Tag: WWE 2K26

Details on WWE 2K26 Showcase Mode featuring CM Punk

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The new Ringside report video for WWE 2K26 is officially out and has revealed several new details on CM Punk’s showcase mode.

WWE 2K26 showcase mode is based on this year’s cover star, Punk. It will focus on his WWE tenure, past matches, and a few dream matches. While Paul Heyman narrated last year’s Bloodline Showcase, Punk will do the honor for his showcase mode this year.

The new promotional trailer and Ringside report videos share a detailed look at gameplay, confirm a few matches, and introduce a brand-new mode. Here are some of the matches confirmed via the announcements (in no particular order):

  • CM Punk vs. JBL (SummerSlam 2008)
  • CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (Armageddon 2008)
  • CM Punk vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania 27)
  • CM Punk vs. John Cena (RAW, Feb. 25, 2013)
  • CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2013)
  • CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Bad Blood 2024)
  • CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (WWE RAW Netflix debut)
  • CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 41)

Punk noted that the showcase will begin with his first-ever WrestleMania main event match, the WrestleMania 41 triple threat amongst him, Rollins, and Reigns.

Three other ‘What if’ dream matches were also announced for the mode. These matches never took place in reality, unlike the above bouts, and are Punk’s dream matches or bouts that could’ve taken place if he had not walked out of WWE in 2014.

  • CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero (Dream match)
  • CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Dream match)
  • CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. The Miz & Maryse (Dream match)

The previous editions of the showcase mode included several more matches, and it is expected that Punk’s showcase will not just be limited to these few bouts. More matches are expected to be announced as the game release gets near.

CM Punk announces brand new WWE 2K26 gameplay mode

In the same Ringside Report video, Punk announced the launch of the brand new WWE 2K26 ‘Gauntlet mode.’

This mode is targeted toward players interested in unlocking all the rewards without grinding through the lengthy showcase matches. Players can choose to play the 20-man gauntlet mode, where they need to successfully defeat 20 consecutive competitors.

Once done, the players unlock massive rewards and a huge collection of content and unlockables from the showcase journey. This mode can be played by selecting either Punk or AJ Lee.

WWE 2K26 will release on March 13, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Daily Update: Joe Hendry, Roxanne Perez, WWE 2K26

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site today:
*Road to WrestleMania including the booking changes and injury changes that have caused several changes of plans since they were first in place. We discuss the evolution of this year’s two main events.
*We look at how the Royal Rumble show changed on the last day
*Full Royal Rumble coverage
*Status of different matches
*AJ Styles and is this his final match
*Business notes on the show
*Plans for Elimination Chamber
*How Royal Rumble did on Netflix
*What changes in Nielsen have meant to the TV ratings and why this has happened, and how it will happen multiple more times in 2026 to a lesser degree
*Has the increased in reported viewership helped pro wrestling in the TV world
*Full UFC 325 coverage
*Death of Frankie Cain/Great Mephisto, one of the most intriguing pro wrestling characters of the 60s and 70s with ties to many different worlds
*Death of Bob Lueck, a former Stampede Wrestling headliner who was a CFL All-Star and how he was responsible for getting one of the most important and most influential wrestlers of all-time into the industry
*The most detailed look at the ratings of the pro wrestling shows this past week including placings, demos and silliness
*Box office record set
*CMLL star arrested
*AEW stars spend the week in CMLL
*Major Arena Mexico shows coming
*Reyes del Aire report
*Hiromu Takahashi leaving
*New Japan major show this week
*Fantastica Mania cards announced
*Best matches of 2025
*AEW booking direction
*New AEW signings
*Advance ticket sales for all the major WWE & AEW shows
*Dana White’s testimony regarding his job
*Pride star passes away
*Ava departure from WWE

This Week’s Back Issue

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Tuesday Update

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

Gameplay trailer released for WWE 2K26

Posted on by Bryan Rose

2K has released a new gameplay trailer for WWE 2K26.

The latest drop for the upcoming video game aired Saturday during the Royal Rumble premium live event. This was the first to feature gameplay, showing current stars such as CM Punk, El Grande Americano, Stephanie Vaquer, and IYO SKY. It also demonstrated new and returning game modes such as inferno and dumpster matches.

