Here's How to Punch in "WWE 2K19"

WWE 2K19 is out and that means (*sentence interrupted by surprise folding chair to the head*).

Punters who have picked up the latest WWE 2K—and never played one of these pro wrestling games before—have probably found themselves copping an absolute whupping in the ring.

See, even though it’s a fighting game, it’s not like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat or even Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (good times), and if you start playing with the intention of simply mashing the controller, you’re going to wind up on the wrong end of a piledriver pretty damn quickly.

But we know exactly what newbies to the WWE 2K series are going to be asking (and there’s absolutely no shame in it, because it’s the question that makes the absolute most sense): “How do I even punch in this thing?”

Well, tag us in, because we’re here to lend a helping, sock-covered hand.

Here’s how you even punch in this thing.

We should clarify, right now, that you don’t really punch in WWE 2K, or even pro wrestling. The game calls it a 'strike', and to execute it, you need to hit ▢ on PS4 and X on Xbox One. If you want to deliver a 'strong strike' you simply need to hold down ▢ on PS4 and X on Xbox One. This will allow you to throw a sort-of-punch if your opponent is upright, or let you stomp them when they’re down on the canvas.

But here’s why you don’t want to spend all your time 'striking'.

Again, unlike Street Fighter or other pad-mashing games, the WWE 2K strike is really just meant to stun your opponent, or delay them from executing a move. If you try to strike them into submission, you’re going to be playing until either your console shorts out or the heat-death of the universe, whichever comes first.

Here is an actual screenshot of what happened to me when I tried to strike my way to victory. Important note: I was not playing as AJ Styles.

Instead, you need to learn how to get your opponent into a facelock or grapple (X on PS4 and A on Xbox One), or whip them into the corner (O on PS4 and B on Xbox One) where you can use your signature or finishing move (△ on PS4 and Y on Xbox One). That’s the only real path to victory in WWE 2K. Striking is just the start. (You'll also need to pin them, though that's a tutorial for another day.)

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Here’s How to Pin in "WWE 2K19"

WW2 2K19 is now available.

Header Image: 2K Games