 Every game in the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw series includes a roster of " superstars " and " Divas " based on superstars who compete for WWE . Every year , WWE acquires new superstars and releases old superstars . As a result , every time a WWE SmackDown vs. Raw game is released , the new superstars are added into the game and the old released superstars are removed from the game to reflect the changes in the actual WWE . From the release of WWF SmackDown ! to the release of WWF SmackDown ! Just Bring It , superstars were not divided into brands . In 2002 , the WWE split its entire roster into two brands of wrestling , called Raw and SmackDown ! , which were named after WWE 's television shows . The WWE Brand Extension was first featured in WWE SmackDown ! Shut Your Mouth . In 2006 , WWE launched a new brand , called ECW , which was named after the original Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion . The new ECW brand was first featured in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 . WWE holds an annual draft lottery , in which WWE superstars switch brands . The games in production when the draft occurs include the changes that take place in the draft . For example , when WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 was in production during June 2007 , the 2007 WWE Draft took place , and the draft changes were included in the video game . Another brand of wrestling included in the series is the legends program , which was first included with the release of WWE SmackDown ! Here Comes the Pain . Popular WWE alumni or members of the WWE Hall of Fame have been included since then under the legends program . This was featured up until the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 , as alumni and Hall of Fame members were not featured in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 due to production of WWE Legends of WrestleMania . WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 was also the first game to feature characters as downloadable content . 
