A Comprehensive Gameplay Guide

[Runz With TurtleZ]

I've been seeing a couple of threads on here about the controls for this game. If you haven't played any of the previous WWE games that came out in the last decade or so or are just new to the series, then I'm going to explain the gameplay controls for you as best I can seeing as how that's what most of you are struggling with. Keep in mind that I play with a controller, so this guide will pertain to using that (sorry keyboard users, you'll either have to wait until I get comfortable enough playing with the keyboard or wait until someone else posts the controls).


BASIC CONTROLS (using Xbox 360/PS3 controllers)

Left Analog Stick – Moves your Superstar/Diva.
D-Pad (Directional Pad) – Used for taunting.
Left Trigger (LT)/L2 – Run.
Right Trigger (RT)/R2 – Reversals. Must time your reversals.
Left Bumper (LB)/L1 – Climb turnbuckle, exiting/entering the ring, pickup weapons.
Right Bumper (RB)/R1 – Switch between finisher and signature if you have both.
100% gives you a Signature, 150% or successfully performing a Signature Move gives you a Finisher.
The Fired Up skill allows you to store up to 3 Finishers.
Left Stick Press(LS)/L3 – Switches targets if manual targeting is on.
Back/Select – Hold to view your body condition.
X/Square – Strike Attacks.
A/X – Grappling Moves, kick out of pins, climb the cage, used for Breaking Point submissions, remove turnbuckle pad if you have the Remove the Turnbuckle skill equipped.
B/Circle – Irish Whip (use with Left Analog Stick to throw them to where you want them to go). Hold the button for a Strong Irish Whip (must have the Hammer Throw ability equipped).
Y/Triangle – Perform your Signature, Finisher, or OMG Moment (more on that later).
LT/L2 and RT/R2 together + Left Analog Stick Movement – Drags your standing, grappled, or grounded opponent.

The Right Analog Stick has multiple purposes.
Standing opponent (opponent must be dazed) – Moving left or right turns them around.
Opponent in corner – Moving left or right turns them around. Moving up puts them on top of the turnbuckle. Moving down puts them in the Tree of Woe position.
Opponent on the ground – Moving left or right turns them around. Moving up picks them up facing towards you. Moving down picks them up facing away from you.
Leverage Pin (must have Leverage Pin skill equipped) – Moving up or down on a standing dazed opponent performs a Leverage Pin.

GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE RING

Exiting to the apron – When near the ropes, hold the left analog stick in the direction of the ropes and press LB/L1, or hold the left analog stick in the direction of the ropes (it will take a second).
Entering the ring from the apron – When on the apron, hold the left analog stick towards the ring and press LB/L1, or hold the left analog stick towards the ring (it will take a second).
Dropping from the apron to the floor – When on the apron, hold the left analog stick away from the ring and press LB/R1, or hold the left analog stick away from the ring (it will take a second).
Climbing from the floor to the apron – When on the floor, hold the left analog stick towards the ring and press LB/R1, or hold the left analog stick towards the ring (it will take a second).
Exiting to the floor from the ring – When near the ropes, hold the left analog stick in the direction of the ropes while holding LB/L1.
Entering the ring from the floor – When near the ring, hold the analog stick towards the ring while holding LB/L1.
Slide under the bottom rope into the ring – Run (LT/L2) towards the ring.

CLIMBING THE TURNBUCKLES/CORNER POSTS

Climbing from inside the ring or on the apron – Run (LT/L2) towards the turnbuckle.
Climbing on the middle rope of the turnbuckle – When in the ring and near the turnbuckle, hold the left analog stick towards it and press LB/L1, or hold the left analog stick towards the turnbuckle (it will take a second).
Climbing from the apron - When on the apron, run (LT/L2) towards the turnbuckle.

STANDING MOVES

Standing Strikes – Press X/Square to strike, (you will perform an alternate close-ranged attack when close to your opponent).
Combo Strikes (must have Combo Striker skill equipped) – Just repeatedly press X/Square. You can have up to 4 strikes in the combo.
Additional Strikes – Hold up, down, left, or right on the Left Analog Stick and press X/Square.
Gut Kick – Hold diagonally up-left, up-right, down-left, or up-right on the Left Analog Stick and press X/Square (this is enabled by default and can't be changed).

Strong Strikes
Hold X/Square for the first Strong Strike.
Hold any direction on the Left Analog stick and hold X/Square for the Second Strong Strike.

