Tag Team
The important strategy in tag team matches, specifically when you’re partnered with a computer-controlled ally, is to properly managing your teammate. This includes when you’re in the ring as the legal man and when your computer-controlled ally is in the ring as the legal man.
When you’re in the ring, you can call your teammate into the ring and assist against the legal man or attack the legal man’s teammate. To do so, press down on the left analog stick to attack the legal opponent or up on the left analog stick to attack the legal opponent’s tag partner. Note that this is in the default controller configuration. If you have altered the control configuration, you will use the D-pad instead.
Another important tactic in tag team matches are double team maneuvers. Perform a double team turnbuckle move by Irish whipping your opponent into your corner turnbuckle (nearest your tag team partner) and pressing the circle button and any direction (or no direction) to tag your partner in and perform a double team maneuver. Other double team moves can be performed inside the ring by grappling an opponent when your tag team partner also initiates a grapple.
Call your tag partner into the ring and unleash some double team grapples on your legal opponent. The ref won’t let you get away with this for too long and will eventually shove your tag partner (or you if you aren’t the legal man) out of the ring. Be careful because you won’t be able to call on your partner--or help your partner--while being escorted out of the ring. So don’t get pinned when you can’t be helped! Speaking of being pinned, call your partner in to interfere with a pin or to intercept your opponent if he’s running inside the ring to interfere.
A tornado tag match pits everyone in the ring at the same time--there’s no need to tag in a partner. Be careful to avoid striking or grappling your own partner! It can get crowded and a careless key press could lead to slamming your partner with a DDT. The "R1" button becomes more important as well. Press R1 to switch focus between opponent tag partners. It’ll help land your strikes and grapples with greater success. Look for opportunities to execute double team maneuvers and be ready to assist your partner if he’s getting pinned.
You can also play tag team matches with managers. Press the left analog stick left to cause the manager to distract the referee and press the left analog stick right to cause the manager to retrieve a weapon from beneath the ring and toss it inside the squared circle. Note as with the tag team partner moves, these could use the D-pad if you have altered the control configuration. Retrieving a weapon can turn the tide in a match but if disqualification is on, make sure the manager distracts the ref before using the weapon. But don’t abuse ref distraction! Your manager will eventually get banned from ringside. This would apply to singles matches as well. Also note that you can use Paul Heyman as a manager!
Handicap
Handicap matches come in three varieties: one on two, one on tag, and one on three. The odds aren’t even in a handicap match. In one on two or one on three, all wrestlers are in the ring at the same time. Obviously this creates an extremely difficult situation for that lone wrestler. In a one on tag match, it is one wrestler against a tag team essentially; the tag team must tag in and out so the lone wrestler doesn’t face constant double teams.
Try to separate your opponents in a one on two or one on three. Instead of fighting in close proximity, drag or lure one outside the ring (or at least away from the other wrestler) so you aren’t grabbed every single time you perform a maneuver. Finishers will become extremely vital in scoring a win in a handicap match. Utilize your taunts to gain adrenaline when you aren’t under duress. Save your finisher for the opportune moment; don’t simple unleash the special as soon as you receive it. For instance, pummel one opponent outside the ring then get back in and perform a finisher on the other wrestler. It’s important to create the time necessary to score a pin on one opponent while the other remains down and unable to provide assistance.
Then again if you’re the one doing the handicapping, stick close with your partner and unleash double team moves and constant pounding on the lone wrestler. Don’t get lured away and be prepared to aid a pinned partner at a moment’s notice.
Hardcore
Listing the rules of a hardcore match is simple: there are no rules in a hardcore match! There are no disqualifications so weapons are entirely legal--not to mention likely extremely important to victory. Control the weapons and control the win. Weapons inflict serious damage and successful weapons strikes provide a big boost to your adrenaline meter. Attack a standing opponent or a prone opponent. Anything goes! When your opponent holds a weapon, be ready to counter a strike. If you need another weapon, search under the ring by going outside the ring, standing against the middle of the ring apron, and pressing the square button while pressing the left analog stick against the ring (or D-pad in alternate control configuration).
You can battle a hardcore match in the backstage area. There are certainly weapons here but there are also interactive elements in the environment. Irish whip your opponent into the hanger door in the upper right corner of the area. When it’s slightly ajar, you can perform a move where you shove your opponent under the door and slam the door down. Irish whip your opponent into the fuse boxes in the upper right corner to give your opponent a shock. Irish whip into the television and watch it explode. Perform a move against the chain link to rub your opponent’s face across the fence.
