THQ is doing an overhaul of its long-running wrestling game series, dropping the Smackdown vs Raw name. The game has carried that branding since 2004, when the battle between the WWE’s two most popular shows was a major part of storylines. Both shows have their own separate rosters and sets of champions, WWE superstars (particularly the more popular ones) seem to go between shows as they please. The two brands are discussed and promoted by the commentators, but don’t factor into as many stories these days.

The demo for THQ’s upcoming arcade grappler WWE All Stars went live March 23, 2011. I stepped into the ring with the Xbox 360 version and this one looks to be a must-purchase for members of the “WWE Universe.”

To show the contrast between in-game wrestling styles, the demo pits the acrobatic Rey Mysterio against the Ultimate Warrior, poster child for overdeveloped muscles.

The Smackdown vs. Raw series has been in need a true shot in the arm (or a swift kick in the tights, if you will). Comparisons are already being drawn between this game and WWF No Mercy, an N64 game that still holds its own against today’s titles. After a little time with theWWE All-Stars demo, I believe that lofty praise is going to be well-deserved.

There is more than one way to take down an opponent in THQ’s upcoming title WWE All-Stars. In fact, there are four different types of superstars you can use to rule the WWE Universe.

It’s going to take a lot to convince fans who already own Smackdown vs Raw 2011 they need to buy another wrestling game so soon. Thanks to the differing play styles and a roster that includes legends such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, WWE All-Stars might just pull it off.

It’s a busy time for World Wrestling Entertainment fans (which WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has dubbed the “WWE Universe”). One of the company’s biggest pay-per-views, the Royal Rumble, is coming January 30, 2011. To celebrate that event and the upcoming release of THQ’s WWE All-Stars video game, Kmart has a promotion it’s calling Royal Riches.

It will soon be time to take THQ’s latest Smackdown vs. Raw installment into the ring. Depending on where you pick it up, you’ll be in line for a different World Wrestling Entertainment bonus.

If you preorder at Best Buy you’ll get WWE legend Bret “The Hitman” Hart as a playable character. Nicknamed the “Excellence of Execution,” Hart is one of the best technical wrestlers in history. He and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon recently put some real life issues aside and now Hart is an active participant in WWE storylines again.

Some videogame publishers beat around the bush when discussing additional online fees as they pertain to pre-owned games. Electronic Arts said Project Ten Dollar was not created to protect itself against pre-owned games. EA sees the service as a way of enhancing the customer’s experience when they play games. THQ on the other hand is not so politically correct. THQ simply does not care about people who don’t buy new.

While EA was the first to announce its “online pass” program, THQ’s UFC Undisputed 2010 was the first game to hit the market with the feature enabled. THQ charged $5 to access online features of the game unless you entered the code that came with a new copy. THQ seriously fumbled the online pass implementation, not even acknowledging its existence until review copies of the game spilled the news.

THQ has a cozy relationship with the WWE. It has exclusive rights to produce licensed WWE games for the next eight years. Earlier this week THQ announced it would be bringing a new WWE franchise to the US and Europe that will play more like WWE All Stars, and less like Smackdown! vs. Raw. But in order to produce the best product possible, THQ needs to have a relationship with the big man himself. WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

THQ has complete control over the WWE franchise in gaming for the next several years. It’s a brand that has continued to sell well throughout the years. However the company knows it can’t keep updating the same game year after year without offering anything completely new. THQ has developed a few different franchises under the WWE umbrella. We are aware of three of them, but THQ is also developing a fourth.

Every day we report on financial problems in the game industry and few companies are having a tougher go of it than well-known publisher THQ, posting a $115 million loss for its second fiscal quarter ending September 2008.

Now THQ has announced a “restructuring,” aka corporate speak for layoffs, in its mobile entertainment division. Sure enough, Gamasutra reports that the publisher will layoff 100 people.

The restructured mobile entertainment division will focus solely on…