# 80s Mania Wrestling Returns — user reviews

> 211 indexed App Store user reviews of 80s Mania Wrestling Returns by Checkmate Creative LLC, rated 4.80/5 from 1,985 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/80s-mania-wrestling-returns/id1385050842/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/80s-mania-wrestling-returns/id1385050842.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,725 · 4★ 188 · 3★ 27 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 33

## What do users think of 80s Mania Wrestling Returns?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun
- 👍 Great for wrestling fans
- 🚀 Nostalgic and retro
- 👍 Lots of content and updates
- 🚀 Easy to play
- 👍 Excellent parody characters

**Cons**

- 🐛 Cards disappearing from roster
- 💰 Expensive wrestler cards
- 🔁 Repetitive and grindy
- 🐛 Loading and crashing issues
- 💰 Aggressive monetization

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Wrestlers not showing up in roster after purchase
- Inconsistent title reigns and match results

**Most requested features**

- Custom feuds and rivalries
- Ability to choose match winners
- More women's wrestling content
- Customizable PPVs and shows
- Improved match variety
- Faster card rotation in store

## Newest reviews (15 of 211)

### 4/5 — Fun but some of my cards are missing!

*2024-02-20, version 1.0.139*

I’ve been playing for a few days now and it is a lot of fun, however, some of the cards I purchased from the shop are completely missing.

For example, I bought the shark off of the shop, and when I went to try and book him into a match he’s completely missing. I went through the news and it says that he joined my organization, but he is completely missing when I try to book him.

I even started a new game to hope that would fix it but it did not :(.

### 5/5 — This Game is a AAA+ GAME!!!

*2024-01-14, version 1.0.137*

Ladies & Gents!!!  This is an AMAZING Wrestling Game.  So AUTHENTIC and original!  If you were/are a fan of wrestling, music, TV, Movies, Pop Culture, this is an AWESOME game for you…relive the moments of the 80s with musical feuds, wrestling feuds, TV feuds, make up your own feuds.  Always being updated and the game has so much more potential.  It’s almost overload because there are so many characters…and IT’S ALL FREE!!!!  You need not spend a penny on this game and still wind up getting the same exact things as those that do spend money.  Patience, play and dedication gets you the exact same thing as the guys “whaling” on the game (spending money for you older folks like myself).  ENJOY THIS GAME!!  Their customer service is helpful but most of all, accessible as well!!!  LOVE IT!

### 5/5 — I love that game and it’s not working, right

*2023-12-29, version 1.0.137*

When I try to plan it three and five times that has a virus bug jumped into my game. I can’t get it out.

### 2/5 — Absolutely best game

*2023-11-11, version 1.0.136*

Been playing for a few months now and this is the best game I’ve played on an iPhone 

I think there’s a few changes / short cuts that could be added to help the player 

Foil card short cut when picking wrestlers 
Playing a foil card should boost merc sell

Created tag teams / group short cut when making matches . I hate having to scroll thru the entire roster to find the members of my “party animals”

A match a the sound stage and tv studio should boost tv rating 

Option to create a feud

Arena in Atlantis (boost for the shark etc)

### 5/5 — so good i want to cry

*2023-09-19, version 1.0.134*

have been obsessed with the return of mygm in 2k22 and this is honestly so much better for what i want out of a wrestling management type game, i’m so excited to play more and i’ve barely even touched the surface of it so far. amazing job developing such a great game

### 3/5 — Fun, but gets repetitive

*2023-09-07, version 1.0.134*

Wish there were more customization options without having to spend money. I like this more than the modern day version, which feels a little bloated and needlessly detailed, but I would like the option to choose PPVs, change the disposition of wrestlers, and be able to push and de-push at will. The added variety and customization without having to spend money would go a long ways towards keeping this game enjoyable. As it is, most of my enjoyment comes from maxing out stats on wrestlers. I prefer Extreme Warfare Revenge for a wrestling booker sim, but this is a an enjoyable one if you don’t have a PC available.

### 5/5 — Love this game, but…

*2023-08-27, version 1.0.127*

I downloaded this game to have fun while the days at work went by super slow. It’s been very fun to play, but I find it hard to earn more than $300+ a show. Which is essential for unlocking new cards.

I played their newest game; “Modern Mania Wrestling GM” - I can earn $750+ per show when playing that game, which I find a lot better to buy cards.

