September 8, 2008 - Grab your steel chair, elbow pads, and Magic Marker-laden poster board -- the SmackDown Countdown is finally here.

For eight years IGN's been teaming with THQ to bring you videos, screens, and information for every playable character in the latest WWE videogame, and this year is no different -- except for the fact that it's very different. Rather than hand you the entire roster at the onset of this feature and then profiling the people on it day by day, we're going to give you the roster one person at a time.

That's right; every day we'll be announcing a new character in the game.

Monday through Friday from now until the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, we'll be profiling Superstars, showing their entrance, signature move, and finisher on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. Now -- PSP, PS2, and DS users -- if you see the Countdown pop up on your channel with videos from the PS3, it's not a mistake. That appearance means that character is in your version of the game. We're hoping to have weekly updates to your media sections with platform-specific stuff.

We've got a long way to go, but keep in mind that you're a huge part of this Countdown. Both Friday Fights and the THQ&A; are back this year. Every Friday -- in addition to the Countdown -- IGN will post either a match in its entirety or a quick developer Q&A.; If you check the IGN SmackDown vs. Raw message board, you'll find threads where you'll be able to vote on who you want to see fight and in what match as well as post your questions for the developers.

Can you smell what we're cooking?



Hailing from the tropical climate of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaican Superstar Kofi Kingston brings unique in-ring abilities, style and lingo to Raw.

For weeks, WWE fans were offered a glimpse into Kingston's island paradise where the vibrant Superstar took troublesome matters into his own capable hands. Mixing it up with his lightning quick arsenal while maintaining his bright, amiable smile, Kofi undoubtedly made ECW his own private Island of the Extreme.

Kofi has engaged in a series matches against Shelton Benjamin as of late. Although he had done incredibly well in them, Benjamin is responsible for giving Kingston's his first loss in WWE. Rather than slowing him down, this has only inspired Kofi to work harder and do ever better in the future.

The day after defeating ECW's Gold Standard in an Extreme Rules Match, Kofi Kingston was randomly drafted to Raw in the Supplemental Draft on June 25. The Jamaican Superstar will now be looking to make an impact on Monday nights. Source: WWE.com

SIGNATURE MOVES
Double Back Chop Flying Forearm Smash 2
FINISHERS
Trouble in Paradise Twin Leg Drop
ABILITIES
Object Fan Favorite
Outside Dives Springboard
Possum Pin