After 23 years, WWE SmackDown Here Comes the Pain's hellishly obscure story mode is getting the guide it should've had from the start thanks to one dedicated fan: "Better late than never"

Steve austin in here comes the pain — (Image credit: WWE | THQ)

Beloved 2003 wrestling game WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain doesn't have a single guide, and one fan is determined to change that.

When the question "What's the best wrestling game ever made?" comes up, you'll typically be given two answers: the N64's WWF No Mercy or the PS2's WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain. And while I'm personally in the WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2006 camp, it's undeniable that Here Comes The Pain is an all-timer – it's not like there are any other wrestling games that let you jump off a helicopter onto your opponent.

But ThisGenGaming, who creates WWE Games content on YouTube, noticed the peculiar fact that, "even though WWE Smackdown Here Comes The Pain will be 23 years old this year that there is no storyline guide for season mode anywhere." However, that's soon to change, as they decided to be the person who will right this wrong, saying its been "23 years too long! But better late than never" to provide a storyline guide.

I've noticed that even though WWE Smackdown Here Comes The Pain will be 23 years old this year that there is no storyline guide for season mode anywhere.I'm going to write one up on here, in detail and then one will finally exist!23 years too long! But better late than never.February 16, 2026

Over the course of one day, ThisGenGaming published four in-depth guides on Twitter covering Smackdown's season modes from April until November, going over recommended choices, storylines, and secrets you can find in the game, which can even depend on how popular your chosen wrestler is.

ThisGenGaming also confirmed that they will write detailed guides for Smackdown's December to March seasons later today, and they plan to post all the information in a text-only format. So in the span of one day and some change, we've gone from no guides for one of the best wrestling games ever to having an expansive multi-part epic. You won't see this kind of dedication for some of the more mid entries like 2K18, that's for sure.

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Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

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