Almost every video game has several beta features that the average player never sees, including WWE games. In fact, some of this content is so well hidden that they've practically become lost media. For those who don't know, lost media refers to a type of media that has been inaccessible to the public for one reason or another.
In the case of WWE games, it's often because the project gets canceled at some point in development. This article will highlight some interesting examples of canceled WWE games alongside some beta features worth noting. It's important to mention that not every piece of cut content will appear here since this video game series has dozens of entries across nearly 40 years from when this article was written.
Note that there are several unreleased wrestling games, but this article will solely focus on a few that specifically have "WWE" or "WWF" in their names. The classic Smackdown, Smackdown Vs. Raw, WWF, and other titles in the series will be mentioned below.
This article will point out a few oddities tied to cut content. If there is a specific game you wish would get more coverage, feel free to leave a comment below. Otherwise, let's start with a canceled game.
Smackdown vs. Raw Online
The Smackdown vs. Raw series had some beloved titles across the sixth and seventh generations of consoles. One game that fans probably wouldn't remember from this miniseries was Smackdown vs. Raw Online.
That canceled game is not to be confused with the online multiplayer features that the series was known for. Instead, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw Online was intended to be a PC-only video game developed by Vertigo Games that was supposed to be released in 2010.
Not much was revealed about the game, apart from being a project designed to go after the growing online gaming market. It was rumored to be in South Korea and other Asian markets. A press release for the game stated:
"The game will offer ongoing content updates and features to enhance the players' experience as they progress through the ranks, as well as season mode. Players will also be able to enter the lobby to challenge opponents, shop or interact with other connected players. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online provides the ultimate wrestling experience appealing to both beginner and advanced PC-online players."
However, this WWE game was never released due to THQ's poor earnings and re-evaluation of its online gaming strategies, as mentioned in THQ's Fiscal 2011 Third Quarter earnings report. No game files associated with it have been released or leaked to the public.
WWE Brawl
In May 2024, a former piece of lost WWE game media was found and uploaded by YouTuber Nichslvl. It was a Nintendo 3DS development cartridge for WWE Brawl, another canceled game that previously didn't see the light of day. The game was supposed to be released in 2011, so it took nearly 13 years for it to show up to the public.
More specifically, it was a 3D fighting game where you could play as one of nearly a dozen different wrestlers, except they had very unorthodox designs. For example, the characters have very cartoony proportions, with somebody like Sheamus wearing something similar to gladiator armor, suitable for the title's fictional universe.
The home console ports of this game weren't leaked. Only the Nintendo 3DS version is playable, but it's unfinished in several areas. That prototype noticeably lacks the substantial environmental damage showcased in the home console versions.
At least you could still use funny weapons like a bazooka or a sword in this unreleased WWE game.
Beta Characters and Features in WWE Games
The most noticeable example of cut content found in released WWE games has to be the playable characters that end up getting removed. For instance, WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain has several playable characters, as documented by The Cutting Room Floor, that didn't end up in the final version of the game, such as:
- Al Snow
- Billy Gunn
- Billy Kidman
- Bradshaw
- Hulk Hogan (80’s and 2003)
- Jamal
- Jeffy Hardy
- Molly Holly
- Rosie
- Spike Dudley
- Ultimate Warrior
- William Regal
Only Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior have stats, although everybody else does have their moves listed. Interestingly, Jeff Hardy is shown in one of the official WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain trailers, yet he isn't playable in the final version.
Other games also have wrestlers who aren't normally accessible. WWF Smackdown! 2: Know Your Role is an interesting example as Ken Shamrock and Big Show can be played in Royal Rumble via a bug, even though they aren't normally selectable. Typically, such "cut" characters tend to only be discoverable via the hidden game files.
Examples of some cut characters that aren’t as easy to see can be seen in the original WWE Smackdown vs. Raw. Characters with models and other minor data still present in that game include the following, according to The Cutting Room Floor:
- British Bulldog
- Brock Lesnar
- Cactus Jack
- Danny Basham
- Doug Basham
- Lita
- Mick Foley
- Ricky Steamboat
- Rikishi
It's worth noting that most of these wrestlers merely have a Create-A-Moveslot slot from early prototype builds of the original WWE Smackdown vs. Raw. Only a few have models or renders, like the British Bulldog shown above.
Other Beta Content
One thing that gamers should know about this beta content is that some things are only discoverable in prototype builds. Former pieces of lost media have been uncovered over the years via such prototypes, leading to several videos being made about them. The above YouTube embed is a good example of how well-documented some of this beta content can be. In this case, it's about WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006.
Wrestler names may vary from the beta version to the final release, just like how their stats can differ. As an example, around the 2:59 part of the above video, you can see Mankind has a stat total of 94 in the beta version. In the final release, he only has an Overall of 91.
Similarly, previously unseen character models like Luther Reigns and Maven can be played in these prototype builds, before they were cut from the game.
Odd things of note also include how a bartender and staff member received some HUD elements in a regular one vs. one Bar Brawl when they weren't selected, as shown at 30:35 of the above video. Interestingly, they are also playable in the beta build.
Other prototype builds have similar oddities, although it would be too much to list in one mere article.
Some cut content can be confusing as to why it was removed in the first place. WWF Attitude was supposed to have a "Training Room" feature similar to WWF War Zone, where you can practice various moves. However, the N64 and PS1 ports removed it, although some code is still accessible if you dig deep into it.
That's unfortunate since it's an Acclaim Entertainment wrestling game akin to WWF War Zone; the controls are similar to a fighting game like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter. The average player would be unlikely to know how to do everything from the get-go in those games. WWF War Zone at least had a training mode in the retail version, so it's a shame that WWF Attitude only had it in its beta version.
It is worth noting that there are several prototype builds for various WWE games, and this article only scratches the surface of what's there to explore. There are also datamines for recent titles in this franchise, including WWE 2K25's upcoming DLC celebrities. However, such content is still tentative and subject to change.
Likewise, new game builds and leaks for older games could always pop up in the future. Until then, let us know what cut content you wish would have appeared in a WWE game!