"Oh my God!" as Joey Styles would say and to paraphrase Jim Ross, "SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 will be the Granddaddy of them all!!"

After seven games it's safe to say THQ has the wrestling game market well and truly captured. Other games (Legends of Wrestling, Rumble Roses, Def Jam) have tried to compete, but ultimately failed, and the TNA game looks likely to do the same. For those who like their wrasslin' and grapplin' games to be injected with fun storylines and some great action, there is no other place to look than SmackDown vs. Raw 2007.

Details of storylines are still in the dark, as well as many of the new features. As well as being available on the PlayStation 2, it will also be released on the Xbox 360 and PSP. There's sad news for all those saving their pennies for a PS3 though - it seems that THQ have finally thrown in the towel in bringing the latest instalment to Sony's newest system. It had been rumoured that due to delays the game would not be available until well into 2007, by which time the next game would be on its way, and it seems that THQ prefer not to fall behind, and so are turning their full attention to the PS3 version of the next SmackDown vs. Raw title, due out Winter 2007. Keep up with our News Blog for further details - as soon as we know, so will you!

However, the buzz about the features has already started. It's been confirmed that a number of match types will be overhauled and improved. Ladder and Table matches will have more detailed controls in terms of achieving a victory, including the need for a special move and full momentum to put your opponent through a table. In the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 versions, the Ladder matches have included the use of the analogue controls to control both arms to grab the title or briefcase. It is unknown how this will work with the PSP, with only one analogue control available. Sadly, I have a feeling that this will be awkward, like the ambitious cage door element of the last game; I'm hoping the kinks of the feature will be smoothed over before its release.

Briefcase? Yes, you did read that right. Finally, after two show-stopping matches, Wrestlemania: The Money in the Bank is here! Obviously this match could have been created in previous games by setting up a six-man ladder match and so it is still a little sketchy as to whether this will be a Story mode feature, or how it will work as a multiplayer mode. In WWE, winning the 'Money in the Bank' guarantees you a title shot - will this be just a story angle or part of the Championship Mode? Either way, this match will no doubt be exciting.

With the re-emergence of ECW, the 'Outside in the Crowd' feature seems to cash-in on this old aspect. Like classic Hardcore-style matches, you can take the fight through the crowd and just like in Def Jam, crowd members can interact with the players, offering signs and weapons to use on your opponents. This looks to be an exciting feature, although hopefully the crowd will have more animation than the three-second loops they seemed to have last time. Rumoured features include improved online multiplayer gameplay, expanded General Manager Mode (a great idea, just poorly executed) and (hopefully) a multiple branching story mode to increase the longevity of the game.

One thing that has finally been revealed is the roster - and by God it's huge! As well as having forty-nine playable superstars, it also includes thirteen non-playable characters (who I assume will be part of the storylines). The one secret still being kept is who will be included as a Legend; with previous games this has been the subject of much disappointment and though the inclusion of Bret Hart, Andre the Giant and Roadwarriors is appreciated, the choices never seem to please everyone and this only makes me wish they would surrender to the inevitable and release a Legends of Wrestling-style game. As WWE own all the music, likenesses and rights to characters, this will be an easy creation and one I'm sure that all wrestling fans will welcome. My only hope when it comes to the Legends is that THQ and WWE hold off from including the late great Eddie Guerrero - it's just far too soon. My Top Ten Wanted Legends are Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Demolition, Sting, Roadwarriors, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man: Randy Savage, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Stonecold Steve Austin.

Anyway, here is that playable roster in full:

Batista: An obvious choice sure-fire main-eventer and guaranteed to be involved in some great storylines.

Big Show: Here's my first query - is Big Show appearing as ECW Champ? As far as I can see there are only a few ECW wrestlers on the roster, so it'll be interesting to see how this will work.

Bobby Lashley: Green as a gourd, but full of potential. This is his first appearance in a game and he'll probably be given Faarooq or Brock Lesnar's move set. I mean, why not? He's stolen it in real life!

Boogeyman: Thank the Lord, the Boogeyman is coming to get ya! This looks wonderful, like the masked Kane, SmackDown always manages to do the characters that are OTT. His entrance looks wonderful - here's hoping that he's given a good storyline too.

Booker T: King Booker has been the most entertaining thing on the TV for the past year - I only hope if they use this gimmick (and how can they not?) they judge the length of the entrance right, although it could be a great opportunity for a toilet/snack break!

Carlito: I'm still waiting for this guy to step up and claim a main event spot. I would love to see his apple spitting become part of his finisher, maybe like Tajiri's green mist.

Chavo Guerrero: I swear to God above! If they do an Eddie angle in this game I will switch off. I'm glad that he's here, but if that's the only reason then I'd rather he wasn't.

Chris Benoit: There's nothing better than playing an Angle vs Benoit match - I only hope that THQ have finally got his face right, as to me he always looks like Mutley (cue wheezy snigger!)

Chris Masters: If they include the Masterlock Challenge as a mini-game that might be interesting.

Daiveri: I said this last time, but he should always be a non-playable manager, nothing more, nothing less.

Edge: Last year they really perfected Edge's look and so I hope all that great work crosses over here. I wonder if they'll include his new Rated R Belt?

Finley: But will he have the Leprechaun?

