Tag: WWE

WWE Hall of Fame 2026: “The Greatest of All Time”

With Wrestlemania quickly approaching, that means we’re one step closer to the Hall of Fame.

With the Royal Rumble officially in the rearview mirror, WWE is now firmly on the road to WrestleMania—and with that comes one of the most anticipated traditions of the year: the WWE Hall of Fame. As storylines heat up and WrestleMania plans take shape, attention also turns to which legends, icons, and contributors will be honored as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

We already know Stephanie McMahon is officially confirmed for the class of 2026, marking the first announced inductee and setting the tone for what should be a headline-worthy group. From there, the rest of the class is still wide open—leaving plenty of room for speculation.

Looking at past Hall of Fame classes, WWE tends to follow a fairly consistent structure. For this prediction, the criteria is based on that familiar formula:

One major headliner

One tag team

One female inductee

One celebrity induction

Two to three additional legacy or wildcard entries

With that framework in mind, here’s our projected look at what the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 could realistically shape up to be as WrestleMania season rolls on. (and why it will be billed as “The Greatest of All Time”)

Headliner: John Cena

If there is a headliner that feels completely unavoidable for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame, it is John Cena. This is the most obvious choice possible, and that is not a knock. Cena’s recent retirement run has been treated like a full celebration of an era, and a Hall of Fame induction is the natural next chapter. Seventeen world championships, iconic WrestleMania moments, crossover mainstream fame, and two decades as the face of the company place Cena firmly in the category of a generational figure. The Hall of Fame is designed for careers like his.

If it is not now, then when? WWE rarely allows this level of momentum and nostalgia to sit on the shelf. Inducting Cena while his retirement is still fresh keeps the emotional impact high and the spotlight exactly where the company wants it. Love him or hate him, John Cena defined WWE for an entire generation, and that alone makes him a lock to headline this class.

Because of this, we are theorizing that the 2026 Hall of Fame will follow a similar presentation approach to Cena’s retirement tour. Big moments, heavy nostalgia, and no subtlety. For our list, we are predicting this class will be marketed as “The Greatest Hall of Fame of All Time.” Every induction will feel intentional. Every name will carry weight. With Cena as the anchor, the rest of the class is likely to be stacked with undeniable, era-defining picks that reinforce that theme from top to bottom.

Tag Team: The Hardy Boyz

When it comes to a tag team induction that fits both legacy and current relevance, The Hardy Boyz feel like a perfect choice for the 2026 class. Matt and Jeff Hardy are already etched into WWE history as one of the most influential tag teams of all time, but what strengthens their case now is how present and impactful they have remained in the modern wrestling landscape.

Their recent work with TNA has been one of the driving forces behind the renewed working relationship between TNA and WWE. That partnership has been highly visible, and the Hardy Boyz have been central figures in making it feel legitimate rather than symbolic.

That connection carried directly into their appearances in NXT, where they were not treated as nostalgia acts, but as active competitors who even captured the NXT Tag Team Championships. Those moments sent a clear message that WWE still views the Hardy Boyz as relevant, influential, and capable of representing the bridge between generations.

For a Hall of Fame class that is being positioned as an all time great lineup, the Hardy Boyz make complete sense. Their impact spans eras, promotions, and audiences, and their recent visibility only reinforces why their induction feels not just deserved, but perfectly timed.

Female Inductee: Stephanie McMahon

The female inductee for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame is already locked in, with Stephanie McMahon officially confirmed as part of the class. Her induction removes any speculation from this category and further reinforces the idea that this year’s Hall of Fame is being built around influence and legacy rather than surprise picks.

Stephanie’s impact on WWE spans multiple eras, both on screen and behind the scenes. As an on air authority figure, she was central to some of WWE’s most defining storylines of the Attitude Era and beyond. Behind the scenes, her role in shaping WWE’s corporate direction, public image, and global outreach places her among the most influential figures in company history.

Including Stephanie McMahon in a class headlined by John Cena and supported by generational talents like the Hardy Boyz fits the larger theme of an all time great Hall of Fame lineup. Her confirmation early in the process also sets the tone for a class built around names that helped define what modern WWE looks like today, not just inside the ring, but across the entire industry.

Next Picks Framed Around the “Greatest Hall of Fame Class of All Time”

Before getting into the final names, it is important to clarify the philosophy behind these selections. If WWE is truly centering the 2026 Hall of Fame around John Cena and leaning into the idea of “The Greatest Hall of Fame Class of All Time,” then the remaining inductees need to match that gravity. These are not quiet legacy nods. These are era-defining names that feel worthy of standing next to Cena on the same stage.

AJ Styles

One of the strongest additions to this class is AJ Styles, whose in ring career officially came to an end at the Royal Rumble 2026. Styles lost his final match to Gunther, closing the book on a career that helped redefine modern professional wrestling.

With his retirement now official, Styles becomes an immediate Hall of Fame lock. His impact on WWE alone would justify induction, but when combined with his influence across the industry and the way he reshaped expectations for top level talent in WWE, his place in history is unquestionable. For a class being positioned as the greatest of all time, AJ Styles fits seamlessly.

If Styles were not included in the 2026 class, he would almost certainly headline the following year. That reality makes his inclusion here feel not only appropriate but necessary. This is the moment that best honors his career, and this class is the one that best reflects his legacy.

Batista

The final pick that truly cements this class as an all time great is Batista. From a legacy standpoint, Batista has been Hall of Fame worthy for years. From a narrative standpoint, his inclusion alongside John Cena feels intentional and powerful. Their careers are forever linked, and seeing both honored in the same class would instantly elevate the entire ceremony.

Batista also brings unmatched mainstream star power to the table, something WWE clearly values when assembling major Hall of Fame classes. WWE has attempted to induct Batista twice in the past, only for scheduling conflicts to prevent it from happening. With timing finally lining up, 2026 feels like the moment to make it official.

