Surviving as a Created Wrestler
When you create a new wrestler, you have 250 experience points to raise attributes. As you'll find out, that's not much experience! You won't be able to hang with the big boys; in fact, you'll likely be pummeled when you're in there and not even on the match card on other occasions.
Here are some tips on surviving as a created wrestler so you can build your experience and increase your attributes.
- Join a tag team as early as possible. If you participate in tag matches, you can pick a partner that has better stats than your own. You can use your partner during the match or order your partner to help out if you get into trouble during the battle.
- Try and get hardcore matches. With no disqualifications, you're free to grab weapons and pummel your opponent. All things considered, statistics are fairly even when a chair is cracked over your head or choked with a sledgehammer.
- Join a faction. Get into a faction with other WWE superstars so you can call on their interference during certain matches (R3 button) and fight with them in other matches.
- If the match has disqualification on, knock the ref out by nailing him with a clothesline (don't focus on the ref, however!) so you can use weapons or smash your opponent's head into an exposed turnbuckle.
- Get a manager. It might not be available for awhile but if you ever have the chance to get a manager, do so. It's another ally out there during the battle. The manager can distract your opponent or even lay the smack down when your opponent exits the squared circle.
Dealing with Superstars
Between matches you'll have numerous chances to interact with other WWE superstars backstage. Select the "Move" option from your locker and check to see if there are any superstars willing to talk. These encounters are unpredictable and the consequences to your actions are almost as unpredictable. You might be nice and lose experience or Smackdown points or you might be mean and lose experience and Smackdown points.
You don't have to navigate backstage or ever speak with any of the superstars. That way you won't risk losing Smackdown points or experience. However, you could miss out. You may get offered a match or even the chance to gain an ally. But encountering an enemy in a backstage room could very well lead to a fight. There are no rules here; grab a weapon and start pummeling your opponent. While backstage, be sure to try out different items, like the motorcycle or treadmill. You should also try and Irish whip your opponent into crates, barrels, and other obstacles that could reveal hidden weapons.
Navigating Storylines
The beauty of WWE Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain's season mode are the plentiful storylines which can play out in a variety of ways with you as a primary participant. Feud with Brock Lesnar, get romantically involved with your female manager, or become part of a faction versus faction battle as the marquee match-up on the pay-per-view card.
There's no right or wrong here. There's no game-killing choice that will present a "Game Over" screen and ruin your character. You may get on a roller coaster ride of popularity, though. You may spend the summer on top of the match cards and a contender for all title matches and then find the next spring battling jobbers with no title run in sight.
Being champion does have its perks. You'll earn more Smackdown dollars for matches and you could very well have two or three matches per card, which will increase your income considerably. Note that you can hold multiple titles at any given time. Go for the tag team championship while holding the WWE Championship belt!
If you get tired of feuding with the same Smackdown or RAW wrestlers, visit the general manager and request a roster change. It won't happen immediately, though; keep battling a month or so and then you will be switched.
Your choice of difficulty level in the game options affects season mode. Obviously your computer-controlled opponents will perform better based on the difficulty level but you will also earn more dollars and experience when facing the harder opponents.
If you want to use season mode to more easily train your created wrestler, use "Create" mode to make a lot of "jobber" wrestlers to beat up on (wrestlers with the lowest ratings possible). Put them all into season mode and into your show's roster (either Smackdown or RAW). Turn on "Smackdown" difficulty so you'll earn the most experience possible. Control your created wrestler and start fighting those weak jobbers.
Season mode is your chance to live out your wrestler's storylines however you wish. Form a faction and name that faction. Form a new tag team and name it. Give it some music and an entrance. Request a manager and show her your affection. Attack everyone after matches to make some enemies.
