WWE 2K22: Controls Guide for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Tips for Beginners (2024)

After a prolonged absence, WWE 2K returns with WWE 2K22. The game sees improvements in key areas, as well as revamped controls and combo systems. The graphics also see a boost using the engines of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S.

With so many aspects involved, the controls can get confusing if not studied beforehand. As such, read below for your complete controls as well as gameplay tips geared toward beginners and those who’ve had a break from WWE 2K games.

WWE 2K22 PS4 & PS5 controls list

• Move: L
• Light Attack: Square
• Heavy Attack: X
• Signature: R2 + Square (when prompted)
• Finisher: R2 + X (when prompted)
• Payback: R2 + Triangle (when prompted)
• Submission: R2 + Circle
• Pin: R-Down
• Reposition Opponent: R-Left, R-Right
• Raise Opponent: R-Up
• Change Target: R3
• Grab (Grapple): Circle
• Light Grapple Attack: Square (after Grapple, modify with L)
• Heavy Grapple Attack: X (after Grapple, modify with L)
• Irish Whip: Circle (after grapple, direction with L)
• Strong Irish Whip: Circle (hold after Grapple, direction with L)
• Move Opponent (Standing): L1 + Circle (after Grapple)
• Carry Opponent: R1 + Circle (after Grapple)
• Drag Opponent (Prone): L1 (hold, direction with L)
• Reversal: Triangle (when prompted)
• Block: Triangle (hold)
• Dodge: R1
• Combo Breaker: Square, X, or Circle (during an opponent’s combo)
• Climb and Enter or Exit Ring: R1 (direction with L, when near turnbuckle, ropes, ladder, or cage)
• Run: L2 (hold)
• Wake Up Taunt: D-Pad Up
• Crowd Taunt: D-Pad Left
• Opponent Taunt: D-Pad Right

WWE 2K22 Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One controls

• Move: L
• Light Attack: X
• Heavy Attack: A
• Signature: RT + X (when prompted)
• Finisher: RT + A (when prompted)
• Payback: RT + Y (when prompted)
• Submission: RT + B
• Pin: R-Down
• Reposition Opponent: R-Left, R-Right
• Raise Opponent: R-Up
• Change Target: R3
• Grab (Grapple): B
• Light Grapple Attack: X (after Grapple, modify with L)
• Heavy Grapple Attack: A (after Grapple, modify with L)
• Irish Whip: B (after grapple, direction with L)
• Strong Irish Whip: B (hold after Grapple, direction with L)
• Move Opponent (Standing): LB + B (after Grapple)
• Carry Opponent: RB + B (after Grapple)
• Drag Opponent (Prone): LB (hold, direction with L)
• Reversal: Y (when prompted)
• Block: Y (hold)
• Dodge: RB
• Combo Breaker: X, A, or B (during an opponent’s combo)
• Climb and Enter or Exit Ring: RB (direction with L, when near turnbuckle, ropes, ladder, or cage)
• Run: LT (hold)
• Wake Up Taunt: D-Pad Up
• Crowd Taunt: D-Pad Left
• Opponent Taunt: D-Pad Right

Note that the left and right analog sticks are denoted as L and R, respectively, with pressing on them indicated with L3 and R3. The controls listed below will have PlayStation controls first, then Xbox controls, and there will be few repeats with the above list.

WWE 2K22 Ladder Match controls

READ MORE: WWE 2K22: Complete Ladder Match Controls and Tips (How to Win Ladder Matches)

WWE 2K22 Tag Team controls

WWE 2K22 Royal Rumble controls

READ MORE: WWE 2K22: Complete Royal Rumble Match Controls and Tips (How to Eliminate Opponents and Win)

WWE 2K22 Hell in a Cell controls

Note that these controls also apply to steel cage matches, with the added mini-games for escaping the cage.

READ MORE: WWE 2K22: Complete Hell in a Cell Match Controls and Tips (How to Escape the Hell in the Cell and Win)

WWE 2K22 Weapons controls

The game’s controls are detailed, and many are contextual to the type of match.

Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Read below for gameplay tips, including expansions on the controls above.

Play through the Tutorial with Drew Gulak

As you begin the game, you’ll be asked if you want to play the Tutorial with Drew Gulak as your coach. It’s recommended to select YES as there are new features in the controls (such as Combo Breakers discussed more below) and to get a sense of timing for reversals.

You’ll play as Rey Mysterio at the Performance Center in a match against Riddle. Follow along with the instructions given by Gulak on the screen. He’ll take you through the most basic of basics with strikes and combos, then into more advanced things like Combo Breakers and landing finishers.

Completing the Tutorial should also pop your first trophy of the game. You’ll also get your first Locker Code for MyFaction: NOFLYZONE. Enter this in MyFaction to receive an Emerald Drew Gulak card!

