Released in late 2009 by THQ and Yuke's, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for the PlayStation 3 stands as a pivotal entry in the long-running sports-entertainment franchise. It dropped right when the promotion relied on a distinct three-brand split—Raw, SmackDown, and ECW—giving the digital roster a unique historical snapshot that fans still look back on. If you're booting up a retro console or looking into the game's lineup, understanding the true composition of this roster, its hidden unlockables, and the unique control mechanics helps you get the most out of the experience.
The core roster features over 60 playable characters once you factor in legends, alternative attires, and unlockable superstars. Unlike modern wrestling games bogged down by hefty post-launch DLC passes, everything on this PS3 disc was earned through gameplay, achievements, and the in-game shop, known as the WWE Shop. Let's break down how the brands were represented, what mechanics defined the era, and how to maximize your matches today.
Brand Breakdown and Notable Superstars
Back in 2009, the WWE draft heavily dictated weekly television, and the game mirrored that structure precisely. Each show brought a different flavor to the ring, from Raw's star-powered main events to SmackDown's fast-paced cruiserweights and ECW's hard-hitting brawlers.
Raw Superstars
Raw served as the flagship show, featuring heavyweights who dominated the main event scene.
- John Cena: Sporting his classic bright green and purple gear from that era, Cena anchors the cover and remains the primary face of the franchise.
- The Undertaker: Fresh off his legendary WrestleMania XXV match against Shawn Michaels, the Deadman is a dominant force with top-tier attribute stats.
- Randy Orton: At the height of his "Age of Orton" heel run, his character model features aggressive AI tendencies and his signature punt kick.
- Triple H: Representing D-Generation X alongside Shawn Michaels, carrying heavy stats across submission and striking categories.
SmackDown Superstars
SmackDown provided an alternative style, leaning heavily on high-flyers, technicians, and towering giants.
- Edge: The Rated-R Superstar brings his characteristic heel heat and a massive move set, though he spent parts of the real-world 2009 season injured.
- CM Punk: Representing his 2009 Straight Edge Society persona, Punk's move set emphasizes submission grappling and technical pacing.
- Rey Mysterio: The definitive cruiserweight choice on the PS3, utilizing incredible speed and spring-board mechanics that made him difficult to pin.
- The Big Show: Providing classic super-heavyweight squash matches with unique corner grapples that smaller wrestlers couldn't reverse easily.
ECW Originals and Rising Stars
The ECW brand was in its final months before transitioning into NXT, but the game preserves its distinct underground identity.
- Christian: Fresh off his return to the company, leading the ECW championship scene.
- Tommy Dreamer & Finlay: Hardcore veterans who brought weapon-heavy combat styles to the roster.
Gameplay Mechanics That Defined 2010
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 introduced several systemic overhauls that changed how matches flowed on the PS3 hardware, moving away from button-mashing toward momentum management.
The New Grapple Breakdown System
Instead of simple directional inputs, the game utilized a split system where weak grapples transitioned into strong grapples based on your opponent's damage state. Managing your stamina bar was critical; if you exhausted your wrestler by running too much or missing signature moves, your character would slow down, leaving them vulnerable to reversals.
Pinfall Escapes and Submission Minigames
The pinfall system used a moving meter where you had to release the button at the exact right sweet spot to kick out. For submissions, the game introduced a tug-of-war style mechanic or a button-mash threshold depending on your settings, making high-profile matches tense down to the final count.
WWE Universe and Create-a-Mode Suite
Long before the dedicated Universe Mode arrived in later iterations, 2010 laid the groundwork with storyline creator tools. You could script your own cutscenes, define match outcomes, and book custom pay-per-views. The creation suite was famously deep for its time, allowing players to paint custom logos, adjust wrestler body morphing down to individual muscle groups, and design original championship belts.
Hidden Unlockables and Legends
A huge part of playing WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 on the PS3 involves unlocking classic legends and alternate arenas through the WWE Shop or by completing specific Road to WrestleMania storylines.
- The Rock: Unlocked by completing specific branches in the Road to WrestleMania mode or purchasing him with in-game XP earned from exhibition matches.
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: A premier unlockable legend who dominates heavyweight division matches.
- Trish Stratus & Bob Orton: Historical figures included to round out classic eras.
- Alternate Attires: Characters like John Cena, Triple H, and Randy Orton featured multiple unlockable alternate ring gears that changed their entrance themes or video packages.
For a deeper dive into the broader historical context of the franchise, you can explore official retrospectives on the WWE Official Website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When returning to this classic PS3 title, players often fall into a few traps that ruin the match flow or make the game feel overly repetitive.
- Ignoring the Stamina Bar: Running across the ring constantly drains your energy meter, making your strikes sluggish and leaving you open to instant reversals. Pace your offense.
- Overusing Strong Grapples Early: Trying to hit signature moves or finishers before softening your opponent's limbs results in immediate kick-outs. Build damage systematically through limb targeting.
- Neglecting Customization Storage: The PS3 hard drive handles save data well, but custom superstar slots are finite. Don't waste slots on incomplete edits; use community formula guides from retro forums to build accurate attires efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 online on the PS3 today?
No. Official online servers for this title were shut down years ago by THQ, meaning online matchmaking, community downloads of custom wrestlers, and online chat features are no longer functional. You can still play local multiplayer with up to four players on the same console.
How do you reverse grapples effectively?
Reversals are tied to timing the opponent's strike or grapple wind-up. On the PS3 controller, pressing R2 (or the equivalent modifier) right as the opponent makes contact triggers a reversal. Mastering this requires learning the animation frames for different wrestlers' signature moves.
Are there any DLC packs available for download on the PS3 version?
Historical DLC packs—such as the roster add-ons featuring superstars like Ron Simmons or Steve Austin's alternate gear—were pulled from the PlayStation Network years ago. Unless your PS3 console already has them cached or installed from past purchases, you cannot download official DLC today.
Can you import custom music into the PS3 game?
Yes. One of the standout features of the PS3 version was the ability to rip custom MP3 music files directly onto the console's hard drive and assign them as custom entrance themes for created wrestlers, a feature later removed on newer hardware generations.
