Everything we know about WWE 2K23: Release date, roster, new match types, more

Brad Norton
WWE 2K23 cover art

WWE 2K23 is the latest annual release from 2K Games with new wrestlers, the inclusion of WarGames, and a John Cena-focused Showcase. So, let’s check out its release date and look at everything you need to know.

After a return to form in WWE 2K22, the popular wrestling game series is now full steam ahead once again with annual game releases. Each new iteration still boasts a familiar approach with many of the same gameplay systems and modes, there’s always excitement around the key changes with each yearly release and 2023 is no different.

With WWE 2K23 now on the horizon, we already know to expect new match types like the iconic WarGames, a new take on the Showcase mode with a string of John Cena’s biggest rivals, and of course, an updated roster featuring the latest and greatest superstars.

So before the latest wrestling game rolls into town, be sure to brush up on everything new in WWE 2K23.

Contents

WWE 2K23 WarGames gameplay

WWE 2K23: Release Date

WWE 2K23 is all set to release on Friday, March 17, 2023. However, it’s worth noting if you opt for a premium version instead, you can access the game from Tuesday, March 14 with the Deluxe and Icon Editions, more on that below.

WWE 2K23: Editions and pre-order bonuses

When it comes to buying WWE 2K23, you have three options to pick from. The Standard, Deluxe, and Icon Editions all come jam-packed with their own mix of exclusive content. On top of that, pre-ordering the game also gives access to a number of bonus goodies too. Below is a full breakdown of what comes in every edition.

WWE 2K23 box art

WWE 2K23 Standard Edition

  • Base game on March 17.

WWE 2K23 Deluxe Edition

  • Early access to base game on March 14.
  • Deluxe Edition Content:
    • Season Pass Access (5x DLC)
    • MyRISE Mega-Boost
    • SuperCharger
    • • 1x Ruby John Cena MyFACTION Evo Card
    • • 1x Emerald Bianca Belair MyFACTION Card
    • • 1x Gold Asuka MyFACTION Card
    • • 1x Gold Edge MyFACTION Card
    • • 3x Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION Packs

WWE 2K23 Icon Edition

  • Early access to base game on March 14.
  • Deluxe Edition Content:
    • Season Pass Access (5x DLC)
    • MyRISE Mega-Boost
    • SuperCharger
    • • 1x Ruby John Cena MyFACTION Evo Card
    • • 1x Emerald Bianca Belair MyFACTION Card
    • • 1x Gold Asuka MyFACTION Card
    • • 1x Gold Edge MyFACTION Card
    • • 3x Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION Packs

  • Ruthless Aggression Content:
    • • Playable Prototype Cena
    • • 1x Prototype Cena MyFACTION Card
    • • Playable Leviathan Batista
    • • Playable Throwback Randy Orton
    • • Playable Throwback Brock Lesnar
    • • John Cena Legacy Championship Belt
    • • WrestleMania 22 Arena

  • Icon Edition Content:
    • • 1x Emerald Paul Heyman Manager MyFACTION Card
    • • 3x Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION Packs

WWE 2K23 Pre-order Bonus

By pre-ordering any edition of WWE 2K23, players gain access to the Bad Bunny bonus Pack which includes the following:

  • Playable Bad Bunny Character
  • 1x Ruby Bad Bunny MyFACTION Card

WWE 2K23: Platforms

WWE 2K23 is currently targeting a launch across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, and PC.

While previous years saw the popular wrestling series branch out onto the Nintendo Switch as well, it doesn’t seem likely for this new iteration.

WWE 2K23: New gameplay details

As usual, many of the series’ staple game modes are all set to return in WWE 2K23 with MyRISE, Showcase, and Universe Mode all making a comeback this year. We also know for certain that MyGM, the popular General Manager mode inspired by the classics from Smackdown vs Raw, will be returning here once again with more options than before. New features, more match types, more GMs to pick from, and even four-player support all look to flesh out the mode.

WWE 2K23 GM mode

When it comes to the Showcase this time around, things are a little different. Rather than playing as cover athlete John Cena and recapturing many of his most iconic moments, players will instead be stepping into the shoes of his biggest rivals looking to take him down. From Edge and Randy Orton to RVD, the ‘You Can’t See Me Man’ has had many great feuds over the years, so expect to see most of them broken down in 2K23.

We also know for certain that the brutal WarGames match type is making its way into a video game for the first time since its modern-era reincarnation in NXT. That means two rings with one giant cage wrapped around it all as wrestlers slowly join the fight one by one.

WWE 2K23: Trailers

Multiple WWE2K23 trailers have already been revealed including first looks at in-game action and even a deep dive into the WarGames mode. You can find them all below.

WWE 2K23 Showcase trailer

WWE 2K23 Gameplay trailer

WWE 2K23 WarGames gameplay

WWE 2K23: Roster & Superstar Ratings

Now that a finalized list of wrestlers has been locked in for WWE 2K23, we know exactly what to expect when the game arrives. From Hall of Famers to relative newcomers just rising through the ranks, the expansive roster includes a wide range of characters.