Adding Batista to a class headlined by Cena, supported by AJ Styles, the Hardy Boyz, and Stephanie McMahon turns the “Greatest Hall of Fame Class of All Time” from a marketing slogan into a believable claim. At that point, the label does not feel exaggerated. It feels earned.

Honorary Mentions

Brock Lesnar easily has the resume to headline his own Hall of Fame class, and with his career still seemingly far from over, WWE may be content letting that moment wait until a later year.

The Rock would one hundred percent be a headliner whenever he is inducted, which alone makes him feel too big to slot into a class already centered around John Cena.

The Boogeyman feels like a safe and deserved pick thanks to his long standing loyalty to WWE, both on screen and behind the scenes, but his inclusion does not quite align with the all-star, era-defining theme of this particular class.

Chris Jericho remains Hall of Fame bound without question, though it appears he may have one last meaningful run left, and it is unclear whether that chapter will be fully closed by WrestleMania season.

Celebrity Inductee: Pamela Anderson

For the celebrity spot, the pick needs to feel timeless, WrestleMania connected, and substantial enough to belong in a class being framed as the greatest of all time. Pamela Anderson fits that role far better than a modern crossover name.

Pamela Anderson’s involvement at WrestleMania XI is one of the most iconic celebrity moments in WWE history, helping define the mid 1990s era when mainstream celebrity integration became a major part of the WrestleMania presentation. Her presence was not a quick cameo, but a defining visual of the event itself, one that still gets referenced decades later.

She also represents a period of WWE history that has been increasingly acknowledged by the Hall of Fame in recent years. Adding Pamela Anderson to a class headlined by John Cena, supported by AJ Styles, Batista, the Hardy Boyz, and Stephanie McMahon gives the celebrity induction real historical weight, not just modern relevance. It feels earned, it feels overdue, and it fits cleanly into an all time great Hall of Fame lineup.

–Style

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Bold WWE Champion Predictions (2026)

With a little over two weeks of the new year in the books, let’s place our way too early bets on how the WWE and World Heavyweight Title picture will shake out by the end of 2026.

Dominik Mysterio:

By the end of 2026, Dominik Mysterio is poised to be a serious contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. Over the past year, he’s evolved from being Rey Mysterio’s son into a full-fledged star in his own right. He’s managed to blend his family legacy with a character that fans absolutely love to hate. We’ve seen him get some of the loudest reactions at major events like SummerSlam and WrestleMania, which proves just how much the audience is invested in his character.

What makes Dominik a standout contender is his ability to play a true heel while still evolving in the ring. He’s come a long way in terms of in-ring skills and storytelling. By the end of this year, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him holding the gold, especially as WWE looks to capitalize on the momentum he’s built.

Logan Paul:

As 2026 progresses, Logan Paul stands out as a potential champion not just because of his in-ring ability, but because of his notoriety and star power. He’s brought a whole new level of mainstream attention to WWE, and giving him a title run would undoubtedly generate buzz. While it might be controversial, it’s a move that could bring in significant revenue and keep WWE in the mainstream spotlight.

Logan has already proven he can draw heat like few others, and a heel championship run would be a natural extension of that. It may not be the universally popular choice, but it’s one that makes a lot of business sense and could easily happen by the end of the year.

Randy Orton:

By the end of 2026, Randy Orton feels like the most inevitable WWE Championship story left to tell. With John Cena now officially holding the all-time record at 17 world championships, the conversation has shifted. Fans aren’t asking if someone should challenge that number — they’re asking who deserves to. And overwhelmingly, the answer is Randy Orton. He’s been the constant. Through eras, roster overhauls, boom periods, and downturns, Orton stayed. When others left for Hollywood, injuries, or extended absences, Orton remained a fixture at the top of the card.

What makes this moment especially significant is timing. AJ Styles is still active through 2026, but with his retirement set for the end of the year, WWE is entering a transition period where long-standing icons are finally stepping aside. That leaves Orton as the last true bridge between generations — someone who can credibly carry the title while also elevating newer stars. He’s still one of WWE’s most reliable draws in ticket sales, ratings, and merchandise, and every time he appears, it feels important. By the end of 2026, a WWE Championship run for Randy Orton doesn’t just make sense — it feels necessary. Not as a nostalgia run, but as recognition of a career that’s earned the right to chase history now that Cena has set the bar.

LA Knight:

For LA Knight, the scenario is a bit different. By the end of 2026, his contract situation may come into play, and WWE might give him a short one- to two-month WWE Championship run to keep him in the fold. Fans have been waiting for a major push for him, and while it might not be the long reign they hoped for, it’s a way to acknowledge his popularity. If not a world title run, WWE might still appease fans by giving him another US Title reign or something similar.

Kit Wilson:

Kit Wilson’s rise is a story of how a character can catch fire thanks to a theme song that fans fell in love with overnight. Unlike past sensations like Zack Ryder, Karrion Kross, or Joe Hendry, whose momentum came from fans loving the person behind the character, Kit Wilson’s push is very much a WWE creation. The company crafted his theme song, put it front and center, and then watched as the audience got hooked on that character.

This is a homegrown phenomenon that WWE is actively nurturing. They did something they’ve never done before by uploading a four-hour loop of his theme song on YouTube, and on the January 16, 2026 episode of SmackDown, they gave him a special segment purely to showcase that song. The result? It got the biggest pop of the night, proving that the audience is fully on board with this character that WWE built from the ground up.

So while a WWE Championship might be a long shot for Kit Wilson by year’s end, the sheer uniqueness of his push means a United States Championship run is absolutely on the table. WWE wants him to succeed, and they’re giving him every tool to make sure that happens.

Honorable Mention: Bron Breakker
And let’s be real: Bron Breakker is going to get the title this year. It almost goes without saying. We all know it’s coming, so he definitely deserves a nod as an honorable mention.

