Chapter 5: Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame game mode offers a set of twelve challenges. These recreate some of the most exciting matches in WWE history, such as the WrestleMania Ironman match between Shaun Michaels and Bret Hart, the original Money in the Bank match, and the infamous Hell in a Cell match between Undertaker and Mick Foley as Mankind. Completing Hall of Fame challenges unlocks various superstars for purchase in the WWE shop; it also unlocks WWE arenas for use in exhibition mode.

January 22, 1995; Royal Rumble

Objective: Using any Superstar in Exhibition: 30-Man Royal Rumble mode, arrive 1st in the ring and then win on Legend difficulty.

This is one of the toughest Hall of Fame challenges because of the unpredictable nature of the Royal Rumble. Over the course of the rumble, 30 superstars will enter the ring with only one left standing at the end. Eliminate superstars by tossing them over the rope and out of the ring—for instance with Irish whip maneuvers or ultimate control grapples.

Selecting a strong, Powerhouse superstar is a good idea. Inflicting big damage, particularly against smaller competitors, will be important in every stage of the rumble (heavily damaged superstars won't be able to hold onto the rope after being thrown onto the apron). Utilize the Powerhouse's unique Rampage mode to get out of a jam or to pummel the last or one of the last opponents. Durability is also an important attribute. You have to be the first one in the ring so you'll need the durability to last through 29 other superstars!

You're not graded on how many moves you perform in the rumble. You just need to win it.

One of the fastest ways to eliminate an opponent from the rumble is using an Irish whip maneuver close to and toward the ropes. Grapple an opponent standing on the apron to initiate the ring-out meter, which determines how close the superstar is to being pushed off the apron and eliminated. Button mash while grappling to lower the meter; once the ring-out meter depletes, the wrestler falls off the apron and out of the rumble. You can assist other superstars by joining the grapple. The ring-out meter depletes faster when there's more than one superstar pushing the wrestler out of the ring. You can also strike superstars on the apron and knock them off—the stronger your superstar the better.

Try to avoid confrontation, particularly around the ropes. You don't want to be tossed onto the apron otherwise one or more opponents may seize the chance to get you out of the match. It's about being the last man standing, not about performing the most maneuvers. Try to keep heavily damaged superstars around so they're easy pickings later in the rumble. A superstar that has sustained heavy damage can be instantly tossed out of the ring using the close-to-the-ropes Irish whip—no ring-out meter required.

Allow other superstars to do most of the dirty work for you while you maintain high health, low limb damage, and hopefully a stored fighting style icon for use later in the rumble. Note that if you have a low ring-out meter from getting thrown onto the apron, you can refill it by eliminating an opponent.

March 31, 1986; WrestleMania

Objective: Using Shawn Michaels in Direct Challenge mode, defeat Bret Hart in a “One on One 30-minute Iron Man match” on Legend difficulty.

Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart have had some of the most memorable matches in WWE history. Of course, there's this recreated Iron Man match for the championship in WrestleMania 12 (although that match was a staggering 60 minutes). There's also the infamous “You screwed Bret!” Montreal Screwjob match at Survivor Series 1997 where Vince McMahon double-crossed Bret Hart in his last match before heading to WCW.

You'll need to weaken Bret Hart's limbs before attempting submission holds. The Hitman is a Submission fighting style legend.

Here you'll assume the role of Shawn Michaels; the Heartbreak Kid primary style is Showman (secondary is Technical). Shawn Michaels' Showman status allows you to steal taunts for extra momentum, perform taunts followed by dive attacks off the turn buckle for full momentum if completed. Only perform these moves if Bret is out of the way temporarily; if these taunts are interrupted, you can lose all momentum. Store a fighting style icon and Shawn can steal Bret's finisher.

Bret Hart is a Submission wrestler (secondary Technical). Don't bother attempting submission holds until you have inflicted limb damage otherwise they will be reversed. Keep Bret away with strikes and quick grapples. Build momentum through taunts and stolen taunts.

Whichever superstar has the most pinfalls (or submissions) at the end 30 minutes wins the match. Once you gain a lead you can be more conservative and even remain away from Bret, move in and out of the ring, and do whatever it takes to waste time. Unlike previous games, a wrestler gets restored health after dropping a point to the opponent. As Michaels, look to store a fighting style icon, gain a point, and then follow it up with a stolen finisher as soon as possible. Achieve victory in the match to complete the challenge, award Hall of Fame points, and unlock Bret Hart for purchase in the WWE shop.