On January 7, 2025, the WWE made history as it debuted its flagship wrestling show, Monday Night RAW, on Netflix for the very first time. Over the course of the momentous occasion, WWE also revealed WWE 2K25, the next title in its long-running 2K wrestling game franchise.
These games allowed players to step into the ring as their favorite wrestlers, become a general manager, or even create their own WWE Superstars to take on all challengers to become the Undisputed WWE Champion.
Here's everything you need to know about WWE 2K25.
What is WWE 2K25?
What is WWE 2K25?
WWE 2K25 is a wrestling fighting game that allows players to experience what its like to be a wrestler or a general manager in the WWE. The latest instalment will have an updated roster, new game modes, and more.
WWE 2K games are wrestling fighting games that let players experience what its like it to wrestle on WWE’s wrestling programs like RAW and Smackdown, and its various Pay-Per-View events like WrestleMania.
WWE 2K25 is the next major entry in the WWE 2K franchise developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It will largely play the same as previous entries like WWE 2K24 (which we reviewed last year) as shown in WWE 2K25's first gameplay trailer.
However, according to a massive press release by 2K, WWE 2K25 will include tons of new game modes, playable characters, gameplay improvements, and new mechanics to make it one of the most exciting entries yet.
What is the release date for WWE 2K25?
WWE 2K25 will be released on March 14, 2025. Additionally, this upcoming Xbox title / upcoming PC title will have a 7-day Early Access period starting on March 7, 2025, for those who pre-order the Deadman and The Bloodline Editions of the game.
What platforms will WWE 2K25 release on?
All editions of WWE 2K25 will launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
What special editions and pre-order bonuses will WWE 2K25 have?
WWE 2K25 will have a Standard Edition, Deadman Edition, and 'The Bloodline' Edition with pre-order bonuses up for grabs.
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition of WWE 2K25 (MSRP-$69.99) shall include the base game and Dual-Gen entitlement. Pre-ordering the Standard Edition will net you the Wyatt Sicks Pack (containing Uncle Howdy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan as playable characters) and a digital copy of WWE 2K24 Cross-Gen (base game).
Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 players who pre-order it will gain access to Uncle Howdy and Nikki Cross cosmetic masks for The Island mode.
Deadman Edition
The Deadman Edition of WWE 2K25 (MSRP-$99.99) shall include all the pre-order bonuses of the Standard Edition, 7-days early access (March 7, 2025), and the Deadman Edition Bonus Pack.
The Deadman Edition Bonus Pack includes Mattel Elite “Greatest Hits” Undertaker and the Original Undertaker ('90) as playable characters and Persona Cards, a useable Urn object, an Undertaker '95 cosmetic mask for The Island Mode (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only), Brother Love as a Manager, and a Season Pass to all post-launch DLC character packs and 15,000 VC currency.
The Bloodline Edition
The Bloodline Edition of WWE 2K25 (MSRP-$129.99) shall include all the pre-order bonuses of the Deadman Edition, 7-days early access (March 7, 2025), and multiple bonus packs which include:
- Ringside Pass – access to the Season Pass and Superstar Mega-Boost.
- The Rock Nation of Domination Pack – Rock Nation of Domination as a playable character and a Persona card. (This pack will not be sold separately outside The Bloodline Edition).
- The Bloodline Edition Bonus Pack – Mattel Elite Series 114 Jey Uso and Mattel Elite “Greatest Hits” Roman Reigns as playable characters and Persona Cards. This pack also includes a Family Above All Hoodie, OTC Shirt, Yeet tank Top, and Yeet Sunglasses cosmetics for The Island mode (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only), and 32,500 VC (Steam only).
- Wrestlemania 41 Pack – a Wrestlemania 41 Arena, two Wrestlemania 41 Main Event Superstars as playable characters and Persona Cards, a new Superstar Persona Card (TBA).
What is the gameplay like?
What is the gameplay like?
WWE 2K games have a variety of single-player or multiplayer modes where you must battle wrestlers with advanced combos, weapons, and finishing moves to defeat them. These game also involve a mode where you become a General Manager tasked with running WWE's shows like RAW or Smackdown.
WWE 2K games usually contain a large variety of single-player and multiplayer game modes such as:
‘MyRise’ Career Mode – This is a WWE 2K’s single-player story mode where you play as an iconic WWE Superstar or one you have created through the Create-a-Superstar feature, and battle your way through WWE roster, backstage politics, and heated feuds with rivals to win various WWE titles.
