The new game is finally here, but if you want to be a champion you will need this WWE 2K23 controls guide! Controls for WWE games have also been relatively confusing, with so many different moves and match types to get your head around.
Last year, wholesale changes were made to the controls of the game, and this has been continued in WWE 2K23. Even those that mastered the previous game will need to have a refresher on what has been updated this year.
With that in mind, here is the controls guide for the game across Xbox and PlayStation for every match type!
WWE 2K23 Control Guide
There were some major changes to the control system when the franchise returned last year, and we have seen that continue with WWE 2K23.
click to enlargeIf you are used to FIFA or Madden where there are only a handful of basic controls then you are in for a surprise. There is a huge amount to get your head around when it comes to the WWE 2K23 controls, from simple strikes and grapple moves to finishers, ladder matches, and Royal Rumbles there is a lot to do.
WWE 2K23 Standard Controls
For WWE 2K22, developers Visual Concepts were already hyping up the revamped controls that were set to see several changes when compared to what players were used to.
Those revamped controls have continued into WWE 2K23, with a few minor changes also made.
click to enlargeHere are the basic controls for WWE 2K23 that will get you into the flow of a match. When it comes to pinning an opponent, reversing moves, and hitting finishers, these are the WWE 2K23 controls you need.
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Move | LS | LS |
| Run | LS + LT (hold) | LS + L2 (hold) |
| Exit / Enter Ring / Climb Top Rope | LS + RB (hold) | LS + R1 (hold) |
| Climb Middle Rope | LS + RB (press) | LS + R1 (press) |
| Lean To Ropes for Springboard | LS + LB (press) | LS + L1 (press) |
| Pick Up Object | LB (press) | L1 (press) |
| Wake Up Taunt | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
| Crowd Taunt | D-Pad Left | D-Pad Left |
| Opponent Taunt | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
| Pin | RS Down | RS Down |
| Re-Position Opponent | RS Up, Left, or Right | RS Up, Left, or Right |
| Lift Opponent (When Grounded) | RS Up | RS Up |
| Instant Recovery (from Ground) | RB | R1 |
| Release Hold / Pin | LB | L1 |
| Tag In / Tag Out Partner | LB | L1 |
| Change Target | Click RS | R3 |
| Finisher Move | RT + A | RT + X |
| Signature Move | RT + X | RT + Square |
| Payback | RT + Y | RT + Triangle |
| Submission | RT + B | RT + Circle |
| Dodge or Climb | RB | R1 |
| Reversal | Y (press) | Triangle (press) |
| Block | Y (hold) | Triangle (press) |
| Light Attack | X (press) | Square (press) |
| Heavy Attack | A (press) | X (press) |
| Grab | B | Circle |
Grapple system
To perform grapple moves and the new combo moves you first need to enter the grapple state by pressing B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.
click to enlargeThis includes when dragging or carrying an opponent. To execute moves you first have to hit B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Light Grapple Attacks | LS (Any Direction) Then X (press) | LS (Any Direction) Then Square (press) |
| Strong Grapple Attacks | LS (Any Direction) Then A (press) | LS (Any Direction) Then X (press) |
| Irish Whip | LS (Any Direction) Then B (press) | LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (press) |
| Strong Irish Whip | LS (Any Direction) Then B (hold) | LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (hold) |
| Initiate Carry | RB | R1 |
| Powerbomb Carry | LS Up then RB (press) | LS Up then R1 (press) |
| Cradle Carry | LS Down then RB (press) | LS Down then R1 (press) |
| Fireman's Carry | LS Left then RB (press) | LS Left then R1 (press) |
| Shoulder Carry | LS Right then RB (press) | LS Right then R1 (press) |
| Change Carry Position | LS | LS |
| Turn Move Into Carry | RB | R1 |
| Slam Opponent / Complete Move | A | X |
| Environmental Attack | X | Square |
| Throw Over Ropes / Off Stage | B | Circle |
| Release Carry / Drag | LB | L1 |
| (As Defender) Escape Carry / Drag | B | Circle |
Weapon / Object controls
What's a wrestling match without a few foreign objects? If you want to swing a chair or use a table, we've got you covered.
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Pick Up Object | LB | L1 |
| Grab Object from under the ring | LB | L1 |
| Primary Attack | X | Square |
| Secondary Attack | A | X |
| Drop Object | B | Circle |
| Lean / Wedge Object In Corner | LS + B | LS + Circle |
Ladder controls
Ladder matches are common in major WWE shows now, from TLC to Money In The Bank, you need to know what you are doing when it comes to climbing ladders!
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Set up Ladder | A | X |
| Climb Ladder | RB | R1 |
| Push Ladder Down | Rapidly Tap B | Rapidly Tap Circle |
| Rotate Standing Ladder | RS + LB (hold) | RS + L1 (hold) |
| Grab Belt/Briefcase atop Ladder | Complete mini-game | Complete mini-game |
Cage/Hell In A Cell controls
Cage matches are all about escaping or winning, while Hell In A Cell is about beating your opponent to a pulp.
click to enlargeYou can still access the ringside area in Hell In A Cell, meaning you can get weapons from underneath and use things like the ring steps.
War Games has also been added to WWE 2K23, with all of the controls applied to Steel Cage matches also available in the new mode.
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Climb Cage/Cell | RB | R1 |
| Call for the Cage Door | LB | L1 |
Royal Rumble controls
In a Royal Rumble you can't pin or submit opponents, you just need to throw them over the top rope!
| Command | Xbox Control | PlayStation Control |
|---|---|---|
| Get Back In Ring From Apron | RB | R1 |
| Throw Out Opponent | RT + X | R2 + Square |