WWE 2K26 Revealed: CM Punk Headlines A Massive Sequel

WWE 2K26 is formally moving into the ring this March, and 2K is betting massive on scale, nostalgia, and participant freedom. Headlined by reigning World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk on the quilt, the most recent entry within the long-running wrestling franchise guarantees new match varieties, sweeping upgrades throughout each mode, and the biggest roster in collection historical past.

WWE 2K26 launches March 13, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X|S, Nintendo Change 2, and PC through Steam. Premium editions arrive every week earlier on March 6. GameSpot participated in a digital press convention through which 2K and Visible Ideas went by the ins-and-outs of what gamers can anticipate from WWE 2K26.

CM Punk Takes Heart Stage

CM Punk graces the Commonplace Version cowl, marking his second time as a WWE sport cowl star after WWE ’13. Fittingly, Punk additionally headlines this yr’s 2K Showcase mode, titled Punked: CM Punk’s Private Journey.

Narrated by Punk himself, the Showcase revisits key moments, matches, and controversies from his profession, whereas additionally introducing parts designed to check even veteran gamers.

“As a child, I might solely dream of being on the quilt of a online game. Now I be part of a really unique group of WWE Superstars who’ve completed it twice,” mentioned CM Punk in a press release. “I loved the expertise of narrating the 2K Showcase, which gave me a chance to inform followers the straight, unfiltered story of the moments, matches, and controversies in my profession.”

Al Stavola, basic supervisor for international communications at 2K Video games, added that whereas a number of the showcase facilities round Punk’s best moments in his WWE profession, a few of it’s “fantasy warfare” with a number of the matches proposing what would have occurred if CM Punk by no means left WWE.

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4 Editions, Heavy On Nostalgia

Along with the Commonplace Version, $70 launched on March 13, WWE 2K26 contains three premium variations:

King of Kings Version, $100 (March 6), centered on Triple H’s in-ring profession and government legacy, and contains Triple H ’98 and Stephanie McMahon ’00, and a “Triple H Signature Taunt” Emote for The Island.
Angle Period Version, $130 (March 6), celebrating WWE’s most iconic late-’90s stars, together with “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker, Kane, Trish Stratus, Lita, Chyna, Kurt Angle, and The Dudley Boyz.
Monday Evening Conflict Version, $150 (March 6), a “super-premium” launch that expands into WCW territory with legends like “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Scott Corridor, Booker T, in addition to Macho Man Randy Savage ’98, Rowdy Roddy Piper ’98, the WCW Thunder ’98 Enviornment, and a Diamond Dallas Web page “Bang!” Emote for The Island.

“Monday Evening Conflict Version. Similar WWE lineup up towards the largest names, arguably, in WCW historical past. What a time to be alive, that was,” mentioned Stavola. “It was very cool. You had your TV, flipping forwards and backwards between channels, we’re attempting to seize that on this tremendous deluxe version of the sport.”

All premium editions unlock seven days early and embrace various ranges of post-launch content material through the brand new Ringside Move system.

Ringside Move Replaces Conventional DLC

WWE 2K26 debuts the Ringside Move, a tier-based development system changing the standard DLC mannequin. Gamers can earn rewards throughout all modes, with six deliberate seasons that includes new Superstars, Legends, Personas, cosmetics, and forex. Premium tiers unlock extra playable characters not included within the base roster, as Stavola defined.

“So, we received an added-value improve to DLC: identical value, you get extra stuff. It’s primarily a Battle Move mannequin in order that you’ll get the identical bundle of superstars you’d get with a DLC pack while you purchase the premium Ringside Move, after which additionally a complete bunch of different stuff to unlock,” he mentioned. “So, we’re providing you with all types of latest cool issues, incentive to maintain taking part in, incomes XP throughout all of the completely different sport modes, apart from the net foyer, so if you happen to play MyFaction, if you happen to play MyRise, you may unlock extra XP, which then lets you unlock content material.”

Stavola continued that whereas they can not give away all of the secrets and techniques, it will finally break right down to 60 free tiers and 40 premium tiers, however even with the free tier, anticipate some massive names.

“One thing that is necessary to notice, as a result of I do know some people are going to ask about this, is what you used to get within the Supercharger–Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, had been within the Supercharger. Like, you might unlock them as you performed by the sport. These are going to be all within the first Ringside Move Season free tier. You may nonetheless unlock them by gameplay; they’re nonetheless accessible for all gamers. You do not have to pay. You may select to in order for you, however you do not have to.”