Great Khali: Why? Why would they include him? He has been described as the worst wrestler ever! The only way they could justify his inclusion is… no, actually there's no justification!

Gregory Helms: What's the betting they include the Hurricane costume as an unlockable? And what's the betting that everyone uses this more than his current bland and boring gimmick?

Hardcore Holly: Just roster filler.

JBL: Having recently retired to become a SmackDown commentator, I have to conclude that this will be the All-American gimmick he had after Wrestlemania.

Joey Mercury/Johnny Nitro: I'm hoping that this will be as MNM; though this is not up to date, it will be much better than either of them as a single wrestler.

John Cena: I wonder if he will be treated by the crowd they way he is in real life; a "Cena Sucks" chant is surely guaranteed!

Kane: I hope they avoid the whole 'May 19th' thing, although including his See No Evil character as a costume would be cool.

Ken Kennedy: If they include his full intro with mic work it'll be worth buying the game for this alone.

Kid Kash: Like Helms, another Cruiserweight to fill up the roster.

Kurt Angle: I hope he gets more specific storylines, as he has recently been released this may be the last time we see him in a SmackDown game. Shame!

Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch: Cade and Murdoch were a great team, but (like MNM) as single wrestlers they have nothing much going for them.

Mark Henry: This will be great, if only so I can beat this untalented waste of space into the ground. I hope they use weight detection, as I am sick of guys this size climbing up ladders and cages. Honestly - would the cell ever really be able to support his weight?

Matt Hardy: Maybe they will recreate the Hardy/Edge/Lita angle and we can do the whole thing properly.

Paul Burchill: With or without the Pirate gimmick? My feeling is that the Pirate will be swashbuckling to SmackDown, arr matey!

Psicosis: See Kid Kash.

Randy Orton: I wonder if his Special Move will be to run backstage and molest all the Divas, Benny Hill-style?

Rey Mysterio: See Chavo. I hope they don't include his goofy headdress from Wrestlemania!

Ric Flair: Woo! Now with improved Road Rage! Good addition as always - I'm hoping he has more to do than last time.

Rob Van Dam: Drugs and all? ECW? Champion? Who knows what they will do with him? Hopefully a lot better than what he has been doing in previous games.

Shawn Michaels: The fact there is no playable Vince makes me sad, as recreating their Wrestlemania match would be great. With Triple H here too, a DX storyline seems guaranteed.

Shelton Benjamin: Good wrestler, but he's always been given Angle's move set and so I hope this year they make him more unique.

Snitsky: Without Goldust? Why bother?

Super Crazy: Now that all the Mexicools are present, I wonder if this means their lawnmower entrance will be included?

Triple H: Let's face it, until he is physically unable to wrestle or screws up his position in the family, HHH will be guaranteed a spot in these games. Even if he's paralysed, he'll probably be included as a Legend: Blood boils!!!

Umaga: Though I don't mind him in general, he is just a waste of game space!

The Undertaker: Not as special as he once was, but guaranteed to have a great entrance with very little difference from last time. Until WWE reinvent the character, THQ will stick with the same model we've had for the previous two games.

Viscera: Only if his purple King Mabel costume is also available.

Vito: With or without a dress? Either way he's still just roster filler.

William Regal: Bound to bring a few chuckles to the Story mode.

I remember saying after the last game that if any Divas appeared as playable characters I would vomit with rage. With seven on offer (Candice Michelle, Lita, Melina, Jillian Hall, Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson) I need to know if anyone can recommend a good carpet cleaner? Now, before the 'Puppy-obsessed' fans rise up, I will say honestly if you like watching a digitised Trish Stratus or Torrie Wilson then maybe you should seek some help. To me, I'd rather have an hour of real Diva footage (in ring or photo shoots) as an extra than think of the amount of time the designers wasted on creating them. Okay, so the inclusion of Trish, Mickie James, Lita and Melina is fine, but Jillian Hall?! Those of you who disagree (and the Legends haven't been confirmed yet) I put this to you - do you really want to hear that they couldn't fit Bret Hart or Ultimate Warrior because they included Candice Michelle?!

Of course, the released roster raises more questions than answers. No Eugene? No Brian Kendrick or Paul London? No Charlie Haas? No Spirit Squad? How up to date will the characters be? With Khali here, will the Punjabi Prison Match be available? Character specific storylines? ECW? (No Joey Styles, Paul Heymann?) With no Bischoff, how will RAW be handled? Legends? The inclusion of all three McMahons (Vince, Shane, Stephanie)?

Very few pictures and video exist of the new roster, though from what I've seen of Cena, Mysterio and Angle, they have really worked on creating good facial expressions and muscle tone to the characters. They all move well, though seem a little clunky in terms of punching and kicking but I'm sure this will all be rectified come release time. So far, only the Xbox 360 version has been unveiled and so it is unknown how the graphics on the PS2/PSP will compete. It's also unknown how they will handle some of the more… ahem… gimmicky characters, but this will no doubt be up to the standards we have come to expect from THQ and Yukes.

Hopefully, when we are closer to the release date (tentatively set at 10th November 2007 for Xbox 360, PS2 and PSP) we will find out more information, but for now I can guarantee - WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 is going to be a Slobberknocker!!

Previewed by David Simpson for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).