WWE 2K23: 24 playable superstars and legends are on deck

Who wants to only play with modern day superstars in WWE 2K games? Turns out WWE 2K23 is coming correct with some legit legends in the roadmap for post-launch content updates.

WWE 2K23 is stacked with tons of superstars and legends

Forget single digits, it’s looking like nearly 30 playable superstars and legends are on deck for once the must-play wrestling game arrives mid-March. Unfortunately, some legends like Wade Barrett and Nathan Frazer are on ice until August.

Today, 2K unveiled the roadmap for post-launch content updates* in WWE® 2K23, featuring fan-favorite WWE Superstars, Legends and several rising NXT stars making their franchise debuts. In total, five post-launch content packs will be available featuring 24 new playable characters, providing players with new matchups for months to come. Post-launch content packs are available for individual purchase, while the full set of packs is included with the Season Pass**, Deluxe Edition, and Icon Edition of WWE 2K23.

DLC Superstars include three-time former World Champion Bray Wyatt, former Raw Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, aka The O.C., 2022 WWE Hall of Fame inductees Scott Steiner and Rick Steiner, Hollywood icon Zeus, SmackDown color commentator and five-time Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, and first-ever three-time WWE Divas Champion Eve Torres.

Full content pack names, dates, and notable additions include:

Steiner Row Pack

Release Date: April 19

• Scott Steiner;

• Rick Steiner;

• Top Dolla;

• Ashante Adonis;

• B-Fab - Manager only. Not a playable Superstar.

Pretty Sweet Pack

Release Date: May 17

• Karl Anderson;

• Luke Gallows;

• Tiffany Stratton;

• Elton Prince;

• Kit Wilson.

Race to NXT Pack

Release Date: June 14

• Harley Race;

• Ivy Nile;

• Wendy Choo;

• Tony D’Angelo;

• Trick Williams.

Revel with Wyatt Pack

Release Date: July 19

• Bray Wyatt;

• Zeus;

• Valhalla;

• Joe Gacy;

• Blair Davenport.

Bad News U Pack

Release Date: August 16

• Eve Torres;

• Wade Barrett;

• Damon Kemp;

• Andre Chase;

• Nathan Frazer.

Season Pass also features the MyRISE Mega-Boost, which includes an additional 200 Attribute Points, and Supercharger, which unlocks all base game WWE Legends and throwback arenas.

WWE 2K23 Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition will be available on March 14, 2023. WWE 2K23 Standard Edition and Cross-Gen will be available March 17, 2023. For more information on WWE 2K23, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube. Official campaign hashtags #WWE2K23 and #EvenStronger.

John Cena is legit taking over the WWE 2K23 soundtrack

It’s one thing to be the cover star but WWE icon John Cena also being the 2K23 executive producer? Holy smokes is an understatement.

John Cena has officially taken over the WWE 2K23 soundtrack

Whether it’s showing love to hip-hop stars like Joyner Lucas and Lil Baby or completely rocking out with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ozzy Osbourne, Johnny has making sure all genres get attention.

2K unveiled the complete soundtrack for WWE 2K23, curated by cover Superstar and Executive Soundtrack Producer John Cena. Featuring a collection of songs from some of the biggest artists in the world today, fans can check out this Even Stronger soundtrack today on Apple Music.

The official WWE 2K23 track list, curated by John Cena, includes:

• Metallica - "Sad But True"

• Bizarrap & Quevedo - "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52"

• Doja Cat - "Vegas" 

• Luciano - "SUVs"

• Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Can't Stop"

• Joyner Lucas & Lil Baby - "Ramen & OJ"

• HARDY - "JACK"

• Bullet for My Valentine - "No More Tears To Cry"

• Dei V ft. Omar Courtz - "Dame Lu"

• Letdown. - "Shipwreck"

• IDLES - "Grounds"

• Post Malone ft. Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott - "Take What You Want"

Here's your full WWE 2K23 roster line-up for launch

Who just wrestles with one person these days? With WWE 2K23 around the corner, it’s only right 2K comes through with the huge announcement of who makes the final cut for launch day and spoiler - it’s packed with Superstars.

WWE 2K23 is launching with 100 playable characters

While fans will have to wait until March 17 to get their hands on the new game, the anticipation is growing like crazy. So for Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey fans to Cactus Jack and Razor Ramon heads, the line-up is nuts.

2K today revealed the full WWE 2K23 Superstar roster featuring 100 of WWE’s top playable talent available at launch. Headlining the main event of the full reveal are Superstars making their debut on the WWE 2K roster for the very first time such as Cody Rhodes, Bron Breakker, Alba Fyre, Cora Jade, and global music phenom Bad Bunny. 

Fan favorite WWE Legends including Cover Superstar John Cena, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock were also revealed alongside today’s most popular Superstars such as Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley.