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In Memoriam of Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, and More

Connie Francis

America’s Sweetheart of Song

Connie Francis was a sound that defined a generation. With timeless hits like “Who’s Sorry Now” and “Where the Boys Are,” she brought heart, grace, and emotion to every note.

She broke barriers as one of the first female pop superstars, becoming an international sensation and a symbol of elegance and resilience. Her music crossed borders and languages, but her message was always universal: love, loss, and longing.

Connie faced life’s hardships with the same strength she brought to the stage — with courage, warmth, and an unshakable spirit.

Her songs may fade out, but her impact never will.
Rest in peace, Connie — your voice lives on.

Ozzy Osbourne

The Prince of Darkness

Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a rock star — he was a legend. As the frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo icon, he reshaped music and earned his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With unforgettable songs and a presence that couldn’t be ignored, he brought heavy metal to life.

Beyond music, Ozzy became a cultural force even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his larger-than-life impact and rebellious spirit. He gave power to the outsiders and a voice to those who felt unseen.

He’s gone, but his legacy roars on.
Rest in power, Ozzy — forever immortal.

Hulk Hogan

The Immortal One

Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler he was larger than life. With his 24-inch pythons, red and yellow gear, and electrifying charisma, Hogan defined an era and became the face of professional wrestling around the world.

From slamming giants at WrestleMania to coining phrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”, he turned sports entertainment into a global phenomenon. As a WWE Hall of Famer, Hogan wasn’t just part of wrestling history — he was wrestling history.

Beyond the ring, his influence stretched into movies, television, and pop culture, becoming a true American icon whose presence was impossible to ignore.

He told us to train, say our prayers, and believe in ourselves and millions did.

Rest in power, Hulkster. Your legacy will never lay down for the three count.

Chuck Mangione

The Man Who Made Jazz Smile

Chuck Mangione brought warmth and joy to jazz, turning the flugelhorn into a household sound. With hits like “Feels So Good,” he created melodies that didn’t just play — they stuck with you, becoming part of life’s soundtrack.

A Grammy winner and crossover star, Chuck made instrumental music feel approachable, emotional, and alive. His work touched everything from concert halls to cartoons — famously becoming a recurring presence in King of the Hill, where his music and image were celebrated by a new generation.

He wasn’t just a musician. He was a vibe. A feeling. A reason to smile.

Rest easy, Chuck — it still feels so good, and it always will.

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WWE 2k25: What the 1.7 Patch Broke

The WWE2K25 patch update 1.7 launched on 04/09/25 to mixed results

The long-awaited, much-anticipated patch 1.7 launched this week for WWE2K25 to mixed results. While highlights of the patch included the addition of the modern NXT men’s and women’s championships as well as the free addition of the Saturday Night’s Main Event arena and assets, the match also moved a lot of progress and features backward. The following list overviews the listed patch updates from 2k from WhatsTheStatus on X. (Reports of game features broken by 1.7 will follow)

General

Stability and Performance improvements.

Championships

Added the new NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship.

Camera

Addressed reported concerns of the Money in the Bank briefcases clipping in Creations. Addressed reported concerns of the Camera Cuts presentation options not updating in AI vs AI matches. Adjusted Hell in a Cell roof transparency to make it more opaque.

Addressed reported concerns of the camera losing the target in a multiplayer brawl within the WWE Archives and NXT Parking Lot environments and when a Superstar exited the ring during an Underground match.

Addressed reported concerns of the camera not focusing on the AI winner after a human player was eliminated from a Royal Rumble.

Improved camera tracking, angles, and targeting.

Addressed reported concerns of Superstars disappearing at the end of brawls.

Addressed reported concerns related to Replays/Highlight Reel for the following: Back tattoos, Spectator Camera UI, drag attacks against car hoods, and closing of the casket in a Casket Match now display correctly in replays.

Battle Royal highlights now span the entire match.

All participants snow show up correctly in Elimination Match highlights.

Pin rope break is captured properly for highlights .

Addressed reported concerns where the manual camera would not engage in CAA and CAS during part and image customization.

Stability improvements for all modes

Create-an-Arena:

Addressed reported concerns of the revert dialog not appearing when cancelling from Arena Lighting.

Addressed reported concerns of the thumbnails being incorrect for templates and saves.

Addressed reported concerns where the commentary team would not appear when announcer tables are present.

Addressed reported concerns where previously applied images were not removable if the part was switched to one with less customizable sections.

Addressed reported concerns where images placed on the barricade corner could not be moved left or right. Addressed reported concerns where the text for sub-parts and the announcer table were incorrect. Addressed reported concerns where the inner LED ringposts could not be individually customized. Addressed reported concerns where covers and bases for announcer tables could not be individually customized.

Address reported concerns of venue features blocking the ring mat.

Now the venue features will turn off when in the ring menu and return to the previous setting when exiting the ring menu. Added the ability to toggle venue features from all screens.

Addressed reported concerns of the lighting rig being hidden based on users venue feature preferences. Updated the object highlight blinker for better visibility.

Create-a-Superstar:

Addressed reported concerns of not being able to reorder image customizations.

Environments

Added the Saturday Night’s Main Event Arena Improvements to player and camera collision with objects in multiple arenas Updates to multiple Superstar Trons

MyGM

Brand updates: Added Women’s midcard championships for RAW, SmackDown and NXT Brands.

Brands with new midcard belts have had their Popularity bonuses reduced for balancing against other brands.

Updated NXT belt visuals.

NXT brand now receives two copies of their power card per season.

Roster tuning: Stat updates for various superstars Game tuning: Tuning for fan retention and cash gain across the game.

