On this page, you find the complete guide on all the WWE 2K23 Controls for the PS5, PS4, and Xbox Game Pads.
The controls in WWE 2K23 haven't changed much compared to the new control scheme introduced in WWE 2K22. The Grapple system and Combo system from WWE 2K22 are still present in the game, as well as the updated reversals system with the ability to Block and Dodge strikes.
However, WWE 2K23 now features a new Pin and Kick-Out minigame.
Below you find all the inputs required to perform Finishers & Signatures, Reversals, Strikes, Grapples, Submissions, Carry & Drag moves, use Weapons, and the full WWE 2K23 Controls Scheme. The changes in the WWE 2K23 control scheme compared to the one in WWE 2K22 are marked with NEW.
If you use information from this article, please credit The SmackDown Hotel.
WWE 2K23 Controls Guide Index
WWE 2K23 Controls Scheme (PS5, PS4 & Xbox)
| Action | PS5 / PS4 | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Control Superstar | L-direction | L-direction |
| Run | Hold L2 + L-direction | Hold LT + L-direction |
| Grab (Grapple State) | O | B |
| Light Strike / Light Grapple (inside Grab) |
Square (+ L-direction) | X (+ L-direction) |
| Heavy Strike / Heavy Grapple (inside Grab) |
X (+ L-direction) | A (+ L-direction) |
| Irish Whip (inside Grab) | O | B |
| Finisher | R2 + X | RT + A |
| Signature | R2 + Square | RT + X |
| Submission | R2 + O | RT + B |
| Payback | R2 + Triangle | RT + Y |
| Reversal | Triangle | Y |
| Block (Guard) | Hold Triangle | Hold Y |
| "Breaker" Reversal (for Combos / Grapples) | Square / X / O | X / A / B |
| Dodge / Climb | R1 + L-direction | RB + L-direction |
| Exit / Enter Ring / Climb Top Rope | Hold R1 + L-direction | Hold RB + L-direction |
| Climb Middle Rope | Tap R1 + L-direction | Tap RB + L-direction |
| Lean To Ropes for Springboard | Tap L1 + L-direction | Tap LB + L-direction |
| Grab Weapon | L1 | LB |
| Pin Opponent | R-down | R-down |
| Reposition Opponent / Turn Opponent | R-direction | R-direction |
| Lift Opponent Up (Grounded Opp.) | R-up | R-up |
| Drag Opponent (inside Grab) | L1 (+ L-direction) | LB (+ L-direction) |
| Initiate Carry (inside Grab) | R1 (+ L-direction) | R1 (+ L-direction) |
| Wake Up Taunt | up | up |
| Crowd Taunt | left | left |
| Opponent Taunt | right | right |
| Toggle Primary Payback NEW | down | down |
| Instant Recovery (from Ground) | R1 | RB |
| Release Hold / Pin | L1 | LB |
| Tag In / Tag Out Partner | L1 | LB |
| Display Target / Control Tag Partner | touch-pad | view |
| Change Target | Click R | Click R |
| Pause Game |
WWE 2K23 Controls: Grapple System
WWE 2K23 features the same Grapple system and Combo system as WWE 2K22.
Grapples are executed by first entering a Grapple State (lock-up) with circle / B (similar to old Smackdown vs Raw games) and then pressing the Light or Heavy Attack button to perform a Grapple move, or circle / B again to perform an Irish Whip.
The same must also be done for moves on the Ground, as well as in the Corner, Ropes, Apron, etc. The Drag & Carry moves are also performed after first entering the grapple lock-up state.
WWE 2K23 Controls: Combo System
In WWE 2K23, strikes work in the same way as WWE 2K22, with a separate button for Light and Heavy Strikes So, unlike older games, strong strikes are no longer executed by holding down a button.
After performing a Light Attack, you can start a series of 3 chained attacks with this new Combo System that has been introduced last year.
Combos are then performed by chaining Light and Heavy Strikes, with Square & X on PlayStation, and X & A on Xbox. The final hit of a combo (Combo Ender) can also be a Grapple and deals bonus damage.
Each Superstar has 30 different Combos available, and the assigned moves for each combo can be customized in Create-A-Moveset. The Pause Menu also features a full list of combos for the Superstars you're playing as.
WWE 2K23 Reversals System & Controls
How do Reversals work in WWE 2K23?
The reversal system in WWE 2K23 follows the same mechanisms as the ones introduced last year in WWE 2K22.
Unlike previous games in the 2K series, there is no longer a limit on how many reversals you can perform.
How to Reverse moves in WWE 2K23?
Like WWE 2K22, there is no longer just one single reversal button. WWE 2K23 features various defensive options, with different types of reversals and blocks.
Here below we explain all the different reversal types available in WWE 2K23:
- Reversal: Tap Triangle / Y just before the opponent hits you. The reversal icon will appear over the Superstar's head when it's the proper timing to reverse. This is the standard reversal used for most attacks such as:
- Standard Strikes (not part of combos)
- Initial Grab Attempt
- Signatures
- Finishers
- Weapon Attacks
- Diving Attacks
- However, this is not used for Combos or Grapples inside the Grab state
- Breakers: The strikes that are part of Combos, and Grapples (when inside the grab state) are not countered via the standard reversal. Instead, they are countered with a "Breaker", by pressing the same button hit by the opponent. So it's based on what attack you expect the opponent to perform:
- Counter with square / X if the opponent performs a Light Strike (combo) / Light Grapple (inside grab)
- Counter with X / A if the opponent performs a Heavy Strike (combo) / Heavy Grapple (inside grab)
- Counter with O / B if the opponent performs a Grapple as Combo Ender
- If you guess right, you'll break out and take advantage. If you guess wrong during a combo, you'll be unable to perform breakers for the rest of that combo.