Kick Reversals
When you successfully reverse a kick, you are given a few seconds to counter it.
X/Square – Reversal attack.
B/Circle – Press to do a reversal grapple. Hold to do a reversal submission.
RT/R2 – Timed right counters a kick reversal on you.

Standing Grapples
Front Facelock – Press A/X (grabbing from the back will turn them over into a Front Facelock).
Front Facelock Grapples (after a successful Front Facelock, you can perform the following)
Grapple Strike – X/Square
Submission Move – Hold A/X
Grapple Moves – Pressing A/X or pressing A/X while holding any direction on the Left Analog Stick .
Limb Targeting – During a Front Facelock, hold RT/R2 and the corresponding button:
Y/Triangle – Performs a move targeting the Head.
X or B/Square or Circle – Performs a move targeting the Arms.
A/X – Performs a move targeting the Legs.
Note: It's also a good way to figure out how much damage you've done to your opponent's body parts.
Medium Grapples (Front and Back Grapples)
Pressing A/X while holding any direction on the Left Analog Stick.
Strong Grapples (Front and Back Grapples)
Holding A/X while holding any direction on the Left Analog Stick.

CHAIN WRESTLING SYSTEM (Initiated when opponent has full health while grappling. Duration can be changed in Options>Game Balancing menu.)
Uses a Rock, Paper, Scissors system.
B/Circle beats Y/Triangle
Y/Triangle beats X/Square
X/Square beats B/Circle
Successful Chain
Move the Right Analog Stick for find the sweet spot. You'll know it when the circle turns red. Hold it there until it fills up.
You can strike (X/Square) or wrench (A/X) your opponent twice in each transition.
Press B/Circle to Irish Whip.
Press LB/L1 to break the chain.
Opponent Successfully Chains
Move the Right Analog Stick to find the sweet spot. You'll know it when the circle turns red. Hold it there until it fills up. You will reverse the grapple into your grapple.

Kneeling Opponent (sometimes after a big move with low stamina or using the ropes to get up)
Press X/Square for a Normal Strike.
Hold X/Square for a Strong Strike.
Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square for a Running Strike.
Press A/X in front or behind your opponent to perform a Grapple.

GROUND MOVES
Ground Strike
Press X/Square to stomp.

Ground Grapples
Facing Up
Press A/X at the head, side, or feet.
Facing Down
Press A/X at the head, side, or feet
Limb Targeting
Hold RT/R2 and press A/X at the head, side, or feet.
Submission Move
Hold A/X at the head, side, or feet.

CORNER MOVES
Front
Strikes – Press X/Square or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.

Back
Strikes – Press X/Square or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.

Opponent on the Top Rope/Turnbuckle
Front
Strike – Press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Springboard (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped) – When near the ropes, hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ropes and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.
Running Grapple – Run (LT/L2) press Press A/X.

Back
Strike – Press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Springboard (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped) – When near the ropes, hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ropes and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.

Opponent in the Seated Position (certain corner moves like the Should Block puts them in this position)
Stomp – Press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.

Tree of Woe (down on the Right Analog Stick when opponent is in the corner)
Strike – Press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Grapple – Press A/X or hold the Left Analog Stick in any direction and press A/X.

Corner Springboard on a Standing or Ground opponent (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped)
When standing near the turnbuckle, hold the Left Analog Stick toward the turnbuckle and press X/Square. Alternately, you can Run (LT/L2) towards the turnbuckle and just before you reach it press X/Square (this takes a little practice to get the timing right).

ROPE MOVES (EASY WAY TO PULL THESE OFF IS TO DRAG YOUR OPPONENT TOWARDS THE ROPES WHILE IN A STANDING GRAPPLE)
Stunned Against the Ropes
Strikes – Press or hold X/Square.
Standing Grapple – Press or hold A/X.
Stunned Against the Middle Rope (certain moves can put your opponent on the second rope like the Dropkick (Back Grapple move) or one of the Hurricaranas)
Grapple – Press or Hold A/X.

Springboard Attacks (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped)
Standing Springboard – Hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ropes and press X/Square.
Running Springboard – Run (LT/L2) towards the ropes and press X/Square when you get near them (this takes a little practice to get the timing right).

Outside Diving Attacks (must have Outside Diver skill equipped)
Standing Dive – Hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ropes and press X/Square.
Running Dive – Run (LT/L2) towards the ropes and press X/Square when you get near them (this takes a little practice to get the timing right).

