Superstars Abilities in WWE 2K19 have been updated with the introduction of the brand new Payback System, a set of defensive abilities designed to turn the momentum of a match. Two of the previous "standard abilities", Resiliency and Move Thief, are now part of the new Payback System as you can see in detail below.
Other changes in WWE 2K19 abilities include "Pin Combo" and "Diving Pin Combo" being combined into one ability, while "Ruthless Aggression" and "Stare Down (Promo)" have been removed. Finally, it's important to note that previous ability "Ring Escape" has now been moved to being part of the Skills Section.
Here you find the full guide and list of WWE 2K19 Abilities and Payback Abilities available, with details on how to execute each of them. The newest additions are marked with "NEW".
WWE 2K19 PAYBACK Abilities NEW
The Payback System is a new feature in WWE 2K19 that allows you to come back when your opponent has the upper hand, by turning the tide with special abilities. As you take damage during a match, a Payback Meter will fill until you unlock a Level 1 ability. If you hold out longer, you’ll earn a more powerful Level 2 ability.
Each Superstar can have one Minor and one Major Payback ability assigned, and they can also be selected/customized from the Superstar Selection screen.
Payback LVL 1 (Minor Payback)
1. Auto-Reverse NEW
Use this ability to automatically perform a minor reversal. You cannot use this ability to perform Major Reversals or reverse Signature and Finisher attacks. This does not consume a Reversal stock.
Payback Info: Hold R2 before the attack is performed.
2. Possum NEW
Play possum and catch your opponent off guard with a pin or attack.
Payback Info: Hold R1 and L1 to enter a Possum state while supine, leaning against the ropes or cornered. Press X or O while supine and holding possum to perform a pin. Press Square or Triangle while holding possum to perform an attack.
3. Speed Buff NEW
This buff enhances your speed and agility. Additionally, it improves the rate at which you regenerate stamina and reversals.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
4. Fists Of Fury NEW
This increases your striking power attributes. It also gives you a minor speed boost and improves striking reversals.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
5. Instant Recovery NEW
Use this ability to instantly recover after being knocked down. This includes a minor speed boost.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1 while in a downed state.
6. Reversal NEW
Earn a Reversal stock.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
Payback LVL 2 (Major Payback)
1. Finisher NEW
Earn a Finisher.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1. Can only be used once per match.
2. Resiliency
Escape a Pin, Submission, or Elimination Mini-Game with ease.
Payback Info: Press L1 during the mini-game to automatically escape.
3. Adrenaline Buff NEW
Provides a modest boost to Adrenaline, allowing you to lift more weight while simultaneously increasing the amount of Momentum earned for performing lifting grapples.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
4. Tank Buff NEW
Greatly increases Defense while simultaneously reducing your overall mobility.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
5. Low Blow NEW
Perform a low blow from a standing or kneeling position. Risk of disqualification.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1. Press Triangle to perform a Low Blow.
6. Poison Mist NEW
Spit Poison Mist in your opponent's eyes. Risk of disqualification.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1. Press Triangle to perform Poison Mist.
7. Power Of The Punch NEW
Hit your opponent with brass knuckles. Ouch! Risk of disqualification.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1. Press Triangle to perform Power of the Punch.
8. Run-In NEW
Summon an ally down to ringside to help turn the tide.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1 while in a downed state inside the ring. This ability is only valid in 1 vs. 1 Matches.
9. Move Thief
Use your opponent's own move-set to finish them off. How humiliating!
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
10. Blackout NEW
The lights go out. When they come back on, you appear behind your opponent to gain an advantage.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1 while both Superstars are inside the ring. This ability is only valid in 1 vs. 1 Matches.
Payback Overcharges (Exclusive to MyPLAYER)
MyPLAYER characters in WWE 2K19 have exclusive LVL 2 Paybacks called Overcharges.
These start out with base traits and functionality and can be upgraded via the Overcharge Tree for extra buffs:
Overcharge: Beast Mode
Beast Mode enhances your grappling speed and damage. A golden glow highlights your arms when activated.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
Overcharge: Charged Fury
Charged Fury deals out big damage with a single punch. The longer your charge the strike, the more damage dealt. You fist radiates with power when fully charged.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1. When active, hold Square to charge your strike. Once charged, press Square to perform a charged strike.
Overcharge: Electrifying
Use this ability to earn yourself a lot of momentum at a much faster rate. Electricity flows through your body.
