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One of the finest entries into the world of professional wrestling video games was WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain which was released way back in 2002 by THQ. One of the reasons for its popularity was thanks to the most stacked rosters of all-time. But, what has happened to all those wrestlers?
Well, that’s what we’re here to find out. So, without any further ado, here is our list of the WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain roster and where they are now:
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A-Train
The big man who went by the name of A-Train (real name, Matt Bloom) is now a coach at the NXT Performance Centre and is responsible for mentoring the likes of Finn Balor and Kevin Owens.
Batista
The Animal, Batista, is now a Hollywood megastar following the grand success of movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.
Big Show
Big Show is still with the WWE, although, his storied career is almost at a close. The World’s Largest Athlete is expected to leave the company in a few months when his contract with the company expires.
Booker T
While Booker T was in the prime of his career back in 2003, he is now retired. Having been inducted into the Hall of Fame, he still works with the WWE as a guest commentator and pre-show panellist.
Brock Lesnar
The cover star for the game, Brock Lesnar was The Next Big Thing back in 2003, having just burst onto the scene. Today, he is the WWE Universal Champion and the biggest draw in the company despite only being a part timer.
Bubba Ray Dudley
One-half of the legendary Dudley Boyz, Bubba Ray is still wrestling, although, it is on the independent circuit with companies like Ring of Honor rather than the WWE.
Charlie Haas
Charlie Haas was a young, up and comer back in 2003 but is now semi-retired, making only the occasional indy scene appearance. He also runs his own nutritional store called Custom Muscle Nutrition and Smoothie Shop.
Chavo Guerrero
Chavo Guerrero, nephew of the late great Eddie Guerrero was a steady presence on Smackdown back when the game released. Today, he has left the WWE behind to ply his trade with Lucha Underground.
Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit was at the peak of his powers back in 2003 but is tragically no longer with us as he took his own life in the gruesome Benoit double-murder suicide in 2007.
Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is still going strong with the WWE despite being a grizzled veteran at this point. He recently concluded his latest – and possibly best – run with the company a few weeks ago.
Christian
While Christian was just coming into his own back in 2003, he is now retired and can look back on his career with pride having won multiple world titles before hanging up his boots. He now hosts various shows and podcasts with long-time best friend, Edge.
D-Von Dudley
The other half of The Dudley Boyz, D-Von has retired from in-ring performances and is now employed as a producer for WWE’s creative department.
Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero was on the cusp of becoming one of the biggest superstars in the world back in 2003 having gotten himself massively over with the fans. Unfortunately, he would be gone from this world just two years later in 2005.
Edge
2003 was around the time that Edge broke out of the mid card to establish himself as a top-level talent. After a legendary spell where he won everything on offer, he was forced into retirement due to injuries. He now hosts various shows and podcasts with BFF, Christian.
Eric Bischoff
The General Manager of Monday Night Raw back in 2003, Eric Bischoff has long since waved goodbye to the WWE. He now makes sporadic appearances at indy shows while lending his expert opinion on the world – and the state – of professional wrestling today.
Goldberg
While Goldberg was one of the biggest names in professional wrestling in 2003, he was retired for over a decade until his surprising return to the WWE in 2016. He had a part-time run with the company which included a stint as WWE Universal Champion before he dropped the belt to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 33. His final appearance... for now.
Goldust
Goldust seems to have been around forever and his position as a lower mid-carder has remained the same since 2003. Recently Goldy performed a surprising heel turn so it doesn’t look like he’ll be done wrestling anytime soon.
The Hurricane
In 2003, The Hurricane was an amusing mid-carder who was worth his place on the card. In 2017, he is employed at Impact Wrestling - the company formerly known as TNA.
Jazz
A lesser-known Diva from this age, Jazz – a two-time WWE Women's Champion – is still performing on the indy circuit.
John Cena
While he was approaching a main event status back in 2003, John Cena was nowhere near the megastar he is today. Big Match John is very much the biggest name in the WWE in 2017.
Kane
The Big Red Machine seems to be a constant in the WWE but that might no longer be the case if everything goes according to plan for Kane. He is now running for Mayor's office and a political victory should signal the end of his legendary career.
Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash's 2003 run might not have hit the heights of his WCW tenure but he is still very much a legend of the business. He is now semi-retired and makes sporadic appearances for the WWE.
Kurt Angle
The Olympic Gold Medalist was one of the top WWE stars back in 2003 and he recently made his return to the company. After leaving in 2006, Angle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 and also got on board as the General Manager of Monday Night Raw.
Lance Storm
One of the most underrated talents of all-time, Lance Storm never received the credit he deserved during his career as a wrestler. Now retired, he runs his own Wrestling School – The Storm Wrestling Academy – in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lita
One of the greatest women wrestlers to have competed in the WWE, Lita is now semi-retired. After a stint as a producer with the WWE, she recently made a return to the indy scene.
Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy has been around the wrestling business for ages but had his first break as a huge singles success with his Broken Hardy gimmick which earned him a recall to the WWE's roster earlier this year at Wrestlemania 33.
Randy Orton
Randall Keith Orton was climbing the ranks as a part of Evolution back in 2003 and now in 2017, he is one of the biggest superstars in the industry having won a staggering 13 WWE World Championships.
