WWE 2K20 Controls Guide

This comprehensive guide contains all the controls and keybinds as well as useful tips you will need for every situation in WWE 2K20

WWE 2K20 will surprise fans of the series that there’s been quite the revamping of the controls setup in the game. This changeup in the settings is primarily because the developers wish to attract new players to the title. This revamping will make the game a more beginner-friendly experience for newcomers.

However, it still maintains the nuances and complexities that veteran fans are familiar with. This guide will go over the new control scheme for the upcoming game, for both Xbox One and PS4.

The following will list down the button setup for all standard/advanced controls, carry & dragging controls, and more; the guide will also provide you with tips and other ancillary knowledge that will improve your experience with the game.

Standard Controls

ActionPS4XBox
Control SuperstarLeft ToggleLeft Toggle
RunL2 (Hold) + Left ToggleLT (Hold) + Left Toggle
Strike/Diving ActionSquare + Left Toggle (Any direction)X + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Strong StrikeSquare (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)X (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Medium GrappleX + Left Toggle (Any direction)A + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Strong GrappleX (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)A (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)
SubmissionR2 (Hold) + X (Hold)RT (Hold) + A (Hold)
Drag OpponentR2 (Hold) + X (Tap)RT (Hold) + A (Tap)
Lift Into Carry PositionR2 (Hold) + Right Toggle (Any direction)RT (Hold) + Right Toggle (Any direction)
Signature/FinisherSquare + TriangleX + A
Irish Whip (Standing)O + Left Toggle (Any direction)B + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Strong Irish WhipO (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)B (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)
PinOB
ReversalReversalY
PaybackR2 (Hold) + TriangleRT (Hold) + Y
Pick Up ObjectL1LB
Climb Apron/Middle RopeR1 (Tap) + Left Toggle (Any direction)RB (Tap) + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Exit/Enter Ring/Climb Top RopeR1 (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)RB (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)

Advanced Controls

ActionPS4XBox
Wake Up TauntUp (Directional Pad)Up (Directional Pad)
Taunt CrowdLeft (Directional Pad)Left (Directional Pad)
Taunt OpponentRight (Directional Pad)Right (Directional Pad)
Toggle Signature/FinisherDown (Directional Pad)Down (Directional Pad)
Grab Opponent in Front FacelockUp (Right Toggle)Up (Right Toggle)
Working Hold (Front Facelock)X (Hold)A (Hold)
Limb Target (Front Facelock)R2 (Hold) + Square + Left Toggle (Any direction)RT (Hold) + X + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Limb Target (Grounded Opponent)R2 (Hold) + SquareRT (Hold) + X
OMG! MomentTriangle + OY + B
Leverage PinR2 (Hold) + ORT (Hold) + B
Alternate Signature/FinisherR2 (Hold) + Square + XRT (Hold) + X + A
Reposition Opponent/Turn PositionRight Toggle (Any direction)Right Toggle (Any direction)
Lift Opponent UpUp (Right Toggle)Up (Right Toggle)
Snapmare to Seated PositionDown (Right Toggle)Down (Right Toggle)
Release Hold/PinL1LB
Change TargetRight Toggle (Press)Right Toggle (Press)
Toggle PlaybackLeft Toggle (Press)Left Toggle (Press)

Carry Controls 

ActionPS4XBox
Lift Into Carry Hold R2+ RS Hold RT+RS 
Grapple Cross 
Environmental Attack LS + Square LS + X 
Release L1 LB 
Escape From Carry Circle 

Front Facelock Controls 

ActionPS4XBox
Hold opponent in Front Facelock RS Up RS Up 
Strike Square 
Limb Target Hold R2 + LS + Square Hold RT + LS + X 
Grapple Cross 
Working Hold Hold Cross Hold A 
Drag Hold R2 + Tap Cross Hold RT + Tap A
Submission Hold R2 + Hold Cross Hold RT + Hold A 
Irish Whip Circle 
Release L1                                     LB 

