WWE 2K19 is confirmed for a release date of 9 October – and while that in itself isn’t a shock, its roster has already thrown up one very happy surprise. After a four-year absence, Rey Mysterio is returning to WWE’s videogame series as a pre-order bonus; where he'll be joined by the company's biggest signing of recent times, Ronda Rousey.
Who else joins Mysterio, Rousey, and cover star AJ Styles on the WWE 2K19 roster, though? Below you’ll find every confirmed superstar, alongside those strongly rumoured for the game – and a few grapplers we’d like to see added. This list will be updated regularly between now and release, so keep checking back for more names as they’re announced.
Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly & Roderick Strong (rumoured)
WWE 2K18 CAWs by PersonaJurgen (Cole), endgame3702 (Fish) & murrell16 (O'Reilly).
Collectively known as The Undisputed Era, this foursome has run roughshod over developmental brand NXT. It’s not only their opponents who’ve suffered, however: Fish underwent knee surgery in early March which will keep him out for several months. A 2K series debut should at least bring some cheer to his recuperation.
AJ Styles (confirmed)
After turning 41 in June, Styles’ extended Indian summer shows no sign of slowing down. He’s cemented his reputation as the MVP of Smackdown via recent feuds with John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura, and a long-term dream programme with Daniel Bryan beckons. 2K19 marks his third WWE video game appearance.
Alexa Bliss (confirmed) & Mickie James (rumoured)
Screenshot from WWE 2K18.
The on-and-off-and-in again tandem share eleven world titles between them, and that’s a number certain to rise with 26-year-old Bliss considered among WWE’s brightest prospects. James is at the other end of her career, but one more run with the gold isn’t out of the question given her evergreen in-ring performances.
Alicia Fox (confirmed)
Image from WWE 2K18.
2K19’s debut trailer featured a glance at a load of wrestlers you’d expect to be on the roster, such as John Cena, Kane and Triple H. Fox’s appearance was a mild surprise, however. Injured since January, she was rumoured to be in WWE’s naughty books after a public argument with Ronda Rousey’s husband Travis Browne – but it now looks like that isn’t the case.
Andrade Cien Almas (wanted)
WWE 2K18 CAW by PH_Guy.
Rumours abound that the former La Sombra turned down a spot in WWE 2K18 due to feeling underwhelmed by the compensation offered to NXT and 205 Live wrestlers – though no official source has confirmed this. If the murmurs are true then he’d be jeopardising his career by adopting that strategy for 2K19: as reigning NXT Champion, he'll surely be in alongside vivacious manager Zelina Vega.
Apollo Crews (confirmed), Dana Brooke & Titus O'Neil (rumoured)
Screenshot from WWE 2K18.
Collectively known as Titus Worldwide, only one of this mid-card (Crews) trio has been confirmed so far – but 2K doesn’t leave out active tag-teams or stables, so Apollo’s revelation basically says that all three are in. Brooke has only had seven TV matches all year, but can be restored to full-time competition in the videogame should you wish.
Asuka (confirmed)
Image from WWE 2K18.
A legend in her home nation of Japan, the lady formerly known as Kana had a 914-day undefeated streak curtailed by Charlotte at WrestleMania – a particularly shocking result given that in January she’d won the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble. She’s since been needlessly lost in the shuffle on Smackdown.
Bayley (rumoured) & Sasha Banks (confirmed)
Image from WWE 2K18.
As always seemed inevitable, these long-time ‘besties’ are finally feuding – although the path to them doing so has made for the most convoluted break-up in recent WWE history. Thankfully the ensuing matches should eradicate all memories of that laboured build, given the pair’s incredible mat wars during their shared time in developmental brand NXT.
Becky Lynch (confirmed)
Image from WWE 2K18.
Criminally under-utilised during her three years on the main roster, WWE has finally given Limerick lass Lynch impetus with wins over Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. As a big gamer, she’ll be delighted with another 2K series appearance. “I had a Sega [Mega Drive], Commodore 64, Game Boy. I love Pac-man, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter. Ryu is my favourite-ever character – I’d love to leapfrog the Hadouken,” Lynch told GR in 2016.
Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (confirmed)
Screenshot from WWE 2K18.
Most stables in WWE pass their shelf life somewhere around the 18-month mark, but The New Day continue to entertain outside of the ring, and excel inside it, deep into their fourth year together. Consider us spoilt, but our only wish this year is for solo entrances for Big E and Kofi with their classic themes. “SOS, I hear them shouting…”