Fan retention rate now increases from season to season up to a max. of 99% Reduced the arena capacity for the largest arena from 50k to 45k. PLE Victory bonus has been tuned and reduced from 10k fans to 5k fans. Tuning updates to seasonal challenges. Reduced the maximum amount of fans a charity promo can grant.

E-mails: New email interactions E-mail tuning so that some e-mails appear more often.

Tutorial updates Better clarity on PLE fan and cash gain, these tutorials can be activated on the post show breakdown.

Other Updates: General stability updates and improvements. Available managers like CM Punk now appear in custom draft games if unselected as a GM and if fewer than 30 stars are removed from the Active roster category. Wrestlemania now requires all brands on all difficulties to book 2 midcard matches during week 25.

Graphics General stability improvements. Addressed reported concerns of body bruising not appearing on Superstar alternate attires.

Addressed reported concerns of Face Photo image positions resetting when selecting the image after making modifications to it.

Addressed reported concerns on XB1/PS4, where images placed in custom arenas would display gaps and move improperly during matches.

MyFACTION

Updated displays for Pack Contents within different Play modes. Updated empty images. General stability improvements.

MyRISE

General stability and improvements.

Universe

Calendar Added Saturday Night’s Main Event to the Universe calendar and as a PLE template.

Active show will no longer be automatically simulated when deleting simulated show.

Addressed reported concerns with show deletion from the Calendar and improved general stability and functionality.

UI

Addressed reported concerns of Divisions not being editable on a Custom show Managers can now be selected when editing a match, even if they are not on that show. Addressed reported concerns of changes being reset in the participants menu also resetting changes for all shows.

Championships will now be properly vacated when removing Champion Superstar from a show.

Addressed reported concerns of Judgment Day(R-Truth) being used even with R-Truth Judgement Day locked.

MITB cash in sliders will now properly reset to default when resetting Universe Updated Ridge Holland nameplate

Matchmaking Tuned logic for how many managers are assigned during a show’s matchmaking.

Tag Team Matches will be prioritized when you select a member of a Tag Team in Superstar mode. Addressed reported concerns of two-day Royal Rumble PLEs causing a third Royal Rumble match to appear.

Addressed reported concerns surrounding intergender matchmaking and generating title shots Addressed reported concerns with tournaments, including the inability to add Custom Superstars to a tournament PLE. Rivalries & Cutscenes

Added ability to set up rivalry actions on PLEs.

Addressed reported concerns surrounding MITB assignments, targets, rivalry actions, and entrances. Updated Referee attire in Rivalry Actions.

Addressed reported concerns of some Rivalry Actions being locked to male Superstars only and cutscenes Addressed reported concerns of Rivalry Outcomes and momentum not being applied, as well as adjusted UI when setting up and displaying rivalries Addressed reported concerns with Promo cutscenes and showing their base match correctly.

The “Win Match in 5 Minutes” promo will now show a timer in the next match

Gameplay

Addressed reported concerns of “Run-In” and “Paparazzi” Paybacks not functioning in Universe

Addressed reported concerns of Manager Attire appearing as Ring Attire

Additional improvements around Bloodline Rules Match, Alt Attire usage, and Custom Match Rules applying correctly

Addressed reported concerns with a rope break automatically happening in Underground Matches

Other Enabled Payback MyRISE 2K25 and WrestleMania 31 Day/Night arenas for Create-A-Show and Universe Enabled win/loss tracking for all Superstars in Universe mode

Addressed reported concerns with Championship stats

Made various adjustments to the initial Universe mode roster and setup

*Render for John Cena 2010 updated to reflect attire correctly

*DX tag motion and template added

*Fraxiom tag template added

What The 2k25 1.7 Patch Broke:

Renders for managers (Jimmy Hart & Captain Lou Albano) Removed

Hair/Beard glitch patched: All custom attires using this method are now showing the “invisible” gear. Community Creation downloads affected include CM Punk 2012, CM Punk 2009, DDP 2002, Bron Breakker ’25, Bully Ray’24, and any other upload that was previously utilizing these glitches.

Render sizing on CAWs:

CAWs with renders are now appearing even smaller in creation menus

CAWs with championships in Universe mode appear to be cut off

CAWs with renders now will occasionally appear with a glitch featuring another superstar’s render behind them.

Championships

While the update added sideplate compatibility for the United States and Intercontinental championships, it also seems to have caused issues with the belt images lining up correctly.

Sideplates appearing askew

Main plates appearing shrunken

Reports of Custom Championship assets being removed from Create a Championship

In Match

Issues reported on the Carry System being limited/not working for AI

The submission system automatically reverts to the button mash minigame when playing multi-man matches

Reports of games crashes when editing PLEs in universe mode

Reports that CAW hair loses texture and is “shiny” during matches on PS5

More bugs or issues following the 1.7 patch?

Let us know below if you’ve experienced other issues since the latest patch update and be sure to report any other finding to the 2K Team.

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WWE’s Greatest Video Games

With their first video game released in 1989, WWE has had quite a few titles under their belt, but which were the best there are, the best there were, or the best there ever will be?

World Wrestling Entertainment has been a global phenomenon, captivating millions of fans with its larger-than-life characters and thrilling storylines. Over the years, WWE has released numerous video games that allow fans to step into the squared circle and experience the adrenaline-pumping action firsthand. From the arcade classics to modern-day masterpieces, let’s break down the greatest WWE (and WWF) video games that have left an indelible mark on gaming history.

WWF No Mercy (Nintendo 64 – 2000)

Often regarded as the pinnacle of WWE video games, WWF No Mercy for the Nintendo 64 set a new standard for wrestling games. Developed by AKI Corporation, this game offered an extensive roster, excellent graphics for its time, and a deep and intuitive grappling system. The game’s customization options, including create-a-wrestler mode, kept players engaged for hours. WWF No Mercy’s enduring legacy continues to influence wrestling games to this day.

