WWE All Stars Primer Guide

WWE Legends from the past arise to confront the current day Superstars. Our WWE All Stars Primer Guide gets you ready for the fight with move tips, class info, and unlockable fighters. Here's what's inside:

• The Basics: Learn about the different attacks, counters, and Signature moves
• Classes: Discover the different strengths and weaknesses of each of the four wrestling classes
• Story Modes: Information about the three storylines, fantasy matches, and unlockables from completing them
• Xbox 360 Achievements: Boost your Gamerscore with a huge list of Achievements
• PlayStation 3 Trophies: Gain new Trophies for your collection

The Basics

Strikes and Combos

Strikes are the basic attacks that can create combos or otherwise disable the enemy. There is a quick strike that is fast and easy to Chain, along with a Strong attack that does heavy damage. While Grapplers and Acrobats will mostly be limited to around three hit strike combos, Brawlers can easily string together five attacks. Both Brawlers and Big Men can typically end their chain combos by juggling, slamming, or stunning the enemy. That isn't to say Grapplers and Acrobats shouldn't use Strikes. Instead they should use their basic two or three hit Strikes before chaining into a grapple or leap onto a turnbuckle for an aerial assault.

Grappling

Grapples are holds that can deal a great amount of damage, and possibly stun or ground the enemy at the end. Quick Grapples are fast and can be easily chained at the end of a combo. Strong grapples are more deadly, but their slow animation makes them hard to use unless the target is stunned or rising from a fall. Grapples can break through an enemies block, making them a good counter measure if your Strikes fail to connect. Grapples can chain their grapples together to produce upwards of five brutal smashes. Keep in mind that every grapple can be reversed if the enemy has their timing down.

Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles can be climbed to launch aerial assaults. Acrobats specialize in climbing the turnbuckle and can even leap onto them during a run. To defend yourself against an aerial turnbuckle attack you can either exit the ring, attack the enemy as they stand on the buckle, or even execute a well timed reversal.

You can also push your enemy into the turnbuckle, stunning them and leaving the enemy open to a grand beating. Some moves, grapples and Signatures can only be used while the enemy is in this state.

Blocking and Reversals

Being defensive is the best means of building your Energy meter, allowing you to run and use Signature moves. There are several ways to keep you safe from enemy barrages. The first is to dodge or counter with the block/reversal button before the attack even connects with your body. You can also hold the block/reversal button to hold a block that will protect you from Strikes. If you are stuck in a Grapple you can also reversal to either escape or counter with an attack of your own.

The timing of these reversals depends on each attack, so you'll need to study your enemy's attacks to know how to counter them. Aerial attacks from Turnbuckles can be countered in this manner by taping the reversal button before the attack lands. Signature moves can also be reversed, but will require a bar of Energy to attack with your own move.

Running and Using the Ropes

After gaining Energy you can use this stored meter to run. Running can be used to keep away from the enemy, quickly reach the turnbuckle, and use special attacks and even move into the ropes. Acrobats can spring off the ropes to launch various aerial attacks or ricochet off their foe. If your enemy is outside the ring you can even make attacks through the ropes by dashing and hitting an attack button.

You can also use the Irish Whip to smack your enemy into the ropes or into a turnbuckle, allowing you to smack them on the return or hit them with a Signature move.

Objects and Disqualification

During some matches various objects and weapons can be found around and under the ring. They range from slow weights to fast swinging bats. These can be great for dealing heavy damage, however repeated use will result in a warning message. If you further violate this warning you will be disqualified from the match, resulting in a default victory for your enemy. However the Extreme Rules matches not only disables disqualifications, but adds a plethora of weapons to every match.

Signature Moves

You can use a Signature move by acquiring a full bar of Energy (indicated by a star). You can have up to three Energy bars per meter. Most Signatures come in the form of a grapple by hitting the Quick Strike and Quick Grapple or Strong Strike and Strong Grapple at once. However, each character has an additional two Signature moves that can be used under special conditions. These range from attacking a downed enemy to simply holding back on the movement stick:

Off the turnbuckle
Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Sgt Slaughter, Mr Perfect, Jimmy Snuka, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Shawn Michaels

Off the ropes
John Morrison (Yourself), Randy Orton (Near), Eddie Guerrero (Irish Whip), Hulk Hogan (Irish Whip), The Miz (Near)

Running
Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Triple H, Jack Swagger, Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin

Holding back
Jake the Snake, Roddy Piper, Sgt Slaughter, Mr Perfect, Jimmy Snuka, Bret Hart, Big Show, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Edge, Kane, Randy Orton, Undertaker, The Rock

Behind opponent
Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, John Morrison, Eddie Guerrero

Opponent down
Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, John Cena, The Rock

Opponent in corner
Andre the Giant, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Jack Swagger, Undertaker, Steve Austin, The Miz

Off a Quick Strike combo
Shawn Michaels

Finishers, Taunting and KO

Finishers are a means of dealing heavy damage to the enemy. You can charge your Finisher meter by making attacks or taunting. Taunting can be done from anywhere in the ring, but can take a long time to complete. Because of this you should only taunt when your enemy is distracted or far away. If an enemy has depleted all four of their health bars a successful Finisher will KO.

