WWE 2K25 has arrived, and with it comes the time to create your ideal Universe Mode! You’re a veteran player or new to the scene, building an engaging and organized Universe Mode demands planning and tailoring. I’ll guide you through the very same configuration I employ to be in complete creative control, dispelling unwanted auto-created rivalries, tweaking show schedules, and making championships realistic. If you’re looking to book the greatest matchups, tell great stories, and create a Universe Mode that’s your own personal WWE, let’s do it!
How to Make the Best Universe Mode
Universe Mode in WWE 2K25 is a tremendous sandbox environment in which wrestling aficionados can fashion their ideal WWE. But, to really take over and build engrossing storylines, you must planfully mess about with settings, calendars, and rosters.
Step 1: Resizing the Settings
Before jumping into your first show, visit the settings menu and set these critical settings:
- Turn off automatic rivalries – This ensures full creative control over your storylines.
- Disable crowd-changing reactions – Keeps crowd reactions consistent and aligned with your booking.
- Turn off tag team breakups – Prevents unexpected team dissolutions unless you choose to split them up.
- Set the cash-in rate to zero – Stops random Money in the Bank cash-ins, allowing you to plan them strategically.
- Enable or disable intergender wrestling – This year’s mode allows for more flexibility; choose what fits your Universe best.
Step 2: Cleaning Up Rivalries
One of the biggest mistakes is starting Universe Mode with pre-existing rivalries. To keep everything fresh:
- Ensure all rivalries are cleared before your first show.
- Double-check settings to prevent auto-generated feuds.
Step 3: Customizing the Calendar
A well-structured calendar is key to a great Universe Mode. Follow these steps:
- Delete unwanted shows – If you don’t plan to use NXT, remove it to streamline your schedule.
- Remove Backlash – Since it’s traditionally a post-WrestleMania event, it makes little sense at the start.
- Place PLEs strategically – Premium Live Events should align with your storytelling flow.
- Modify weekly shows – You can add special episodes like “Raw Day One” for unique storytelling opportunities.
Step 4: Adjusting Match Counts
Universe Mode is set for 5 matches per episode by default, but that may be too restrictive. Raise it to 7 or 8 to leave space for:
- More varied match cards
- More promos
- Better balanced male and female segments
Step 5: Championship Management
For greater realism, reset and manually assign titles:
- Delete all default champions.
- Insert missing titles, such as the Women’s Intercontinental and U.S. Championships.
- Remove unwanted divisions (e.g., delete Women’s Tag Titles if you’d like mid-card titles instead).
Step 6: Roster Customization
Instead of relying on the default roster placements:
- De-assign all wrestlers and manually place them on brands.
- Consider conducting a draft or using a randomized selection method.
- Ensure that call-ups from NXT are correctly placed based on your storytelling needs.
Step 7: Updating Tag Teams
Outdated teams can break immersion, so update them accordingly:
- Remove inactive teams or those that don’t fit your narrative.
- Make adjustments like swapping out members (e.g., replace Jade Cargill with Naomi in Bianca Belair’s team).
- Keep your factions fresh and relevant to WWE’s current landscape.
By doing these steps, you will have complete creative freedom for your Universe Mode, and thus a dynamic and engaging WWE 2K25 experience.
