Opinion

In This Corner: WWE 2K19 Review

Published

7 years ago

October 6, 2018

It is that time of year again where Yuke’s releases their annual entry in the WWE 2K series. Many critics and fans were disappointed with WWE 2K18. With WWE 2K19, Yuke’s has promised more fluid gameplay than in previous entries in the series. Have they delivered on that promise?

I picked up the Deluxe Edition of 2K19 and had a chance to put some hours into it. Does this game improve on previous years, or is it another disappointing entry? Let’s examine.

Presentation/Graphics
The first thing you will notice in 2K19 is the totally revamped menu system. The menu system is much more sleek and easy to navigate than in previous years.

This game is quite possibly the smoothest looking game in the 2K series. New lighting effects and redone character models have wrestlers and arenas looking almost life like. However, there are some instances where character models do not look quite right. The model of Lana would be one of those instances. They still also have not figured out the physics of hair in this game. Hair will still randomly morph into body parts and doesn’t seem to move realistically.

There also are some minor features missing from wrestler entrances that irk me, but aren’t deal breakers. For example, Alexa Bliss will not hold a championship belt behind her head, nor will Kyle O’Reilly play a championship belt like a guitar. As I said, these are minor, but for a company that strives to make the game as real as possible, they missed the boat on a few entrances.

Gameplay
Gameplay is truly where WWE 2K19 shines. The framerate in this year’s game is extremely smooth, and in my time playing it, I did not notice any slowdown. This year, up to 8 wrestlers are able to appear on the screen at once in comparison to 2K18 having 6 wrestlers max on screen. Even with 8 wrestlers on screen at once, I noticed no lag.

Matches this year are also much smoother. The AI is much more difficult than in previous versions of the game, making for harder, but better drawn out matches. The computer is no longer attempting to go for pinfalls or submissions seconds after a match begins.

Match Types/Modes
Another area where this newest entry excels is the match types. In addition to your standard one on one, tag team, and triple threat matches, 5 man, 6 man, 8 man and women’s royal rumble matches have been added. Each match can be customized to your liking, whether it be Extreme Rules, Tables, TLC, Hell in a Cell, Steel Cage, etc.

Speaking of Steel Cage and Hell in a Cell matches, both have been vastly improved and overhauled from previous entries. The size of the cell is now more proportionate. No longer will your wrestlers look like they are in a cell with 30 foot high walls. It is now also easier to escape and make your way up to the top of the cell.

New changes have been made in steel cage matches as well. Gone are the 1 minute cage matches with an AI opponent. There are now new climbing mini games when you reach the top of the cage, and you are now able to make your escape through the cage door. However, you will need to plan your escape wisely as attempting to leave the cage too early when both wrestlers are fresh, the mini games will be much harder to win.

When it comes to modes, 2K19 is very stacked. In addition to the exhibition match types, Universe mode returns along with the returning Showcase mode, which focuses on Daniel Bryans’s career, MyCareer, Road to Glory, and the new Towers mode.

Universe mode sadly had little changes from previous years. There are a few more customization options like assigning a Money In The Bank briefcase to a wrestler, and the ability to assigning any amount of championships, which allows you to have a roster of women’s or tag team championships if you wish. Promo systems have been slightly upgraded to be more coherent, however you still are unable to have promos with tag teams or factions, which is disappointing. Other items fans have asked for in the past, like the ability to have a roster shakeup draft still are not in the game.

MyCareer mode has included some huge changes this year. Over 20 wrestlers have included voiceovers in the game this year, so your career will not be a reading of text game this year. I am only about an hour in to my career, but it has been great so far, especially starting my career on the indie scene.

One huge disappointment with the career mode is the inability to create a female wrestler and take her through her career. How a feature like this isn’t in the game is uncertain.

Customization
The creation suite is fantastic this year. You have the standard create an arena, show, wrestler, and title. The newest feature this year is the option to randomly create a wrestler. Some of the combinations the randomizer comes up with look amazing. You can randomize everything from an entire wrestler to certain parts and colors like gloves, trunks, elbow pads, etc. If you make your own federations in the game, this can be very handy to quickly generate a roster of wrestlers.

Overall Thoughts
The 2K series often gets criticized for its lack of noticeable changes from year to year. This year however is different. Matches are much more smooth and competitive, even on the easier skill levels. The redone career mode is fun to play, and I can’t wait to see what unravels next in my story. I am a little disappointed about the minimal changes to universe mode, and would like to see this mode redone from the floor up next year, however, with the need to put out a new game yearly, I don’t expect many changes to occur. With all that in mind, it feels like they are finally getting the game right, are going in the right direction, and the game is a definite pickup, even if you picked up last year’s version.

Rating:

8.5 / 10

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1