### 2/5 — Repetitive

*2023-08-02, version 1.0.127*

Like Roman Reigns, title changes are non-existent 

I’ve just done 2 full calendar years and I’ve had one TV Title change. The rest stay the same, regardless of wrestler level, match type etc. Really enjoyed this at one point but it’s dull now. Doing a full schedule and knowing the titles won’t change. 

Seems pointless

### 3/5 — Great game! Expensive to expand

*2023-07-17*

I really want to give this game 5 stars, because I have an absolute blast with it. But if you want any real depth, or meaningful fueds/teams, you basically have to buy coins. You “earn” one coin very year, but you’d realistically need to complete all of the 80’s and 90’s to have a playable season the next go around (this also takes a long time, and would not be recommended). I’m happy to support (I’m probably single handedly keeping this app running at this point for how much I’ve spent) but man. For a mobile game, it somehow feels pay to win without winning anything. Would be nice to not see certain cards cost 250,000 to 500,000 coins (which you’re encouraged to trade coins to get more money), or at least include a coin in the monthly subscriber bonus, I feel like I get absolutely nothing out of that but I want to support what they are doing. 

TLDR - very fun if you can put real money into it, otherwise will get very stale very quickly.

### 5/5 — Definitely Amazing but need animated matches

*2023-05-31, version 1.0.124*

The game is definitely good but i just wish there were realistic match gameplay or something like modern mania wrestling 
All im asking is for some more animated gameplay in the game

### 5/5 — Love it but I think

*2023-05-10, version 1.0.123*

I’m in the 80s right now and all of the cards that come up in the shop are 90s if you’re in the 80s the cards should be that year until you get towards the 90s

### 5/5 — Top game of last year

*2023-02-13, version 1.0.101*

Kid of the 80s and play this game daily….only for a few minutes but that is all I need.

Love it

### 5/5 — So Much Fun

*2023-01-09, version 1.0.100*

This is a great throwback to movies, wrestlers and media that is constantly updating each month. Always fun to see who gets introduced and who they are based off of. Good mechanic where I’m still trying to find ways to get those 5 star matches.

### 4/5 — 😡

*2022-12-30, version 1.0.100*

Does a Strong Arm Thompson foil card even exist in this game?
Plus; I got characters that have just frozen in terms of advancing mic skill and the other non-skill. Heck; at this point I’d be glad to advance them with tokens like the skill does, but that doesn’t appear to be an option. 
Frustrating.

### 5/5 — My favorite gaming app

*2022-12-29, version 1.0.100*

Kudos to the developers of this game for creating a fun, addicting, inviting wrestling GM app. I’ve had this app on my devices for years and it’s always worth another playthrough.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Older coin game

*2026-02-26, version 1.0.147*

Progress by buying real coins

### 1/5 — Can’t play it

*2023-11-22, version 1.0.137*

I am a blind person that uses voiceover on the iPhone and this game does not seem to be compatible with voiceover. I would really love to play this game and give it a better rating so please to the developer please make this game accessible while using voiceover. I would love to change my rating if you can make this possible.

### 1/5 — Won’t let me in the game

*2023-08-14, version 1.0.127*

I can’t get in the game

### 1/5 — Boring Game

*2023-07-25, version 1.0.125*

It’s nothing but cards and then it doesn’t even let you actually wrestle. You just watch two people in the ring “hit” each other all the while neither character actually moves at all.

### 1/5 — Won’t load

*2022-12-19, version 1.0.99*

Looks like it could be a fun game, that is if you can get it to load. I’ve only been able to get into the game to actually play it once. Every other time I try to open the game I get stuck on a loading screen with a loading bar that never moves, no matter how long you wait or how many times you try to close and reopen the app.

### 1/5 — Welp

*2022-08-20, version 1.0.95*

This might be the dumbest game I've ever tried. Don't recommended wasting your time

### 1/5 — Seconded match and can’t even do it

*2022-03-12, version 1.0.88*

Would like to see this game but can’t even do week 2. Says no cards and won’t let me click anything or even go back. Doesn’t matter what I do. Seems like it could have been a decent game too but stuck in the tutorial

### 1/5 — $$$ pit

*2022-02-26, version 1.0.88*

Bought subscription, and bought countless tokens. It only gives me the options of getting the same lame foil cards and I will not spend another dime until they cycle out the available cards to purchase. Such a rip off.