- Block / Guard - Hold Triangle / Y to enter a blocking stance:
- Put your guard up to defend against your opponent's hits
- This lets you withstand strikes and running attacks, but doesn't block grabs or special moves.
- After blocking, you can attack before your opponent can
- Dodge - Press R1 / RB and a direction just before the opponent hits you:
- Choose a direction to get out of the way quickly if you time it correctly
- The animation will differ based on the direction that you press, as well as the class of the superstar. Smaller Superstars will perform a roll, and larger Superstars will perform a dodge.
- Dodging is higher-risk compared to a Block, but much more effective
- Mid-Move Reversals - Press Triangle / Y when prompted:
- Major Reversals (mid-move reversals) are possible for certain grapple moves, and deal more damage.
- These are prompted in the middle of certain moves while they're being executed, thus are challenging to perform.
- However, in WWE 2K23 they won't cost any reversals stocks (as the reversal limit has been removed from the game), and they won't stop your opponent from being able to reverse.
The Stun Meter
WWE 2K23 also features a Stun Meter. When you hit your opponent with various attacks, such as Light Attacks, you fill their Stun Meter.
When the Stun Meter is filled, the stunned superstar won't be able to reverse.
WWE 2K23 Pinfall & Kick Out Controls
How to Pin in WWE 2K23?
Just like last year, in WWE 2K23, you can pin your opponent by flicking down on the right analog stick (R-down).
Note: In most matches, you can only pin your opponent inside the ring.
How to kick out from Pins in WWE 2K23?
The Kick Out system has been changed in WWE 2K23 compared to last year and previous WWE 2K games.
There is a new timed Pin Minigame, where the cursor and the target zone move back and forth, and you have to hit by flicking up on the right analog stick R-up.
The less remaining health you have, the harder it will be to hit the target zone. Also, Superstars are most vulnerable to pins after being with a Signature or Finisher.
If you have at least two bars of the Special Meter filled in, in WWE 2K23 you can kick out immediately from a pin by using the Resiliency Payback. This is done by pressing R2 + Triangle on PlayStation, or RT + Y on Xbox.
If you're near the ropes, you can press the O / B button when prompted to grab the ropes and obtain a rope break. However, there is a chance that the referee will not notice the break, so only use this as a last resort!
WWE 2K23 Alternative Kick Out System
If you prefer the previous kick-out system from WWE 2K22, which worked as a button mashing method, it can still be used by enabling it in the Gameplay Options.
With this system, while getting pinned you have to button-mash the X (on PS) or A (Xbox) button. This will fill a meter until you kick out of the pin.
Note: There is also an option to switch all button mash minigames to press-and-hold instead.
WWE 2K23 Controls: Carry & Drag
After entering the grab/lock-up state with O / B, you can lift, carry and drag the opponent with the following controls:
| Action | PS5 / PS4 | Xbox One |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Opponent (inside Grab) | L1 (+ L-direction) | LB (+ L-direction) |
| Initiate Carry (inside Grab) | R1 (+ L-direction) | RB (+ L-direction) |
| Lift into Powerbomb Position | R1 (+ L-up) | RB (+ L-up) |
| Lift into Cradle Position | R1 (+ L-down) | RB (+ L-down) |
| Lift into Fireman's Carry | R1 (+ L-left) | RB (+ L-left) |
| Lift into Shoulder Carry | R1 (+ L-right) | RB (+ L-right) |
| Turn Moves Into Carry (while performing a qualifying move) | R1 | RB |
| Carry/Drag the Opponent Around | L-direction | L-direction |
| Change Carry Position | R-direction | R-direction |
| Slam Opponent / Complete Move | X | A |
| Environmental Attack | Square | X |
| Throw Over Ropes / Off Stage | O | B |
| Release Carry / Drag | L1 | LB |
| (As Defender) Escape Carry / Drag | O | B |
WWE 2K23 Controls: Weapons
| Action | PS5 / PS4 | Xbox One |
|---|---|---|
| Pick up Weapon | L1 | LB |
| Grab Weapon from under the Ring | L1 | LB |
| Primary Attack | Square | X |
| Secondary Attack | X | A |
| Drop Object | O | B |
| Throw Object Into / Out of Ring | O + L-direction | B + L-direction |
| Lean / Wedge Object in Corner | X + L-direction | A + L-direction |
| Set up Ladder / Table | X | A |
| Lift Opponent Onto Table | R-up | R-up |
| Climb Ladder / Cage / Cell | R1 | RB |
| Push Ladder Down | Rapidly press O | Rapidly press B |
| Rotate Standing Ladder | Hold L1 + R-direction | Hold LB + R-direction |
| Set up Ladder Bridge (near Apron) | L1 + R1 | LB + RB |
| Ignite Table (Extreme Rules) | R2 + X | RT + A |
| Call for the Door in Steel Cage | L1 | LB |
In WWE 2K23 you can now also perform taunts while holding a weapon.
What do you think about the WWE 2K23 Control Scheme? Let us know in the comments below!
For all the information on WWE 2K23 check out the WWE 2K23 Main Section, and the full WWE 2K23 Roster Page.