Below is a full look at everyone on the WWE 2K23 roster thus far, along with their rating.

WWE Superstar WWE 2K23 Rating
AJ Styles 89
Akira Tozawa 73
Alba Fyre 81
Alexa Bliss 85
Aliyah 76
Andre the Giant 88
Angel Garza 78
Angelo Dawkins 80
Apollo Crews 79
Asuka 89
Austin Theory 81
Bad Bunny 84
Batista 89
Batista (Icon – Leviathan) 73
Bayley 91
Becky Lynch 96
Beth Phoenix 87
Bianca Belair 95
Big Boss Man 81
Big E 88
Bobby Lashley 92
Boogeyman 81
Booker T 81
Brawn Strowman 89
Bret Hart 91
Brie Bella 87
British Bulldog 86
Brock Lesnar 97
Brock Lesnar (Icon – ’02) 90
Bron Breakker 85
Bruno Sammartino 91
Brutus Creed 79
Butch 81
Cactus Jack 82
Cameron Grimes 79
Carmella 79
Carmelo Hayes 82
Cedric Alexander 76
Chad Gable 77
Charlotte Flair 94
Chyna 88
Cody Rhodes 91
Commander Azeez 71
Cora Jade 79
Cruz Del Toro 79
Dakota Kai 80
Damian Priest 84
Dana Brooke 73
Dexter Lumis 80
Diesel 87
DOINK 81
Dolph Ziggler 83
Dominik Mysterio 78
Doudrop 81
Drew Gulak 79
Drew McIntyre 91
Eddie Guerrero 90
Edge 93
Elias 78
Eric Bischoff 64
Erik 80
Ezekiel 83
Finn Balor 87
Giovanni Vinci 80
Gigi Dolin 81
Goldberg 89
Grayson Waller 81
Happy Corbin 83
Hollywood Hogan 92
Hulk Hogan 94
Humberto 75
The Hurricane 82
Ilja Dragunov 85
Indi Hartwell 77
Iyo Sky 82
Ivar 80
Jacy Jayne 80
JD McDonagh 79
Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler 86
Jey Uso 90
Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart 86
Jimmy Uso 89
Jinder Mahal 77
Joaquin Wilde 76
JBL 89
John Cena 94
John Cena (Icon – ’02) TBA
John Cena (Icon – ’06) TBA
John Cena (Icon – Prototype) 75
Julius Creed 80
Johnny Gargano 84
Kane 87
Karrion Kross 86
Katana Chance 79
Kayden Carter 76
Kevin Nash 88
Kevin Owens 87
Kofi Kingston 89
Kurt Angle 90
LA Knight 81
Lacey Evans 76
Lita 90
Liv Morgan 86
Logan Paul 84
Ludwig Kaiser 80
MA.CE 74
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage 89
Madcap Moss 80
Man.soor 75
Matt Riddle 86
Maryse 79
Molly Holly 86
Montez Ford 82
Mustafa Ali 75
MVP 75
Natalya 82
Nikki A.S.H. 76
Nikki Bella 90
Nikkita Lyons 80
Noam Dar 69
Omos 82
Otis 80
Queen Zelina 74
Randy Orton 93
Randy Orton (Icon – ’02) 70
Raquel Rodriguez 83
Razor Ramon 84
Rey Mysterio 86
Rhea Ripley 90
Rick Boogs 75
Ricochet 82
Ridge Holland 81
Rikishi 86
Rob Van Dam 92
Robert Roode 80
Roman Reigns 99
Ronda Rousey 93
Rowdy Roddy Piper 85
Roxanne Perez 81
R-Truth 72
Sami Zayn 84
Santos Escobar 81
Scott Hall (nWo) 90
Seth “Freakin” Rollins 92
Shanky 67
Shawn Michaels 88
Shayna Baszler 82
Sheamus 87
Shelton Benjamin 79
Shinsuke Nakamura 87
Shotzi 75
Solo Sikoa 82
Sonya Deville 77
Stacy Keibler 75
Stone Cold Steve Austin 96
Stephanie McMahon 77
Tamina 71
T-BAR 76
Ted DiBiase 85
The Miz 85
The Rock 96
Titus O’Neil 76
Tommaso Ciampa 84
Trish Stratus 93
Triple H 93
Tyler Bate 82
Ultimate Warrior 88
Umaga 88
The Undertaker 95
Vader 79
Veer Mahaan 89
Gunther 89
Wes Lee 81
Xavier Woods 88
Xia Li 74
X-Pac 85
Yokozuna 90
Zoey Stark 76

That covers everything we know about 2K’s newest wrestling title – WWE 2K23. For even more detailed game hubs, here are some other ones we’ve put together for you:

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