9:22 AM EST

www.wrestlingnewsdesk.com has exclusively learned that THQ and Jakks Pacific will announce later today that HHH and Shawn Michaels will be featured on the cover of WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2009. This is the fifth time Triple H has appeared on a cover for a WWE video game, while Shawn Michaels will make his cover debut.

"HHH 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."

WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2009 is scheduled for release on all leading platforms later this year. www.wrestlingnewsdesk.com's exclusive email newsletter broke this story over two hours ago, long before anyone else had the story. If you'd like to subscribe to our free email newsletter, all you have to do is CLICK HERE . No spam, no gimmicks, and your information will never be sold.  Try it out. You can opt out at any time. You've got nothing to lose!