New Smackdown vs Raw Downloads

(Masked Kane is a new Playstation download)

To freshen things up in the popular Smackdown vs Raw 2009 video games, Playstation Live and Xbox Live Marketplace has brand new downloadable content available for video game fanatics. This new content for the Smackdown vs Raw 2009 game includes brand new WWE characters such as Vader, Doink the Clown and Ted Dibiase. There's even a downloadable masked version of Kane as well as WWE Divas Kelly Kelly and Maria as Santa's Little Helpers for Playstation users! Here's a full listing of what's included in the 2 download packs for the Playstation and Xbox:

Download Pack 2

Available Thursday on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace
Price: $4.99 on PlayStation Network, 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE

Vader - playable Superstar
Earthquake - playable Superstar
Doink the Clown - playable Superstar
Bushwhacker Butch - playable Superstar
Bushwhacker Luke - playable Superstar

Download Pack 1

Available now on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace
Price: $4.99 on PlayStation Network, 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE

Evan Bourne - playable Superstar
Ted DiBiase Jr. - playable Superstar
Charlie Haas - playable Superstar
Chris Jericho - alternate attire

And on PlayStation Network, the pack will also include these exclusives:

Masked Kane - playable Superstar
Kelly Kelly - Christmas-themed attire
Maria - Christmas-themed attire
Edge - alternate attire
MVP - alternate attire

Don't own the game yet? Pick up a copy of Smackdown vs Raw 2009 at Amazon.com!

A Swanton Tragedy? - NY Boy Jumps to Death

In a tragic news story, a 9-year-old boy jumped off his Brooklyn apartment roof and fell to his death on this past Tuesday. A friend of the child believes the boy may have been trying to immitate a WWE wrestling move, specifically the Swanton Bomb that Jeff Hardy does when he flips off the top of the ring corner. The 9-year-old boy, Damori Miles was found dead Tuesday night with the pieces of a homemade parachute still around him. Here's more on this story from NY Daily News:

Shakar, Damori's best friend, said his pal was imitating his favorite PlayStation2 game, "WWE SmackDown vs Raw."

"He tried to do a swan dive like Jeff Harding does in 'SmackDown.' That was his favorite game. He played it all the time," Shakar said.

"That was what he was trying to do. If I would have seen him up there, I would have told him not to do it."

The roof door was open Wednesday morning, and the alarm that should have gone off was broken, neighbors said.

"I was sitting inside and I heard a thump. I looked out my window and saw the boy on the ground. He was on his back and his clothes were ripped off," said Chiquita Jones, 25.

"The door to the roof should have been locked. Damori didn't have to die."

Damori's mother told detectives she went to the store and returned to find her son on the ground, police sources said.

The tragedy prompted Murrel to rethink whether her kids can play the wrestling games.

Some are blaming the Smackdown vs. Raw video game from Playstation 2, while others might blame WWE, and some blame the child's mother for allowing this incident to occur while she went to the store. You could once again target parents in this instance who allow their children to watch WWE or play the violent video games. It's always tough to blame media products such as music, movies, tv shows and video games for the actions people choose to take. There's been previous news reports blaming the game Grand Theft Auto for violent rampages and driving maneuvers, but ultimately it's the individual who chooses to commit the crime, or in this instance take a tragic jump. According to the news report on this story, there was a roof door that was unlocked that usually has a working alarm go off when the door is opened. In this case, the door alarm was broke and unlocked and the young boy was allowed to walk up to the roof and attempt the fatal stunt. Read the full story here at NY Daily News.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 - Game Reviews & Cheats!

The Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 video game has been out for the past week and available for Nintendo Wii, DS, Playstation 2, PSP, PS3 and Xbox360 as well as wireless/mobile gaming environments. The game offers a brilliant array of new features including Create a Finisher as well as Road to Wrestlemania and exciting new tag team options. Not only that, but Smackdown vs. Raw offers a vast online gaming experience unlike any wrestling video game before it, making it the best in the long line of WWE's pro-wrestling games!

There's already been many reviews written on the new video game already. Check out these 5 reviews below to read the latest reviews on Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 for various video game platforms!

VG-Reloaded.com's review of PS3 version - VGN awarded the game a 7.5 rating, saying the PS3 version offers better graphics but its game play/controls are more satisfying on Nintendo Wii.

IGN.com reviews the Collector's Edition for PS3 - IG gives the game a 7.8 rating, but is not impressed with what the collector's edition offers: "Packaged in an ugly steel cage-looking thing with a gold base and red logo, the collector's edition comes with the PlayStation 3 game, a code to unlock Ric Flair via the game's cheat section, and a Blu-ray featuring a behind the scenes feature on how the game was made as well as eight inter-brand matches".