WWFNoMercyWiki

WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PlayStation 2 – 2003)

Widely hailed as one of the best WWE games ever made, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain took the franchise to new heights. With a star-studded roster, including legends and modern-day superstars, the game provided a satisfying mix of arcade-style action and realistic mechanics. The addition of the iconic “Elimination Chamber” match and the “Season” mode with branching storylines made this game a fan favorite.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 (Multiple Platforms – 2005)

As the first installment of the SmackDown vs. Raw series, this game was a massive success, combining raw wrestling action with an improved grappling system and enhanced graphics. The roster featured over 70 superstars, and the addition of the General Manager mode added a strategic element to the gameplay. The game’s Create-a-Championship and Create-an-Entrance features also allowed players to personalize their WWE experience.

Tenor.com

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 (Multiple Platforms – 2007)

The 2008 installment of the SmackDown vs. Raw series was a game-changer in the WWE gaming universe. Featuring significant improvements in graphics and gameplay, this title provided players with a more realistic and immersive experience. The inclusion of the “ECW” brand expanded the roster and brought additional match types, while the 24/7 mode allowed players multiple story-driven play types ranging from your own custom superstars to General Managers. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 remains a standout entry in the franchise

WWE 2K19 (Multiple Platforms – 2018)

While the later WWE 2K series entries were met with mixed reviews, WWE 2K19 managed to capture the essence of WWE’s golden era. The game featured a plethora of match types, including the returning “Towers” mode, which offered unique challenges against legendary opponents. Improved visuals, smoother gameplay, and an extensive roster, featuring classic and contemporary stars, made WWE 2K19 a standout title. This game for many players lasted the lifespan of two WWE 2K entries as we had to wait for WWE2K22 following the unplayable 2K20.

RealSport101

WWE 2K23 (Multiple Platforms- 2023)

WWE 2K23 was a much-anticipated release hot off the well-received previous entry to the franchise. While this game was very much an update to existing features in 2k22, ’23 took its time to listen to the fan’s feedback with improvements to the beloved GM mode including the addition of up to 4 GMs at a time, fixes to Universe mode, Custom renders, and overall lighting and performance enhancements. While this game is far from perfect, many players appreciate that with this entry the 2K devs have been more supportive than ever addressing concerns and making notable updates via patches. There is still quite a shelf life left on WWE 2K23 and many bugs to be fixed, only time will tell how we look back at this year’s entry critically, but for now, it’s a much-welcomed step in the right direction!

WWE video games have come a long way, evolving from their pixelated origins to stunningly realistic simulations. Each game mentioned in this breakdown left a lasting impression on the gaming community, and fans have fond memories of their favorite titles. From the groundbreaking WWF No Mercy to the acclaimed WWE 2K19, these games have enabled fans to live out their wrestling dreams and have contributed significantly to the success of WWE’s presence in the gaming world. As we look forward to the future, we can only anticipate more exciting and innovative WWE video game experiences in store for fans worldwide with helpful and responsive devs.

-Zack Phazar

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The Latest: Vince McMahon Sex and Hush Money Scandal

Recent allegations involving WWE CEO and Chairman have surfaced involving an alleged agreement for an employee to keep quiet following a sexual encounter with the boss.

On June 15th, 2022 Wall Street Journal reported that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had allegedly paid 3 Million dollars in a Nondisclouse agreement to a former WWE paralegal with the intention of keeping her quiet involving a consensual sexual relationship with McMahon. The WWE board began investigating the matter as well as others involving similar payments and misconduct as well as John Laurentius who has since stepped down as Head of WWE Talent Relations. Laurentius was said to have also had sexual relations with the same paralegal as McMahon. The WWE Board was informed of these actions via an anonymous email from someone claiming to be a friend of the paralegal in question. She describes the woman was initially hired on a $100,000 salary which was increased later to $200,000 after beginning a sexual relationship with McMahon. A Settlement agreement including an NDA stated the paralegal would receive 1 Million dollars upfront upon her departure to keep quiet on the matter with an additional $2 Million to be paid out over the next 5 years. Upon the news of the investigation breaking McMahon stepped down as CEO of WWE, a role that was filled by his daughter Stephanie McMahon.

On July 8th WSJ once again reported on the ongoing Vince McMahon investigation claiming he had, “Agreed to Pay $12 Million in Hush Money to Four Women”. One of these reports involves a former, unnamed, female wrestler who was persuaded into giving the Chairman oral sex before being moved down the card and eventually released upon refusal of sexual activities in 2008, in 2018 she was paid $7.5 Million to remain quiet on the subject according to Jude Terror. Another report of unsolicited nude photos of McMahon alongside sexual harassment came from a contractor in 2008 who was allegedly paid 1 million dollars in response. In a third instance, McMahon paid another $1 Million to a long-time personal manager he had engaged in a sexual relationship with.

As the investigation of Vince McMahon continues, stories of Nondisclosure agreements and sexual assault allegations are still being reviewed by The WWE Board of Directors.

-Style

Images, .css-1i2ud9c-CreditTag{font-weight:400;text-transform:uppercase;}Photo: Michael N. Todaro/Getty. “WWE’s Vince McMahon Steps Back from CEO Role amid Misconduct Probe.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 18 June 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-appoints-vince-mcmahons-daughter-as-interim-ceo-amid-probe-11655467082?mod=article_inline.

Murray, Andy H. “More to Come from Vince McMahon’s ‘Hush Money’ Allegations?” WhatCulture.com, WhatCulture.com, 18 July 2022, https://whatculture.com/wwe/more-to-come-from-vince-mcmahons-34-hush-money-34-allegations.

