By David Craddock

THQ’s [i]WWE SmackDown![/i] video games have become the “Madden” of wrestling games: every year there’s a new iteration, and every year the company strives to best its previous effort. This year’s version, [i]WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW[/i], is the 6th installment in the franchise, and is scheduled to begin shipping to retailers nationwide on 11/2.

“The [i]SmackDown![/i] franchise is the best selling wrestling series of all-time and we’re backing it with a comprehensive marketing campaign targeting both core wrestling fans and mass-market gamers alike,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. “We worked closely with the WWE creative team to insure that our TV creative delivers the action, attitude and excitement that fans expect from WWE programming.”

“[i]WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw[/i] is a huge step forward for the franchise, said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “With the top superstars from both Raw and SmackDown!, in addition to online play, this game is sure to be a hit this holiday season.”

The forthcoming launch of “SvR” will be accompanied by an extensive marketing campaign: television commercials, in-game footage on WWE programming, online advertisements, and print ads are just some of the ways THQ is planning on promoting the game.

Perhaps the most exciting new addition to the [i]SmackDown![/i] video game series is that of an online mode, which will allow players to participate in either one-on-one contests (“Singles” matches) or Bra and Panties matches, where the objective is for the player to strip his or her opponent down to her bra and panties.

[i]WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW[/i] will be available nationwide on November 2nd, and remember? watch your back, because I’ll be looking for [i]you[/i] online! If ya smelll what The Rock, is cookin’!