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.

We’ve 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 Chris Benoit as your wrestler, you won’t participate in the storyline. Also, if you have selected a wrestler that’s part of an upcoming title challenge storyline, you won’t be able to participate in it even if you win the required matches. Some of the competitors listed in the walk-throughs 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 aren’t current champion. Teddy Long plans to make you the special referee during tonight’s 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, you’ll 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 won’t 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). You’ll 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.

I’ve 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, Nitro’s 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. There’s a 20 minute time limit and you must score more tap outs than Benoit. He’s a skilled submission wrestler so it won’t 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.