“PWInsider – WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE.” IS THERE MORE TO COME FROM THE VINCE MCMAHON SITUATION?, MY PICK FOR FLAIR’S LAST OPPONENT, SASHA OUTSIDE WWE AND MORE | PWInsider.com, https://pwinsider.com/article/161099/is-there-more-to-come-from-the-vince-mcmahon-situation-my-pick-for-flairs-last-opponent-sasha-outside-wwe-and-more.html?p=1.

Terror, Jude. “WSJ Reports 3 More Sexual Misconduct Ndas for WWE’s Vince McMahon.” Bleeding Cool News And Rumors, Bleeding Cool News And Rumors, 8 July 2022, https://bleedingcool.com/tv/wsj-reports-3-more-sexual-misconduct-ndas-for-wwes-vince-mcmahon/.

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Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and MORE to AEW?

Wrestling Rumors for the week of July 30th 2021

Brock Lesnar to sign outside of WWE

RingsideNews.com

As reported on earlier in the week by Dirt Sheet Radio, Rumors have been circulating about The Beast Incarnate’s return outside of the WWE. While at this point in thine these rumors have yet to be confirmed, Dirt Sheet Radio claim Brock, “has signed a deal” with someone outside of World Wrestling Entertainment. While many believe this may mean Lesnar is gearing up for his in ring return to the UFC, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility AEW could have their “Next Big Thing” on their hands! With the recent signings and rumored signings from AEW owner Tony Khan, we may be seeing the first big money contracts rolled out to snag these larger than life talents much like we saw from WCW. Only time will tell where Brock Lesnar will take to suplex city next!

Kurt Angle offered AEW and Impact Deals

WWE.com

Coming off of an interview with Fightful Select, Kurt Angle revealed he was offered an opportunity to make an in ring return with AEW, despite Angle previously stating he wouldn’t work for the company. Angle declined the offer due to his declining physical condition in the ring. Impact would also reach out to Kurt, according to WeestlingInc, for a one off appearance but this would also be declined. It would seem more likely than not we’ve seen the last of Kurt Angle’s in ring career following his WWE retirement match with Baron Corbin, but as it goes in wrestling, never say never.

The IIconics between Impact and AEW

WWE.com

Currently still under their WWE 90 day no-Compete clause, The former Billie Kay (Jesse McKay) and Peyton Royce (Cassie Lee) seem to have narrowed down their post WWE career paths to two major companies, AEW or Impact Wrestling. As stated by Cultaholic in their coverage of the duo, McKay and Lee plan on sticking together wherever they go opting to sign as a package deal rather than go their own ways. During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, the two heavily weighed their options and discussed their interests as well as their concerns about joining either company. Cassie Lee went on to claim, “I feel like we could really help their women’s division, though they don’t necessarily have a women’s tag division.”, referring the AEW during the Busted Open interview. As far as Impact Wrestling is concerned the duo believe they have the drawing power to greatly help the company’s exposure.

The American Dragon Makes it Official

WWE.com

News broke earlier in the week that former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan will not be returning to the company following his departure after Wrestlemania. Bryan had been in talks with All Elite Wrestling about a contract that would allow for a more lenient schedule and according to Bodyslam.net it’s a done deal! With both Dave Meltzer and Sean Ross Sapp backing the speculation, despite not being able to confirm, it would look as though The American Dragon is set for a return to the ring with All Elite Wrestling! Although Bryan himself has not made a statement about the matter, CageSideSeats does a great job breaking down everything we know so far about the alleged contract and debut of Bryan Danielson.

“CM Punk to AEW Confirmed”

WWE.com

Ollie Davis of Wrestletalk pun aside, the news that has been blowing up the wrestling community the past week is the possible in ring return of one CM Punk. The long awaited return of the voice of the voiceless is rumored to be under the AEW banner, while every wrestling reporter under the sun is scrambling to piece together whatever evidence they can to support him signing with the company. While the likes of Dave Meltzer are reporting the backstage officials at WWE believe Punk has already signed on the dotted line, no official word has come out from the AEW team nor Punk himself. Meanwhile the community continues to stoke the flame noting the recent Twitter following of In Loving Colour to AEW’s official account, and more recently the entirety of the July 28th episode of AEW Dynamite that seemed to be blatantly littered with Punk References. Most notably on the show was a backstage promo for AEW’s up coming event in Chicago, of all places, where Darby Allin made the claim, “…there’s only one place to really prove that. Right here in AEW. Even if you think you’re the best in the world.” Could we be seeing the long awaited in ring return of The Best In The World in Chicago? Only time will tell! Watch the video of Darby “calling out” Punk below courtesy of AEW’s YouTube.

Who do you think is showing up in AEW, and are there any truth to these contact signings? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out some of our other great articles while you’re here!

-Style

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Songs that SHOULD Have been Wrestler’s Themes

If you’re more than the average fan, chances are you can go word for word or note for note with any litany of wrestler themes across a multitude of eras. The entrance theme is a vital part of any wrestlers persona and plays a major role in how they are received by the live audience. A great entrance theme can put a rising star on the average fans radar or propel an already established star to an unthinkable level, case in point, Chris Jericho’s Judas. However, many times wrestlers who aren’t particularly pinned by management for the main event scene are often saddled with any number of boring or reused stick music from the WWE library. While other companies such as AEW have shelled out some major bucks for song rights in the past year, we completely understand the sizable reason why this luxury cannot be afforded to everyone. That being said, some theme choices just seem too obvious to pass up!

Lunatic Fringe: Dean Ambrose

Now listen, Tony Khan’s recent Acquisition of Wild Thing for Moxley is a spot on fit, we’re not debating that. However, The WWE’s Dean Ambrose was a very different character entirely. Taking much of the hardcore and ruthless style Moxley was known for and toning it down, WWE startled the then Dean Ambrose with the monicker, Lunatic Fringe. Had this maybe just been “The Lunatic” maybe it would’ve had more legs, but I can honestly say I’ve never once heard the phrase “lunatic fringe” used outside of the 1981 Red Rider song of the same name. This was no one and done nickname either, it stuck with him his entire WWE career! You’d think at some point this would’ve been adapted to his entrance theme, maybe when he broke out from The Shield as a singles star, maybe after he won his first WWE Championship, or one of his big returns to the ring, but no. The opportunity was always there several times over, it would seem more than anything “The Fed” just didn’t want to spend the extra green on The Dean. This theme may have been the catalyst that took the Ambrose persona to a more serious and ruthless level, alas all we ever got were some awkwardly places sirens over the same old tune.

