From the Smackdown titles in the series that ended in 2010 the game brings back a season mode in the form of MyCareer. Players get to design a custom wrestler in the game's Creative Suite and then build the wrestler's career, starting from the WWE Performance Center and NXT to the main WrestleMania event and finally the WWE Hall of Fame. It employs a storyline with decisions that lead to branching events and a morality system based on following or ignoring the rules. Matches are rated using a star system from one to five based on momentum, pacing and technique, and different ratings based on the type of match. The meter can be tweaked or turned off, for instance to drain slower or to regenerate.
There is a new type of submission system based on a circular gauge with two parts using only a single button, replacing the breaking point gauge from the previous game that required multiple buttons. Signature moves can be stored, and taunts and finishers are now combined into charged finishers. The game also brings back catapult and catch finishers. The fighting styles of wrestlers now resemble the style of the real wrestlers more, for instance through the usage and effect of power moves and high flyers. Certain wrestlers cannot climb to the top rope and perform moves from the second one.