While many wrestling fans consider Here Comes The Pain to be the pinnacle of the PS2 era, for me, Shut Your Mouth edges it out. Released in 2002, this game came at the perfect time—right at the dawn of the Ruthless Aggression era—offering an experience that felt both groundbreaking and incredibly immersive. Whether it was the deep Season Mode, the stellar roster, or the smooth in-ring action, Shut Your Mouth remains one of the finest wrestling games ever created.
A Dream Come True for Wrestling
Fans At the time, Shut Your Mouth was everything a wrestling fan could have wanted. The graphics, even today, have aged surprisingly well. The character models still hold up, looking arguably better than some of the later games in the series. The animations, the arenas, and even the crowd atmosphere contributed to a game that felt way ahead of its time.
The Season Mode was a massive step up from its predecessors, giving players an engaging storyline where they could take their favorite Superstar through feuds, title chases, and backstage segments. The ability to roam around the arenas, interact with other wrestlers, and make decisions added an RPG-like element that kept me hooked for hours on end. Unlike many modern wrestling games, this felt like a proper career mode rather than just a string of matches.
A Legendary Roster
The roster in Shut Your Mouth is, without a doubt, one of the best ever. It featured legends from the Attitude Era like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker, alongside the rising stars of the Ruthless Aggression era such as Brock Lesnar, John Cena (as an unlockable), and Randy Orton. This was a time when WWE was in transition, and having access to such an incredible mix of talent made the game even more special.
With so many match types, arenas, and customization options, the game offered endless replayability. Whether playing solo in Season Mode or battling friends in local multiplayer, the fun never stopped.
The Only Flaw – The Entrance Themes
If there’s one thing that frustrates me about Shut Your Mouth, it’s the entrance music. Some themes are either wrong or poorly replicated, reminiscent of the generic knockoff themes WCW used back in the day. And Jeff Hardy’s entrance theme? An absolute crime. It completely fails to capture the energy and excitement of his real entrance, which was a huge disappointment for fans of the Charismatic Enigma.
Final Verdict
Despite a few minor gripes, WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth is still one of the greatest wrestling games ever made. It captured an iconic era in WWE history and delivered a game that was both fun and immersive. The graphics hold up, the roster is legendary, and the gameplay is as enjoyable as ever. For me, it stands above Here Comes The Pain, simply because it was the first wrestling game I could truly immerse myself in and accomplish everything I wanted.
A true classic. 5 stars out of 5.
BCB Collects 