Payback Info: To activate, hold R1 and press L1.
WWE 2K19 Standard Abilities
Similarly to previous years, each ability in this category has three different levels, and each ability has a different effect on gameplay: some have an impact on stamina, some impact the kick-out gauge, etc. In WWE 2K19, each Superstar can have up to 10 abilities assigned (so potentially all of them).
1. Pin Combo
Allows Superstars to perform a pin immediately following certain attacks.
Ability Info: During an attack press O when prompted.
- LVL 1: The size of your opponent's kick-out gauge is reduced by 10%.
- LVL 2: The size of your opponent's kick-out gauge is reduced by 20%.
- LVL 3: The size of your opponent's kick-out gauge is reduced by 30%.
2. Rope Break
Affects the probability of the referee seeing the Rope Break during the first pin count and the momentum awarded.
Ability Info: If you get pinned close to the ropes, press O to trigger a Rope Break.
- LVL 1: 60% probabilty of referee seeing Rope Break. 15% momentum awarded if successful.
- LVL 2: 50% probabilty of referee seeing Rope Break. 45% momentum awarded if successful.
- LVL 3: 40% probabilty of referee seeing Rope Break. 75% momentum awarded if successful.
3. Dirty Pin
Pin your opponent with your feet on the ropes for added leverage.
Ability Info: Performed when your opponent is laying parallel to the ropes. Hold O when prompted.
- LVL 1: Decreases your opponent's kick out gauge by 20%. Probability that ref sees the dirty pin is 24%. Can be used once per match.
- LVL 2: Decreases your opponent's kick out gauge by 35%. Probability that ref sees the dirty pin is 34%. Can be used once per match.
- LVL 3: Decreases your opponent's kick out gauge by 50%. Probability that ref sees the dirty pin is 50%. Requires a Finisher. Can be used twice per match.
4. Technician
Lowers the Stamina cost for reversals.
Ability Info: This ability is always active.
- LVL 1: -10% Reversal Stamina cost
- LVL 2: -30% Reversal Stamina cost
- LVL 3: -50% Reversal Stamina cost
5. Teamwork
Damage inflicted by double team moves and Tag Team finishers is increased.
Ability Info: This ability is always active in Tag Team Matches
- LVL 1: Double Team Damage increased by 12%.
- LVL 2: Double Team Damage increased by 17%.
- LVL 3: Double Team Damage increased by 26%.
6. Fan Favorite
Increases the time window to complete a Superstar's Comeback Sequence.
Ability Info: This ability is always active as long as you have the Comeback skill.
- LVL 1: 16 seconds to complete the Comeback Sequence.
- LVL 2: 20 seconds to complete the Comeback Sequence.
- LVL 3: 25 seconds to complete the Comeback Sequence.
7. Immovable Object
Decreases the chance that a Superstar will fall to his knees when hit by a strong or running strike. Can only be used by Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight Superstars.
Ability Info: This ability is always active.
- LVL 1: Decreased the chance of falling by 40%.
- LVL 2: Decreased the chance of falling by 55%.
- LVL 3: Decreased the chance of falling by 65%.
8. Mouthpiece
A Superstar's manager will distract the referee and provide a Stamina Boost.
Ability Info: This ability is always active when a manager accompanies the Superstar.
- LVL 1: Small stamina boost (can be used 1 time before manager gets ejected)
- LVL 2: LVL 1 stamina boost + 50% (can be used 2 times before manager gets ejected)
- LVL 3: LVL 2 stamina boost + 50% (can be used 2 times before manager gets ejected)
9. Brawl (Promo Ability)
Attack the opponent during a Promo and transition into a Brawl.
Ability Info: Can be triggered by pressing R2 during a promo. This has no effect during matches.
- LVL 1: The target's health can be reduced to 90%
- LVL 2: The target's health can be reduced to 85%
- LVL 3: The target's health can be reduced to 80%
10. Taunt (Promo Ability)
Eliminate the lowest scoring promo answers.
Ability Info: Can be triggered by pressing R2 during a promo. This has no effect during matches.
- LVL 1: The promo answer with the lowest score will be removed. Can be used once per promo
- LVL 2: Two low score promo answers will be removed. Can be used once per promo.
- LVL 3: Three low score promo answers will be removed. Can be used once per promo.
For more WWE 2K19 Guides check out the complete Guides Section and the WWE 2K19 Roster Page!
