AEW: Fight Forever, the new wrestling game from upstart promotion All Elite Wrestling, has arrived, and for the most part it’s a solid debut. That said, the in-ring action is a little different from what you may be used to if you’ve mostly been playing the WWE 2K series. The game is largely a throwback to older wrestling games like WWF No Mercy, albeit with its own set of tweaks. Here are a few tips that should get you on the fast track to championships and glory.

　　

Check your skills

In AEW: Fight Forever, wrestlers aren’t just a collection of stats and moves, each one also has a selection of skills and passive buffs that determine how you ought to use them. Unfortunately, you can’t check on these during a match – instead, you have to do this in between matches. Go to the options menu by pushing triangle (or the equivalent button on Xbox) on the main menu screen. There, choose “Wrestler Info” and check out the fighter of your choice’s skills.

　　So, for instance, you’ll find Hangman Adam Page has the Grit skill, which allows him to kick out of some match-ending finishers and that Bryan Danielson has the Leverage Specialist skill that lets him end a match with a sneaky rollup and the Vice Grip skill that lets you injure people with submission moves. Knowing you have these skills will allow you to better strategize. Of course, you can also check on your opponent’s skills to find out what tricks they might throw at you.

　　

Become the master of blocking

Blocking is one of Fight Forever’s core mechanics, and getting good at it will ensure you usually pick up the win. You can block grapple moves with the left shoulder button, and block strikes with the right. There’s a simple bit of give-and-take here – if the AI is blocking your strikes, grapple them, if they telegraph that they’re going to block a grapple, punch them.

　　If you push the block button at just the right time, you can also do a reversal. This isn’t as crucial as it is in some other wrestling games, but it can provide you with a big momentum boost. Also, even if the AI has already grappled onto you, you can still reverse when they go for their move.

　　

Get used to the momentum system

AEW: Fight Forever uses an old-school momentum rather than the more traditional life bars you see in other modern wrestling games. The idea is to chain together offense, eventually earning Signature and Special moves. While you can take progressive damage to specific body parts, even if you have low momentum, you can always turn things around. Pull off a timely reversal. Play keep-away and score sneaky cheap shots then go in for the kill. One second you’re down, the next second you're up – get used to it.  There are a lot of quirks to how momentum works, but here are a couple of pointers…

　　

Keep your offense varied

Not only will you get a better score at the end of the match, but varying your offense seems to earn you more momentum. When your opponent’s down, instead of just laying the boots to them, why not try a top-rope move? Make sure you’re varying your strikes and grapple moves. Keep ‘em guessing.

　　

Be a taunting jerk

Of course, in classic wrestling game fashion, you can also boost your momentum by taunting opponents like a jerk. Unlike other wrestling games, taunts don’t lock you into animations either, so you don’t have to worry too much about making yourself vulnerable with them (although you won’t get the benefit from the taunt if you don’t complete it).

　　

Make 'em waste their Special

Did your opponent just get their Special finishing move? Unlike WWE 2K, your opponent can’t just keep this in reserve for whenever they want. They have a limited time to use it, so try to avoid it! Pour on the offense, or better yet, roll out of the ring and high-tail it. Once their Special window elapses, their momentum will drop and you’ll have an opening.

　　

Don't forget about submissions

Most matches in AEW: Fight Forever will end in a traditional 1-2-3, but don’t forget about submissions! Check to see what submission moves your wrestler has, then try to focus on damaging the body part your submission targets. Wait until they’re worn down a bit, then strike!

　　

Watch out for those damn rope breaks!

There’s nothing worse than finally landing a hard-earned Special, diving into the pin… and having the count called-off because you’re too close to ropes. Don’t waste your time, make sure to drag opponents away from the ropes with the right shoulder button.

　　There you go, a few tips that should have you kicking ass and taking names. AEW: Fight Forever launches tomorrow (June 29) on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Switch. You can check out Wccftech’s full review of the game here.