The WWE 2K23 HUD features various "meters" mechanics: a Health Bar (Vitality Meter), a Momentum Meter, and a Finisher Meter. Also, when a Superstar is stunned, you might see a "Stunned" indicator pop up above their head.
The HUD this year is slightly different compared to WWE 2K22: there are still three main "meters" in the HUD, similar to last year - however, in WWE 2K23 the Special Meter has been replaced by the Momentum Meter, and it's now the Finisher meter that it's split into three segments instead.
In this guide, we will go through each of these mechanics in WWE 2K23 and explain what purpose they serve and how they work.
You can also check out the full WWE 2K23 Controls Tutorial for other helpful gameplay guidance and combat information.
Note: We would like to thank Smacktalks for the WWE 2K23 HUD image above.
WWE 2K23 HUD: Vitality (Health Bar)
The first bar you see at the top of the WWE 2K23 HUD, under the Superstar's name, is the Vitality Meter.
This is the Health Bar that we've become familiar with in previous WWE 2K Games, which will decrease when you take damage. Just like last year, in WWE 2K23, there are two levels of health: the first is green, and the second is red.
The green meter of Vitality will regenerate if you avoid damage for a few seconds. But when the green portion of Vitality drains, you'll go into the red level and start taking permanent damage.
The lower your health, the harder it will be for you to kick out of a pinfall attempt, or to escape a submission hold. It will also take you longer to get back up when your health is depleted. The screen will flash red when you are in danger of being pinned by your opponent.
Body Damage
On the right of the HUD, there is also a Body Limb Damage indicator that shows damage to each specific body part (Head, Torso, Arms, and Legs). As your limbs take damage, they'll turn from yellow, to orange, to red.
Limbs can also be injured if they take enough damage. Superstars will be more likely to tap out if a submission targets a damaged body part.
WWE 2K23 HUD: Momentum Meter
The second HUD bar in WWE 2K23 is the Momentum Meter, which allows you to perform Signature Moves, and also controls whether you can perform Paybacks and Instant Recovery. On the other hand, there is a separate meter for Finishers (see below).
Momentum fills when you perform moves, taunt, or simply deal damage to your opponent. The more spectacular a move is, the more momentum you get.
Signature Moves
As shown in the WWE 2K23 Controls Guide, Signatures and Finishers have two distinct meters, and are mapped to different buttons so that they can be executed independently.
Once Momentum is fully filled, this gives you the ability to perform a Signature Move by pressing R2 + Square on PlayStation, or RT + X on Xbox.
If you successfully land a Signature move, you'll earn a Finisher immediately - and the Momentum meter will be completely emptied again.
Payback Abilities
The Momentum bar also affects when you can perform Paybacks, which are special abilities that can only be used once per match. For example, you can use the Resiliency Payback to immediately kick out of pinfalls, or perform a Comeback sequence to turn things around.
Unlike last year, in WWE 2K23 you can now select two Paybacks for each character instead of just one. These can be assigned to each Superstar or chosen in the Selection Screen.
However, only one of them will be visible on the HUD, as only one Payback can be active at a time. You can manually switch between your two Paybacks by pressing down on the d-pad, or the second one will become visible once you used the first.
To use a Payback, you have to fill the Momentum meter until you reach the small white line shown on the meter. This line becomes easier and easier to reach the more damage you receive during the course of the match.
You can then perform a Payback by pressing R2 + Triangle on PlayStation, or RT + Y on Xbox.
Instant Recovery
The Instant Recovery feature gives you the ability to press R1 / RB when you're on the ground, to get back on your feet quickly.
This option will only appear if you have enough Momentum, as using an Instant Recovery will consume a considerable portion of your momentum.
WWE 2K23 HUD: Finisher Meter
The bottom bar in the WWE 2K23 HUD is the Finisher Meter, which is now the one that's split into three different segments - each representing an earned Finisher.
Along with Momentum, the Finisher Meter also fills up as moves are performed. You will also immediately earn a Finisher after executing a Signature Move.
You can store up to 3 Finishers, and the number of earned finishers is shown by how many segments are filled in the meter.
In WWE 2K23, finishers are performed with R2 + X on PlayStation, and RT + A on Xbox. Check your Superstar's move list to see from which position their Finisher is performed.
Make sure to go for the pin if you successfully land a Finisher! Superstars are most vulnerable to pins after being hit with a Finisher.
WWE 2K23 HUD: Stun Meter
The "Stun Meter" that was introduced in WWE 2K22 also returns in WWE 2K23.
If you keep hitting your opponent with light and heavy strikes, you will fill up their stun meter, which will appear above the Superstar's head when it's close to being filled.
When a Superstar's Stun meter is filled, a "Stunned" indicator will appear, and they won't be able to perform counters or defend themselves for a few seconds.
WWE 2K23 HUD: Stamina Meter
After the emphasis on Stamina was reduced in WWE 2K22, it now returns to play a bigger role in WWE 2K23, with the return of tired animations, visual expressions, and more effects on the character behavior.
Stamina represents a Superstar's fatigue, and appears in gameplay as a blue circular meter above the Superstar's head when running or performing strikes.
Being low on Stamina will temporarily slow down the Superstar's movement speed, however, Stamina regenerates pretty quickly.
We hope this guide helps you understand the WWE 2K23 HUD and the purpose of each meter in the game. If you're confused, don't worry, we understand! Keep playing and you'll surely understand the mechanics better.
For all the information on WWE 2K23 check out the WWE 2K23 Main Section, and the full WWE 2K23 Controls Guide.