New Match Sorts And Gameplay Upgrades

One among WWE 2K26’s largest additions is the introduction of 4 new match varieties:

I Give up
Inferno
Three Phases of Hell
Dumpster matches

These be part of expanded weapon choices equivalent to stackable tables, buying carts, and thumbtacks, alongside bigger interactive environments. Intergender matches are actually absolutely supported throughout core modes, and a revamped stamina and reversal system provides extra technique to in-ring motion. Physics and animations have additionally been tuned to make matches really feel extra “dynamic and harmful.”

In the meantime, Three Phases of Hell has been fully revamped in how gamers go from match to match.

“So, Three Phases of Hell, I feel persons are going to be excited for the best way it really works. It might have simply been select three matches, and then you definately play three matches back-to-back with loading screens, and that is not how we did it,” mentioned Visible Ideas’ Derek Donahue.

“You select three matches up entrance, and you’ve got loads of customization for the order through which matches you need. And when you load into the sport, you are going to be there by all three matches. We have now this actually advanced transition system in between, in order that you do not truly hit a loading display in any respect, and it feels prefer it’s a contiguous three levels of hell earlier than you get out of it. It should really feel such as you’ve been by hell, win or lose, on the finish of that match kind.”

Presentation upgrades embrace interactive entrances and a refreshed commentary crew that includes Booker T and Wade Barrett.

“We’re actually engaged on the presentation yearly, and we wish to deliver it up to the mark by way of what the present and in addition historic WWE shows appear to be,” Stavola added. “So, yeah, undoubtedly some nice alternative there to recreate your favourite moments.”

As for interactive entrances, constructing on previous efforts to reinforce entrances, 2K26 takes an even bigger step towards giving gamers extra management and persona in how their characters make an impression.

“Yeah, so, we have tried to amp up the interactions that you’ve throughout entrances. One of many issues that we wished to do in 2K25 was add completely different digicam angles. So we added the third-person digicam, [and] added these presets for the digicam, and we felt like that was begin,” mentioned Visible Ideas inventive director Lynell Jinks.

“In the end, we would like, you already know, individuals to have company over their entrances and breathe character into the efficiency in the course of the entrances. And so, we have added some animations that you may set off. There are three for every kind of archetype. After which, you already know, you may set off them at completely different instances in the course of the entrance. You can too set off pyro on the stage or within the ring. So, it simply provides you slightly bit extra taste to make every entrance your individual.”

The Greatest Roster Ever

WWE 2K26 boasts a 400+ Famous person roster, the biggest in franchise historical past. It spans present RAW, SmackDown, and NXT stars, Legends, and Corridor of Famers. Names confirmed embrace John Cena, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Bret “Hitman” Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Charlotte Aptitude, Penta, Logan Paul, and Andre the Large, alongside new additions of Rey Fenix and Black Munroe, and the returning Rusev.

“The largest roster ever. I do know we at all times say that, however it’s true. 400-plus playable characters. Some are Superstars, some are Legends, some are–well, you will be stunned,” Stavola mentioned. “, yearly we have got a couple of surprises. Joe Hendry, everybody’s been asking for him. He is right here. He is obtainable as a pre-order bonus. We have got some superstars making their debuts–or returns– together with Rey Phoenix, Rusev, Izzy Dane, Miles Bourne … however extra surprises to come back. I feel you guys are gonna be actually excited. We’re not able to reveal the entire roster but, so, you already know, there’ll come a time.”

As for the inclusion of AAA stars being a part of this yr’s roster, as WWE acquired the lucha promotion final yr, affirmation went unanswered for now, with a stable “perhaps” and for followers to remain tuned.

Nintendo Change 2 Will get Unique Options

On Nintendo Change 2, WWE 2K26 helps touchscreen and mouse controls, Pleasure-Con-only play, GameShare, GameChat, and full entry to Picture Uploader and cross-platform Neighborhood Creations–bringing the transportable model nearer than ever to its console counterparts.

Mode-by-Mode Enhancements

Almost each mode receives notable updates:

Creation Suite doubles Create-A-Famous person slots to 200, will increase picture capability to 2,000, and provides deeper physique morphing and two-tone hair choices.
MyGM expands match selection with intergender bouts, bigger multi-person matches, and extra exhibits per season.
MyRISE introduces division-based storylines with branching heroic or villainous paths and prolonged post-story development.
Universe Mode lastly provides the WWE Draft, plus a brand new Universe Creation Wizard, Watch Present mode, and improved Cash within the Financial institution cash-ins.
The Island returns with a brand new storyline, factions, a Scrapyard Brawl atmosphere, and expanded social and development programs, now obtainable on all platforms, together with PC.
MyFACTION introduces Faction Chemistry, Fast Swap matches, and continued seasonal card content material all year long.

With a number of editions and broad platform help, WWE 2K26 represents the following step for the collection because it continues to refine its method forward of launch.