WWE 2K games have long been a staple for wrestling fans, offering a virtual playground where players can step into the ring with their favorite superstars. However, the ever-changing nature of WWE’s roster presents unique challenges for the game developers at 2K. Wrestlers frequently leave WWE due to contract expirations, releases, or even jumps to rival promotions, such as AEW. How does WWE 2K handle these departures? Let’s get into the various ways the franchise manages roster changes when wrestlers leave WWE.
1. Removing Superstars from Future Games
One of the most immediate ways WWE 2K deals with roster changes is by removing departed wrestlers from upcoming editions of the game. If a superstar leaves WWE before the development cycle is complete, they are usually excluded from the next release. This has been evident in cases like Bray Wyatt’s removal from WWE 2K22 after his release in 2021. Similarly, Jeff Hardy was cut from WWE 2K22 following his exit from the company.
Game developers work closely with WWE, which ultimately has the final say on who remains in the game. If a wrestler leaves months before a new game’s launch, chances are they won’t make the cut. However, if their departure happens too close to release, they may still be included due to production constraints.
2. Keeping Superstars Under Legends or DLC Deals
While main-roster wrestlers often get removed after leaving WWE, some superstars remain in the game under a different category—Legends. This usually happens if they have a long-standing relationship with WWE or if they’ve signed a separate licensing agreement. For instance, Kurt Angle and The Rock have been included in games long after their full-time careers ended due to their legendary status.
Additionally, some released wrestlers appear in WWE 2K games as part of downloadable content (DLC). For example, Samoa Joe was released by WWE but remained in WWE 2K22 through a previously agreed-upon DLC deal. This allows players to continue using their favorite wrestlers even if they are no longer actively competing in WWE.
WWE 2K Wrestlers Leaving WWE (Image via 2K Sports)3. Altering or Editing Superstar Gimmicks
In some cases, a superstar’s departure results in modifications rather than outright removal. If a wrestler undergoes a drastic character change in real life, WWE 2K may update their appearance, entrance, or theme song in subsequent updates or new releases. A good example is when wrestlers return under new personas, like Bray Wyatt’s transition from The Eater of Worlds to The Fiend.
However, when a wrestler leaves WWE and joins another promotion, their old WWE persona remains under WWE’s intellectual property. This means that WWE 2K cannot legally feature them as they currently appear elsewhere. Instead, fans rely on the game’s creation suite to manually craft accurate versions of their favorite stars, often with impressive results.
4. Using the Community Creations Feature
A major advantage WWE 2K offers is its robust Community Creations feature. Even when a wrestler is removed from the official roster, fans can still recreate and share versions of them through custom character uploads. These user-generated wrestlers often include authentic-looking attires, entrance animations, and move sets, allowing players to keep their favorite stars in the game.
For instance, when wrestlers like CM Punk or Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) left WWE, fans quickly uploaded highly detailed community versions of them in each new game. This feature has become a lifeline for players who want to maintain an up-to-date roster despite WWE’s real-world changes.
WWE 2K Wrestlers Leaving WWE (Image via 2K Sports)5. Unexpected Returns and Special Appearances
Wrestlers leaving WWE are not always permanent. Many superstars make comebacks, either for special appearances or full-time runs, which often results in their re-inclusion in WWE 2K. Edge’s return in 2020 saw him reintroduced into WWE 2K20 and subsequent games. Similarly, superstars like Cody Rhodes, who left WWE in 2016 and later returned in 2022, were added back in future installments.
Because WWE’s terrain is unpredictable, developers sometimes leave room for last-minute changes. If a high-profile superstar is expected to return, 2K may include them via updates or special packs. This flexibility ensures that fans get the most up-to-date and dynamic roster possible.