### 1/5 — Support is terrible

*2021-11-07, version 1.0.82*

I love this game but have had most of big crowd venues disappear.  I asked support through email and never received a response.  For that I have to rate the game a one star since I am not making nearly as much now that Canada Centre is my biggest venue.

### 1/5 — Will not load

*2021-07-26, version 1.0.78*

This game was fun and had potential, but for the last few days it will not load on my phone. It gets to 4 loading bars and never moves. Disappointing as I was really getting into this game.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Still One Of The Best Wrestling Sims on Mobile

*2026-05-20, version 1.0.148*

Been playing this since release and it’s still a genuinely fun wrestling sim. It’s simpler and more accessible than Extreme Warfare Revenge or Total Extreme Wrestling but still deep enough to create an entertaining storylines, build favourites, and get invested in your roster over time.

The character variety (and nostalgia) is great, especially if you enjoy creating narratives in your head or collecting cards and building themed promotions. It has that “just one more show” quality that keeps on coming back.

If you enjoy this, I’d also recommend looking into Checkmate Creative’s other offerings- Eras of Wrestling (especially) or Modern Mania Wrestling.

All these titles are great for wrestling fans who like management sims without needing something overly complicated.

### 5/5 — Wish there was a reset button

*2025-08-22, version 1.0.142*

I love this game. Been playing it for 2+ years and have enjoyed it everytime I open the app. The only nitpick I would say is that sometimes I want a fresh start and have the ability to just delete all my progress to go through it all again. Like maybe make new seperate saves… one for my completed store and one for me to do it all over again. Other than that, amazing job and I can’t wait for Eras of Wrestling to come out.

### 5/5 — Love this game

*2025-08-05, version 1.0.142*

I currently have 889 cards and I have been playing for 5 years. I love this game!! I am on a journey to get all 2K+ cards.

### 5/5 — Needs sound volume option

*2025-03-09, version 1.0.142*

Please consider doing a sound volume control in the options. I streamed this game yesterday and after I listened I could barely hear myself because the music is too loud. 

Other than that keep it up!

### 5/5 — Download this game!!

*2024-12-19, version 1.0.142*

This is the best game ever! It has over six hundred wrestlers in and the amount of matches and events there are in it is crazy. Definitely download 80s mania wrestling returns and if you do like this game then download the other game checkmate created made which is modern mania wrestling. I play this game every single day because it’s so fun because you basically own a wrestling company and you set up matches with loads of wrestlers. I would recommend this game.

### 5/5 — Great game

*2024-11-26, version 1.0.142*

This game is one of the best! There are a few things that they can do to make it a little bit better. 
1. More gimmicks: I would love more gimmicks for wrestlers like Chaka Crass, Devastatia, and Dicky Thunderbird.

2. Custom Rivalries: I don’t know if this is possible but I would love to create more rivalries for my wrestlers.

3. Matches: I think of there was a way to watch the moves in a match actually happen, then that would be amazing. Also I think if the stipulation of the match actually had meaning, it would be so much better. Like maybe if it’s a hair vs hair match, the losing wrestler loses their hair for a little bit, and in boxing and evening wear matches they could wrestle in boxing gloves/evening clothes.

4. Custom Wrestlers: Also don’t know if this is possible, but it would be amazing.

### 5/5 — Great booking game

*2024-11-23, version 1.0.142*

I love this game, and the monthly updates keep it entertaining. I have play through several times . I like that I can play 2 different federationsJust a few things I would love to see added in the future to make it even better. Add a few more titles such as women’s tag team , six man tag team, US tag team titles, possibly a tycoon title, and or hardcore title. Maybe add new monthly event possibilities such as the 80’s War games match or the gauntlet match and a tag team tournament or best 2 out of three falls. Keep up the good work and growing this game.

### 5/5 — The FIRST Wrestling App I downloaded!

*2024-09-06, version 1.0.142*

One of my favorite games! Been playing for over 5 years! Also helps me with creativity in my 2k CAW creations. Still a favorite of mine!

### 5/5 — Question- Switching from IPhone back to android?

*2024-04-01, version 1.0.140*

How can I bring my saved game from my iPhone over to my new galaxy s24? I have in game purchases that I don’t want to lose.

### 5/5 — Capolavoro per appassionati

*2024-03-28, version 1.0.140*

Se arrivate dall’epoca della WWE, vi creerà dipendenza.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*