Dragging Controls 

ActionPS4Xbox
Drag Opponent Hold R2 + Tap Cross Hold RT + Tap A 
Front Facelock Cross 
Throw Over Ropes LS + Cross LS + A 
Environmental Attack LS + Square LS + X 
Snapmare RS Down RS Down 
Release L1 LB 
Irish Whip Circle 
Escape From Drag Circle 

Object and Weapon Controls

ActionPS4XBox
Pick Up ObjectL1LB
Grab Object Under RingL1 (Hold)LB (Hold)
Object AttackSquareX
Alternate Object AttackR2 (Hold) + SquareRT (Hold) + X
Drop ObjectOB
Throw Object Into/Out of RingO + Left Toggle (Any Direction)B + Left Toggle (Any Direction)
Climb Ladder/Cage/CellR1RB
Set up Ladder/TableXA
Lean/Wedge Object in CornerX + Left Toggle (Any direction)A + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Carry Ladder HorizontallyR2 (Hold)RT (Hold)
Rotate Standing LadderR2 (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)RT (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction)
Set Up Ladder Bridge (Near Apron)R2 (Hold) + L1RT (Hold) + LB

Submission Hold

  • PS4: R2 (Hold) + X (Hold)
  • Xbox One: RT (Hold) + A (Hold)

When you’ve got your opponent in a submission hold, you must move your right analog stick in a circular motion (clockwise or counterclockwise). This will move the slider in the mini-game that pops up.

In the mini-game, the attacker controls the red slider, and the defender controls the blue slider. The object is to fill the circle with your color. This is done by overlapping the other side’s slider. A glowing orb can be grabbed to either make it easier to make your opponent submit or to get out of a submission and hold yourself.

The submission mechanics can be changed in the options menu. In this alternate version, during a submission hold, random buttons will appear, and you must press the corresponding one; this must be done properly to outdo your opponent.

Pinfall and Kick Out Controls

When you’re pinned, the only way to kick out is to wait for the blue meter to enter the red zone, then press the X Button (PS4) or the A Button (Xbox One). The red zone can be increased by having the ‘Pin Escape’ Attribute.

With the ‘Resiliency’ Ability, you can immediately kick out of a pin by pressing the Triangle Button (PS4) or the Y Button (Xbox One).

With the ‘Rope Break’ Ability, you will be prompted to press the O Button (PS4) or the B Button (Xbox One) when near the ropes.

As an attacker, having the ‘Dirty Pin’ Ability lets you pin the opponent with your feet on the rope. This can be done when your opponent lies parallel to the ropes, and you press the O Button (PS4) or the B Button (Xbox One).

How to Reverse

  • PS4: Triangle
  • Xbox One: Y

A reversal icon will appear above the player’s head, and you must press the button at the appropriate time to perform a proper reversal. There are Reversal Stocks, meaning you can only perform a limited number of reversals before your stocks have to refill.

Minor Reversal: A regular reversal that only requires one reversal stock.

Major Reversal: This can only be done while in the middle of a move (difficult to do). Two reversal stocks are required, and if done correctly, the opponent will be weakened.

Assist Mode

  • Can be enabled in the Options Menu.
  • The AI selects the appropriate move while you’re doing a Strong Attack or Grapple.

The revamping of the control layout is more superficial. The real changes lie underneath. The newly introduced system reduces friction, allowing smoother movement and easier control.

Unlike before, almost every action has a separate button, therefore you will have more control of your character and how it interacts with characters/object. Standing submissions can be done however you like, no more prerequisites.

Finally, the AI has been improved so that it utilizes everything in its arsenal (including all of the Signature/Finishing Moves), providing a challenge to the player but also offering a greater variety of attacks.

Shoaib is a competitive gamer spending hours in games like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Rainbow 6 siege and Battlefield. He loves to play RPGs and has been active gaming journalist for more than 3 ...