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
WarGames has arrived in the WWE 2K series.

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 boasts three unique editions at launch.

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 2K 23 GM mode
GM mode is being fleshed out in WWE 2K23.

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 SuperstarWWE 2K23 Rating
AJ Styles89
Akira Tozawa73
Alba Fyre81
Alexa Bliss85
Aliyah76
Andre the Giant88
Angel Garza78
Angelo Dawkins80
Apollo Crews79
Asuka89
Austin Theory81
Bad Bunny84
Batista89
Batista (Icon – Leviathan)73
Bayley91
Becky Lynch96
Beth Phoenix87
Bianca Belair95
Big Boss Man81
Big E88
Bobby Lashley92
Boogeyman81
Booker T81
Brawn Strowman89
Bret Hart91
Brie Bella87
British Bulldog86
Brock Lesnar97
Brock Lesnar (Icon – ’02)90
Bron Breakker85
Bruno Sammartino91
Brutus Creed79
Butch81
Cactus Jack82
Cameron Grimes79
Carmella79
Carmelo Hayes82
Cedric Alexander76
Chad Gable77
Charlotte Flair94
Chyna88
Cody Rhodes91
Commander Azeez71
Cora Jade79
Cruz Del Toro79
Dakota Kai80
Damian Priest84
Dana Brooke73
Dexter Lumis80
Diesel87
DOINK81
Dolph Ziggler83
Dominik Mysterio78
Doudrop81
Drew Gulak79
Drew McIntyre91
Eddie Guerrero90
Edge93
Elias78
Eric Bischoff64
Erik80
Ezekiel83
Finn Balor87
Giovanni Vinci80
Gigi Dolin81
Goldberg89
Grayson Waller81
Happy Corbin83
Hollywood Hogan92
Hulk Hogan94
Humberto75
The Hurricane82
Ilja Dragunov85
Indi Hartwell77
Iyo Sky82
Ivar80
Jacy Jayne80
JD McDonagh79
Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler86
Jey Uso90
Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart86
Jimmy Uso89
Jinder Mahal77
Joaquin Wilde76
JBL89
John Cena94
John Cena (Icon – ’02)TBA
John Cena (Icon – ’06)TBA
John Cena (Icon – Prototype)75
Julius Creed80
Johnny Gargano84
Kane87
Karrion Kross86
Katana Chance79
Kayden Carter76
Kevin Nash88
Kevin Owens87
Kofi Kingston89
Kurt Angle90
LA Knight81
Lacey Evans76
Lita90
Liv Morgan86
Logan Paul84
Ludwig Kaiser80
MA.CE74
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage89
Madcap Moss80
Man.soor75
Matt Riddle86
Maryse79
Molly Holly86
Montez Ford82
Mustafa Ali75
MVP75
Natalya82
Nikki A.S.H.76
Nikki Bella90
Nikkita Lyons80
Noam Dar69
Omos82
Otis80
Queen Zelina74
Randy Orton93
Randy Orton (Icon – ’02)70
Raquel Rodriguez83
Razor Ramon84
Rey Mysterio86
Rhea Ripley90
Rick Boogs75
Ricochet82
Ridge Holland81
Rikishi86
Rob Van Dam92
Robert Roode80
Roman Reigns99
Ronda Rousey93
Rowdy Roddy Piper85
Roxanne Perez81
R-Truth72
Sami Zayn84
Santos Escobar81
Scott Hall (nWo)90
Seth “Freakin” Rollins92
Shanky67
Shawn Michaels88
Shayna Baszler82
Sheamus87
Shelton Benjamin79
Shinsuke Nakamura87
Shotzi75
Solo Sikoa82
Sonya Deville77
Stacy Keibler75
Stone Cold Steve Austin96
Stephanie McMahon77
Tamina71
T-BAR76
Ted DiBiase85
The Miz85
The Rock96
Titus O’Neil76
Tommaso Ciampa84
Trish Stratus93
Triple H93
Tyler Bate82
Ultimate Warrior88
Umaga88
The Undertaker95
Vader79
Veer Mahaan89
Gunther89
Wes Lee81
Xavier Woods88
Xia Li74
X-Pac85
Yokozuna90
Zoey Stark76

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:

The Elder Scrolls 6  | GTA 6 | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | KOTR Remake | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | The Day Before | Resident Evil 4 Remake | WWE 2K23 | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | EA Sports PGA Tour

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About The Author

Brad Norton is the Australian Managing Editor at Dexerto. He graduated from Swinburne University with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and has been working full-time in the field for the past six years at the likes of Gamurs Group and now Dexerto. He loves all things single-player gaming (with Uncharted a personal favorite) but has a history on the competitive side having previously run Oceanic esports org Mindfreak. You can contact Brad at brad.norton@dexerto.com