally the number one contender tag team match has arrived! Not quite. Now Mercury emerges under the weatheror acting-while Nitro name drops. So instead, the next battle is a singles match against Nitro with Rey Mysterio serving as your manager and Mercury at ringside to help Nitro. Its the last Smackdown before WrestleMania...and theres another excuse. Apparently Melina isnt around and you were contracted to battle MNM, which includes her. But Teddy Long interrupts-the match goes on! Win the match and become the number one contender leading into WrestleMania. The tag team championship match becomes a tornado tag ladder match. This match is pure blissful chaos. Ignore the belt for now and work on inflicting as much pain on Mercury and Nitro as possible. Getting up a ladder and snagging a belt is hard enough but having to contend with two opponents hitting, moving, and climbing the ladder can be a challenge. Consider dragging one outside the ring and allow Rey to handle the ladder. But if he gets thrown off the ladder, you must get into the ring quickly to prevent a win by MNM.

Bounty Hunter: The Hunted

This storyline occurs if you win the Royal Rumble, which makes you the number one contender for the World Heavyweight championship. This story leads to the No Way Out pay-per-view. Theres a price on your head! Theres still animosity about how things went down surrounding the Royal Rumble. The storyline opens with a singles match. Your superstar opponent depends on whi ch wrestler youve selected. Expect to be ambushed after winning the match-looks like theyre hoping to collect on the bounty. Fortunately the superstar you just wrestled saves you...for now. Check your voice messages after the match and you can choose to help the superstar who saved you or let him fight his own battles. Youre not a heel though right? Make your selection. Hes battling the guys who tried to collect the bounty so it might be wise to make friends. As manager, you can sneak in the ring and help him out or just take out the other manager the entire match. Send him over to the announcers table! Tip: If you leave your new friend on his own, you see a cut scene of his utter annihilation-and abuse at the hands of a trashcan. Youre then left alone in singles matches against the guys seeking the bounty. The one-time rescuer decides not to provide assistance. The No Way Out match remains the same, though-you can make amends with your rescuer and still give him the title shot. The following week, if you chose to help your new superstar friend, hell assist you and serve as manager (youll battle the bounty seeker who managed the last match). The bounty remains up for grabs. You decide to put your number one contender status up for grabs at the No Mercy pay-per-view. After the announcement, you can decide to battle your attacker at No Way Out but face the bounty seekers alone or give your new friend a shot at No Way Out and hell help you tonight. Why not maintain the friendship? If you dont the match becomes a one on tag match. Still, the friendship wont last long anyhow cause you will become adversaries at No Way Out! Look for the $100,000 bounty match at No Way Out (against your original accuser) to be a steel cage match. Its worth taking because that cash is added to your WWE cash, which can be spent at the WWE shop! Maintain the number one contender status and youre sent to the Bride of Kane storyline.

Bride of Kane
You enter this storyline as the number one contender for the World Heavyweight championship. This storyline leads to WrestleMania and the completion of the Smackdown season. Check your messages-Melina cant wait to manage you tonight. You face off in a standard singles match against a Smackdown competitor; Melina serves at ringside as your manager. After the match, while Melina bats her eyelashes in your direction, the Undertaker makes an ominous appearance. Oh, and Kane (a RAW superstar), emerges in the ring and hits you with a choke slam. Kane is protecting his brother from the number one contender! And Melina has disappeared! Compete in another singles match, this time against Ken Kennedy; after the match, the Undertaker appears on screen while Kane and the captured Melina appear on stage. You cant get her back yet. Teddy Long suggests ambushing Kane in the parking lot. The next match is a parking lot brawl against Kane. You must win this match by knockout so use maneuvers that inflict damage on Kanes he ad. Irish whip Kane into the vehicles forming the combat arena; perform a grapple on the dazed Kane to perform special environmental moves. Kane is growing attached to Melina. After Kane calls Undertaker out, you ambush Kane in the ring with a handy steel chair. Girlfriend rescued! Battle Kane in a singles match as a precursor to the WrestleMania main event. The WrestleMania main event is a triple threat Hell in the Cell match: you versus Kane versus Undertaker. Bust open the cells gate and climb to the top. Expect Kane and Undertaker to follow. Allow these competitors to battle on the top of the cell. It probably wont take long for one to topple to the arena floor. Help them along with strikes, grapples, or even an ultimate control move. Following to the arena floor inflicts big damage. If both hit the floor, climb down the cage and go for the pin. Winning this match unlocks the WrestleMania trophy, the WrestleMania arena, and the Immortal package in the WWE shop.

United We Stand
You encounter this storyline if you win the Royal Rumble or become number one contender at No Way Out and have selected Undertaker, Kane, or Ken Kennedy as your superstar. You and Batista sign WrestleMania contracts on that nights Smackdown-a couple RAW superstars, Edge and Chris Masters, interrupt the signing. Next week you journey to RAW and aid Batista as manager in his match against Chris Masters; its immediately followed by another match where you battle Edge and Batista stays at ringside to be your manager. Complete another singles match the next week on Smackdown. Check your messages and Edge from RAW offers an interesting proposition. Youre seeking Batistas gold so it might be in your interest to let the RAW superstars attack the current Smackdown champion. Then again, united we stand, right? Choose to help Batista or ignore the message and allow the attack to happen. That night Batista is ambushed in the parking garage. If you choose to help him, you fight off the ambush from Masters and Edge. Unfortunately, a dazed Batista power bombs you onto a car thinking you were one of the attackers. Batista apologizes with a voice message and you team up in a tornado tag against Edge and Masters. Complete the storyline in a singles match against Batista for the World Heavyweight championship at WrestleMania. Batista is strong but theres no match gimmick here. Defeat your former ally against the RAW invasion and capture the title.

