WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (2024)

The new game is finally here, but if you want to be a champion you will need this WWE 2K23 controls guide! Controls for WWE games have also been relatively confusing, with so many different moves and match types to get your head around.

Last year, wholesale changes were made to the controls of the game, and this has been continued in WWE 2K23. Even those that mastered the previous game will need to have a refresher on what has been updated this year.

Table of Contents

  • WWE 2K23 Controls Guide
  • WWE 2K23 Standard Controls
  • Grapple system
  • Weapon / Object controls
  • Ladder controls
  • Cage/Hell In A Cell controls
  • Royal Rumble controls

With that in mind, here is the controls guide for the game across Xbox and PlayStation for every match type!

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide

There were some major changes to the control system when the franchise returned last year, and we have seen that continue with WWE 2K23.

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (1)

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (2)

If you are used to FIFA or Madden where there are only a handful of basic controls then you are in for a surprise. There is a huge amount to get your head around when it comes to the WWE 2K23 controls, from simple strikes and grapple moves to finishers, ladder matches, and Royal Rumbles there is a lot to do.

WWE 2K23 Standard Controls

For WWE 2K22, developers Visual Concepts were already hyping up the revamped controls that were set to see several changes when compared to what players were used to.

Those revamped controls have continued into WWE 2K23, with a few minor changes also made.

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (3)

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (4)

Here are the basic controls for WWE 2K23 that will get you into the flow of a match. When it comes to pinning an opponent, reversing moves, and hitting finishers, these are the WWE 2K23 controls you need.

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Move

LS

LS

Run

LS + LT (hold)

LS + L2 (hold)

Exit / Enter Ring / Climb Top Rope

LS + RB (hold)

LS + R1 (hold)

Climb Middle Rope

LS + RB (press)

LS + R1 (press)

Lean To Ropes for Springboard

LS + LB (press)

LS + L1 (press)

Pick Up Object

LB (press)

L1 (press)

Wake Up Taunt

D-Pad Up

D-Pad Up

Crowd Taunt

D-Pad Left

D-Pad Left

Opponent Taunt

D-Pad Right

D-Pad Right

Pin

RS Down

RS Down

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Grapple system

To perform grapple moves and the new combo moves you first need to enter the grapple state by pressing B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (5)

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (6)

This includes when dragging or carrying an opponent. To execute moves you first have to hit B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Light Grapple Attacks

LS (Any Direction) Then X (press)

LS (Any Direction) Then Square (press)

Strong Grapple Attacks

LS (Any Direction) Then A (press)

LS (Any Direction) Then X (press)

Irish Whip

LS (Any Direction) Then B (press)

LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (press)

Strong Irish Whip

LS (Any Direction) Then B (hold)

LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (hold)

Initiate Carry

RB

R1

Powerbomb Carry

LS Up then RB (press)

LS Up then R1 (press)

Cradle Carry

LS Down then RB (press)

LS Down then R1 (press)

Fireman's Carry

LS Left then RB (press)

LS Left then R1 (press)

Shoulder Carry

LS Right then RB (press)

LS Right then R1 (press)

Change Carry Position

LS

LS

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Weapon / Object controls

What's a wrestling match without a few foreign objects? If you want to swing a chair or use a table, we've got you covered.

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Pick Up Object

LB

L1

Grab Object from under the ring

LB

L1

Primary Attack

X

Square

Secondary Attack

A

X

Drop Object

B

Circle

Lean / Wedge Object In Corner

LS + B

LS + Circle

Ladder controls

Ladder matches are common in major WWE shows now, from TLC to Money In The Bank, you need to know what you are doing when it comes to climbing ladders!

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Set up Ladder

A

X

Climb Ladder

RB

R1

Push Ladder Down

Rapidly Tap B

Rapidly Tap Circle

Rotate Standing Ladder

RS + LB (hold)

RS + L1 (hold)

Grab Belt/Briefcase atop Ladder

Complete mini-game

Complete mini-game

Cage/Hell In A Cell controls

Cage matches are all about escaping or winning, while Hell In A Cell is about beating your opponent to a pulp.

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (7)

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (8)

You can still access the ringside area in Hell In A Cell, meaning you can get weapons from underneath and use things like the ring steps.

War Games has also been added to WWE 2K23, with all of the controls applied to Steel Cage matches also available in the new mode.

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Climb Cage/Cell

RB

R1

Call for the Cage Door

LB

L1

Royal Rumble controls

In a Royal Rumble you can't pin or submit opponents, you just need to throw them over the top rope!

Command

Xbox Control

PlayStation Control

Get Back In Ring From Apron

RB

R1

Throw Out Opponent

RT + X

R2 + Square

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WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: Standard controls, ladders, cages, Royal Rumble & more (2024)

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