PlayStation has certainly changed the way that WWE superstars spend their free time. Since the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) was launched, some of the biggest names in professional wrestling never leave home without it. One of the most successful videogame players in the always-growing ranks of the WWE is Shelton Benjamin, the winner of all four THQ WWE Superstar Challenges at the past four Wrestlemanias.
“Everyone knows that when it comes to that Wrestlemania tournament, it's a fight for second,” said Benjamin, who spends time playing games almost every day. “I've won pretty much everything in that tournament PSP's… you name it, I won it.”
Benjamin half-joked that he�s asked THQ if they could rename the annual event, which will take place in Detroit as part of Wrestlemania 23 this year, the “Let's Give Shelton Free Stuff at Wrestlemania Tournament.”
But when it comes to gaming, Benjamin is a die-hard fan. In addition to his PSP® system, which he always has with him, he has a PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 systems at his home. When he's not playing THQ�s WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2007, he likes playing EA Sports� Fight Night Round 3 on PSP® system or PS3™ system . His boxer of choice is Joe Frazier. He�s also a big fan of Resistance: Fall of Man™.
“I haven't ventured online with the PS3 yet,” said Benjamin. “I actually prefer my opponents to be in the room next to me so that when I'm talking trash to them during the beating I can see the disappointment and frustration on their face. It gives me pleasure.”
Benjamin said that videogames have been giving too much pleasure to WWE superstars. He said because so many wrestlers were playing PSP systems back stage, they’ve been banned from shows.
“PSPs have actually been outlawed backstage for the actual performers,” said Benjamin. “We've been at shows where guys were playing a lot. Management decided it'd be best if we played those on the planes and on the buses, but not in the arenas.”
Benjamin said that it’s not just the big names of pro wrestling like Kane, The Undertaker, Prime Time and Steve Richards who always have a PSP system with them.
“The refs and the crew guys…everyone at every branch…there's someone with a PSP,” said Benjamin. “You'll see them playing throughout the day.”
Because of the nearly year-round travel schedule that crosses the country and traverses the globe, Benjamin has plenty of time to make use of his PSP system.
“I do most of my PSP playing while I'm on a plane or traveling in the back seat of a car,” said Benjamin. “I play here and there throughout the week. In college, I used to cut class to play my videogames. It's not like that any more.”
Benjamin is always adding to his videogame collection. He has Ubisoft’s Lumines I and II, which he’s addicted to, and he’s a big fan of Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, especially after the first two card-style games that Konami released. He’s also a big Tekken fan.
“For me, PSP was one of the best purchases I made the year it came out,” said Benjamin. “It made trips go by so much faster and a lot of my favorite games came out on it. It's one of my favorite gadgets ever.”
Benjamin is a self-proclaimed “gizmo nut,” so he makes the most of his PSP system. He downloads digital photos from family and friends from his PC to his PSP system. And he also uses his PSP system to surf the Internet when he’s on the road. He’s looking forward to connecting his PSP to his PS3 system when he has time at home to share photos, games and other content. The one feature he uses the most with PSP system is its wireless gaming capabilities.
“I do tend to play against other guys when I'm allowed,” said Benjamin. “I play the wrestling games. My favorite wrestler to play against is Umaga. He's a crazy Samoan but he's figured out how to play a PSP. Anytime I can find someone brave enough to compete against me in a videogame, I take full advantage of it. When it comes to gaming, I'm very competitive and I don't like to lose, so I usually don't and I won't give any guy any slack whether he's a first-timer or an old pro. I try to dominate. I don't get a lot of people that want to play me.”
Benjamin joked that the THQ WWE games are awesome, obviously because he’s in them. But he does like how similar the PSP system game is to the PS2 game. He said the graphics are mind-boggling and everything is right-on. He said he still gets a kick out of seeing himself in the videogames.
“That's like a big kid's dream,” said Benjamin. “I consider myself a big kid. The first time I saw myself in Smackdown game my mouth just dropped. Every year, I'll buy the game not just to see myself in it. For a guy like me, it's quite an honor.”
Benjamin said he’s begun branching out with the WWE videogames. He used to only play as himself in the games, but now he also like to control Kane or The Undertaker in the game.
“With PSP I'm pretty good,” said Benjamin. “But the WWE games, in general, I dominate particularly in. As long as THQ keeps putting my game of choice up I'll keep winning the tournament every year at Wrestlemania.”
Benjamin still gets caught up in the pop culture phenomenon that Wrestlemania has become over the decades. He’s been fortunate enough to be a part of the festivities both in the ring and in the videogame tournaments.
“Words don't describe Wrestlemania,” said Benjamin. “For any pro wrestler, it's the Super Bowl. It's what you aspire to be in. It creates a lasting impression on millions and millions of people for the rest of their lives. You look at some of the matches like Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant…The Rock and Steven Austin…John Cena and Triple H. People will remember these for years to come and they'll bring their kids and grandkids. To be part of this part of pop cultural it's a phenomenal thing.”
Thanks to videogames, gamers can experience Wrestlemania any time they want. And thanks to THQ, Benjamin is looking forward to many more Wrestlemania videogame prizes.
