The most passionate use of WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It! CAWs was filling the gaps left by THQ. Here are the CAWs that dominated online forums and memory cards everywhere:
The "Invasion" Faction: With no official Rhyno, Raven, or Tazz? You made them. Raven's kilt and crossdresser pants were tricky, but the "Hair over eye" option made him recognizable. Tazz required the orange singlet and that specific "mean-mug" face morph.
ECW Originals: Tommy Dreamer (camouflage pants, singlet top), Sabu (facial hair, brown pants, bare feet—though feet textures were horrifying), and Sandman (jeans, taped fists, cigarette? Not really, but we pretended).
WCW Ghosts: Booker T proved difficult because the game lacked a dreadlock hairstyle that looked good. But Sting? The "Crow" Sting was the ultimate test. Black trench coat, white face paint, black lines over the eyes. Every CAW creator measured their skill by how well they built Sting.
Alternate Realities: Because the main roster had The Undertaker (Big Evil) but not the Ministry Taker, people built him. Because Hollywood Rock wasn't a thing yet, they built future versions of stars. The CAW mode became a time machine.
Name: "Vicious" Vic Vaughn
Body Type: Muscular
Facial Features:
Attire:
Attributes:
Moveset:
Prepared For: Wrestling Game Historians / Retro Gamers
Date: [Current Date]
Subject: Analysis of CAW features in WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It (PS2)
Grapples & Throws:
High-impact finishers (pick one):
Signature moves:
Submission (optional): Short single-leg or a sleeper hold for variety.
WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It (2001) was the series' debut on PlayStation 2, its Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) system is remembered as a bridge between the arcade style of the PS1 era and the deep simulation of later titles.
Here is a breakdown of how CAWs integrated into the game's unique features: The Role of CAWs in Story Mode Unlike the "Season Mode" of previous games, Just Bring It featured a cinematic Story Mode where CAWs could truly shine: Narrative Control
: You could take your custom wrestler through a shorter, branching narrative that lasted about 2-3 hours. Dynamic Choices
: Players had the freedom to roam backstage and choose which WWF title to pursue. Unlocking Hidden Stars
: Using your CAW in this mode was often the primary way to unlock secret characters like Michael Cole Jerry Lynn CAW System Highlights Authentic Entrances : This was the first game in the series to feature full, authentic ring entrances
, allowing your created superstar to walk out to real themes in detailed arenas like Raw Is War Expansion of Moves
: It laid the groundwork for the massive move-sets seen in later fan favorites like Shut Your Mouth Here Comes the Pain Preset Templates
: For fans wanting to recreate missing legends or stars from other promotions, the game included preset movesets and "looks" that made building characters like Hulk Hogan or Jeff Jarrett easier despite their absence from the official roster The Legacy of the CAW Community
Unlock Jerry Lynn Guide | WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It | Story Mode
Released in late 2001, WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It was the first PlayStation 2 entry in the legendary SmackDown!
series. While it provided a significant visual jump over its PS1 predecessors, it is often remembered as a "mixed bag" that felt like a transitional title. The Core Experience: Create-A-Wrestler (CAW)
The Create-A-Wrestler mode is widely cited as the "meat and potatoes" of this game. For its time, it offered a revolutionary level of customization that paved the way for later entries. Gamecritics.com Unprecedented Detail
: You can adjust physical features down to the color of finger and toenails. Layering System
: Players can apply multiple layers of clothing, including jackets, masks, jewelry, and accessories from an extensive list. New Creation Tools : Beyond wrestlers, the game introduced Create-a-Taunt Create-a-Stable Wrestler Editing
: It was the first in the series to allow players to edit the entrances and movesets of existing in-game superstars. The "Horse Face" Glitch
: A common community critique was that many CAWs ended up with oddly elongated facial structures, humorously referred to as looking like "long-faced horses". Gameplay & Presentation
WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It CAWs (Create-A-Wrestler) Thread
Hey wrestling fans! Are you ready to get back into the ring with WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It? One of the best features of this classic game is the Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) mode, which lets you bring your own wrestler to life.
Share Your CAWs!
Show off your creations! Post your CAWs, including their stats, moveset, and appearance. We want to see what you've come up with.
CAW Details:
Example CAW:
Get Inspired!
Check out what others have created and get inspiration for your next CAW. You can also ask for feedback on your own creations and make adjustments accordingly.
Let's Get Creative!
Share your CAWs and let's fill the ring with new talent! Who's your favorite CAW? What's the most creative CAW you've seen? Let's discuss!
In WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It (2001), the Create-A-Wrestler (CAW) mode expanded significantly from previous PlayStation titles, introducing Titantron-enhanced entrances and a layer system with over 5,000 parts. Because the roster famously lacked several major stars from the 2001 "Invasion" era—such as Rob Van Dam, Booker T, and Diamond Dallas Page—the CAW system was essential for completing the Federation lineup. Essential CAW Features & Cheats
Max Ability Points: To quickly max out a CAW's stats, go to the Ability screen, scroll to "Average," and press X, Triangle, X, X. This adds an additional 200 points to distribute.
Unlocking CAW Parts: You can unlock specific CAW parts (Facepaints, Masks, Tights, etc.) by earning "SmackDown! Cards" through Story Mode or by defending a title.