UGO.com reviews the Xbox360 version of the game - UGO awards the 360 version a B grade, saying that the finishing or signature moves are easier to execute than some of the basic wrestling moves.

PocketGamer.com of the UK reviews the DS version - Awarded the game a 6, due to the fact the game involves using a stylus pen to draw on the screen and execute basic wrestling moves.

IGN.com reviews Nintendo Wii version - IGN gives the Wii version a score of 7.8 with the version not holding up visually to those of Xbox 360 or PS3.

Also see IGN.com's discussion of which wrestling superstars should have been included in the game.

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Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 Cheats

Also, who said wrestling was fair? We see it week in and week out, as heels and even faces cheat to win matches as well as championship gold! So here's your shot at cheating the WWE gaming system, with cheat codes provided below. These are mostly unlockable characters you can use as wrestlers, valets, managers or in-game personalities!

PS3 & Xbox 360 version cheats:

Saturday Night's Main Event venue
Enter "SatNightMainEventSvR" as a case-sensitive code to unlock the Saturday Night's Main Event venue.

Wrestle as Boogeyman
Enter "BoogeymanEatsWorms!!" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Boogeyman.

Wrestle as Chris Jericho (Attitude Era)
Enter "AltJerichoModelSvR09" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Chris Jericho (Attitude Era).

Wrestle as Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder
Enter "Ryder&HawkinsTagTeam" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder.

Wrestle as Gene Snitsky
Enter "UnlockSnitskySvR2009" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Gene Snitsky.

Wrestle as Jillian Hall
Enter "PlayAsJillianHallSvR" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Jillian Hall.

Wrestle as Layla (ECW)
Enter "UnlockECWDivaLayla09" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Layla (ECW).

Wrestle as Ric Flair
Enter "FlairWoooooooooooooo" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Ric Flair.

Wrestle as Tazz (ECW)
Enter "UnlockECWTazzSvR2009" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Tazz (ECW).

Wrestle as Vince McMahon
Enter "VinceMcMahonNoChance" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Vince McMahon.

Hornswoggle as manager
Enter "HornswoggleAsManager" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Hornswoggle as a manager.

CM Punk scenario
Enter "CMPunkAltCostumeSvR!" as a case-sensitive code to unlock the CM Punk scenario.

Rey Mysterio's alternate costume
Enter "BooyakaBooyaka619SvR" as a case-sensitive code to unlock Rey Mysterio's alternate costume.

Nintendo Wii Version cheats:

Boogeyman - BoogeymanEatsWorms!!
Chris Jericho (Classic) - AltJerichoModelSvR09
Gene Snitsky - UnlockSnitskySvR2009
Hawkins & Ryder (Tag Team) - Ryder&HawkinsTagTeam
Hornswoggle (Manager) - HornswoggleAsManager
Jillian Hall - PlayAsJillianHallSvR
Layla - UnlockECWDivaLayla09
Ric Flair - PlayAsRicFlairSvR
Saturday Nights Arena - SatNightMainEventSvR
Tazz - UnlockECWTazzSvR2009
Vince McMahon - VinceMcMahonNoChance

Gamedaily.com Interviews Randy Orton

Gamedaily.com has a recent interview with WWE Raw Superstar, Randy Orton, on the heels of the recent release of Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. Orton himself is a video game addict, and spent much of his recovery time playing video games. In the Gamedaily interview, Orton reveals some of his favorites, how he spent his recovery time off, and which video game system helped his physical therapy most.

Here's a brief excerpt from Orton's interview where he discusses WWE wrestlers and theme music:

How much input do wrestlers have with their theme music?
I wish we could pick our theme music. For the longest time, I had the Burning My Light or whatever the entrance music was that started with "Hey, nothing you can say," and I hated that shit for all four years. I hated it from the first day I heard it. They even tried to tweak it a bit and I still hated it. I told Vince and Kevin Dunn, the producer, that I hated my music, so they said they'd get me something new, but it was four years. Finally, I gave them a CD and said that I wanted this music, so they bought the song and they played it for two weeks until Vince said it didn't fit my character. The following week, CM Punk debuted and they gave him my music.

Read the full Gamedaily.com interview here.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 Now Available!

If your'e an avid video gamer, today's the day that Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 video game is available for multiple video game platforms! The game arrives today for Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation 2, PSP, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS systems.