Play exhibition matches or Showcase mode to grasp the controls before jumping into other modes

After the Tutorial, it’s best to keep practicing in exhibition matches, particularly gimmick matches like the ladder match or Hell in a Cell to get a better understanding of the specific controls for these matches. This is also a good chance to play with a number of different wrestlers and types (more below) to find your ideal style as you move into other game modes, particularly MyRise.

If you want something a bit more story-driven while still familiarizing yourself with the controls, then play the Showcase featuring Mysterio. Each match will have objectives to complete, generally with the directions on how to complete them given to you. Further, you get to relive some of his classics during his career – your first match is his memorable bout with Eddie Guerrero from Halloween Havoc 1997 – and along the way, unlock other Legends for play in modes like MyGM.

Here’s a quick rundown of the other modes aside from Play Now (exhibition) in WWE 2K22:

• MyRise (MyCareer equivalent)
• MyFaction (MyTeam equivalent)
• MyGM (revamped GM Mode from Smackdown! vs. Raw 2006-2008)
• Universe (now with a Superstar focus added to Classic)
• Showcase (featuring Rey Mysterio)
• Online
• Creations

For trophy hunters, there are mode-associated trophies for the first five listed. Regardless of the importance you place on trophies, there is plenty to keep you occupied in WWE 2K22.

How to use Combo Breakers

A new feature in WWE 2K22, Combo Breakers can help you stunt your opponent’s momentum while adding a dash of realism. You can throw combos with four and five hit button inputs that start with a Light or Heavy Attack and can include a Grapple. These combos are very similar to what you may see every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday night watching WWE programming. However, you can also suffer the effects of a combo if you’re not careful.

Enter the Breakers. After a combo is initiated by your opponent, you can stop the combo by pressing the same button as the opponent’s next hit. For example, if the second hit is a Light Attack and you hit it when prompted, you’ll stop their combo and open up an opportunity to follow with your own attack. While a bit of a guessing game, a bit of analysis on your opponent’s tendencies should help in landing Breakers.

A bit of advice: don’t get too predictable with your own combos! The most basic combo is to hit Light Attack four or five times, so it’s likely that Square (X for Xbox) will be the most likely to be pressed by your opponent, especially if playing against a human-controlled wrestler. You can check a list of combos for your chosen wrestler from the pause menu.

Get to know the roster, their types, and their dispositions

If you plan on playing other online, getting to know the roster and finding your preferred wrestlers are musts. There are a plethora of wrestlers in the game to choose from, so take your time early before jumping into online play.

Another reason to get to know the roster is for your MyRise campaign(s) should you play the mode. Which moves do you like? Would they fit with your idealized MyRise wrestler(s)? Whose entrance and music do you want to model yours after? Whose gear looks appealing to you? Wrestling is well-known for “gimmick infringement,” so why not do it in the more confined space of the video game?

The last reason here to familiarize yourself with the roster is for use in MyGM. In MyGM, you will draft and build a roster to take on another show, fighting for viewers. Your roster, their heel and face dispositions, their styles, match types, events, and a host of other issues affect viewership, wrestler morale, and more. For reference, here are the wrestler types in WWE 2K22:

• Bruiser
• Giant
• Fighter
• Specialist
• Cruiserweight

These five apply to both men and women, so you won’t have to worry about keeping two separate sets of styles. The other thing about wrestler styles is that some match up well with others:

• Bruisers and Fighters receive match rating boosts because of their complimentary styles
• Giants and Cruiserweights receive match rating boosts because of their complimentary styles
• Specialists are good against the other four, but do not receive boosts

Keep this in mind as you’re going through MyGM.

Have fun with the Creations options

WWE 2K has always had a robust creation suite, and WWE 2K22 is no different with a full ten sets of creations you can engage with. Those ten are:

• Superstar
• Championship
• Entrance
• Victory
• Move-Set
• Arena
• Show
• MITB (Money in the Bank)
• Video
• Custom Matches

You can spend hours in Creations, and many people do just that. You can find many created wrestlers – whether real-life counterparts from WWE, other promotions, or yesteryear – from other 2K22 gamers.

These creations can also find play in a few modes including MyGM, Universe, and Play Now. If there’s a certain championship you’ve always wanted, you’ve been designing arenas for fun, or you want yourself in the game, Creations is your place to, well, create all of those.

Now you know at least the basics of what it takes to get in the ring with WWE 2K22. Which mode will you play first? Regardless, remember, “It Hits Different.”

Looking for more WWE 2K22 guides?

WWE 2K22: Best Tag Teams and Stables

WWE 2K22: Complete Steel Cage Match Controls and Tips

WWE 2K22: Complete Hell in a Cell Match Controls and Tips (How to Escape the Hell in the Cell and Win)

WWE 2K22: Complete Ladder Match Controls and Tips (How to Win Ladder Matches)

WWE 2K22: Complete Royal Rumble Match Controls and Tips (How to Eliminate Opponents and Win)

WWE 2K22: MyGM Guide and Tips to Win the Season