Be A Man: Randy Savage

Getting a little more specific on this one, Pomp and Circumstance is 100% the definitive Macho Man theme. The only song that could’ve possibly played the cream of the crop to the ring for all those glorious years, but we’re not talking WWF here, hell we aren’t even taking WCW. In a very unexpected turn of events The Macho King found himself signed to a TNA contract in 2004 just in time for his big debut at their Turning Point PPV. This wasn’t the robe wearing, colorful, catchphrase spouting Savage of old though. More reminiscent of his latter-day WCW gimmick, Savage was back in black, head-to-toe leather with a more serious demeanor than ever. This would’ve been the perfect time for Randy’s rap album Be A Man to be brought to the live wrestling audience. With the self titled track playing him too the ring, this much more grizzled and rough are kind the edges Savage would’ve been backed by his own fitting signature gravely voice, rather than some weird dance club inspired version of his classic theme.

Ziggy Stardust: Stardust

His name was Stardust. Stardust, how do you drop the ball on this. Presumably, the copyright for David Bowie must’ve been immaculate, however, if they planned to keep Cody in that silly little trash bag suit, which clearly they did, why not invest in it. There is a long standing theory in the wrestling world that Mr. McMahon has always forced the Rhodes family into ridiculous gimmicks and costumes in order to get back at Dusty and the NWA for opposing his product, be it yellow polka dots, the “Androgynous” Goldust, or … this thing, and we can’t help but believe that to be at least partially true. I mean for God sake, he even painted his face like Bowie upon the singers passing. Just imagine how much more of a presence, and less of a joke, this could’ve been with Cody walking to the ring as the Ziggy Stardust guitar riff blared behind him, you know the one.

Break On Through: John Morrison

This one legitimately bothers me to this day. The whole basis of the John Morrison gimmick is that he bares a striking resemblance to Doors front man Jim Morrison. Literally, look at his early presentation on WWECW, his attires, manner of speech, what he references, HIS DAMN FINISHING MOVE IS THE STARSHIP PAIN. He is a walking tribute to The Doors. So if someone could please explain to me what in the hell his entrance theme is suppose to sound like, because it damn sure ain’t Jim. The only thing I keep telling myself is that someone pitched the gimmick to the audio department and had to try and explain what The Doors sounded like without ever listening to them. “Yeah man, so it’s like, psychedelic 70s rock with heavy guitar influence then add some guy who sounds drugged out over it”. That’s the only logical explanation I have, and that’s no disrespect to Jim Johnston because he was a phenomenal asset to the company, by damn what the hell happened here. It doesn’t even have to be Break On Through, it could literally be ANY Doors song, Hell it could be a knock off instrumental cover of a Doors song. Something that makes sense is all I ask for, is that too much? Well, I’m WWE yes, yes it is.

Bonus Track

The Touch: Hulk Hogan

I just need this for one night only. Imagine it, the Nitro following the infamous “Finger Poke of Doom”, Hogan hits the ramp with the WCW/NWO World Title as “YOU’VE GOT THE TOUCH” blares behind him, flanked of course by the Touch-ee himself Big Sexy, Kevin Nash. You’d laugh, admit it.

Let us know what themes you think wrestlers should have been using down below and be sure to check out more blogs like this one right here!

-Stye

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Casting Johnny Cage

The 2021, R rated, Mortal Kombat adaptation hit the big screen as well as HBO Max on April 23, reviving mixed but majority positive reviews. The movie is targeted at long time fans of the video game franchise and dives into the lore behind the in game characters and events. Grossing a whopping $9 Million opening night and topping the box office. With the film being such a financial success, it’s only a matter of time before we are presented with a sequel. One character from the original beat ‘em up not feature in this new adaptation expected to make his debut in the sequel is Johnny Cage. Cage is an arrogant, and egotistical character from the Mortal Kombat franchise complete with leather jacket and douchebag sunglasses to boot. The question now is who will play this much beloved asshole in the film adaptation?

The Miz

For those unaware, who have more than likely been living under a rock for the last two decades, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin is a professional wrestler and two time Grand Slam Champion under the WWE banner. The Miz is also no stranger to the big screen, getting his start on MTV’s 10th season of The Real World before transitioning into his professional wrestling career where he has also found himself as the leading man of The Marine franchise, along with other films such as Christmas Bounty and Fighting with my Family. Following the release of Mortal Kombat The Miz took to Twitter, noticing the lack of one Johnny Cage, offering his likeness for the role.

Photo from The Miz on Twitter

Apart from his obvious acting and fighting chops, Miz bares a striking resemblance to Cage that is undeniable! Having been the perfect fit for the arrogant, egotistical, asshole fans love to hate for the better part of almost two decades now, Miz is seemingly the perfect for the role,Not to mention his apparent affection for the series, and fans seem to be rallying around this casting choice as well. Boss Logic, noted for making actor edits and adaptations for fantasy roles, even took to Twitter to post a non-edited picture of Miz claiming no edit was needed, “The guy is literally him”.

Photo from BossLogic on Twitter

Ryan Reynolds

The Miz is not the only person fans are creating buzz around however. The man responsible for reviving “The Merc with a Mouth” has been in heavy consideration amongst the Mortal Kombat fan base as well. Reynolds has proven he has the ability to play a natural, lovable jackass who is simultaneously a badass time and time again. Reynolds, never one to be left out of the loop on Twitter, took to the app amidst the speculation playing into the hype by posting a photo of himself as Cage to promote his partnership with phone provider, Mint.