MyGM – This game mode as you play the role of a general manager for one of WWE’s TV shows like Monday Night RAW or Smackdown. Your goal is to manage your show’s finances, maintain the physical and mental well-being of your wrestlers, and book exciting matches to rake in profits for the WWE.
MyFaction – This is a mode where you form a faction of wrestlers and power their stats by collecting trading cards so you can overpower opponents in wrestling matches.
2K Showcase – This single-player mode has you play as various iconic WWE Superstars and relive their most iconic matches.
Universe – This sandbox mode has players create their very own WWE storylines by booking matchups between any wrestlers and managing their careers into super-stardom.
In addition, WWE 2K games have offline and online multiplayer modes where you can wrestle against real people. WWE 2K25 has confirmed it will retain all these game modes while adding various adjustments and improvements to them. For example, MyGM will now have 4-player online multiplayer and MyFaction will feature new node types and 50 new stages, among other balance changes.
One of the biggest new additions to WWE 2K25 is a new online game mode called "The Island". In this mode, players create a custom-made Superstar and embark on a journey to a remote island to earn a WWE contract by impressing Roman Reigns, the "Original Tribal Chief" and leader of The Bloodline.
To earn Roman's favor, you will need to complete quests and challenges, compete in live events, upgrade and customize your Superstar's looks and abilities, and even fight other players online. However, The Island is only available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S of WWE 2K25.
The combat system of WWE 2K wrestling games is a methodical one where you must utilize a wide range of combo attacks, grapple holds, high-flying maneuvers, weapons scattered across the arena, and powerful finishing moves to defeat your opponent.
To win a standard wrestling match, you must pin-fall a downed opponent for 3 seconds or make them tap out with a submission. However, there are other match types with unique win conditions. For example, there’s the ‘I Quit’ match where you must make your opponent say “I quit” by any means necessary, or the ‘Money in the Bank’ match where you must climb a ladder to retrieve a briefcase hanging from the ceiling before your opponents do.
WWE 2K games also include tons of other exciting and brutal match types such as the ‘Cage’ match, ‘No disqualification’ match, the ‘Tables, Ladders, & Chairs’ match, and the iconic ‘Hell in a Cell’ match.
WWE 2K25 meanwhile has confirmed it will bring in multiple new match types such as the Underground match. This is a special rare match type that feels more like an underground fight club match where you must win by either knocking out your opponent or making them submit. In this match type, the ring ropes are removed and wrestlers surround the ring to stop participants from escaping the ring.
WWE 2K25 will also be bringing in the Chain Wrestling mechanic, Bloodline Rules matches, and for the first time in WWE 2K history - Intergender match-ups. Intergender match-ups will allow you to pit male and female wrestlers against one another, and this special match-up can be applied to all of WWE 2K25's match types.
Which WWE Superstars are confirmed to join WWE 2K25's playable roster
WWE 2K games usually contain a roster of hundreds of playable WWE Superstars and 2K has stated this WWE 2K25 will be no different as it will feature over 300 WWE Superstars. WWE 2K25’s confirmed roster of Superstars so far will include:
- Cody Rhodes
- CM Punk
- Liv Morgan
- Bayley
- Damian Priest
- Roman Reigns
- Solo Sikoa
- Jey Uso
- Jimmy Uso
- Jacob Fatu
- Tama Tanga
- Tanga Loa
- Umaga
- Batista
- The Undertaker
- Seth Rollins
- Uncle Howdy
- Erick Rowan
- Dexter Lumis
- Joe Gacy
- Nikki Cross
- The Rock
- Yokozuna
- Rhea Ripley
- John Cena
- “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
- Jade Cargill
- Diamond Dallas Page
- Booker T
- Ultimate Warrior
- Trish Stratus
- Sami Zayn
- Lola Vice
- Bubba Ray Dudley
- D-Von Dudley
- Afa Anoa'i
- Sika Anoa'i
- Chyna
Paul Heyman will also return as a manager for WWE 2K25.
The full roster will almost certainly include the majority of the existing main roster, particularly in the upper and mid cards. Players will be eager to see if more recent acquisitions like Penta and the Motor City Machine Guns also make the grade.