Layer System: The game utilizes a sophisticated layer system that allows you to stack clothing and patterns to create highly detailed attires. Top Legacy CAW Formulas
Since the game did not have online sharing, players relied on "formulas" to recreate missing superstars. Below are brief summaries of high-quality formulas from the period:
: Since he wasn't on the base roster, players used Hair 060, Skin 004, and Mouth 041 to capture his look. His move set was often mapped to "Unknown 02". Rob Van Dam
: Essential for the 2001 roster. Formulas typically used Hair 052 and custom Tights 001 with complex patterns. His Five-Star Frog Splash was assigned as a "Frog Splash" finisher. Hulk Hogan
: To recreate the "nWo" or classic look, players used Skin 001, Hair 014, and specific facial hair combinations to mimic his iconic mustache.
: A popular legend CAW using Hair 047 and Tights 006, with the Sharpshooter assigned as the primary special move. Unlockable "Hidden" CAW Content
While custom wrestlers are the focus, certain real superstars can only be "brought in" by unlocking their cards in Story Mode: Go to product viewer dialog for this item. WWF Smackdown Just Bring It
The legacy of WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It! CAWs is not about graphical fidelity or realism. It’s about agency. In a pre-streaming, pre-social-media world, these blocky, custom characters were how young wrestling fans expressed their fandom. They closed the gap between who was on TV and who should have been on TV. They let you settle fantasy matches: "Sting vs. The Rock" or "Rob Van Dam vs. Shane McMahon."
The mode was frustrating, limited, and glitchy. But it was ours. Every misaligned tattoo, every repetitive entrance motion, every victory screen where your CAW’s cape clipped through his chest—it was a labor of love.
So the next time you boot up a 4K, 60-frames-per-second wrestling game with photorealistic custom portraits, spare a thought for the kid in 2001, squinting at a pixelated triangle, trying desperately to turn it into a wolf on a denim vest. That kid, armed with nothing but a controller and an instruction manual, knew one thing for sure:
Just bring it.
Do you have any classic CAW formulas from the PS2 era? Share your memories of "Just Bring It!" in the comments below.
Creating custom wrestlers, known as CAWs (Create-A-Wrestlers) , is a cornerstone of the WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It experience
. This feature allows players to expand the roster beyond the 44 included superstars by manually inputting appearance settings, move sets, and attributes to recreate legends, rival promotion stars, or original characters. 🛠️ The CAW System Overview Just Bring It
, the creation suite took a significant leap forward due to the transition to the PlayStation 2 hardware. Layered Clothing: You can stack different items to create complex outfits. Detailed Face Morphing: Adjusting nose, eyes, and jawline for better likenesses. Move Set Depth:
Assigning specific finishers and taunts to match a wrestler’s real-life style. Ability Points:
Distributing points into categories like Power, Speed, and Technical to balance gameplay. 📋 Essential CAW Formulas
Since the game does not have an online sharing hub, players use "formulas." These are step-by-step guides for every menu setting. Below are the most sought-after categories for recreations in 2001. 🏛️ WCW & ECW Icons
Many fans used the CAW mode to bring in stars from the recently folded WCW and ECW. Hulk Hogan:
Usually requires the "Balding" hair template and a handlebar mustache. Scott Hall (Razor Ramon):
Focuses on the "Studded" vest and signature toothpick taunt. Rob Van Dam: Needs a custom singlet pattern and high-flying move logic. 🔙 Attitude Era Legends Shawn Michaels: Recreating his "HBK" look with heart-patterned tights. Bret "The Hitman" Hart:
Utilizing the wrap-around pink sunglasses and the Sharpshooter finisher. Mick Foley (Cactus Jack/Dude Love): Swapping parts to create his various personas. 🎬 Pop Culture & Original Characters Movie Icons: Characters like Batman, Spider-Man, or Neo from The Matrix Self-Creations:
Using the "Edit Appearance" tool to mimic your own likeness. 💡 Tips for Realistic Creations
To get the most out of your custom superstars, keep these technical limitations and tricks in mind: Logic Settings:
Don't skip the "Logic" menu. This determines how the AI uses the wrestler. For a powerhouse like Goldberg, set logic to "Attack" and "Grapple." Sample Bases:
Start with a "Sample" model that looks similar to your target to save time on body proportions. The "Mask" Trick:
For wrestlers with face paint or masks (like Rey Mysterio), use the "Head" layers carefully to ensure textures don't "bleed" into each other. Attribute Caps:
You earn more points to improve your CAW by playing through the Slobber Knocker Story Mode 💾 Saving and Memory Space Requirements:
Each CAW takes up a specific amount of blocks on your PS2 Memory Card (8MB). The game typically allows for a maximum of 34 custom slots.
you are trying to create (e.g., Hulk Hogan, RVD, or Jeff Jarrett)? Do you need the appearance settings or real-life legends?
Let me know who you want to add to your roster, and I can provide a detailed formula
Here’s a review of the CAW (Create-A-Wrestler) mode in WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It (PS2, 2001), written as if for a retro wrestling game fan or a buyer’s guide.
Because the built-in CAW was so poor, players on forums like GameFAQs, IGN Boards, and The SmackDown Hotel devised two main workarounds:
No Action Replay/GameShark codes were ever released to unlock a deeper CAW mode for Just Bring It.
Unlike its predecessor (WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role) and its successor (WWF SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth), Just Bring It introduced fully 3D character models and detailed entrances but severely gutted the CAW system. There is no true “create from scratch.” Instead, players can only modify existing in-game wrestlers or select from a handful of pre-made base models (heads/torsos). Consequently, the “CAW community” for this title was minimal, and most players stuck to roster edits rather than original characters.