Throughout the week, details have been trickling out regarding this year’s WWE game, which is set to be released officially on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. 2K is touting that it will have the largest roster in franchise history with over 400 wrestlers from the past and present. CM Punk will be the focus of this year’s Showcase mode, and Joe Hendry will be a pre-order bonus character for the standard edition of the game.

There will also be three other versions of the game: King of Kings, Attitude Era, and Monday Night War. These will be released on March 6, a few days before the standard release.

WWE 2K26 full details announced

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The hype for WWE 2K26 is now in full swing with some more details about the game now being revealed.

WWE and 2K Games announced this morning that CM Punk will serve as the cover star of WWE 2K26. The game is set to be released on Friday, March 13 — and 2K is touting that it will feature the largest roster in franchise history. There will be more than 400 wrestlers/legends on the roster, with the following names already confirmed:

  • CM Punk
  • John Cena
  • Randy Savage
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Roman Reigns
  • IYO SKY
  • Andre the Giant
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Bron Breakker
  • Roddy Piper
  • Seth Rollins
  • Logan Paul
  • Stephanie Vaquer
  • Eddie Guerrero
  • Liv Morgan
  • Bret Hart
  • Penta
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Randy Orton
  • Rey Fenix
  • Rusev
  • Blake Monroe

Joe Hendry is also in WWE 2K26 as the pre-order bonus character for the standard edition of the game.

Four new match types will be featured, giving you the ability to play in inferno matches, dumpster matches, I Quit matches, and Three Stages of Hell.

Along with being the cover star, Punk is the focus of this year’s Showcase mode, which allows you to play through some of his past matches and other dream bouts:

CM Punk jumps through time to relive incredible moments from his career. Narrated by ‘The Best in the World’ himself, players will relive iconic matches and battle against WWE Legends in Fantasy Warfare. For those who want to truly prove their mettle, the Showcase Gauntlet looks to push players to their limits! CM Punk’s rise, rebellion, and return make this the most personal 2K Showcase yet.

WWE 2K26 is being released on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Early access begins on March 6 for those who pre-order either of the three most expensive editions of the game. Here are full pricing details:

  • Standard edition: $69.99 USD
  • King of Kings edition: $99.99 USD
  • Attitude Era edition: $129.99 USD
  • Monday Night War edition: $149.99 USD

WWE 2K26 cover star revealed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the second time in his career, CM Punk is being featured as the cover star of a WWE video game.

Punk was officially unveiled as the cover star for WWE 2K26 during an announcement that was made on Friday’s Royal Rumble kickoff event in Saudi Arabia. The game, which is set to be released on March 13, is now available for pre-order. It will be available on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Punk also appeared on the cover of WWE ’13 during his initial run with the company. He’s been back in WWE since November 2023 and is the current World Heavyweight Champion.

“It is my pleasure and my honor. When I was a little kid, I could only dream of being on the cover of a video game,” Punk said at today’s kickoff event. “And now I am joining some esteemed dignitaries that have been on the cover twice. It’s amazing, it’s pretty special we got to do the reveal here today in front of all you wonderful fans. I missed you guys, I love you.”

Punk is also the focus of WWE 2K26’s Showcase mode, where you are able to play through some of his past matches as well as dream-match scenarios.

While the standard edition of the game has Punk on the cover, there are three other editions also being released. The “King of Kings,” “Attitude Era,” and “Monday Night War” editions include early access, extra features, and will be available at a higher price point than the regular game.

The official gameplay trailer for WWE 2K26 is set to air during the Royal Rumble this Saturday. Punk does not have a title defense at the PLE but will be appearing as a panelist on the countdown show.

