This article is part of a directory: WWE 2K23: Complete Guide & Walkthrough
Table of contents

After two memorable matches against the Undertaker, Match 5 of WWE 2K23's Showcase Mode has players controlling another of the sport's many living legends. The aptly named Time to Play the Game allows players to relive John Cena's vicious and grueling showdown with Triple H from the 2008 Night of Champions event.

RELATED: The Best Wrestling Games Of All Time, Ranked

There are 16 objectives in total, making this one of the most action-packed Showcase Mode matches so far. Completing them all is well worth it though, as doing so will reward players with both the Triple H '08 and John Cena '08 unlockable Superstars as well as the Night of Champions '08 arena for use elsewhere in WWE 2K23.

Showcase Mode: Match 5 Objectives (How to Unlock Triple H '08)

wwe-2k23-showcase-mode-match-5-objectives

Objective

Requirement

The Game came to play, and he started off strong by rocking me with a Rebound Attack after an Irish Whip to the ropes!

Throw Cena against the ropes and then press any of the three main attack buttons (Square, X, or Circle on PlayStation or X, A, or B on Xbox) when he comes back, It's best to do this while standing still.

A Hammer Throw from Triple H sent me from the ring to the floor! He was looking to turn up the punishment at ringside!

Grab Cena and then press and hold the grab button while pointing the left analog stick toward the ropes to throw him out of the ring.

He also looked to use a Vertical Suplex at ringside to take the wind out of me!

While still outside the ring, grab Cena, flick the left analog stick up, and then either press the X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) button.

Back in the ring, Triple H would send me to the ropes with an Irish Whip!

Grab Cena and then throw him toward the ropes using the left analog stick together with the Circle (PlayStation) or B (Xbox) button.

I fought back, but Triple H was able to Dodge/Reverse/Break three of my attacks!

Knock Cena down and then pick him straight back up. While he is still groggy, press the R1 (PlayStation) or RB (Xbox) button to dodge. Even though Cena isn't moving, the dodges will still count toward the total.

With a small break in the action, Triple H felt good enough to even perform an (Opponent) Taunt in my direction while we were in the ring!

While in the ring, press right on the D-Pad.

It may have been early, but Triple H loves mind games. He knew trying The Pedigree would throw me off, so he went for it in the ring!

Fill at least one bar of the Finisher meter and then press either R2 + X (PlayStation) or RT + A (Xbox) while standing opposite Cena in the ring.

I looked to pressure Triple H with more offense, but he managed to Dodge/Block three of my attacks to stifle me!

As is the case in other Showcase Mode matches, this objective can be completed very quickly simply by pressing R1 (PlayStation) or RB (Xbox) while standing opposite a groggy opponent.

But he wasn't just Dodging, he even managed to Reverse/Break one of my attacks!

Press Triangle (PlayStation) or Y (Xbox) when prompted to reverse one of Cena's melee attacks.

And then he went back to what works for him, and looked to once again perform The Pedigree to me in the ring!

Fill at least one bar of the Finisher meter and then press either R2 + X (PlayStation) or RT + A (Xbox) while facing Cena in the ring.

For some reason, he wasn't satisfied. He brought me back up to my feet and unleashed another vicious Front Light Attack in the ring!

Press Square (PlayStation) or X (Xbox) while facing a standing Cena in the ring.

That Five Knuckle Shuffle had Triple H in a bad spot! Before I knew it, he'd picked me up and slammed me to the mat with a big Carry Attack!

Grab Cena and then press either R1 (PlayStation) or RB (Xbox) while flicking the right analog stick in any direction. After picking Cena up, press X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) to perform a carry attack.

Sizing me up, Triple H wanted to connect in the ring with one of his Signature Spinebusters!

Fill the Signature meter and then press R2 + Square (PlayStation) or RT + X (Xbox) while facing Cena in the ring.

So the first two Pedigrees didn't get the job done, but Triple H was going to attempt to hit me with a third Pedigree in the ring!

Press either R2 + X (PlayStation) or RT + A (Xbox) while standing opposite Cena in the ring and with at least one bar of the Finisher meter filled up.

Okay, now I was stunned. Triple H knew it, and went for a final pedigree in the ring!

With at least one stored Finisher, stand opposite Cena and press either R2 + X (PlayStation) or RT + A (Xbox).

And winning by pinfall was all that was left!

With Cena down in the ring, flick down on the right analog stick. This can be done while performing The Pedigree to save time.

WWE 2K23 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X.