WWE 2K22 had a total of 190 playable superstars by the time Visual Concepts was done with all the updates. Its sequel, WWE 2K23, which arrives on March 17, will feature a similarly stacked roster with a mix of talent from RAW, SmackDown, NXT as well as wrestling legends like The Rock, Hulk Hogan, and John Cena.
Visual Concepts confirmed the full 180+ character roster for WWE 2K23 earlier this week and it won't leave you wanting for more.
The hearty list of incoming playable wrestlers in WWE 2K23 includes a handful of NXT standouts making their way to a WWE 2K game for the first time in their careers. Grayson Waller, an NXT top contender, is one of those, as well as Alba Frye. The most surprising thing is that this is the first time that Cody Rhodes is joining WWE 2K. The American Nightmare, who's the top contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship belt currently held by Roman Reigns, wasn't part of WWE 2K22 because he joined WWE after the game was already released.
Gamers who pre-order WWE 2K23 right now, or buy the Deluxe or Icon editions, will have access to even more fighters on March 17. Bad Bunny, who competed and won at WrestleMania 37, will join WWE 2K23 as a bonus character. In addition, the Icon Edition comes with the Ruthless Aggression Pack that includes alternative looks at Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, Batista, and John Cena, all based on their wrestling days at Ohio Valley Wrestling.
At the time, Cena and Batista were known as Prototype and Leviathan, respectively.
Speaking of John Cena, the WWE Superstar's career is the subject of the incoming game's Showcase mode. But, unlike with Rey Mysterio last year, which shone the spotlight on his biggest wins, the WWE 2K23 Showcase mode is all about Cena's biggest losses. In it, players will take control of Cena's opponents throughout the years, which is a nice twist for the fan-favorite mode.
If you'd like to get a headstart over the rest of the competition, you can order the Icon and Deluxe editions of WWE 2K23 to play the game on March 14. The other Editions will get access to the game on March 17.