WWE 2K23 ROSTER

• AJ Styles

• Akira Tozawa

• Alba Fyre

• Alexa Bliss

• Aliyah

• André the Giant

• Angel Garza

• Angelo Dawkins

• Apollo Crews

• Asuka

• Austin Theory

• Axiom

• Batista

• Bayley

• Becky Lynch

• Beth Phoenix

• Bianca Belair

• Big Boss Man

• Big E

• Bobby Lashley

• Boogeyman

• Booker T

• Braun Strowman

• Bret "The Hit Man" Hart

• Brie Bella

• British Bulldog

• Brock Lesnar

• Bron Breakker

• Bruno Sammartino

• Brutus Creed

• Butch

• Cactus Jack

• Cameron Grimes

• Carmella

• Carmelo Hayes

• Cedric Alexander

• Chad Gable

• Charlotte Flair

• Chyna

• Cody Rhodes

• Commander Azeez

• Cora Jade

• Cruz Del Toro

• Dakota Kai

• Damian Priest

• Dana Brooke

• Dexter Lumis

• Diesel

• DOINK

• Dolph Ziggler

• Dominik Mysterio

• Doudrop

• Drew Gulak

• Drew McIntyre

• Eddie Guerrero

• Edge

• Elias

• Eric Bischoff

• Erik

• Ezekiel

• Faarooq

• Giovanni Vinci

• Finn Bálor

• Gigi Dolin

• Goldberg

• Grayson Waller

• Happy Corbin

• Hollywood Hogan

• Hulk Hogan

• Humberto Carillo

• The Hurricane

• Ilja Dragunov

• Indi Hartwell

• IYO SKY

• Ivar

• Jacy Jayne

• Jake “The Snake” Roberts

• JD McDonagh

• Jerry "The King" Lawler

• Jey Uso

• Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart

• Jimmy Uso

• Jinder Mahal

• Joaquin Wilde

• JBL

• John Cena

• Julius Creed

• Kane

• Karrion Kross

• Katana Chance

• Kayden Carter

• Kevin Nash

• Kevin Owens

• Kofi Kingston

• Kurt Angle

• LA Knight

• Lacey Evans

• Liv Morgan

• Lita

• Logan Paul

• Ludwig Kaiser

• MACE

• “Macho Man” Randy Savage

• Madcap Moss

• Mansoor

• Matt Riddle

• Maryse

• Molly Holly

• Montez Ford

• Mr. McMahon

• Mustafa Ali

• MVP

• Natalya

• Nikki A.S.H.

• Nikki Bella

• Nikkita Lyons

• Noam Dar

• Omos

• Otis

• Queen Zelina

• Randy Orton

• Raquel Rodriguez

• Razor Ramon

• Reggie

• Rey Mysterio

• Rhea Ripley

• Rick Boogs

• Ricochet

• Ridge Holland

• Rikishi

• Rob Van Dam

• Robert Roode

• Roman Reigns

• Ronda Rousey

• Rowdy Roddy Piper

• Roxanne Perez

• R-Truth

• Sami Zayn

• Santos Escobar

• Scarlett

• Scott Hall

• Seth Rollins

• Shane McMahon

• Shanky

• Shawn Michaels

• Shayna Bazler

• Sheamus

• Shelton Benjamin

• Shinsuke Nakamura

• Shotzi

• Solo Sikoa

• Sonya Deville

• Stacy Keibler

• “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

• Stephanie McMahon

• Syxx

• Tamina

• T-BAR

• Ted DiBiase

• The Miz

• The Rock

• Titus O’Neil

• Tommaso Ciampa

• Triple H

• Trish Stratus

• Tyler Bate

• Ultimate Warrior

• Umaga

• Undertaker

• Vader

• Veer Mahaan

• GUNTHER

• Wes Lee

• Xavier Woods

• Xia Li

• X-Pac

• Yokozuna

• Zoey Stark

RUTHLESS AGGRESSION PACK

• Brock Lesnar '01

• The Prototype

• Randy Orton '02

• Leviathan

BAD BUNNY BONUS PACK

• Bad Bunny

Who is the WWE 2K23 cover star? John Cena for the win

2K Sports continues to push forward for the culture with epic gaming goals and with its popular WWE 2K franchise growing in popularity each year, the newest edition will gain even more global attention with rapper, wrestler and Hollywood heavyweight John Cena securing the cover.

WWE 2K23 is all about John Cena

Whether you’re going with the Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition or just want a Standard Edition fix, Cena have you covered - literally.

Today, 2K announced WWE® 2K23, the newest installment of the flagship WWE video game franchise developed by Visual Concepts, will be coming soon for PlayStation® 5 (PS5™), PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. In celebration of his 20th anniversary as a WWE Superstar, 16-time World Champion, Hollywood icon, record-setting philanthropist, and WWE 2K23 Executive Soundtrack Producer, John Cena, will be featured on the cover of each edition of the game, striking three of his signature poses. Global music phenom Bad Bunny - Billboard's Top Artist of the Year and one of the most streamed artists in the world for 2022 - will also make his WWE 2K debut*.  

