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In WWE 2K24, the best way to improve is to read the attack before choosing a defense, build momentum toward a Signature and Finisher, and follow each match type’s win condition. Start with the control basics below, then choose a mode based on whether you want a story, historic matches, booking, management, or customization.
How to defend against attacks
WWE 2K24 uses different answers for different attacks. The control examples below are for PlayStation and Xbox; check the in-game control display for your platform and chosen control scheme. The detailed inputs are documented in The SmackDown Hotel’s WWE 2K24 controls guide.
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| Defense | Input in the guide | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard reversal | Press Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox when the reversal prompt appears. | Counter many incoming attacks when you recognize the prompt. |
| Breaker | Press the same attack button as the incoming combo strike or grapple in the grab state. | Counter combo strikes and grapples; identify the attack type and match the input. |
| Block | Hold Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox. | A lower-risk defense against strikes and running attacks. It does not stop grabs or special moves. |
| Dodge | Press R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox plus a direction. | Evade or reposition with better avoidance potential, but with more timing risk than blocking. |
Watch the opponent’s move and any reversal prompt rather than pressing one defensive input indiscriminately. A standard reversal is not the same as a breaker, and blocking is not a substitute for either against every attack.
Build pressure without relying on a guaranteed sequence
Attacks build the opponent’s Stun Meter; when the opponent is stunned, they cannot reverse. Varying your offense can help maintain pressure, but there is no universal sequence or fixed stun threshold established here—how quickly the meter fills depends on the action and situation.
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#1 Best Overall
- FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIA WrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.
- AN ICONIC ROSTER WWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.
- NEW MATCH TYPES From Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.
- PROVE YOURSELF IN MyRISE Unleash your raw talent and become the undisputed champ in MyRISE, featuring two thrilling career arcs and original storylines chronicling your ascent to WWE stardom from the men's and women’s divisions.
- BUILD YOUR FACTION Assemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
How to turn momentum into a Signature and Finisher
Momentum and Finisher are distinct meters. Momentum enables Signatures and also supports Paybacks and Instant Recovery. The control guide lists these Signature inputs: R2 + Square on PlayStation or RT + X on Xbox. A successful Signature grants a Finisher.
Use a Finisher with R2 + X on PlayStation or RT + A on Xbox. The required position depends on the wrestler’s move, so check that wrestler’s move list and set up the opponent accordingly. The lower HUD Finisher Meter has three segments; storing three Finishers enables a Super Finisher, which the guide says makes a kick-out harder.
After a Finisher lands, a pin attempt is often a sensible next move while the opponent is vulnerable. It is not an automatic win: the opponent may still kick out, and the pin’s result depends on the match state.
Rank #2
- FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIA - WrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.
- AN ICONIC ROSTER - WWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.
- NEW MATCH TYPES - From Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.
- BUILD YOUR FACTION - Assemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
How to pin and kick out
To attempt a pin, flick the right stick downward, as described in the controls guide. The default kick-out uses a timed mini-game: the target zone moves, and the pinned player flicks the right stick upward when the cursor reaches it. The guide says lower remaining health makes the target harder to hit.
Kick-out options and other ways to escape
- Timed mini-game: Use the right-stick timing input when the cursor reaches the target zone; this is the default described by the guide.
- Button-mashing alternative: Enable the button-mashing kick-out system in Gameplay Options if you prefer repeated button presses. A press-and-hold option for button-mash mini-games is also described.
- Resiliency: The guide says this Payback can provide an immediate kick-out when you have at least two bars of the Special Meter.
- Rope break: If you are near the ropes, a rope break may be available if the referee notices it.
Because your Gameplay Options change the kick-out input, check the selected setting before a match rather than assuming every pin uses the same mechanic.
Which WWE 2K24 mode should you play first?
Choose by the kind of activity you want. WWE’s mode descriptions and the game’s manual contents identify these as central systems; the recommendations below follow from what each mode is designed to do, not from a developer ranking.
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| Mode | What you do | A good starting choice if you want… |
|---|---|---|
| MyRISE | Follow one of two created-Superstar career storylines: Undisputed or Unleashed, in the men’s or women’s division. | A structured story and career progression. |
| Showcase | Recreate iconic WrestleMania moments through gameplay and live-action footage, with unlockables. | Historic match scenarios and objectives. |
| Universe | Manage rosters, feuds, champions, weekly shows, premium live events, rivalry actions, and match options. | Control over a wrestling sandbox and its ongoing cards. |
| MyGM | Manage a WWE brand, including GMs, talent scouting, trading, contracts, and Superstar progression. | Booking and brand-management decisions. |
| MyFACTION | Build and manage a four-person faction using WWE Superstars and Legends, with card collection and upgrades. | Faction building and card-based play. Current online availability and reward schedules are not established here. |
| Creation Suite | Create custom wrestlers and content such as referees, signs, arenas, entrances, move sets, and championships. | Making and customizing your own game content. |
For a history-focused first session, try Showcase; for a guided career, choose MyRISE; for your own ongoing show, start in Universe; and for roster and brand decisions, choose MyGM.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Adjust your strategy for WWE 2K24’s match types
WWE highlighted four new match types for WWE 2K24: Special Guest Referee, Ambulance, Casket, and Gauntlet. Its feature announcement also called out Super Finishers, the Trading Blows mini-game, double-title matches, new Paybacks, and new weapons. These options add variety, but their presence does not make every match a pinfall contest.
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2K’s February 6, 2024 announcement describes the objective as wearing down the opponent, putting them in the ambulance, and closing its doors. Focus on completing that sequence and learn the match-specific controls; an ordinary pin is not the stated win condition.
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Casket Match
The stated objective is to defeat the opponent, put them in the casket, and close the lid. Pursue the casket objective rather than relying on a standard pinfall.
Other new match options
Special Guest Referee and Gauntlet matches are among the four new match types named by WWE. Read the match rules and on-screen prompts when entering an unfamiliar type so you know what actions count toward its outcome.
What to know about WWE 2K24’s roster and editions
WWE’s 2024 announcement described the roster as containing more than 200 Superstars and Legends. That is the publisher’s launch-era figure, not a verified count for every later update or version.
Best Value
At launch, 2K said the Standard Edition and Standard Cross-Gen Digital Edition would release worldwide on March 8, 2024. It described the Forty Years of WrestleMania edition as digital-only worldwide and the Deluxe physical edition as available only in named territories. Those are historical launch details, not evidence of current stock, regional availability, or downloadable-content status.
For the feature overview, see WWE’s WWE 2K24 features announcement; for launch editions and release details, see 2K’s February 6, 2024 announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
