Review | WWE 2K26 - An Embodiment of the Ruthless Depression Era
For the last four years, I’ve been buried deep in the WWE and its games. However, after WWE 2K26 and the parent company TKO’s decisions, it is difficult to be a fan of “the product.” With the annoying season pass that locks away previously available content from prior games and new wrestlers under progression as opposed to DLC, it is hard to recommend 2K’s newest effort off the bat. It certainly feels like a “fall from grace,” despite improvements to the MyGM mode and a solid CM Punk showcase.
It truly is the Ruthless Depression era, as WWE fans have called it over the past few years. It has been compounded by the company’s ties to the wretched Trump regime and the recent releases, including Nikki Cross (and the rest of the Wyatt Sicks), Zoey Stark, and Aleister Black, among many others. WWE 2K26 naturally is a representation of that.
Like the expensive ticket prices in arenas, the game will take every opportunity to try to suck your wallet dry. Previously, all of the DLC wrestlers had to be unlocked through a grindy Ringside Pass, but after negative feedback, they will now be available from Tier 1, thankfully. However, previously available characters from last year’s game now have to be unlocked through this grindy service. Weirdly, iconic wrestlers like Andre the Giant, Kurt Angle, and the British Bulldog have to be unlocked through this annoying setup.
You have to get up to Level 27 to unlock Mankind, which is absolutely nutty. What particularly feels unpleasant is that you have to reach Level 40 to reach the Fiend ‘23, as the man behind the character, Bray Wyatt, passed away not so long ago. Of course, if you want to skip the RXP grind and get the characters straight away, you’ll need to double-dip and pay up a significant amount of money.
What is positive, however, is the CM Punk showcase. It goes through some of the Second City Saint’s career from his 2008 match against JBL to the triple threat with Roman Reigns and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The commentary by CM Punk is entertaining as the 48-year-old chronicles his career. Additionally, the cutscenes are well-animated as you follow each match as closely as possible, completing each task.
Another aspect of the showcase that’s enjoyable is the what-if scenarios. As CM Punk, you can wrestle Stone Cold Steve Austin and Eddie Guerrero, among others. We also get some interesting match-ups, contemplating what would have occurred if CM Punk had never left the WWE in 2014. The rewards for the showcase mode are decent, with alt attires for Punk, AJ Lee as a playable wrestler, and many arenas across the years. It’s annoying that old school superstars like Eddie Guerrero and Cactus Jack are locked behind these matches, however.
MyGM has been improved since last year, including many more matches, including intergender. It is somewhat disappointing, on the other hand, that women can’t grab male titles, like Chyna winning the Intercontinental title from Jeff Jarrett in the 90s. More scenarios between you and the wrestlers have been added to MyGM, on the other hand, making the experience more dynamic. Some of the cards feel overpowered, but the addition of more match types is a welcome inclusion. One established duo, Guilia and Kiana James, wasn’t seen as a good tag team, so there are a few mishaps, but overall, MyGM is still as engrossing as ever. I’ve spent a bunch of hours in this, and it’s my most-played mode. I love management sims.
What I don’t love, though, are a few of the animation mishaps. When you try to pull off a move from the top rope, I’ve noticed the models reacting with the ropes weirdly as their legs bend. It doesn’t happen too often, but it does take you out of it, and doesn’t help the series ongoing image of only fixing technical issues for the next yearly installment if things are game-breakingly bad. It’s also quite odd to see everyone have the same crowd interactions during entrances. Roman Reigns performing a whiny face as a heel interaction is very odd to see. Unique interactions with the crowd would be so much better.
Some of the entrances feel outdated. One huge omission is Kit Wilson’s new theme music and dance that has taken the world by storm. Likely due to his recent rise in power, Oba Femi has had his entrance changed, but his famous strut still isn’t replicated well. He doesn’t raise his arms high and mighty enough. Animations of the characters within cutscenes are also pretty horrible. They’re flapping their arms and bodies to emote, like the NPCs from 2006’s Sonic the Hedgehog. For a series adamant on presenting itself as a simulation of sports entertainment, accurate animations are one of the core tenets of recreating the sport, and something the WWE series is still somehow struggling with.
Let’s dive into MyRISE, then, as we speak about the character animations. Overall, it’s an entertaining experience, playing as a wrestler returning to the WWE after a few years of being out of the career. Paul Heyman is the MVP of this mode, antagonising the player. Playing as a woman during this mode, Heyman represented Jordynne Grace. It feels like a perfect pairing as she’s the tough wrestler who can pick you up and throw you around. If you choose a guy, it will be Bron Breakker.
The voice acting by the wrestlers is surprisingly good, and the scenarios during MyRISE are intriguing enough to keep you going. What is frustrating about MyRISE, however, is that you have to complete random matches and gain enough stars to continue the story. This feels laborious, especially at the beginning, as you work your way through the indies. Fighting in your tenth bland bingo hall with no commentary might be true to life, but it isn’t as fun as brawling in a crowded arena.
On the bright side, it is a blessing in disguise to be without commentary sometimes. Booker T was added as a commentator in WWE 2K26 and he’s really annoying to listen to. Many criticise his work on NXT, and I can see why. I hate it when I experience Joe Hendry’s entrance because his otherwise awesome theme is ruined by Booker’s terrible singing. It would be great in future games to get an option to turn off certain commentators.
Despite the uncanny valley affecting the models in some cutscenes, the wrestlers look fantastic in WWE 2K26. Most look just like the real thing (especially if they’re very popular or pushed a lot), and you could possibly fool someone. Don’t look into the crowd, though; they’re the stuff of nightmares. On a positive note, when you actually look at the wrestlers, you’ll notice some spectacular lighting on these athletes.
The wrestling gameplay itself is spot-on. Countering moves by pressing the same button as the opponent is rewarding. Weapon attacks feel brutal as you see how each character’s body bleeds and bruises in disturbingly accurate detail. Each attack feels precise, and other than the characters having trouble with the ropes on occasion with their legs, it is incredibly fun to play overall. I prefer more of a simulation style than the more basic arcade style from older WWE games and AEW Fight Forever.
The Island might be the worst addition to the series in recent memory. The acting is god-awful, and the storylines are somehow even worse. It feels like a half-hearted attempt to try to get you to purchase in-app cosmetics. Don’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. The same goes for MyFACTION, which has WWE Superstars recreated as cards. Going through pointless rounds of wrestling for points and cards that barely get you anything is super grindy and not worth your time. It feels like a damn job.
Actually, the only positive thing about The Island is some of the elaborate arena designs. You can go up high on a platform and leap off, creating a hellstorm of pain towards your foe underneath a wreckage of tables below. You’ll also be on a tight bridge over a long distance under each superstar’s feet, which increases the tension of the match, as seen below.
WWE 2K26 is certainly not a stunner and is worse than its predecessors. The Ringside Pass should be thrown out the door like Michin launching Chelsea Green into a dumpster in that memorable 2024 match. While the overall game is still fun to play, the constant presence of wanting your money through micro-transactions does spoil that initial enjoyment. I wish this game weren’t as predatory as WWE sending its American customers to multiple streaming apps to keep up with its content.
WWE 2K26 was played on PS5 with a code provided by the publisher.