A Finisher must be charged and stored and then executed a second time to use the actual attack. Keep in mind that if you are attacked during this time you will lose the Finisher and will need to gain some of your meter back. Most Finishers come in the form of a Grapple, but others will instead send your character to the top of the turnbuckle for an aerial Finisher.

Classes

Acrobat

Characters: Eddie Guerrero, Jimmy Snuka, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Randy Savage, Rey Mysterio, Ricky Steamboat, Shawn Michaels
Acrobats have stronger damaging aerial attacks from both jumping and off the turnbuckle. Their turnbuckle attacks also have more range and are harder to reversal. An Acrobat can also quick mount turnbuckles by tapping an attack button while running. They also have use special flip attacks by running off the ropes and hitting an attack command. Last they can make an attack through the ropes to hit enemies that have left the ring. Acrobats have an overall speed increase, but their ground attacks deal less damage.

Brawler

Characters: CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Randy Orton. Roddy Piper, Sgt Slaughter, Sheamus, Steve Austin, The Rock, Ultimate Warrior, Undertaker
Brawlers have stronger strikes and can gain more hits per combo. While most other classes might only be able to safely pull off a three hit combo, most Brawlers can unleash up to five hits before being reversed or blocked. Many of their hits will also likely set up juggles to increase the enemy's helplessness. They can also charge their heavy attacks by holding down the attack button. Depending on the wrestler, this attack my send the enemy upward or flying into the ropes. Because the charge up is slow, it's best to use this attack against stunned or rising enemies.

Grappler

Characters: Bret Hart, Edge, Jack Swagger, Jake Roberts, Mr Perfect, The Miz, Triple H
Grapplers can chain grapple by quickly following up with an attack as their grapple ends. This can often result in four attacks in a row if timed right. However, keep in mind that each new grapple can be reversed by the enemy. They can charge their strong grapple to inflict more damage and increase their range. As with charged strikes, charge grapples are slow and should be reserved for stunned enemies or ones that cannot defend. Last they can sometimes set up a pin from grapples and other situations, increasing their chance to sneak in a quick win.

Big Man

Characters: Andre the Giant, Big Show, Kane
Big Men inflict overall more damage with their attacks. Many of their attacks and combos will result in a juggle or other forms of disadvantage to your opponent. Big Men also have a defense boost in the form of being immune to knock down strikes from Acrobats, Brawlers and Grapplers (A Big Man can knock down another Big Man, though). They can also store up both charged strikes form the Brawler class and charged grabs from the grappler class. To even them out, Big Men are much slower (their speed decrease is the polar opposite of the Acrobat's speed increase) and have trouble climbing the turnbuckle. Even once they reach the top of the turnbuckle, their attack range will be limited.

Match Types

There are a multitude of different match types and rules you may from, allowing from two to four combatants at a time. All of these modes can also be selected for on-line and multiplayer matches.

Standard

No special rules are given during this match. It is a simple one-on-one battle where the victor must pin or KO his enemy.

Tornado Tag Team

Tag team places two teams of two against one another. Keep in mind that only one team member needs to be pinned or KO'd to end the match. Because of this you need to be sure to aid your partner in attacking and defend them from being assaulted. When you down or stun your own opponent, you may want to switch your focus to your ally's nemesis and double team the enemy. Hold off on pinning or KOing until your partner has the other enemy distracted (such as in a grapple or signature move), as a capable foe can interrupt your pin.

Triple Threat

Similar to a standard match, however it now becomes a three-way fight. Only one fighter must pin another for the match to be over. Because of this you can pit two enemies against each other while you sit back and build your finisher meter with taunts. You can also suddenly get the drop on an enemy that is focused on someone else with a turnbuckle leap or running attack. If you find yourself only battling one enemy, switch targets and chase down the coward.

Fatal 4 Way

A four-way match in the similar vein as Triple Threat. Often times these matches will turn into two separate one-on-one battles, but this can be a grave disadvantage if one combatant possesses greater skill. You should switch your targeting to the foe that has the most health or is readying a finisher to prevent them from snatching up a safe KO. Likewise you should also attempt to quickly sneak in a finisher on an enemy with low health. Characters with high flying Finishers such as Rey Mysterio can steal a win by climbing a turnbuckle and suddenly attacking someone else. Keep in mind that your targeting choice will appear on the HUD for everyone to see, but most players might be too distracted to see every selection.

Handicap

Handicap matches are two-on-one fights. Obviously if you are on the larger team the battle will be rather easy. For the lone warrior you'll need to be a bit more defensive as usual. Use your stored Energy to make extra use of your running, use attacks off the ropes, and move between the ring and outside often; taunt every chance you can, as pulling off Finishers are very helpful. You'll also want to train and focus your reversal times, as you'll often find yourself in an enemy's grapple. For Brawlers and Big Men, keep in mind that your launchers and stunning attacks have a slight area of attack, allowing you to stun or air-combo both enemies at once. Pinning can be very dangerous, so stick to KOing one enemy that is at low health.

