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
| Action | PS4 | XBox |
|---|---|---|
| Control Superstar | Left Toggle | Left Toggle |
| Run | L2 (Hold) + Left Toggle | LT (Hold) + Left Toggle |
| Strike/Diving Action | Square + Left Toggle (Any direction) | X + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Strong Strike | Square (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | X (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Medium Grapple | X + Left Toggle (Any direction) | A + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Strong Grapple | X (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | A (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Submission | R2 (Hold) + X (Hold) | RT (Hold) + A (Hold) |
| Drag Opponent | R2 (Hold) + X (Tap) | RT (Hold) + A (Tap) |
| Lift Into Carry Position | R2 (Hold) + Right Toggle (Any direction) | RT (Hold) + Right Toggle (Any direction) |
| Signature/Finisher | Square + Triangle | X + A |
| Irish Whip (Standing) | O + Left Toggle (Any direction) | B + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Strong Irish Whip | O (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | B (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Pin | O | B |
| Reversal | Reversal | Y |
| Payback | R2 (Hold) + Triangle | RT (Hold) + Y |
| Pick Up Object | L1 | LB |
| Climb Apron/Middle Rope | R1 (Tap) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | RB (Tap) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Exit/Enter Ring/Climb Top Rope | R1 (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | RB (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
Advanced Controls
| Action | PS4 | XBox |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Up Taunt | Up (Directional Pad) | Up (Directional Pad) |
| Taunt Crowd | Left (Directional Pad) | Left (Directional Pad) |
| Taunt Opponent | Right (Directional Pad) | Right (Directional Pad) |
| Toggle Signature/Finisher | Down (Directional Pad) | Down (Directional Pad) |
| Grab Opponent in Front Facelock | Up (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) + Square | RT (Hold) + X |
| OMG! Moment | Triangle + O | Y + B |
| Leverage Pin | R2 (Hold) + O | RT (Hold) + B |
| Alternate Signature/Finisher | R2 (Hold) + Square + X | RT (Hold) + X + A |
| Reposition Opponent/Turn Position | Right Toggle (Any direction) | Right Toggle (Any direction) |
| Lift Opponent Up | Up (Right Toggle) | Up (Right Toggle) |
| Snapmare to Seated Position | Down (Right Toggle) | Down (Right Toggle) |
| Release Hold/Pin | L1 | LB |
| Change Target | Right Toggle (Press) | Right Toggle (Press) |
| Toggle Playback | Left Toggle (Press) | Left Toggle (Press) |
Carry Controls
| Action | PS4 | XBox |
|---|---|---|
| Lift Into Carry | Hold R2+ RS | Hold RT+RS |
| Grapple | Cross | A |
| Environmental Attack | LS + Square | LS + X |
| Release | L1 | LB |
| Escape From Carry | Circle | B |
Front Facelock Controls
| Action | PS4 | XBox |
|---|---|---|
| Hold opponent in Front Facelock | RS Up | RS Up |
| Strike | Square | X |
| Limb Target | Hold R2 + LS + Square | Hold RT + LS + X |
| Grapple | Cross | A |
| 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 | B |
| Release | L1 | LB |
Dragging Controls
| Action | PS4 | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Opponent | Hold R2 + Tap Cross | Hold RT + Tap A |
| Front Facelock | Cross | A |
| Throw Over Ropes | LS + Cross | LS + A |
| Environmental Attack | LS + Square | LS + X |
| Snapmare | RS Down | RS Down |
| Release | L1 | LB |
| Irish Whip | Circle | B |
| Escape From Drag | Circle | B |
Object and Weapon Controls
| Action | PS4 | XBox |
|---|---|---|
| Pick Up Object | L1 | LB |
| Grab Object Under Ring | L1 (Hold) | LB (Hold) |
| Object Attack | Square | X |
| Alternate Object Attack | R2 (Hold) + Square | RT (Hold) + X |
| Drop Object | O | B |
| Throw Object Into/Out of Ring | O + Left Toggle (Any Direction) | B + Left Toggle (Any Direction) |
| Climb Ladder/Cage/Cell | R1 | RB |
| Set up Ladder/Table | X | A |
| Lean/Wedge Object in Corner | X + Left Toggle (Any direction) | A + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Carry Ladder Horizontally | R2 (Hold) | RT (Hold) |
| Rotate Standing Ladder | R2 (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) | RT (Hold) + Left Toggle (Any direction) |
| Set Up Ladder Bridge (Near Apron) | R2 (Hold) + L1 | RT (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.
