WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is a wrestling game where you control WWE superstars through matches and the theatrics surrounding them. Beyond the standard grappling, strikes, and submissions, you get hands-on control during ring entrances—posing, pyrotechnics timing, crowd interaction—and post-match celebrations. The game lets you choreograph these moments rather than watching canned cutscenes. Match types include singles, tag team, and specialty bouts with weapons and environmental hazards. You'll build rivalries, cut promos, and work through storylines in career mode. The roster features mid-2000s WWE talent across Raw and SmackDown brands. Create-a-wrestler tools let you design original characters with custom movesets and entrance music. If you want wrestling's full package—not just bell-to-bell action but the showmanship before and after—this iteration emphasizes player agency in those theatrical beats.