Wrestlers featured:
The game features vast rosters of characters from the Raw, ECW & Smackdown rosters including John Cena, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, Edge, Batista, Kelly and The Undertaker. Also included are the following characters who aren't playable, some are character you can unlock:

Unplayable/unlockable:

Hornswoggle
Jerry Lawler
Jim Ross
Joey Styles
Jonathan Coachman
Justin Roberts
Lilian Garcia
Michael Cole
Mike Chioda
Mr. McMahon (suit)
Nick Patrick
Scott Armstrong
Shane McMahon
Stephanie McMahon
Tazz (suit)
Tony Chimel
Vickie Guerrero

There's no legends in this game like there has been in the fact, due to the release of another wrestling game called Legends of Wrestlemania.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 has some of the best new wrestling play in a video game. Here's just some of the features you'll find on this exciting new game:

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.

Road to Wrestlemania – Pave the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year through WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009’s new story mode, which features the franchise’s first-ever co-op storyline.

Create-A-Finisher – Construct the most devastating moves ever unleashed in a WWE ring with this brand new interface. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 lets players customize all aspects of created Superstars – even their very own finishing moves.

New Online Functionality – Extend the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 gameplay experience with downloadable content and much more.

Pickup Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 video game for your video game system at Amazon.com!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 Music Soundtrack

The highly anticipated WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 video game is officially released this coming Tuesday. The game, available for Xbox 360, PS3, PSP and PS2, offers an interesting new tag team component. Players will be able to use high impact double team moves/finishers, as well as a "hot tag" to get the victory. In addition to the tag features, there's the Road to WrestleMania Mode, as well as a virtual gameplay exerpience. There will also be downloadable content available for most platforms of the Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 game.

The video game will also give players the ability to listen to music through in-game menus, loading screens, as well as within key game-play modes (Create-A-Finisher or Roster Editor for example). The game features classic WWE theme songs and entrance music as well as the following newly created tracks just for the game:

BLOODSIMPLE – “Dead Man Walking”
BURN HALO – “Save Me”
DISTURBED – “Perfect Insanity”
EGYPT CENTRAL – “Taking You Down”
EGYPT CENTRAL – “You Make Me Sick”
THE EXIES – “Lay Your Money Down”
MURS – “SWC”
P.O.D. – “Addicted”
SiX – “Better Than Mine”
STERIOGRAM – “Get Up”

Read more about the game as well as the features for the Nintendo DS and Wii versions here.

Order Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 at Amazon.com!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 - Playable Demo for PS3!

If you're on the Playstation Network, there is now a free download available for the Playstation 3 video game system! Customers can also take advantage of gift with purchase promotions if they pre-order the game at select retailers. The 2009 edition of the popular wrestling title is said to be the best yet in the series.

Gameinfowire.com provided the following comments from THQ and JAKKS Pacific:

"Our exclusive PLAYSTATION 3 system playable demo and North American retail program will allow consumers to embrace the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 experience in several unique ways prior to the November 9 launch," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "The strength of this year's campaign demonstrates retail's continued support of the brand as we prepare to deliver the next installment in our leading fighting videogame franchise."

"As we approach the launch in November, we are pleased to offer fans the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 playable demo exclusively for the PLAYSTATION 3 system," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "Fans are certain to enjoy the new options available in this year's tag team match, including 'hot tags,' building team momentum and unique tag team finishing moves in the most advanced WWE videogame experience to date."

In the demo, you can try out your wrestling skills as Triple H, Jeff Hardy or Matt Hardy in the Raw wrestling arena. The new tag team features included double-teams, tag team finishers and "hot tag" for the win!

Check out Amazon.com to pre-order your copy of WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 available on Playstation 2, Nintendo Wii, PS3 and Xbox!

IGN.com Visits the WWE

IGN.com recently had a visit to WWE's developmental facility in Tampa, Florida. During the visit, WWE gave them a demo of the upcoming WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 video game. In addition, IGN got to check out some FCW action and talk to a few WWE stars from today and yesterday.

Amongst the facility's training staff are Steve Keirn, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Tom Prichard, Billy Kidman and Norman Smiley. According to IGN, the training staff didn't disappoint in their presentations. As for current superstars, on hand were ECW's Jack Swagger, as well as former champ Randy Orton and current Women's champ Beth Phoenix to field IGN's questions.

IGN got to witness three exhibition matches by FCW talent, including the son of late great Curt Hennig, Joe Henneg. Henneg currently wears FCW tag team gold, and may be in the WWE some time in the future.

Monday Raw will kick off their 800th episode which is more episodes than shows like Seinfeld, Friends, The Simpsons or MASH. Expect an action-packed and exciting 3 hour special, complete with a cage match for the World Heavyweight title.

See pictures of IGN's visit with WWE at IGN.com

Order your copy of WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 available on Playstation 2, Nintendo Wii, PS3 and Xbox!