The Road to WrestleMania

This storyline occurs if you are the current champion; it leads to the No Way Out and WrestleMania pay-per-views. On the first night of this storyline, you battle Batista in a singles match; Batista is hoping to become the number one contender for your title. A cut scene interrupts the pinfall. Randy Orton arrives with a steel chair and eliminates the referee. Batista was hoping to win the match but Orton made sure that couldnt happen -Randy wants to be the number one contender. After the match, Teddy Long names Batista the number one contender based on Ortons actions. Despite what went down, you face off against Orton the following week in a singles match. After the match, Randy Orton beats you around. Batista arrives to essentially watch and does nothing to help you. Teddy Long decides to put you in a tune-up match against Finlay. The following week its a triple threat against Batista and Randy Orton to promote the upcoming No Way Out pay -perview. More post match theatrics from Orton and Batista after the match. Orton nails you with an RKO while Batista just sits back and enjoys the carnage. The No Way Out pay-per-view arrives and its a singles match against Batista. But unfortunately just before the match, an unknown assailant attacks you with a lead pipe. You will be going into the match injured-a head thats already in red damage! Starting the match heavily damaged against one of the strongest superstars in the game is a true challenge. Keep Batista at a distance and maintain your stamina so the former champ doesnt get easy strikes and grapples against your sluggish body. Winning at No Way Out unlocks the No Way Out trophy, No Way Out arena, and the Color Commentary Package at the WWE shop. You also continue the storyline as champion; if you lose, you continue to another story as just another wrestler heading into WrestleMania. Stephanie McMahon assures you that the company takes the attack against you very seriously. She assigns a bodyguard to protect you: Bobby Lashley. Stephanie believes there are only two suspects in the pipe assault: Randy Orton and Batista. She asks which superstar is your top suspect. Which superstar you chose wont be pleased! Just check out those messages! That night on Smackdown you face off in a tag team match against Randy Orton and Batista; your partner is your new bodyguard, Bobby Lashley. The next match is against either Batista or Orton (depending on who you chose to investigate) with Bobby Lashley as your manager. The next match is against Batista or Orton again with Bobby Lashley in your corner as manager. As you sign the WrestleMania contract, your opponent admits to being the one to attack you before No Way Out. The other runs from backstage; both tear apart Bobby Lashley like hes not even standing there. The Smackdown episode ends with a one on tag match against both Batista and Randy Orton.

Your opponent in the WrestleMania match depends on which superstar you selected to investigate. The other serves at ringside as a manager. Winning at WrestleMania unlocks the WrestleMania trophy, the WrestleMania arena, and the Immortals package in the WWE shop. This completes the Smackdown season; if you began on Smackdown you are transferred to RAW.

Rescue the Princess

Youll encounter this storyline if you are using a wrestler thats part of another storyline (since this storyline uses legends) and if you possess or are going for the belt. Vince McMahon plans a "legends" initiative, though Stephanie "the million dollar princess" doesnt seem to agree. Todays fans dont want to see legends; they want to see todays superstars. Start the singles match against the legend: old school versus new school! Vince continues to push his initiative and puts you in a handicap match against two of his handpicked legends to be fought on Smackdown. Stephanie hopes to find a Smackdown superstar to even the odds and make it a tag team match. Tip: This walk-through and Legends End is duplicated in the RAW Storylines section of this game guide. Rescue the Princess and Legends End feature WWE legends and will be encountered if your selected wrestler plays an integral role in another storyline. The following week, Vince books a six-man legends battle royal (you included). Competitors are eliminated by pinfall; be the last man in the ring! You can allow the other legends to fight while you remain back and take your opportunities. Vince arrives on stage after the match: he has a few more legend matches up his sleeve. Next week youll join Smackdown for a six-man elimination tag team match followed by a title match against yet another legend. Vince is serious about his initiative! On Smackdown, Vince and Stephanie have another tiff-old school versus new school continues. Stephanie offers a choice of tag team partners: a couple RAW or Smackdown superstars to join you against the legends. Choose your partners and face the old school. The title match arrives-its a steel cage match against the legend. Win by escaping through the door or over the top of the cage. Inflict heavy damage and perform a finishing move to keep your opponent down as long as possible before attempting to climb out of the cage.

Legends End
Youll encounter this storyline if you arent champion or going for the title but have selected a wrestler thats used in a vital role for another story. The storyline begins with a singles match against a superstar on the rival brand. Checking your e-mail reveals a message from the legendary Mick Foley-who gets crushed in a legends exhibition match in the following cut scene. Back in the locker room, check your e-mail again; Vince offers you a choice of your next match. Vince wants to right some of the wrongs in that previous legends exhibition. You can take on both legends in a handicap match or one legend in a no-disqualification match. Mick Foley, swinging a crutch, saves you from a legends ambush. The next week youre partnered with another superstar and face both legends in a tag team match. More post-match steel chair shenanigans ensue. The next week you battle Piper in a singles match. Its time for a new betrayal! After the match, Mick Foley, once again with crutch in hand, decides to crack you in the back. It turns out Piper and Foley were in cahoots the entire time. Check your messages and choose to accept Bigelows offer of help or remember that he hit you with a chair also and refuse his assistance. Refusing help means battling Piper and Foley alone in a one-on-two handicap match. If you team with Bigelow, expect the finale to be old school-style, tornado tag in a steel cage.