================================= Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 General Manager Mode FAQ Written by: Drunky Last Updated: March 29th, 2006 ================================= ========================================== Table of Contents ========================================== 1. Updates 2. Introduction 3. Walkthrough 3.1) Drafting a Roster 3.2) Menus 3.3) Selecting Matches 3.4) Promo Spots 3.5) CAWs 3.6) PPVs 4. 2-Player Way 5. Superstar Specialties / PPV Matches 6. Tips 6.1) General Tips 6.2) RAW Tips 6.3) Smackdown! Tips 7. FAQ 8. Contact/Legal Information =========================================== 1. Updates =========================================== 12/05/05 - Started FAQ 12/07/05 - Added Tips/Matches 12/10/05 - Added in tips suggested by: Frogman, Dandonia, and Kyz 03/29/06 - Added more tips from accumulated emails ========================================== 2. Introduction ========================================== General Manager (GM) mode is a new addition to the WWE videogame franchise. GM mode allows you to take control of your own brand, and compete against the other brand for fan support. Successfully completing this task will also earn you a GM of the Year award, given to you by Vince McMahon himself. To accomplish this you are given the ability to draft your own roster of superstars, plan matches, manager your money, and use promotions. You'll have to schedule one show a week, two if you happen to have the current months Pay-Per-View. The PPV is the key to winning GM mode, the potential for stealing the other brands fan base is far greater than during a regular show. ========================================== 3. Walkthrough ========================================== 3.1 Drafting a Roster ========================================== Okay, its time to pick your roster. You can have a roster of up to 20 people, however for the current time you should only pick a handful of wrestlers. You will also have to choose the brand you wish to represent. Things to keep in mind: -Smackdown has the cruiserweight belt. -RAW has the Womens Championship. -Popularity is the most important aspect when determining matches. -Some wrestlers will give certain matches higher ratings. (See Section 5) -RAW will get the Elimination Chamber You'll be given 10 million to start the drafting, whoever gets to pick first is randomly chosen, so you might want to restart if you dont get first pick. It doesnt take much time. First you want to go for the popular wrestlers. These will be your main rating grabbers, and you'll need them to win the fans over. Try and get stars like Kurt Angle, who are some of the top draws and also have their own specialty match. How many you choose to draft depends on how many Legends you've unlocked. Legends are the best way to fill out your roster. For the stars use 3 or 6 month contracts, they cost more up front, but you lose less to them every week. You'll be keeping these guys around for quite awhile, so try to ration your money to get long term contracts on these guys. Once you've grabbed a handful of superstars (roughly half your roster or less if you've unlocked some legends), you need to go for the extras, these should be in the second tier of popularity. A few of these guys also have their own specialty matches, so be sure to grab ones like Edge or Benjamin. Use 5 week or 3 month contracts on them, because you'll be releasing or trading them soon. If you are using RAW, you should also pick up 3 Divas, preferably Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler and Lita. They have the highest overalls and popularity for Divas, and you can start a feud between two of them, while leaving the other to be a manager in order to start raising their popularity, just remember to align them with a superstar who wins most of the time. Again, depending on how many CAWs and Legends you have, you'll want to leave several spots open for them as they have high overalls and high popularities. They do cost an arm and a leg, so you may want to fill out the Promos using advertising. Once thats done you'll have to assign your brands belts to the wrestlers. It is recommended that you dont immediately give the belts to the most popular wrestlers, but rather the second or third most popular wrestlers, and then push them for awhile to raise their popularity so they can go and challenge for the title. It tends to make the matches a bit higher rated. Okay now that you've got a roster, this shouldnt be your permanent one. You need to add in any CAWs or legends you've been saving. Its a good idea to keep legends off the roster card until you've gone a few weeks in GM mode. You'll have the money to buy them, and if you unlock them during GM mode you'll get first chance to pick up any and all of them without having to share them with the other brand. Go to the roster menu, free agency, press start, and select the wrestlers to be on. The change will not take effect until next week, at which point you can pick up all of them. Now you're ready to begin scheduling matches. ========================================== 