Welcome to Commercially Speaking, an occasional series in which we reminisce upon memorable advertising moments from gaming history.
To begin, we’re taking a look back at the musclebound superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment, and some of the humorous, enjoyable, and occasionally downright silly ways in their games have been promoted.
Wrestlemania (NES)
Taking you back to the 80s, we begin with Wrestlemania for the NES. While the commercial uses footage from Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage’s 1989 match at Wrestlemania 5, the roster (featuring a whopping 6 wrestlers) was straight out of 1988. It might surprise you to learn that the game itself was actually developed by Rare!
Royal Rumble (SNES)
Anyone who saw the recent finale of NXT Season 2 will no doubt have been scarred for life by the promo-cutting abilities of Joe “Michael McGillicutty” Hennig. However, by checking out this commercial for 1993’s Royal Rumble, you’ll soon see that he picked up a talent for saying the same thing over and over again from his father.
Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game (SNES, Mega Drive, Playstation)
Okay, we’re cheating a bit here because this isn’t exactly a commercial as such. However, it would be remiss of us if we were to leave out Bret Hart’s expert insight into the making of the Wrestlemania Arcade Game. Of course, if it transpires that this was genuinely how Midway made video games, then it would explain a lot about their demise.
Smackdown (Playstation)
With the company license now in the hands of THQ, the Smackdown brand first arrived in early 2000. Given that it took its name from a show based on a catchphrase by The Rock (or Dwayne Johnson, if you prefer now), it was only appropriate that the People’s Champion be the one on promotional duty. Look out for cameos from Kane and Edge too.
Smackdown 2: Know Your Role (Playstation)
The second Smackdown was also released in 2000, jam-packed with features that were missing from the original. The television commercial returned viewers to the Smackdown Hotel once again, only this time with one of the many new characters in the game taking the lead role – your Olympic Hero, Kurt Angle.
No Mercy (N64)
Still regarded by many today as the best WWF/WWE game ever, in spite of a terrible, game-breaking glitch that befell many original copies, No Mercy was a pretty epic brawler. So, who better to promote than a pair of extreme brawlers like the Dudley Boyz? D-Von…get the paycheques!
Smackdown: Here Comes The Pain (Playstation 2)
Before he was busting heads in the UFC, Brock Lesnar was pretending to bust heads in WWE. The fifth game in the Smackdown series used a subtitle based on commentator Tazz’s reaction to his arrival, while putting the “Next Big Thing” firmly in place as the star. With hindsight, his words about Chris Benoit seem a little bit unfortunate.
Day of Reckoning (Gamecube)
John Cena. What can you possibly say about John Cena that hasn’t been said before? Well, for those who only know of him as the Super Human, Unbeatable, Unstoppable Face of Raw, I take you back to 2004, when he was a zero-time WWE Champion, and at the height of his white rapper persona. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee me.
Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 (Xbox 360, PS2, PSP)
As the franchise moved onto High Definition consoles, it was time for another multi-man commercial, featuring several of the top stars in WWE at the time. You get Cena, you get Batista, you get Triple H, and you get…Torrie Wilson?!? Of course, I’m not complaining in the slightest.
Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
With 2009 boasting improved tag team mechanics, it’s only natural that this would be the focus of the commercial. Perhaps more interesting to note is a return to actually showing people playing a game, as opposed to merely skits and footage. Of course, you do have to wonder about how Mrs. Triple H, aka the boss’ daughter, feels about her husband’s choice of tag team partner?
Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 (360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
We finish off with the commercial for last year’s game, which opted to focus on the Create-A-Wrestler mode, and the ability to incorporate them into self made stories. Something that was overlooked by the makers was the implication of being able to book a tag team match with two guys against a guy and a girl, something which in-game restrictions doesn’t actually allow. Clearly they were too busy developing John Cena’s new persona as a MILF Hunter.
So, what can we expect for 2011? More Cena humour? Sheamus saying “Fella” or “Dubya-dubya-ee-cham-yun”? Or will The Miz be calling it “awwwwwesommmme”? My money’s on the latter.
