Unlike many PS2 classics that have been ported to PS4/PS5 via the PlayStation Store or Nintendo Switch, Here Comes the Pain is trapped in licensing hell. The soundtracks (featuring acts like Seether and Breaking Point), the extensive roster of legends, and the WWE archival footage mean that clearing the rights for a re-release would be a financial nightmare. The only way to play the authentic original is via a physical PS2 disc.

The answer lies not in one feature, but in a perfect storm of timing, physics, roster depth, and an almost reckless sense of fun that modern simulation titles have since sanded away.

In conclusion, the phrase "Here comes the pain!" is an iconic part of WWE SmackDown's history. For fans of the show, it's a reminder of the impact that Mick Foley's character, Mankind, had on the world of professional wrestling. As we look to the future of WWE SmackDown, one thing is certain: the pain will continue, and the anticipation will always be high.

Released on October 27, 2003, for the PlayStation 2, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

HCTP dropped during the tail end of the Attitude Era and the peak of the Ruthless Aggression Era. This was wrestling’s last great period of mainstream chaos. The roster reads like a fantasy booking dream: prime Brock Lesnar (the cover star, fresh off defeating The Rock), Kurt Angle in his wrestling machine prime, a menacing Undertaker with his ‘Big Evil’ gimmick, the high-flying Rey Mysterio, the technical wizardry of Chris Benoit, and the debuting John Cena as a white-rapping rookie.

: Moving away from the simpler mechanics of previous titles, HCTP introduced a directional grappling system that allowed for a massive variety of moves.