Steel Cage

Steel Cage matches are one-on-one matches with-in a giant cage. Both pinning and KOing are disabled during this match. Your goal instead is to climb out of the cage by scaling the top and completing a short mini-game to climb over the rails. You can also leap from the top of the cage and brutally slam your enemy. Because your enemy can chase after you as you climb the wall, you'll first want to ground them with a strong grapple, Signature, or Finisher until they flash red in pain. If they are able to get back up and grab you off the cage, quickly mash the face buttons to shrug them off.

At the top of the cage you'll need to complete the mini-game five times by hitting the on-screen button as the pointer reaches the green center. If you successfully complete one attempt the mini-game will continue to the next round. However if you fail, your wrestler will climb back down slightly and you will need to prompt the event by reaching the top again. Even if you manage to complete the game five times, there is still a slight window of time for your enemy to pull you back into the ring. If this does happen, you will need to beat down the other wrestler and complete the mini game a sixth time.

Extreme Rules

Extreme Rules can be applied to One vs. One, Triple Threat, Fatal-4-Way, Handicap, and Tornado Tag Team. These matches disable disqualifications and add weapons to the arena. There is typically a weight on the lower left end of the ring, and a trash can full of bats and planks on the lower right. You can also grab folding chairs from under the ring itself by moving close to the curtains and hitting the object pick up button.

Elimination

Elimination can be applied to Triple Threat, Fatal-4-Way, Handicap, and Tornado Tag Team. During this mode, every time a combatant is pined or KOed the match will not end, and instead the losing character will simply exit the ring. This can turn a Tornado Tag Team into a Handicap match, or a Fatal 4 Way will transition between Triple Threat and finally a Standard One vs. One.

Path of Champions

Path of Champions are the three storyline modes to test out your skills against AI Legends and Superstars. Completing a story with a wrestler will unlock an alternate costume (Some characters also have a third costume, which requires beating a second story). The ten victories in Path of Champions will also be enough to snag features for your controlled wrestler in Create a Superstar.

Path of Champions Legends: Undertaker

As the name suggests, you will mostly be facing off against Legends. As Undertaker will always be the last challenge, you will be unable to select him as your character. The majority of matches are Standard 1 vs. 1, but you can expect a few Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Steel Cage, and Elimination matches.

Path of Champions Superstars: Orton

Superstars is very similar to Legends, but you will mostly fight the current day Superstars. Randy Orton in the final fight, so you cannot select him as your fighter. As with Legends, he majority of matches are Standard 1 vs. 1, but things will mix up with few Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Steel Cage, and Elimination matches.

Path of Champions Tag Team: D-Generation X

Tag Team will place you and an AI partner against nine matches of a mix of Legends and Superstars. At the end you will face the fearsome combo of Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Most matches are Standard Tornado Tag Team, but once in awhile you will face Extreme Rules and Elimination matches. Pick your partner carefully, as you cannot change them by normal means later on. Remember that while the AI can help you, you also must baby sit them to prevent them from being pinned or KO'd.

One slight cheat is to make your teammate a Create a Superstar. You can edit their move list outside the story and effectively change them into a different wrestler to suit your needs.

Fantasy Warfare

Fantasy Warfare pits similar wrestlers from the Legends and Superstars. You can select either wrestler to complete the match. Most matches are Standard 1 vs. 1, but there are also a small handful of Extreme Rules and Steel Cage matches. This is the mode where you can unlock ten new wrestlers by winning the match as them. However, in several cases (such as Perfectly Awesome and Ruthless Aggression) you will need to complete the match twice, as both contenders are unlockable. The unlockable characters are denoted below with an asterisk (*).

Greatest Warrior
Ultimate Warrior vs. Sheamus

Greatest High Flyer
Eddie Guerrero* vs. Rey Mysterio

Innovative Offense
Ricky Steamboat vs. Kofi Kingston

Perfectly Awesome
Mr. Perfect* vs. The Miz*

The Biggest Man
Andre the Giant vs. Big Show

Superior Lifestyle
Steve Austin vs. CM Punk

Excellence Execution
Bret Hart vs. Edge*

Coldest Snake
Jake Roberts vs. Randy Orton

Stars and Stripes Showdown
Sgt. Slaughter* vs. Jack Swagger*

Biggest Super Star
Hulk Hogan vs. John Cena

Most Charismatic
Randy Savage vs. John Morrison

Ruthless Aggression
Jimmy Snuka* vs. Kane*

Undisputed
The Rock vs. Triple H

Pride of Scotland
Roddy Piper vs. Drew McIntyre*

Mr. Wrestlemania
Shawn Michaels* vs. Undertaker

Xbox 360 Achievements

PlayStation 3 Trophies