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The WWE's choice to split the RAW/Smackdown roster has taken the company into a tailspin; low ratings, poor show attendance, and dwindling PPV revenues have gnawed at the sports entertainment giant's heels for 
months. Fortunately for fans THQ found a way to make this split more successful, and created Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth! which allows us the fans to weave the story lines the WWE story weavers wish they could spin into gold.
Smackdown: Shout Your Mouth is a vast improvement over last year's Smackdown: Just Bring It!. This new title allows players to battle through a year's worth storylines. Starting from the draft, gamers will be able to pick their wrestler and the division they want to fight for and then allow him or her to fight through such storylines as the Hair vs. Hair match between Kurt Angle and Edge or the Hardy Boyz split.
Smackdown Shut Your Mouth boasts the most robust and in-depth season-mode ever. There are over 55 wrestlers to choose from including RVD, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels and Brock Lesnar. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin made the cut, unfortunately, Rey Mysterio showed up after the game was made. Of course, with the most advanced create-a-wrestler mode ever created for a videogame, you can easily create Rey Mysterio and a host of other wrestlers and characters who can choose multiple paths through 17 photo-realistic backstage environments. You can battle in the boiler room, the locker room, and even go outside and travel to WWE's The World in New York City. This is a must-have game for any wrestling and videogame fan. If you don't believe me, just read on.
Graphics-8 out of 10: 
The graphics are far better than Smackdown: Just Bring It! Real scan technology has come a long way in 365 days (give and take), everyone is the spitting image of their real world counterpart. This game is on par with the look and sleek feel of Raw, both games from looks to moves is nearly flawless. Great sequence of moves leading to combo opportunities like Jeff Hardy's Double Legdrop Pin that traps the legs up over the head of his opponent. My only about the graphichs is that during game play some wrestlers' hands look as if they go right through their opponents' necks.
Sound-6 of 10: Much better than Just Bring It!. JR and the King provide better commentary with better placement and better flow. However, some of the entrance music was a little weak, it sounds pretty lame. I would also really like to see wrestlers talk for the next installment. If the dialogue is predetermined, it would be great to actually hear the words coming out of their mouths.
Controls-8 of 10: Everything is the same as Just Bring It!. The same buttons to attack, grapple, pick things up, etc. The one change is a welcome one, in my review of Just Bring It! was how hard it was to face the opponent you wanted to face with so many wrestlers in the ring. There was a button you pressed to face a different wrestler, but you had to cycle through all the wrestlers before you faced the right one. The same thing button scheme is used here, but now, upon getting closer to a particular wrestler, you actually face them without having to press the button. This allows things to get less complicated with up to six wrestlers in the ring at once.
Gameplay-10 of 10: What can I say about this game, but that I love it. While the load times could be made quicker, the action is fast paced and there is a level of intrigue that goes with the whole draft idea being the focus of the game. Playing with friends has never been better now that up to six players can play along. The game plays better with only six wrestlers allowed in the ring at one time instead of the chaotic eight. THQ and Yukes listened to me and added an elimination match between teams of three, much like the old Wrestlemania Challenge. I enjoyed as a kid only a whole lot better. The level of difficulty needs a little working, because once I got up to the King of the Ring finals, I could not beat my opponent. I am still working on that, but because I love wrestling, the frustration just adds to the feud I am currently fighting. Finally, the create-a-wrestler function actually adds hours of gameplay, because creating a wrestler with the brand new morphing system allows gamers the ability to change animations, facial expressions and add letters, tattoos and makeup all over the place.
Replay Value-10 of 10: Once you get past season one's predictability (since we all saw it on television), the season continues with more to accomplish. I promise you will play this game right up until Smackdown 5 and with all the work you put into the characters.
Overall: The best wrestling game ever put on the market. The people at THQ know exactly what they are doing. Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth! needs to be in your wrestling collection. There is nothing else like it. Now, for next year, when they include Bischoff vs. Stephanie McMahon, maybe a ratings war could be added to the mix. Until then, shut your mouth and enjoy a wrestling game like never before.
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