- THQ issued the following press release regarding WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009:

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - July 3, 2008 - THQ Inc. and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. today announced that World Wrestling Entertainment® Superstars Triple H and Shawn Michaels will be featured on the cover of WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2009. The accolade marks an unprecedented fifth time that fan-favorite Triple H has appeared on a cover for the leading fighting videogame franchise, while storied veteran Michaels will make his cover debut.

"Triple H and Shawn Michaels have made headlines over the years when they unite as the infamous 'D-Generation X' tag team in WWE programming," said Cory Ledesma, senior creative manager, THQ. "We selected them for the cover as a means to celebrate the unprecedented level of tag team functionality we will deliver in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. Our tag team matches will allow players to experience the true task of working together, and our new Road to WrestleMania® Mode will feature the franchise's first co-op tag team storyline."