The most crowd-pleasing change to SmackDown, though, has to be the environmental hotspots. We've already talked about the chance to jump off 20-foot scaffolding or throw wrestlers into the crowd, but with the fighting engine taking shape it's clear that almost every bit of the scenery's useful for bruising another wrestler.
It's all done with an analogue control system similar to Volition's Punisher - you're given control over how hard to hit, and the only things stopping you are a lack of stamina and the possibility of the other wrestler pulling off a counter move. If a wrestler's downed near the turnbuckle, for instance, his opponent can hop to the outside and either slam his legs into the ring post, or pull him on to it groin-first.
If he's near the steel steps you can taunt the crowd, rear back for one face-smashing slam, bounce his head like a basketball, or simply shout in his face. If he's simply down on the mat, a heel character can drag him over to the side of the ring, then push down on the analogue to push his neck against the ropes with one boot, holding on until the ref reaches a five-count and disqualifies you.
Above: Climbing up on to the ropes allows for a powerful attack
For a more traditional 'face' style wrestling move, good guy characters can shove an opponent into the turnbuckle and climb up on to the second rope to deliver 10 eye-watering knuckles to the forehead, with your groin inches from his face. The crowd even counts along.
