WWE 2K21: 10 Ways To Save A Dying Franchise

5. Developmental Mode

Alternatively, they could explore that player control and those management sim elements with something totally fresh and new.

In real-life WWE, NXT is no longer a mere developmental system designed to ready stars for Raw and SmackDown's 'main roster'. So, why don't 2K make good use of some fantasy indy promotions they've created for recent MyCareer stories and put players in charge of producing the next wave of WWE talent there?

This could be combined with the Performance Center (something that hasn't been used properly in WWE games since it opened) to turn 'Developmental Mode' into some sort of farming sim that treats wrestlers like RPG rookies. It might not suit everyone, but it's an idea some would surely dig.

Being able to build young wrestlers from the ground up and then watch them fly in other modes like Universe would be a laugh. Players would be rewarded for how ready their workers were when called up/signed from fictional groups, or take charge of real indy standouts like EVOLVE, ICW and Progress.