The cartoonish arcade-like visuals and sheer pick-and-play nature of AEW Fight Forever hide some solid wrestling game mechanics that wouldn't look out of place in the more sport-like experience in the WWE 2K series. The slick animations and gameplay speed allow back-and-forth matches that wrestling and fighting game fans will appreciate.
While AEW Fight Forever lacks some core features, wrestling fans will be pleased to know that there are hidden moves and mechanics to discover about the gameplay that the tutorials don't teach, like the ability to shake a wrestler's hand after a tenacious match in AEW Fight Forever.
How to Shake Hands After a Match in AEW Fight Forever
The little touches like bailouts, corner recoils, technician skills, and chain wrestling in AEW Fight Forever contribute to it being such a fun wrestling game. Another excellent addition to the gameplay is the ability to shake hands with an opponent after a match. This can be performed in single-player and multiplayer - local and online - contests. To initiate a handshake after winning, use the following steps:
- Select a 1-on-1 exhibition match type with two wrestlers that don't hold a title belt. It doesn't work with Ladder Matches, Barbed Wire, or tag teams.
- The player must win the match to trigger the after-match event.
- Click the R-stick or press the spacebar on a keyboard after winning.
- Players will have a time limit to shake the wrestler's hand after the match.
- To trigger the handshake, pick the opponent up from the mat with the RB on Xbox, R1 on PlayStation, R on the Switch, or the R button on a keyboard.
- With both wrestlers standing, hold down the Grapple Guard button with LB on Xbox, L1 on PlayStation, L on Switch, or F button on a keyboard.
- The player's wrestler extends their hand for a shake. Walk toward the opponent while holding the Grapple Guard button until they accept the handshake. This will trigger a short cutscene of the wrestler's handshake.
- Some rule-breaker wrestlers like MJF will extend their hands but attack the player's wrestler instead.
Attacking After the Bell in AEW Fight Forever
Instead of shaking a wrestler's hand after the bell, players can take the unsportsmanlike route and attack them instead. Use the following steps:
- Use a 1-on-1 match in an exhibition. It doesn't work with tag teams and gimmick matches.
- After winning the bout, click the R-stick or press the spacebar on the keyboard.
- Players now have a time limit to attack the wrestler after the bell.
- Or, fake the handshake and attack instead by pressing the Grapple Guard followed by a strike or grapple.
- Unfortunately, this doesn't trigger a feud like in WWE 2K23, but it's a nice touch that players can utilize in single-player and multiplayer matches.
AEW Fight Forever is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.