WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 unleashes a brand new tag team match. Build momentum and attributes as a team, destroy opponents with high-impact double teams, pull off new bone-crunching tag team finishers and get the "hot tag" for the win. Fighting Styles have changed and evolved into Abilities, and Signature Moves make their debut in the game next to finishing moves.
Tag teams are a major focus in this game with a reworked tag team match and co-operative season mode. Additions in the match include new ways of tagging the player's tag team partner such as the hot tag, which can help save the player in the match if they are in trouble, and the forced blind tag, where the partner tags themself into the ring. The player's tag team partner has more of a part to play in this match and will aid the player by holding an opponent by the ropes while on the apron, and the pulling down the ropes for an opponent dashing towards them, sending them out of the ring. Teams will now share their own momentum meter, attributes and double team finishers.
- Tag Team Finishers - When a one man finisher just isn't enough, why not get your partner involved to help finish off your opponent, this will endure more damage to the opponent. The game features 28 total tag team finishers, including for example a Twist of Fate + Swanton Bomb combo.
- Hot Tag - Fill your momentum bar then tag in your partner and watch him unleash hell on both your opponents.
- Forced "Blind" Tag - Sick of watching your partner from the apron? Now you can tag yourself into the match.
- Ring Apron Control - Even when your not the legal man you can still help out your partner by distracting the ref, grabbing your opponent or just by taunting to the fans to increase the tag team momentum bar. You can also go into the ring and fight for a limited time when you aren't tagged in, but watch for the DQ.
All the new features also apply to Six-Man Tag Team Match as well as Handicap Matches.
MORE GAMEPLAY UPGRADES
Abilities: Fighting styles, a major feature from the previous version, were removed. However, the fighting abilities used there were kept and enhanced with each wrestler possessing up to 6 out of 21 different Abilities to differentiate what they can do in the ring.
Signature Moves: New to the game is the inclusion of Signature Moves, moves secondary in importance next to their finishing moves. When in full momentum, the players can choose to store a signature move instead of performing a finishing move which they can perform later.
A new semi-auto targeting system was implemented into the game, which will generally automatically target a particular wrestler the player wants to attack but can also be controlled in-game by the player.