Daily Update: WWE 2K26, PWI Awards, Taka Michinoku

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the interest level, the Royal Rumble and Rumble odds
    Big Bad Bobby Duncum, a look at the career of a worldwide headliner who worked on top with almost every major babyface of the 70s, including big WWF and AWA runs and Japanese major tournaments
  • CMLL has a big business week with Bandido, Ricochet, Komander, Gates of Agony and Lee Moriarty.
  • A look at some of the best matches so far this year and the craziness that ruined what could have been the best of all of them.
  • A look at prior plans for 2025 PPV shows that changed
  • A look at Netflix numbers over the past six months, as well as how every PPV in 2025 did and some surprises in that direction, as well as how SmackDown did internationally as well as NXT, and how shows that went head-to-head with AEW PPVs drew.
  • Notes on the TNA ratings for the first show on AMC and what they tell us.
  • TNA Genesis coverage
  • 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards ballot
  • More AEW stars to CMLL next week
  • AAA TV taping notes
  • Thoughts on the current AAA product and how it relates to Lucha Libre and WWE
  • Stardom makes claim against Marigold
  • Saya Kamitani returns early
  • Notes about a mainstream model who became one of the first big stars in Stardom and women’s MVP
  • Best tag team match of the year
  • New Japan next major show lineup
  • Eight promotions combine for a singles tournament
  • The potential best actual wrestler in the world signs with RAF
  • Feast or Fired thoughts
  • More on AEW’s future with the WBD sale to Netflix
  • Trey Miguel situation
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week
  • UFC returns to action with first big show of 2026
  • Top exec since the inception of  PFL leaves
  • More notes regarding a lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
  • WWE headliner talks bowing out
  • WWE and AEW injury updates
  • Punk movie box office
  • Talent coming and going from promotions
  • TKO and WWE execs get millions this quarter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Mercedes Mone was chosen as Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Woman of the Year for 2025, with Toni Storm taking home the award for Most Popular Wrestler of the Year.
  • Harley Cameron thanked the readers of PWI for naming her their Most Improved Wrestler:
    • Thank you to the readers of PWI for voting me Most Improved for 2025. And thank you @aew and @tonyrkhan for allowing me to live out my dream! I vow to continue improving…my improvement!
  • Mike Santana reacted to being chosen as PWI’s Most Inspirational Wrestler of the year:
    • Huge shoutout to all the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and every person who’s walked this path with me. 
    • Blessed and humbled that my journey has connected with so many. You all have played a huge role in motivating me to push forward every single day. 
    • THANK YOU.
  • Shotzi Blackheart was named PWI’s Indie Wrestler of the Year.
  • Evil Uno has been announced for DDT Pro Wrestling’s 29th Anniversary show on March 22.
  • Taka Michinoku noted that he’ll be in the United States at the end of March and is looking for bookings around Indianapolis:
    • I’m going to Indianapolis on March 27th and 28th. If I go all the way to US, I’d like to wrestle around that time. I went to England and Australia in the last few years, but it’s been seven years since I went to the U.S. Please make an offer to DM.
  • CMLL wrestlers Persephone and La Catalina were featured in a documentary from L’Oreal Groupe:
    • What’s the secret behind the Olympian Noah Lyles’s record-breaking sprints? How do star lucha libre wrestlers Persephone and La Catalina prepare their game face ahead of a match? And how does the FC Barcelona soccer player Jules Kounde achieve greatness through routine?
    • ‘Meeting the Moment’ is a documentary narrated by the basketball legend Sue Bird that follows four athletes as they prepare for a major sports competition, revealing how physical training, mental fortitude and self-care rituals make up their winning formula.
  • Madison Rayne discussed her in-ring retirement on AEW Unrestricted.
  • Daria Rae (the former Sonya Deville) appeared on a new episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.

Report: WWE 2K26 release date revealed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

As the hype for WWE 2K26 continues to build, we may now know when the game will be released.

Gaming insider Billbil-kun of Dealabs Magazine reports that WWE 2K26 is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 13. That’s typically around the time WWE 2K is released each year, with it coming out in March during WrestleMania season. The report states that WWE 2K26 will be released on PS5, Xbox Series S/X , Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, but it’s not yet known if the game will be available on PS4 and Xbox One.

WWE and 2K Games have officially confirmed three special editions of the game: an Attitude Era edition, Monday Night War edition, and a Triple H-themed King of Kings edition. The main cover star has not been revealed yet. The official announcement is set to be made this Friday (January 30), which is the same day that pre-orders will go live.

Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Kane, Kurt Angle, Chyna, Trish Stratus, Lita, Stephanie McMahon, and The Dudley Boyz are on the cover of the Attitude Era edition, while the Monday Night War cover has Austin, Rock, Undertaker, Triple H, Angle, Chyna, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Booker T, and Eric Bischoff.

As far as gameplay goes, it’s reported that CM Punk will be the focus of this year’s Showcase mode. It’s a story mode that spotlights one wrestler and allows you to relive some of their past moments and play through dream match scenarios.

