The Create-A-Wrestler mode has been an important part of WWE games since WWF Warzone in 1998. This mode lets players create their wrestlers or remake their favorite superstars and aim for the top prizes in the game. For many years, it allowed for a lot of creativity and fun.
However, recently, this mode feels more limited. The story modes in the games now follow specific plots based on real WWE rivalries, or they let players make only small changes to a very dull original character.
Any created wrestlers, known as CAWs, are now mostly used in Universe Mode, which has randomly generated storylines. These storylines aren’t as exciting. They feel less creative compared to older games where players could make any wild wrestler they wanted and turn them into the champion.
5. Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain
Here Comes The Pain is often seen as the best Smackdown game. It has smooth animations, great graphics, and a strong selection of characters. It’s perfect for creating a wrestler and playing through the game.
The gameplay is similar to its follow-up game, SvR. You need to earn 85 Superstar Points to compete for the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship belts. Along the way, your created wrestler can also compete for other titles like the Hardcore or Intercontinental championships.
In Season Mode, if the storylines don’t give you title shots, you can ask General Managers Eric Bischoff (on RAW) or Stephanie McMahon (on Smackdown) for a chance. But some titles, especially the top ones, might be locked by the storyline. If that happens, just keep playing, keep winning, and aim to beat the champion to get your chance.
4. Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth
Right before “Here Comes the Pain,” there was a game called “Shut Your Mouth.” This was the first game where players could choose to be on either the RAW or Smackdown brand. However, to win the Undisputed Title, you still had to wrestle on both shows.
To get a title shot, you could either earn enough points and ask the General Managers (GMs) directly, or get involved in a storyline that leads to a title match.
“Shut Your Mouth” isn’t as polished as “Here Comes the Pain” (the created wrestlers have weird, gummy mouths), but it has better storylines. If you play well, you can have a feud with the nWo and try to turn Hollywood Hulk Hogan into a good guy.
Alternatively, you can team up with GMs Mr. McMahon and Ric Flair. If you’re really good, you’ll end up fighting for or defending the title in a 6-way Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon.
3. Day Of Reckoning
The older Smackdown games could only be played on the PS2, which was a problem for people with other consoles. They had to use different, less consistent games.
Fortunately, Gamecube owners had WWE Day of Reckoning, one of the best wrestling games available. Even though it was made by the same developers as the Smackdown games, its gameplay was more like the classic WWF No Mercy on the Nintendo 64.
In WWE Day of Reckoning, the single-player mode lets you take a created wrestler (CAW) from the Performance Center to the top. You start by competing in smaller shows like Heat or Velocity, then join a group like HHH’s Evolution on RAW or Undertaker’s New Ministry on Smackdown.
If you keep winning, your CAW will get the chance to compete for the title against HHH or Undertaker at WrestleMania.
2. Day Of Reckoning 2
The sequel is similar to the first game, but the player’s custom wrestler (CAW) has a more detailed story about trying to win back the championship belt.
The story picks up from where the first game’s RAW storyline left off, with the CAW having lost the World Heavyweight title and dropped in rankings. However, they can rebuild their reputation and win the heart of WWE Diva Stacy Keibler.
Things get interesting when the CAW is about to get a chance at the World Heavyweight Title, but the belt gets stolen. The CAW is blamed for it and fired from RAW. Fortunately, Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long offers them a lifetime contract.
Now, the player must clear their name and compete for the WWE Championship instead. Despite the twists and turns, it’s a fun and engaging storyline.
1. WWF No Mercy
Any list of WWE games will certainly mention this N64 classic. Many people think it’s the best wrestling game ever, not just for its time or on the Nintendo 64. The game’s story mode has seven different paths for each WWE title from that era. If you play well, you can win the championship belt at the end.
This works for any character in the game, whether they’re already in the roster or one you’ve created yourself (CAW). You could even have a male character compete for the Women’s Championship, or have female characters compete for any other belt, including the WWF Championship.
So, if players want to create their favorite female wrestler and have her beat Stone Cold, The Rock, and other top stars, No Mercy lets them do that.
If you want to read more articles like this you can read this Top 5 Scariest Fantasy Games