Rey Mysterio
One of the most over wrestlers of all-time, Rey Mysterio hasn't been seen in a WWE ring in years. He is ripping it up on the indy scene these days, although, there are constant rumours linking him with a return to the company where he became a World Champion.
Rhyno
Rhyno was a lower mid-card talent back in 2003 and he is a lower mid-card talent today. Nothing's really changed for The Man Beast.
Ric Flair
The 16-time World Champion, Ric Flair, was enjoying a renaissance period back in 2003 as a part of Evolution and now in 2017, he is very much a retired man who makes sporadic appearances on WWE programming.
Rico
One of the lesser remembered names from 2003, Rico was never really a big hit. There is little information available about him these days, although, there were reports last year that he suffers from various health issues.
Rikishi
Everyone remembers Rikishi and his fat butt fondly. Always a solid mid-card fixture on the WWE roster, the big man is now retired and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. His sons, Jimmy and Jey Uso, are the current WWE Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions.
Rob Van Dam
2003 was a great time in Rob Van Dam's career as he engaged in a number of high profile angles in the WWE. These days, though, RVD is a regular on the independent scene.
The Rock
2003 was around the final time that The Rock was a full-time performer in the WWE. Now, nearly a decade and a half later, he is the biggest movie star on the planet. He still makes sporadic appearances on WWE programming, though.
Rodney Mack
From one of the biggest stars of 2003 to one of the least remembered ones. Rodney Mack barely made a mark on the company and now wrestles on the independent circuit.
Sable
2003 was around the time that Sable met one Mr Brock Lesnar. She is now retired and married to The Beast Incarnate.
Scott Steiner
In 2003, Scott Steiner was a pretty big deal in the WWE. Those days are long gone now, though, as he is employed by Impact Wrestling and never misses an opportunity to attack Vince McMahon, Triple H, and the WWE as a whole.
Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire made no impact on the wrestling industry during his time with the WWE. His notable moments was a match against the Brothers of Destruction along with Mark Jindrak and an undefeated streak that didn’t lead to anything. Having retired from the business in 2006, he tried his hand at MMA and kickboxing before settling down as a hair stylist.
He sadly committed suicide in 2014 after years of substance abuse.
Shawn Michaels
2003 was a year of resurgence for Shawn Michaels as he earnestly began his second run with the WWE. After an astounding effort during said run, he became a true legend until his retirement in 2010. He now works as a trainer at NXT while making occasional appearances on WWE programming.
Shelton Benjamin
Teaming with Charlie Haas back in 2003, Shelton Benjamin made a name for himself as a solid performer. Now 14 years later, he is primed to make a return to the WWE following an extended run on the indy scene.
Stacy Keibler
One of the most popular Divas of her time, Stacy Keibler left the wrestling business in 2006 to become an actress and a model and appeared on shows such as Dancing With the Stars, How I Met Your Mother and others.
Stephanie McMahon
The daughter of the owner of the WWE, Stephanie McMahon is unsurprisingly still with the company. In addition to her on-screen work, she is also the Chief Brand Officer for the company.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
2003 would be the final year of Stone Cold Steve Austin's legendary in-ring career. Having been forced into retirement, The Texas Rattlesnake is still associated with the WWE in various different capacities while also running his own podcast.
Stevie Richards
One of the ECW originals, Stevie Richards never quite fit in with the WWE. Having left the company years ago, he is now a regular on the independent circuit.
Tajiri
Tajiri was always an interesting character on WWE programming and is still a wrestler to this day. He briefly returned to the company in 2016 for a short spell before he was released due to his age.
Test
A permanent mid-carder during his run with the WWE, Test was never given a solid push to the top. Having left the company to pursue an independent scene career, he tragically passed away in 2009 at the age of just 33.
Torrie Wilson
A Diva known more for her look than her wrestling skills, Torrie Wilson was immensely popular back in 2003. She has left wrestling behind now, though, and is a fitness guru and trainer.
Triple H
In 2003, Triple H was leading Evolution as one of the top guys in the WWE. In 2017, he is a part-time wrestler and also the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, Live Events, and Creative for the WWE. Hunter is the heir apparent to Vince McMahon himself.
Trish Stratus
The best women's wrestler to be a part of the WWE in the 2000s, Trish Stratus was ascending to the top back in 2003. Now, in 2017, she has retired from the business and runs her own Yoga Studio called Stratusphere Yoga in Toronto, Ontario, Canda.
Ultimo Dragon
Ultimo Dragon is one of the most respected names in Mexico and Japan but he was never able to make an impact in the WWE during his initial run in 2003. Now, at 50 years of age, he is still going strong as a freelancer.
The Undertaker
The Undertaker was in the midst of his Big Evil run in 2003 and now 14 years later in 2017, he finally retired after losing to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33.
Val Venis
Val Venis spent an age with the WWE but never really rose past the mid-card. Nowadays, he runs his own medicinal marijuana dispensary in Arizona.
Victoria
Victoria was at the top of the Women's Division back in 2003 but is now retired in 2017 after an extended run with various indy promotions. She owns a wrestling-themed restaurant in Chicago called The Squared Circle.
Vince McMahon
The last entry on this list is the big man, himself. Vince McMahon may no longer be an in-ring competitor like he was from time to time in 2003 but he is still very much the man in charge of the WWE all these years later.