‘Monday Night Wars’ edition of WWE 2K26 announced

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Another version of WWE 2K26 has been announced.

Following the Attitude Era edition trailer that premiered on Friday’s SmackDown, a Monday Night Wars edition of the upcoming video game was revealed during Saturday Night’s Main Event. Both editions of the game will be avaliable to pre-order starting on January 30.

The trailer shown on Saturday features familiar clips from the Monday Night Wars that took place between WWE and WCW from 1995 through WCW’s purchase in 2001 including the rise of the nWo, D-Generation X, Goldberg, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Details on what either version of the game will include has yet to be announced.

Cover wrestlers include Austin, Rock, Undertaker, Triple H, Kurt Angle, and Chyna on one side with Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Goldberg, Booker T, and Eric Bischoff on the other.

Not many details have been announced so far for 2K26. A commercial was taped last month that will air in the coming weeks, and it was reported earlier this month that this year’s Showcase Mode will center on CM Punk, including ‘what if’ scenarios.

‘Attitude Era’ edition of WWE 2K26 announced

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Attitude Era is returning to the WWE 2K games.

The first commercial for the latest entry in the long-running series aired during Friday’s SmackDown. The trailer focused on clips from stars during that era including Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kane, Undertaker, Triple H, Chyna, Trish Stratus, and Lita, among others. Pre-orders start on January 30.

Friday’s commercial was the first to officially confirm WWE 2K26 for this year, though no release date was mentioned. Earlier this month amid reports and speculation that there may not be a 2K release, Bryan Alvarez noted that WWE had taped a commercial for the game last month that will air over the next few weeks.

It was also reported earlier this month by Insider Gaming that CM Punk will be the focus of this year’s Showcase Mode. The mode will reportedly feature a number of ‘what if’ matches that could have happened if Punk didn’t choose to leave the company in 2014, as well as matches featuring talent that Punk has yet to face for whatever reason.

Report: CM Punk to star in WWE 2K26 Showcase mode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It looks like CM Punk will play a big part in the next edition of the WWE 2K video game series.

The promotional push for WWE 2K26 will begin soon with a commercial for the game having been filmed last month. Insider Gaming reports that the game is scheduled for a March release, and Punk is set to be the focus of the annual Showcase mode, which is a story mode that spotlights a specific wrestler and allows you to play through their journey.

According to Insider Gaming, part of the Showcase will see you play out a “what if?” scenario of matches that could have happened had Punk never walked out of WWE in 2014.

“Insider Gaming has learned that WWE 2K26’s Showcase Mode will feature none other than CM Punk. According to sources, the showcase will be narrated by CM Punk himself and feature three sections of matches,” the report said.

“The first section has players relive some of Punk’s favorite matches throughout his WWE career. There are also ‘What If?’ matches that look at what could have been had Punk not left the company in 2014. And, lastly, fantasy matches will see Punk take on opponents that he never was able to face for one reason or another.”

Punk returned to pro wrestling for AEW in 2021 and then came back to WWE in 2023. He is the current World Heavyweight Champion and is set to defend the title against Finn Balor on Raw this coming Monday.

The cover star for WWE 2K26 has not been announced yet, nor has the exact release date.

Commercial for WWE 2K26 was taped last month

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Every year, WWE releases its WWE 2K video game during the Road to WrestleMania season, with the cover reveal and initial teaser often taking place during the Royal Rumble PLE.

Now, with less than a month to go before this year’s Royal Rumble, a major update has surfaced regarding the status of WWE 2K26. Bryan Alvarez has addressed the online speculation and reports suggesting that there may be no WWE 2K26 release this year and shared a major update.

It was noted in the report that, “WWE taped the commercial for it in December and it will air over the next few weeks.”

Last year, WWE released it’s 2K25 video game to major positive reviews on March 14th, 2025. The game featured several new modes, superstars, and other features. It also showcased for the first-time The Island mode exclusive to console users and was heavily inspired by NBA 2K’s “The City” mode. Later, WWE also released the 2K25 mobile version in collaboration with Netflix.

As of now, beyond Alvarez’s comments on the commercial, there have been no additional reports clarifying the status or a possible release date for WWE 2K26.