[Runz With TurtleZ]

APRON MOVES
Opponent on the Floor
Strikes – Press X/Square.
Running – Run (LT/L2) and press X/Square.
Springboard (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped) – Hold the Left Analog Stick away from the ring and press X/Square.

Opponent in the Ring
Strikes – Press X/Square.
Springboard (must have Springboard Diver skill equipped) – Hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ring and press X/Square.
Grapple (you have to be on the apron) – Hold the Left Analog Stick towards the ring and Press A/X when your opponent gets near.

Opponent on the Apron
Running – Run (LT/L2) towards your opponent and press X/Square.
Grapple from the ring – With the opponent facing towards or away from you, press A/X.
Grapple from the floor – With the opponent facing towards or away from you, press A/X.

Opponent on the Ground (to set this up, grapple your opponent from the floor, drag him/her towards the ring, then throw him/her in)
Attack from the apron – Press X/Square while on the apron.
Grapple from the floor – Press A/X while on the floor.

TOP ROPE/TOP TURNBUCKLE MOVES
Standing Opponent
Middle Rope (go to a corner and press LB/L1) – Press X/Square.
Top Rope (run (LT/L2) towards the turnbuckle) – Press X/Square to perform one move or hold X/Square to perform the other.

Ground Opponent
Middle Rope (go to a corner and press LB/L1) – Press X/Square.
Top Rope (run (LT/L2) towards the turnbuckle) – Press X/Square to perform one move or hold X/Square to perform the other.

RUNNING MOVES (HOLD LT/L2 TO RUN)
Strikes – Press X/Square to perform one move or hold X/Square to perform the other.
Grapples (front and back) – Press A/X to perform one move or hold A/X to perform the other.
Ground Strikes – Press X/Square when close to a grounded opponent.

IRISH WHIPPED/ ROPE REBOUND MOVES (PRESS B/CIRCLE WHEN NEAR OPPONENT)
Strike – Press X/Square.
Grapples – Press A/X to perform one move or hold A/X to perform the other.
Drop Down/Leap Frog – Press LB/L1 if your Superstar/Diva has those moves.
Pullback Attacks – Irish Whip your opponent, then immediately press X/Square or A/X to perform a strike or grapple.

TAG TEAM MOVES
Standing Tag Moves
One person initiate the Front Facelock. The other person just simply grapples the opponent.
Corner Tag Moves
In a Tag Match, put the opponent in your corner and grapple him/her. You will tag in your partner and perform a tag move.

WEIGHT DETECTION MOVES
Replaces lifting moves on Super Heavyweights like the Big Show and Mark Henry. These can be assigned.

SPECIAL MOVES (CAN BE PERFORMED WHEN MEETING CERTAIN CONDITIONS)
The situation for each Superstar's/Diva's Signatures and Finishers can be found in the pause menu.
Signatures (100% to gain a Signature Move) – Press Y/Triangle.
Finishers (150% to gain a Finishing Move or successfully perform a Signature Move) – Press Y/Triangle.
Charged Finisher (Most if not, all Superstars/Divas have a Charged Finisher) – Move around or near a ground opponent until you see the words Charged Finisher. Some Superstar/Divas might require you to be a certain distance away.
Comeback (certain Superstars have a Comeback. They can be triggered when low on health and opponent is in positions like in the corner.) – Press Y/Triangle.

OMG! MOVES
Requires a certain amount of Finishers Stored (must have Fired Up skill to store up to 3 Finishers). To store a Finisher, just don't use it when you get it.
Suicide Dive – From inside the ring, drag your standing opponent to the ropes. Press Y/Triangle when OMG! pops up.
Announce Table Finisher – Drag your opponent onto the announce table. Press Y/Triangle when the OMG! pops up.
Double Finisher (Must have the Double Finisher skill equipped and only works on 2 opponents) – Irish Whip two opponents into the turnbuckle. Press Y/Triangle when OMG! Pops up.
Catching Finisher (Must have the Catch Finisher skill equipped)
Method 1: With your Finisher icon highlighted, Irish Whip your opponent. When they come back towards you, press LB/L1 to lift them into the air and press Y/Triangle.
Method 2 (the harder method): With your Finisher icon highlighted, if you're on the ground and your opponent goes for any diving attack, if you time it right, you can perform the Catching Finisher on him/her.