3.2 Menus ========================================== For those new to General Manager mode, here is a quick rundown of the menus you need to familiarize yourself with in order to get the hang of GM mode. ======== Schedule ======== You'll be able to see the calendar month for upcoming events, and highlighting your brand icon for the current week will take you to your match card. ====== E-Mail ====== This is basically a hint system, you'll recieve e-mails from either JR (RAW) or Tazz (Smackdown) giving you hints about stealing fans back. In addition to those, you'll also receive notifications about expiring contracts and injuries that occur to your superstars. ======= Rosters ======= Here you can view anything roster related and even manage your created superstars attributes. Viewing the roster will give you a quick rundown of all the things you need to know regarding injuries, contracts, fatigue, popularity, and morale. If you select a wrestler, you will also be able to negotiate their contracts, view their status regarding championships and air time as well as their feelings about how they're being used on the show. The Rivalry menu will tell you which superstars are currently participating in a rivalry or which superstars have the option of starting one. You'll be able to see the rating given to each rivalry and how long its been going. The Propose Trade menu is exactly that, you can offer to trade your superstars to the other show. This is not always a good thing, because you usually get the short end of the stick, but you can sometimes trade 2 mid level superstars for one high rated superstar. Saves on contract fees but at least you'll have a higher rated match. Free Agency is where you can sign superstars who werent drafted originally or were recently let go. From here you can also turn Legends and CAWs on/off. Press Start and you'll see a list of the available characters, you can toggle whoever you want, but the changes wont take effect until the next week, and superstars who are currently wrestling for a brand will not be changeable. ======= Reports ======= Here you can see the results of your matches along with the fan support and ratings. Selecting J.R.'s or Tazz's Reports will give you a quick tutorial on a few aspects of GM mode. ========== Financials ========== Here you can see the income statement for the previous week, and how much you gained or lost, if you're losing too much money, you may want to consider running advertising or merchandise promos, and if you're doing that already, you may have to choose cheaper matches or release a few superstars. ==== News ==== This is where you can see the support ticker (it shows the ratings of the shows and the change in fan base along with the current fan base), and the news results from the weeks matches. ========================================== 3.3 Selecting Matches ========================================== First select the spot you want to enter a match in, then select the type of match you want to use. As you scroll through the match types, take a look at the bottom of the screen, you'll see your balances, and it'll show the Cost/Profit and Fatigue bar. The Cost/Profit will show you how much the match will cost, most matches cost nothing but some will cost anywhere from $1000 to $50 000. Once you select the type of match you want, you'll be shown the match screen, with default superstars. You can have anywhere from 2-6, and you'll need to pick the superstars to compete. If a superstars name appears in yellow it means they've been double booked, and will be competing in two matches. Try to avoid this, it will make them tired quickly and will most likely result in injury. When you've got all the matches lined up, you can choose to have the title put on the line. First you must have the current champion(s) in the match, and then highlight the match on the card screen and press either the left or right arrow to select the title you want to defend. ========================================== 3.4 Promo Spots ========================================== In addition to your 6 matches, you'll be given 2 Promo spots to run whatever promotion you want. These promos will not appear in PPVs and instead you will just have 5 match spots. You can choose to 11 different promotions, however two will only be available under certain circumstances. