The WWEgame engine was originally based on that used by Yuke's Toukon Retsuden and Rumble Roses series.[3][4] Yuke's also published the WWE series in Japan, under the title of Exciting Pro Wrestling. With the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 in 2006, THQ took over as the Japanese publisher and the series adopted the western name.[5][6]
Was the first video game released under the WWE acronym, due to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) changing their name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).[13]
Chris Benoit, his signature Crippler Crossface move, other signature moves, and entrances were removed from the finished game, as Benoit was originally a playable character. This was due to the double-murder and suicide incident.
This was the final game to be released under the SmackDown! vs. RAW name. It was also the last installment for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable platforms.
Was the first video game released under the WWE name.[40]
Cover art for the normal and Wrestlemania Edition feature Randy Orton. Cover art for the collector's edition features The Rock (People's Edition). Mexican cover art features Sin Cara.
This was the last game published by THQ. It was also the last WWE game to be released on the Wii; as well as the final WWE game on any Nintendo console until 2K18's release on the Switch.
Cover art features The Rock. An alternate cover art features Daniel Bryan which was included in all copies of the retail version of the game. The collector's Phenom Edition features The Undertaker's 'TX' logo on the cover.
Collector's "Cena 'Nuff" Edition feature's various logos of John Cena.
This is the first video game under WWE 2K Banner released only on eighth generation hardware as well as the first released on PC alongside console counterparts.[43]
First game in the series to be released on a Nintendo console since WWE '13, also the only one to be released on the Nintendo Switch
^"WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 World Premiere". IGN. 2005-07-04. Retrieved 2008-05-08. Officially known as WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 (a title meant to reflect its new direction towards a sports and simulation feel
^Jeremy Dunham. "World Premiere: SmackDown vs. Raw 2007". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-08. To be revealed at the annual Superstar Challenge prior to this weekend's festivities (which includes the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony and WrestleMania itself), the announcement will officially confirm the next iteration of the WWE videogame family, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007.
^MacMedan, Julie (2011-02-02). "THQ REPORTS FISCAL 2011 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS". Retrieved 2011-02-04. As a result, the company's fiscal third quarter non-GAAP results exclude a charge of $9.9 million related to the cancellation of Company of Heroes® Online and WWE® Online.