WWE 2K26: 9 Things You Need To Know

9. Punked

Confirming a report from Mike Straw of Insider Gaming, CM Punk (who dons the cover for the game's standard edition) will indeed be the focal point for WWE 2K26's Showcase Mode.

A Punk-fronted highlight reel marks his first Showcase appearance since 2K15, which beautifully capsulated his epic 2011-2013 stretch as WWE Champion. That was shared with lowlights from Triple H's 'Reign of Terror' (because of course it was), and sat alongside 3 add-on downloadable Showcases. An entire catalogue of 'ol Punker's milestones has been at the top of many players' wishlists ever since - with his current standing as the World Heavyweight Champion, 2K is finally delivering.

Like the Paul Heyman-narrated 'Bloodline Dynasty' saga in WWE 2K25, Punk will provide voiceover in 2K26. The mode promises "iconic matches" from throughout his tumultuous WWE career and "fantasy warfare" matches, before concluding with the seemingly impossible-to-win Showcase Gauntlet. There are 6 weeks still to go before the game lands on consoles, so no matches have been officially confirmed, but based on featured arenas and era-specific character models fans should expect to take control of the following contests:

- CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (Armageddon 2008)

- CM Punk vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 29)

- CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (WrestleMania 41)

- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch (Wrestlepalooza 2025)

- CM Punk vs. circa-ROH CM Punk.