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Promotion | Cost/Profit | Effect | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Superstar -$50 000 This option is only available once you purchase a Free Agent or have a superstar switch shows. It builds popularity for the wrestler without them competing in a match. Rivalry (In -$2000 This builds the hype for a rivalry currently Place of a taking place. Rivalries can only continue if Match) the two superstars are put in a match together every week, OR if this promo is run. Start a Rivalry $0 Instead of putting superstars in a match together, you can just use this promo to get the ball rolling. Inactive -$2000 If a Superstar isnt put in matches or promos Superstar their popularity will start to fall, so if a superstar is injured or tired, using this promo will help maintain their popularity. Injury Return -$50 000 If a superstar is injured and hasnt been Promo given an Inactive promo, their popularity will suffer, using this promo will help bring it back up to what it use to be. Advertising +$150 000 Using this promo will guarantee you $150 000 Promo the following week. Good for quick cash. Merchandise +$????? This promo will earn you money, but if you Sponsorship just begin to use it, the profits will be low, consistently using it will earn more profits in the future. Main Event -$50 000 This promo hypes up the main event, so the Hype match will receive higher ratings, good for a week where the main event is just midcarders. PPV Hype -$10 000 Builds hype for an upcoming PPV, using this consistently for a few weeks will earn the PPV a higher overall rating but will cost you. Interference -$50 000 You'll send a superstar to the other show to Promotion screw it up, giving the show a lower rating due to the sabotage. Doesnt count towards the superstars fatigue level. Slander -$50 000 You'll spread rumors over the air about the Promotion other show, but this should only be used once a month, otherwise the rumors will backfire and you'll be the one who loses fan support. ========================================== 3.5 CAWs ========================================== Putting Create-A-Wrestlers in season is a tough task, mainly because of their low popularity. Putting CAWs with low overall stats on your roster is useless unless you plan to play every single match with him and win. You'll be able to build up your CAW stats in the roster menu. With a 20 man limit on your roster, you have to remember that filling the roster out with Created Superstars will cripple your brand. Its best to build up only one star at a time and then replace your midcarders with them. When you first draft a CAW you'll probably want to bring up their popularity as high as possible as quick as possible so you can get a title on them. You shouldnt immediately put the main championship on your CAW, because without popularity the title matches will be incredibly low in the ratings. Once you draft a CAW, run a New Superstar promotion, this will give a slight boost to the wrestler before even entering a match. Once you've run that promotion put him in a feud with any superstar, it doesnt matter who, but if your CAW has a low overall, play the match and make sure he wins. You dont need to play the whole match, just play as the opponent and get yourself DQ'd. Then start a rivalry, keep this going for a few weeks until your CAW has a popularity around those of the midcarders, and then put him in a title match for one of the titles below the main championship (tag team, cruiserweight, or intercontinental depending on your brand). Once he has the belt you should keep it on him for awhile before dropping it to another star and challenging for the WWE/Heavyweight once you've reached a high popularity. This should put him in your rosters top tier. ========================================== 4. 2-Player Way ========================================== GM Mode is no easy task, one bad decision can completely mess up your season and injure one of your superstars. This mode takes a bit of practice and some luck. If you're just playing to get the trophy to add to your collection, then there is an easy way to win. All you have to do is use two controllers. Plug in a 2nd controller, and when you start General Manager mode, select the brand you want to control on the first controller, and put the second controller on the remaining brand. You'll each be given the opportunity to draft the superstars you want. You can either divide up all the superstars evenly, or pick the most popular ones for yourself and leave the other brand with a bunch of Divas and cruiserweights. From here you'll have to control both brands for the rest of the season. You can unplug the second controller, because all decisions are made from the first one. You can cruise through GM mode now, you can schedule just one match and leave the other show with all vacant matches and still steal fans from the other show with a half a star rating. You can also play the second brand if you want, but if you want the trophy you need to make sure you end up on top in the end. To switch between the shows, go to the main GM mode screen and press R2 or L2. Both shows have to be finalized before you can start the week. =========================================== 5. Superstar Specialties / PPV Matches =========================================== Some Superstars are known for specific match types, these are matches the superstars excel in and will usually receives a higher rating than regular matches. If you have a preferred match type that you like to use in GM mode as main events, picking up these superstars and including them will give you a slightly higher rating. ------------------------------------------------------ | Superstar | Match Type | ------------------------------------------------------ Chris Benoit Submission Chris Masters Submission Christian TLC / Ladder Eddie Guerrero Parking Lot Brawl Edge TLC / Ladder JBL Bar Room Brawl John Cena Parking Lot Brawl Kane Buried Alive Kurt Angle Submission Mankind Hardcore / Backstage/ HIAC Ric Flair Submission Rob Van Dam Hardcore / TLC Shawn Michaels Iron Man / HIAC Shelton Benjamin Submission Stacy Keibler Fulfill Your Fantasy Stone Cold Backstage / Hardcore Tajiri Hardcore The Rock Handicap Triple H Hardcore / HIAC Undertaker Buried Alive / HIAC In addition to having some superstars having their own specialty matches, there are some main events that are Pay-Per-View specific. Meaning these matches can only be used once a year during a specific PPV, so if your brand has that PPV, you may want to consider getting the superstars who will raise your ratings. -------------------------------------------------------- | Match | Pay-Per-View | -------------------------------------------------------- Elimination Chamber New Year's Revolution Buried Alive Survivor Series Fulfill Your Fantasy SummerSlam ========================================== 6. Tips ========================================== 6.1 General Tips ========================================== General Tips: -Every week check where your event is being held, if you have a superstar on your roster who hails from that town, make sure they win the match. It will give the match a higher rating. (You can find the Superstars hometown by selecting them from the Roster menu and pressing the left arrow to view their biography.) -Only use Fatal Four Way, Triple Threat, or Battle Royal matches in PPVs. The superstars who lose will have a slight drop in popularity, but the matches rating will make up for that. This match is particulary good if you combine two sets of feuding superstars. -Only use the Slander promotion once per month, using it anymore than that will result in it backfiring. -Try to avoid double booking superstars, this will make them more prone to injury. -If a superstar has a minor injury, schedule them for a low fatigue match such as a singles match. They'll rarely aggravate it and you'll save an injury return promo for something more useful while still maintaining their popularity. -PPVs are the events you should worry about. The potential for a ratings change is much greater. Booking the event carefully will help keep up or surpass the other show. -If a feud is doing well with the fans, the popularity of both stars regardless of winning or losing will rise. ========================================== 6.2 RAW Tips ========================================== -You have the Womens Championship, you can use it in two ways. You can either draft two divas and keep them feuding (remember to occasionally put titles on the line) and trade one of them off every once in awhile for another diva so your feud doesnt go stale. The other way is to simply not use the title at all, use your spots for other superstars. Diva matches are usually low rated and they can serve better as managers. ========================================== 6.3 Smackdown! Tips ========================================== -As General Manager of Smackdown you'll have the cruiserweight title, only take three to four cruiserweights at a time. After building up their popularity you can trade them off to RAW for higher rated superstars and start fresh. -Or instead of trading them off you can keep them, but you'll have to push the small group of them every week. ========================================== 7. FAQ ========================================== Does the 2 Player method still earn you the GM of the Year award? Yep. How do you draft Legends or CAWs? Go to the Free Agent screen in the Roster menu, and press Start, then toggle the Legends and CAWs On/Off. How do you get a Superstar to defect to the other brand? If they keep losing a match or just arent being used, they will send you an email asking to join your show. If one of your superstars is unhappy, you will see a News story about a possible defection. If the rival GM wants to purchase the superstar, you'll lose her to the other show. How do you put a title on the line? Make a match with the current champion(s), and add in the opponents. Then on the match card screen, press the right or left arrow to select the title you want to be defended. Can you unlock Jake the Snake without the PSP? Not as far as I know. This was a rumor that was proven false. ========================================== 8. Contact/Legal Information ========================================== Questions/Comments/Suggestions? Then please email me. PLEASE READ THE FAQ SECTION BEFORE EMAILING ME. GimpyTheGreat[at]Gmail.com ---------------------------------- This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. The following sites have permission to use this FAQ as long as it is credited: http://www.GameFAQs.com http://www.CheatHappens.com ---------------------------------- All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. ---------------------------------- Copyright 2005 Brandon Duve (Drunky/GimpyTheGreat)