WWE 2K23 features several franchise advancements, including a unique new take on the 2K Showcase, the WWE 2K introduction of the fan-favorite WarGames, and expansions to several marquee game modes. In addition, fans can also look forward to a deep roster of WWE Superstars and Legends including Roman Reigns, “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and more. Incredibly realistic graphics, animations, camera angles and lighting, plus accessible controls and a new optional pinning mechanic will add to the highly immersive experience. WWE 2K23 Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition are scheduled for worldwide release on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 via Early Access, followed by the Standard Editionand Cross-Gen on Friday, March 17, 2023.

“It is a pleasure to tell the story of my career through the WWE 2K23Showcase,” said John Cena. “2K has done a fantastic job capturing and invigorating the WWE 2K franchise through this concept, and I am honored to grace the cover of WWE 2K23.”

“Much like our cover Superstar John Cena, the Visual Concepts team didn’t back down from the challenge to prove that the quality of the WWE 2K franchise is here to stay,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “WWE 2K23takes a winning formula and adds so much more. We’re especially excited to see how fans react to the 2K Showcase and WarGames.”

WWE 2K23 features several hallmarks of the franchise, as well some new additions and twists on fan favorites:

• 2K Showcase Starring John Cena: Conquering John Cena in the ring is an accolade few Superstars can claim. In an unprecedented twist on the 2K Showcase, players will step into the boots of several of Cena’s toughest competitors with one goal in mind: defeat the man who will “Never Give Up.” Spanning his 20-year WWE career and narrated by Cena himself, this interactive sports entertainment documentary uses 2K’s unique Slingshot Tech for a seamless transition from gameplay to live-action footage to bring pivotal moments in each match to life;

• WarGames: The fan-favorite, chaotic and action-packed WarGames makes its debut in WWE 2K23 and delivers heart-pounding 3v3 and 4v4 single player or multiplayer mayhem inside two side-by-side rings, surrounded by a double-steel cage;

• MyGM: Now featuring more GMs to choose from – or a player’s own custom GM creation – as well as additional show options, multiple seasons, expanded match cards, and more match types for up to four players. Players draft a roster, manage budgets, sign free agents, choose various match types, arena locations, production elements and more, with the goal of beating a rival GM in weekly ratings battles;

• MyFACTION: Now featuring online multiplayer action, the team-building mode in which players collect, manage, and upgrade an array of WWE Superstars and Legends to create their ultimate four-person factions returns. Players can now take their faction online and compete for global dominance, or compete in Weekly Towers and Faction Wars, while new themed card packs and goals roll out regularly throughout the year**;

• MyRISE: Aspiring Superstars walk through the curtain for their WWE debut in MyRISE and shape their career with the decisions made along the way. Featuring distinct men’s and women’s division storylines and the ability to import custom created Superstars, players journey from the humble beginnings of a Rookie, to being immortalized as a WWE Legend;

• Universe: The ultimate WWE Universe sandbox that puts players in charge of their own version of WWE, from Superstar rosters, feuds, champions, weekly shows, and Premium Live Events! Updates to Universe include a reworked story system and more;

• Creation Suite: A signature feature of the WWE 2K franchise, the creation suite returns with cross-platform community creations, including the ability to design custom Superstars, GMs, arenas, entrances, move sets, championships and more. Custom arenas are now playable online, and advanced customization has been added to created entrances.

WWE 2K23 Editions and Pre-Order Bonus

WWE 2K23 features four editions of the game: Standard Edition, Cross-Gen, Deluxe Edition, and Icon Edition:

• The Standard Edition will be available for $59.99 on previous-gen platforms (PS4, Xbox One consoles) and PC and for $69.99 on current-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) in both physical and digital formats;

• The Cross-Gen edition will be available digitally for $69.99 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The Cross-Gen edition includes the Standard Edition across previous and current-gen platforms within the same console family and the same PlayStation or Xbox account***;

• The Deluxe Edition will be available for $99.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One in both physical and digital formats, and on PC in digital format. The Deluxe Edition includes the Standard Edition, Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, plus a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs****; the MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger; Ruby John Cena MyFACTION Evo Card, Gold Edge MyFACTION Card, Emerald Bianca Belair MyFACTION Card, Gold Asuka MyFACTION Card, and three Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Deluxe Edition will be available from March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions!*****;

• The Icon Edition will be available for $119.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, featuring original cover art by renowned WWE-inspired artist Rob Schamberger. In addition to the Standard Edition and all bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition, the Icon Edition includes the Ruthless Aggression Pack, celebrating 20 years of John Cena’s WWE career by featuring John Cena’s early “Prototype” character, as well as “Leviathan” Batista, developmental rookie versions of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, the John Cena Legacy Championship and WrestleMania 22 Arena. Additional bonus content includes an Emerald Paul Heyman MyFACTION Manager Card, and three Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Icon Edition will be available from March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions!*****;

• Bad Bunny Bonus Pack Pre-Order Offer: Players who pre-ordered the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle will receive the Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, which includes Bad Bunny as a playable character, as well as a Ruby tier Bad Bunny MyFACTION card.* The Bad Bunny Bonus Pack is included in the Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition at launch.

Tune-in tonight to Monday Night Raw for the world premiere of the Even Stronger Showcase trailer, including more information and a look at WWE 2K23 gameplay.