Photo from Ryan Reynolds Twitter

While an announcement for the casting of Johnny Cage is nothing we should expect in the near future, we have to believe once casting begins for the inevitable sequel of Mortal Kombat, Miz and Reynolds have to be top contenders to fill the much anticipated role. Let us know who you think should play Johnny Cage in the comment section below and be sure to check out more related blogs right here! Don’t forget to tap that subscribe button to FINISH HIM!

-Style

“Mortal Kombat (2021 Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2021, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Kombat_(2021_film).

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WWE Releases April 15, 2021 In Depth

Yes, exactly one year to the date after WWE’s mass talent purge due to COVID-19 it would seem they’re at it again. With seemingly no reason other than “budget cuts” The World Wrestling Entertainment has begun cutting a large and shocking mix of superstars which began on the evening of April 15th 2021 around 2pm eastern standard time. The following is the current list of all known releases at this time, check back for updates as the story progresses.

Billie Kay

The initial release reported by dirt sheets and WWE.com alike was for former Smackdown superstar Billie Kay. This release comes as a shock as Billie is fresh off a push that lead her to Wrestlemania in a losing effort as part of the Women’s Tag Team gauntlet match. With buzz already swarming around her abrupt firing, it seems it will not be long before we see Billie back inside a squared circle, the question now is where.

Twitter

Mickie James

Along side the aforementioned Billie Kay, WWE veteran and former Women’s champion, Mickie James was released from her WWE contract. Mickie had been very vocal about her opinions on “aging” women’s wrestles spot in the business as a whole in recent months but still thanked WWE Chairman Vince McMahon upon the news of her release for her time with the company and fond memories over the years. (Below)

Twitter

Tucker

One half of the former tag team “Heavy Machinery” alongside Otis, Tucker split from his long time partner in late 2020 following the Money In The Bank Pay-Per-View. Since then Tucker has largely been off TV, competing in the occasional multi-man match or appearing in backstage segments. It seems as though we’ll never get to see what Tucker’s singles run would’ve looked like in WWE. Interestingly enough, this release may be exactly what Tucker needed to get his singles career off the ground as following the break of his release, Tucker tweeter out this in response…

Twitter

Wesley Blake

Former member of NXT tag team “Blake and Murphy” as well as “The Forgotten Sons” Wesley Blake never got his fair shake at a main roster push. Seemingly always looked over in favor of his partners by WWE creative. Could we see the reunion of Forgotten Sons’s Steve Cutler with Blake relatively soon on the independent scene?

Chelsea Green

The release of popular NXT women’s main stay Chelsea Green came as a shock to many as the women’s wrestler appeared quite frequently on NXT TV and was highly regarded as one of the companies next big stars. Green’s partner former WWE superstar Matt Cardona, FKA Zack Ryder, took to Twitter upon the announcement to express his pure shock of the situation and to reassure Chelsea she is indeed a star! Ryder being one of last years “Black Wednesday” cuts and having appeared across a plethora of promotions since including Impact Wrestling, AEW, and a series of his own shows, should know a thing or two about success outside of the WWE umbrella.

Twitter

Kalisto

The man responsible for “good lucha things” is another interesting release on the part of WWE. Current member of the three man stable Lucha House Party, alongside Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik at the time of release, Kalisto is a former NXT Tag and United States champion in his own right. While not a regular feature on WWE TV, The Lucha House Party were one of few teams making up the current tag division. With the release of Kalisto, we only hope that his partners aren’t soon to follow suit.

Peyton Royce

The tag division once again in shambles as another team is out of the WWE picture. Peyton Royce, former member of the IIconics alongside Billie Kay, has also been released from her WWE contract. Peyton as well has her family have been very vocal over the past months starting their displeasure with the state of WWE’s women’s division and the idea that creative would rather have the same women become champion over and over again rather than affording opportunities to new talent. Could we possible see an IIconic reunion in a more “Elite” promotion int the near future?

Bo Dallas

Real life brother of Bray Wyatt and son of WWE legend I.R.S. Bo curiously survived last years cuts while his running partner Curtis Axel did not. This lead many to believe there were big plans in the world for Bo in relation to Bray’s new “Fiend” gimmick. While Bo has been missing from WWE programming since the 2019 Crown Jewel event, backstage sources report he may be in the process of transitioning out of wrestling and rather starting his own Real-estate agency. Whatever his plans are for life outside of the WWE, we genuinely do wish Dallas the best in future endeavors.

Twitter

Samoa Joe

Definitely the most shocking of the bunch released was wrestling veteran Samoa Joe. Joe is widely credited as one of the best wrestlers of his generation and has held the major title in almost every company he’s been a part of, ironically enough, excluding WWE. While Joe has been on the sideline with an injury for most of this past year, he has still remained a staple of weekly WWE programming serving as a play by play commentator for Monday Night Raw. Even more shocking, Joe’s last appearance with the company would be his role as a main commentator throughout both nights of Wrestlemania. With such a prime role and being such a hot acquisition, many are question the decision to release Joe. One thing remains certain, wherever he goes, Samoa Joe is sure to make an impact on their world title picture with fans already clamoring on Twitter for AEW and other wrestling promotions to sign the now free agent!

Twitter

These have been the releases from WWE on April, 15th 2021 thus far. Be sure to check back for updates as this story progresses. Let us know what you think of this batch of releases below or join in on the conversation as it continues on Twitter, where many superstars and companies alike remain very vocal as seen below!

UPDATED

Mojo Rawley

Mojo Rawley is the most recent member of the WWE roster released. Mojo was released on April 15th, 2021 around 7pm Eastern Standard Time.

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