WWE 2K26 review: It’s time to revamp the game

As a long-time fan of wrestling games, I’ve noticed yearly releases often don’t change much, and honestly, this year’s WWE 2K feels like they just added a little bit to the last game instead of making a whole new experience. It doesn’t feel like a full game, more like an expansion pack.

For the past few years, WWE 2K games have followed a familiar pattern. They typically include a Showcase mode where you replay classic matches with various goals, a MyRise story mode to create your own wrestler, and some minor gameplay tweaks.

While 2K26 offers some improvements over 2K25 in how it plays, these changes seem minor enough that they could have been added to last year’s game with updates.

WWE 2K26 screenshots

WWE 2K26 gameplay with Fiend vs Randy Orton in Inferno Match

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The most refined WWE 2K experience yet

I’m so hyped! Now, at the start of a match, I get to decide how I want to approach my opponent. I can go for a respectful handshake, rush right in, try some grappling, or just start throwing punches – it’s totally up to me! It adds a whole new level of control and personality to each fight.

This update makes matches feel more realistic. We’ve also improved the game’s physics and stamina system. Now, if your stamina gets too low, you won’t be able to perform reversals, leaving you vulnerable to finishing moves with no way to defend yourself.

The game also includes updated weapons and physics. A highly requested feature this year is the addition of thumbtacks, letting you recreate iconic moments like the Royal Rumble 2000 match.

The game now features expanded physics, allowing for things like stacking tables on top of each other. You can also use ladders as bridges to inflict extra damage, and there are new ways to use weapons. Plus, you can now perform moves like powerbombing opponents onto the steel steps.

The game plays better than ever, but it’s not a huge leap forward from last year. It still feels a little awkward and depends too much on quick turnarounds, lacking a smooth, fast pace. However, if you’re a big fan of the WWE 2K series, you’ll absolutely love this game.

The game boasts a really strong lineup, bringing back popular characters like New Jack. It features almost everyone you’d want to see, even faces from previous MyRise storylines. However, while the roster looks extensive, be aware that many of those spots are simply variations of existing wrestlers.

The collection features an independent version of CM Punk, with his entrance music being a remix of the Terminator theme – specifically, the song “Miseria Cantare” by AFI. Those familiar with the song will immediately recognize it.

The only wrestlers not included are those currently signed with other wrestling organizations, like Edge and Christian – which is understandable.

As always, there’s a lot of talent in the community who are great at creating wrestlers using the available tools. I’m especially excited to see if someone will create a version of my favorite local promotion, C4 Wrestling.

I do anticipate seeing TNA wrestlers added in future downloadable content, but that raises a whole separate set of issues I’ll discuss shortly.

We’re good on game modes

This year’s game introduces several new match types. Players can now enjoy the return of I Quit and Inferno matches, as well as the debut of Three Stages of Hell and Dumpster matches.

While the ‘Three Stages of Hell’ match sounded good on paper, it didn’t quite deliver. Even though it was just a standard two-fall match with different stipulations for each fall, it felt disjointed. It was also strange to see wrestlers bleeding during the first fall, only to appear completely fine in the following ones.

Inferno has really impressed me this year. I haven’t always loved these types of matches – there haven’t been many – but this year’s version is great. It allows wrestlers to fight outside the ring and use weapons, creating a chaotic and exciting scene with a burning ring, broken glass, and plenty of painful-looking thumbtacks. It’s a genuinely fun match to watch.

A “dumpster match” is pretty straightforward – you win by throwing your opponent into a dumpster. While the concept might sound terrible, it’s actually a fun match type. It’s very similar to matches that end when someone is put in a casket or ambulance.

I Quit matches follow typical hardcore rules, but include a unique challenge: you have to time button presses to prevent yourself from submitting. When attacking, you can also place “blockers” to hinder your opponent.

I really hope the developers don’t just keep adding new and unnecessary match types to the next game. We already have plenty, and things like Buried Alive, Last Ride, or even “On A Pole” matches aren’t needed. I’d prefer they focus on improving the match types we already have instead.

Been there, done that

This year’s Showcase event focuses on CM Punk. After returning to WWE in 2023, he quickly became a top star again, and the Showcase will highlight some of his most famous matches.

If you’re familiar with Showcase modes in wrestling games, you’ll quickly understand this one. It lets you replay classic matches from a wrestler’s career, complete with their own personal commentary.

Showcase mode in WWE 2K has become quite predictable, and this year’s version continues that trend. While last year’s focused on The Bloodline with a range of wrestlers, this year’s is heavily centered around CM Punk, offering less overall variety.

The game lets you explore alternate storylines, like what would have happened if CM Punk hadn’t left WWE. You can even play through scenarios where he wrestles at WrestleMania 30 instead of Daniel Bryan, or has Kurt Angle’s last match.

One of the cool features is that you can choose who Punk fights. This means if you want to recreate a classic moment – like hitting three Stone Cold Stunners in a dream match – you can. In fact, you need to, because it’s a required part of the game.

If you didn’t enjoy last year’s Showcase, you likely won’t find this one any more engaging. However, skilled players can bypass most of it by completing an optional Gauntlet challenge, immediately unlocking all the content.

MyRise is the standard WWE story mode, letting you guide a custom male or female character through their career.

I secretly love these game modes! It’s always fun creating a unique moveset for my wrestler, even though they’re a little over-the-top and silly. I enjoy them anyway.

Universe mode has been improved with more ways to customize your experience. However, 2K should consider a significant overhaul in the future, as many players primarily purchase WWE games for this mode.

Ringside pass doesn’t work for me, brother

The biggest issue with WWE 2K26, and why I can’t suggest it to those who played the previous version, is the Ringside pass.

Battle passes are common in games these days, but this one doesn’t make sense for WWE. Players who buy the game and extra content usually want immediate access to all the new characters, not to unlock them over time.

This year’s system feels particularly aggressive, even for WWE 2K. Now, you need to actually play matches to progress through the battle pass and unlock all the content.

On top of buying the full-price base game, each of the six seasons costs $9.99.

I completed a full MyRise story mode and only reached level 8 out of 40. I’m really worried about how players will feel in a few months when they realize how much they have to play to unlock content they’ve already purchased.

The only way to progress faster is to purchase boosts with real money, which feels like a way to pressure players to spend more. This practice is disappointing in a modern game, and the developers should either remove this system entirely or make substantial improvements.

Wrestling fans are known for being dedicated and willing to spend a lot of money, which is why WWE ticket prices have been so high. However, recent sales from WrestleMania suggest that fans might be reaching their limit.

Verdict

WWE 2K26 is shaping up to be something special. It’s been built on a solid base with a fantastic selection of wrestlers, plenty of game modes, and well-developed gameplay systems.

Now it’s time to combine everything and move forward. We won’t be adding any new features like Showcase or match types. Instead, let’s concentrate on improving what we already have.

Instead of just adding new things, WWE 2K26 should focus on making what’s already there better – improving the core gameplay, overhauling Universe mode, and upgrading the overall experience. Right now, the game feels weighed down by repetitive features and a Ringside Pass system that feels unfair and unnecessary, especially as it currently exists.

I recommend waiting for a sale before buying this game. If you haven’t played a WWE 2K game recently, it could be enjoyable, but be aware that it does have some issues.

2026-03-05 14:21