One of the finest entries into the world of professional wrestling video games was WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, released in 2002 by THQ. Its popularity stemmed, in part, from its stacked roster of all-time greats. Let's take a look at the Superstars and Legends that made this game so memorable.
Superstars and Legends: Then and Now
Here's a breakdown of the wrestlers featured in WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, with a glimpse into their careers at the time of the game's release and their status today:
Superstars
- A-Train: Status unknown.
- Batista: Retired from wrestling, now an actor.
- Big Show: Still with the WWE, nearing the end of his career.
- Booker T: Retired from wrestling.
- Brock Lesnar: WWE Universal Champion and a major draw.
- Bubba Ray Dudley: Status unknown.
- Charlie Haas: Semi-retired, occasional appearances on the indy scene.
- Chavo Guerrero: Wrestling with Lucha Underground.
- Chris Benoit: Deceased.
- Chris Jericho: Still wrestling with the WWE.
- Christian: Retired, hosts shows and podcasts with Edge.
- D-Von Dudley: Status unknown.
- Eddie Guerrero: Deceased.
- Edge: Retired due to injuries, hosts shows and podcasts with Christian.
- Eric Bischoff: Former General Manager of Monday Night Raw, no longer with WWE.
- Goldberg: Had a part-time run with WWE, including a stint as Universal Champion.
- Goldust: Remains a lower mid-carder.
- The Hurricane: Employed at Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA).
- Jazz: Status unknown.
- John Cena: WWE megastar.
- Kane: Running for Mayor's office.
- Kevin Nash: WWE Legend.
- Kurt Angle: Hall of Famer and General Manager of Monday Night Raw.
- Lance Storm: One of the most underrated talents of all-time.
- Lita: Semi-retired, recently returned to the indy scene.
- Matt Hardy: Status unknown.
- Randy Orton: WWE Superstar.
- Rey Mysterio: Wrestler.
- Rhyno: Lower mid-card talent.
- Ric Flair: WWE Legend.
- Rico: Little information available, reportedly suffers from health issues.
- Rikishi: Retired, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
- Rob Van Dam: Regular on the independent scene.
- The Rock: Movie star.
- Rodney Mack: Wrestles on the independent circuit.
- Sable: Status unknown.
- Scott Steiner: WWE Legend.
- Sean O'Haire: Deceased.
- Shawn Michaels: Retired in 2010, WWE Legend.
- Shelton Benjamin: Primed to make a return to the WWE.
- Stacy Keibler: Status unknown.
- Stephanie McMahon: Chief Brand Officer for the WWE.
- Steve Austin: Retired.
- Steven Richards: Regular on the independent circuit.
- Tajiri: Still a wrestler.
- Test: Deceased.
- Torrie Wilson: Status unknown.
- Triple H: Part-time wrestler and Executive Vice President for WWE.
- Trish Stratus: Retired, WWE Legend.
- Ultimo Dragon: Still wrestling as a freelancer.
- Undertaker: WWE Legend.
- Val Venis: Status unknown.
- Victoria: Retired, owns a wrestling-themed restaurant.
- Vince McMahon: Chairman and CEO of WWE.
Legends
- Animal: WWE Legend.
- George Steele: Deceased.
- Hawk: Deceased.
- Hillbilly Jim: WWE Legend.
- Iron Sheik: WWE Legend.
- Jimmy Snuka: Deceased.
- Nikolai Volkoff: Deceased.
- Roddy Piper: Deceased.
- Sgt. Slaughter: WWE Legend.
- Ted Dibiase: WWE Legend.
- The Undertaker: WWE Legend.
The following table summarizes the current status of some of the key figures from the game:
Brock Lesnar Evolution in WWE Games! (WWE SYM to WWE 2K25)
| Wrestler | Status in 2003 | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Lesnar | The Next Big Thing | WWE Universal Champion |
| John Cena | Approaching main event status | WWE Megastar |
| Kurt Angle | Top WWE Star | Hall of Famer, General Manager of Monday Night Raw |
| Triple H | Leading Evolution | Part-time wrestler, Executive Vice President for WWE |
It's fascinating to see how careers have evolved since the release of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain. Some have reached legendary status, while others have taken different paths. This game remains a beloved classic, not just for its gameplay but also for the iconic roster it featured.
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