It’s the most magical time of the year for WWE 2K26 fans as announcements are pouring in heading into the official release in March. This year’s cover superstar of the standard edition is none other than the WWE World Heavyweight Champion himself CM Punk! The “Best in the World” graces the cover for the first time since WWE ‘13.
And that’s not all as the Chicago native headlines the WWE 2K26 2K Showcase. Gamers will be able to relive some of his proudest WWE moments. Not to mention some 'what if' challenges he may have faced had he had the opportunity. The journey will also have a personal touch as it will be narrated by the “Best in the World.”
This goes along with the “King of Kings” edition celebrating the more than 30-year career of WWE Hall of Famer and Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Players will be able to use Triple H '98 and Stephanie McMahon '00 and a “Triple H Signature Taunt Emote” to The Island.
Leaning more into the nostalgia and one of the most influential times in pro wrestling history is the "Attitude Era” edition, which puts the spotlight on the hellraising icons “Stone Cold” Steve Austin “Rattlesnake”, The Rock ‘99, Chyna ‘97, Kane ‘98, and The Undertaker to name a few. The “Monday Night War” release is an all-new super premium edition featuring content tied to WWE talent and WCW’s biggest names of the era. Not to mention classic playable characters like Shawn Michaels DX, “Macho Man” Randy Savage ‘98, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper ‘98, and more fun bonuses.
The 2K visual concepts team members Lynell Jinks, Alan Flores, Cornell Gunter, Derek Donahue, and Bryan Williams helped break down all the exciting announcements during a recent roundtable. One that was interrupted by Liv Morgan, who let her thoughts be known that the Judgment Day (mainly herself and Dirty Dom Mysterio) should have been on the cover. Maybe next year?
“It's hard for us to narrow down which ideas that we have that we will be like, okay, we will only do these 50 ideas instead of all the ideas on our plate,” Donahue said. “I don't think we will ever run out of things to do in this game. Wrestling is infinite, and there's… even taking the existing things we have, there's a million ways we want to improve it. So, it's just about how much we can do in a single year, and I think we've got a lot done in this year.”
“I think that's the hardest part, especially when you're trying to…recreate someone's career, or, you know, I think…people will be like, oh, it's a no-brainer to add this specific match or stretch of someone's career, but, you know, that person might not be under a Legends deal in WWE, and so there's limiting factors into what we could actually try to recreate in our game, or even just try to add to our game,” Jinks said of staying true to the stories told in the game while sometimes taking artistic freedoms. “And so we try to come up with, you know, alternatives and fun, creative ways to still, you know, try to capture the best of someone's career, and also just, you know. do something new with it, right? And I think that you'll see that with this year's showcases, that we're trying something new, and I hope, you know, people like it.”
THE ROSTER
The game will feature more than 400 legends and current superstars. Among the exciting editions is the viral sensation Joe Hendry. Say his name, and he appears as the popular performer will be available as a pre-order bonus. Others to join the recent WWE acquisition either making a game debut or triumphant return. Among them are Rey Fenix, Rusev, Izzi Dame, Myles Borne, and more.
“We do our best always to be as current, with programming as possible, but obviously, you know, the things… you know, things in WWE move at a warp speed compared to our, somewhat relative normal speed as developers,” Williams said of their challenges working to stay as current as possible.
In an update, the Ringside Pass live service model will replace the previous DLC. Developers made the change to offer players additional value and incentive to play, earning across all game modes, excluding online lobbies. Features include 60 free tiers and 40 premium tiers to reward gameplay with unlockable superstars, cosmetic customizable items, VC, MY Faction and The Island Content. Reward players with all-new playable characters unable on the base game including some “unexpected names.” Six ringside pass sessions are planned to roll out through the year with first one available at launch.
NEW MATCH TYPES
Many who grew up watching in the 1990s will enjoy the new stipulations you’ll be able to use. We’re talking I Quit, Inferno, Three Stages of Hell and Dumpster. Intergender matches across core game modes. Interactive entrances with commentary added by Booker T and Wade Barrett. No word if we’ll hear Shucky Ducky Quack Quack…
ENHANCED GAMEPLAY
You ask and will receive. There will be stackable tables, a shopping cart (Got Milk?) you can use it against opponents in certain environments and an improved reverse system. There are improvements to reversals and stamina and new mechanics including shopping thumbtack weapons, surprise attacks and more improvements to crowd and barricade combat. Other aspects to look forward to are visual upgrades, interactive entrances and updated commentaries.
MORE IN MyGM
MyGM is expected to have more shows and superstars per match including new intergender 5-, 6-, and 8-person matches. Support more match types. More shows per season means new management challenges.
FRESH MyRISE
MyRISE comes with a fresh theme and a player defined My Superstars journey will offer great replay value thanks to two new division based storylines. Whether you choose villain or hero, decisions will make an impact. Players can now keep players after main stories with more unlockable content and achievements to her.
MyFACTION RETURNS
The collectible card-battle mode is back. This time with new intergender lineups and quick swamp matches. Players can collect new card designs and boost their performance with new Faction Chemistry and run-in support. Expect a regular release of new themed packs with ongoing goals and seasonal content throughout the year.
BACK TO THE ISLAND
The themed world builds on the final chapter of WWE 2K25 story with Roman Reigns. However, there is no longer a “Tribal Chief” in this island of relevancy. This leaves it open for a power struggle among three factions. Players will choose their group and battle for control. new scrapyard brawl, fresh towers, new shops, and branded gear. Expanded MySuperstar builder with face-photo importing, upgraded quests compete with cutscenes and dialogue screens enhance the immersive experience.
UNIVERSE MODE BRINGS IN THE DRAFT
The WWE Draft has arrived to WWE 2K’s sandbox style simulation mode that fans can take full control to book and manage. Also, there is the new Universe Creation Wizard, Watch Show mode, improved Money in the Bank cash-ins, and additional Promo types.
RELEASE DATES:
The Standard Edition will be released on March 13. You can get the “King of Kings,” “Attitude Era,” and “Monday Night Wars” editions on March 6.
Look for more WWE 2K26 updates in the weeks ahead.