Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 : Ōdō Keishō Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 : Ōdō Keishō is a professional wrestling video game released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64 game console . The game was only released in Japan and is the sequel to 1997 ' s " Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 " . The game features the same engine as " WWF WrestleMania 2000 " but the two titles otherwise differ considerably and feature entirely different rosters . " WrestleMania 2000 " was released in Japan as well , unlike previous AKI - developed WCW titles . Production . At the 1999 Nintendo Space World , fans got a preview of the game which was 65 % completed . Modes boasted were Tournament , League , Ranking and Grand Meeting , as well as the newly added Belt Edit , Champion Road and an expanded player creation mode . The game was said to have over 1 , 000 different move combinations and a roster of " way over 100 fighters . " Features . Catering to the Japanese fanbase , " Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 : Ōdō Keishō " deemphasizes the gimmicks and theatrics of American wrestling while introducing various competitive , sportsman - like attributes of puroresu . It features no WWF license and is based entirely on Japanese wrestling ; consequently , unlike previous games which included WCW wrestlers , none of the current WWF superstars at the time were included in " VPW 2 " . Asmik Ace Entertainment was only licensed to genuinely represent talent from AJPW ; thus , for legal purposes , all other performers were given generic names and altered apparel with the ability to be modified by the player . " VPW 2 " omitted the newly introduced Cage match and First Blood match of " WrestleMania 2000 " as they were unconventional to Japanese wrestling . It did , however , resurrect the test - of - strength grappling function and the striking combination grapple from 1998 ' s " WCW / nWo Revenge " . It also introduced the running grapple as an intuitive counterpart to the long - established running strike . " VPW 2 " boasts hundreds of moves including many prohibited in mainstream American wrestling such as the dangerous hangman ' s DDT , Russian neckdrop , and Burning Hammer . In a first for 3D wrestling games , an entirely unique grappling system was also developed for mixed martial artists which corresponds with optional shootfighting rules . Such stipulations place emphasis on strike combinations , judo takedowns , and submissions and allows strikes to cause substantial damage . This in conjunction with professional wrestling standards allows for unique hybrid - style matches . In contrast to the theatrical entrances of American pro wrestlers , performers in " VPW 2 " are given a simple backstage intro and are audibly announced upon entering the ring . Venues include the Nippon Budokan , Kawasaki Stadium , Korakuen Hall , and the Tokyo Dome . Entrance themes are limited to a few signature AJPW themes and original MIDI songs of generic rock music . The player can also choose from three different referee s with distinct reaction times and count speeds . " VPW 2 " expanded the Create a Wrestler mode that debuted in " WrestleMania 2000 " and boasts a detailed mask editing feature . The game includes a largely generic roster based on real - life performers which sets the foundation for the player to modify attire and names to create more faithful representations of the actual wrestlers . " VPW 2 " is the only game in the THQ / AKI series to include a " Logic " factor . When creating a wrestler , the player can choose what types of moves are used at certain points of the match when the created wrestler is controlled by the computer . The Belt Creation mode is carried over with a new addition , the Triple Crown title , which unifies three championship belts . The 12 - month Royal Road Succession mode largely parallels the Road to WrestleMania mode included in " WrestleMania 2000 " . As common in Japan , some contests are held over large loving cup trophies rather than championship belts , and opportunities to unlock wrestlers are abundant . Reception . " Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 : Ōdō Keishō " gained positive reviews . On release , " Famitsu " magazine scored the game a 30 out of 40 and while IGN ' s Aaron Boulding criticized the bland pre - match animation , he praised the addition of various moves . Regarding American gamers , Boulding considered it " a nice addition to the library of the most extreme hardcore wrestling fan . " With a strong fanbase behind the AKI wrestling game series , " VPW 2 " would become the second most popular import title on the N64 . Professional wrestlers Samoa Joe and A . J . Styles , who were both involved in the development of TNA Wrestling ' s first video game , had hoped the game would replicate the style of " VPW 2 " . Styles , an avid fan of the AKI wrestling series , has cited " VPW 2 " as the all - time greatest pro wrestling game .