WEAPONS
Most weapons act the same. You only get to strike and grapple with them. Only the table and ladder have extra things that you can do with them.
Basics
Getting a weapons - When outside and near the center of the apron, press LB/L1 without moving to grab a weapon. The Extreme Rules match type haa a weapon wheel. Use the Left Analog and A/X to choose your weapon.
Attacking with weapon – Press X/Square to strike and A/X to grapple.
Dropping and picking up weapons – Press LB/L1 to drop your weapon.
Getting weapons into the ring – With a weapon in hand, run (LT/L2) into the ring.

CHAIR SPECIFIC MOVES
Going to the corner and pressing B/Circle with wedge it in between the ropes. You can then Irish Whip your opponent into it.
Going to the feet or head of your grounded opponent and pressing A/X will wedge they head or leg into the chair. You can then press X/Square to stomp on the chair.

TABLE SPECIFIC MOVES
Setting up the table – Press LB/L1 to set up the table.
Setup table in the corner – Press B/Circle near the turnbuckle. You can Irish Whip or drag a standing opponent into the table.
Putting opponent onto the table – You can either drag them onto the table or grapple them.
Double stacking tables – With one table set up, grab another one and go to it. You should be prompted to press LB/L1 to stack the tables.
Setting the table on fire [/b] – With a stored Finisher, stand next to a set up table and press Y/Triangle.

LADDER SPECIFIC MOVES
Setting up ladder – Press LB/L1 to set up the ladder.
Setup ladder in the corner – Press B/Circle near the turnbuckle. You can Irish Whip or drag a standing opponent into the ladder.
Climbing the ladder – Press LB/L1 near steps of the ladder.
Dropping from the ladder – Press B/Circle when on the ladder to drop down.
Picking up a set ladder – Press LB/L1 on the side of the ladder.

On top of Ladder w/ opponent
Strike – Press or hold X/Square.
Grapple – Press or hold A/X.
Ladder Finisher (must have Ladder Finisher skill equipped) – Press Y/Triangle.

STEEL STEPS SPECIFIC MOVES
Nothing special really. You can grab the top part of the steps with LB/L1. You can also run up the steps if you didn't already take them apart.

HELL IN A CELL SPECIFIC MOVES
Inside the Cell
With a Finisher stored, throw/drag your opponent into the lower left or right of the cell. Press Y/Triangle to perform a Cell Finisher (must have Escape Artist skill equipped.)
On top of the Cell
With your opponent on the edge of the cell, grapple him to perform a move that will knock him/her off of the cell.
You can perform moves on top of the center plates to put your opponent through the top of the cell.

ROYAL RUMBLE
To eliminate your opponent, throw them into a corner, to or over the rope and then grapple them. A mini-game will start. If you're successful, then they'll be eliminated.
Note: One person can initiate the mini-game and another can grab that same person and help eliminate him.
You can also do the same but instead of grappling them, if you have a stored Finisher, you could use that for an instant elimination or you can use it to save yourself from elimination.
You have two rope and two apron finishers. There's also a corner finisher.

If there's anything I missed, please feel free to post it and then I'll add to these posts later. I also posted a video on how to do all of the OMG! Moments minus the Shield's Triple Powerbomb. It's a video of the Xbox 360 version, but they're all done the same.

https://youtu.be/JebnMh67Qck

To perform the Shield's Triple Powerbomb, you need to play a tag match where Seth and Dean are your partners. You have to be Roman Reigns and have a stored Finisher. With a grounded opponent and both partners in their corner, go to the head of the opponent and you should get the pop up for the OMG! Moment.

[Runz With TurtleZ]

(reserved for further information)

[Sol]

Holy crap, batman!

Wow, even I learned some things. I didn't know how to seat people on turnbuckle/tree of woe, drag opponents... I often find myself "dragging" opponents when I attempt a grapple on down opponent - instead of just putting them in a headlock, it drags them to middle of ring, giving opponent the perfect predictable moment to reversal.

[Runz With TurtleZ]

Fixed some errors and added a section for Chain Wrestling in the first post.

[jpw333]

Thanks for the chain wrestling guide. I was having trouble at PAX with 2K16.

[Kamen Rider]

this game is so dam hard without a controller
i have to play with mouse and key

[Delfar]

I think did will be a great guide for the guide section.

[I Loved Cats]

How to put opponent in sitting position at turn buckle?
How to run to opponent and goes to the back?
How to make opponent sit down?
How to get infinite experience points in wwe smack down vs raw 2007 PSP?

[I Loved Cats]

Cruiser weight and light weight which one is heavier in wwe 2k15 play station 3?
how to do chair finisher in wwe 2k15 play station 3?
how many chair grapple moves can be perform and what button there is in wwe 2k15 play station 3?