Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick is now a playable character in WWE 2K26. I have some questions. 

Principally, of course, I’d like to know why 2K added one of gaming’s most AI-confused, money-hungry executives at all. I mean, it’s not like he has some enormous cult of personality beyond his position at Take-Two and the odd vaguely spicy interview quote. He did release a fitness book and go around promoting it by showing off shirtless pictures of himself with eight percent body fat, but that was back in 2018. Plus, he’s not even shirtless in the game. 

Beyond that, I’m also curious as to why he was added to WWE 2K26 with essentially no fanfare. 2K just published a blog about the game’s new season spotlighting four other new wrestlers—complete with a splashy trailer—but Zelnick, added at the same time, received no such red carpet. He’s not even mentioned in the patch notes! (He’s also not listed on the game’s official roster page, but neither are the other new additions.) Did 2K want this to function as an easter egg? Because easter eggs are supposed to feel almost intimate, like a secret shared between friends. A multimillionaire CEO is… not that.

And why are Zelnick’s stats high enough that he’s above some well-respected real-life wrestlers? I mean, I guess you can’t portray the boss as a hapless, bumbling clown—and it’s better than the time UFC president Dana White got added to EA UFC with inexplicably god-tier stats—but still.   

Most of all, why is “My Way” by Frank Sinatra Zelnick’s entrance theme? Does it hold some special significance to him personally? Or did the developers just pick it because of his whole vibe? And why does it appear to be confined only to Zelnick, meaning that it can’t be applied to other characters? 

WWE 2K26’s player base is as confused as I am. Oh well, at least Zelnick—the character, not the man—isn’t costing anyone any money.

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Did May 26, the day that Grand Theft Auto 6 was supposed to release, leave you feeling frustrated? Is the thought of waiting until November 19 getting you angry? Well, don't hold onto those emotions; install WWE 2K26 and lay the smackdown on Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who has been added as a playable character in the game, for some reason.

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Wrestling fans and 2K diehards gear up as WWE 2K26 hype builds on. If you’re deep into Universe mode or building your MyGM dynasty, you already know how much those ratings matter.

After months of speculation, we finally have a confirmed date for the ratings reveal of WWE 2K26. Smacktalk posted on X, announcing the date of the reveal. Here is everything you need to know so you don’t miss out on the big reveal and see where your favorite superstars end up on the ratings leaderboard

WWE 2K26 Ratings Reveal Details

According to the announcement by Smacktalk, ESPN2 will be hosting the full WWE 2K26 ratings special on February 27, 2026, at 1 AM ET. That’s perfect timing, right before SmackDown kicks off, so expect some action on live TV. 

For those who can’t tune in to the broadcast, 2K will post all the details online right after, just like they have done in the past. For previous games, YouTube was the platform for the ratings reveal, but this time around, ESPN2 will be hosting the event. It’s part of WWE’s new broadcast deal and a smart way to put the spotlight on the game’s biggest names, just like we saw in 2K25.

Early Ratings Teases

We’ve already seen some leaks from the latest Ringside Report. Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan both sit at 94-OVR. Liv jumped up by three points, Tiffany Stratton shot up by six to 91 OVR, and Naomi climbed four to hit 91 as well. Randy Orton holds steady at 92, while Drew McIntyre lands at 91.

These are just previews, not final numbers. Roman Reigns likely owns a 99-OVR range again, with CM Punk as World Champ at 94; his cover star energy could push him even higher. On February 27th, we will finally get the ratings for all WWE stars and see where our favorite superstars end up.

Why It Matters And What to Watch For

It matters because ratings decide who dominates in your matches. Big upgrades reflect real-life runs, like Liv’s title chase. With over 400 superstars to choose from, including legends and NXT, expect a few surprises. The game is set to launch on March 23, and if you grab the deluxe edition, you can jump in early on March 6 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

So tune in, hit the forums, and get ready to argue over snubs and surprises. The reveal sets the stage for yet another WWE action-packed year in the digital ring. Eyes on your favorite 99 OVR pick this year.

WWE 2K26 will feature a massive 400+ wrestler roster, from Wrestlemania headliners all the way to fresh NXT debuts. Of course, there are still going to be a ton of mode-specific unlockables, with MyRise offering a boatload of unique rewards. The mode is set to bring about quite a few surprises, including the return of The Archetype. The presence of more recent characters in the story gives it a more contemporary feel than previous versions.

This time around, the potential for character-driven branching is higher than ever. Interactions with Paul Heyman’s new clients, Breaker and Grace, dictate your career trajectory. The characters have a purpose; they introduce Division-based storylines where your reputation can help unlock unique arenas and legendary arenas. The game mode seems really interesting, and the unlockable character list is just as interesting. Let’s take a quick look at some of the WWE 2K26 MyRise characters.

What To Expect From MyRise

MyRise has a lot to offer this time around, and that starts with its amazing story premise. Players control a custom Superstar dubbed “The Archetype”, returning to WWE after an absence of two years. The story kicks off with a major setback, which you later recover from. The mode also includes separate Men’s and Women’s paths with unique rivalries, cinematics, and championship pursuits. 

Paul Heyman is the main manipulative advisor booking your path. Other foes include Jey Uso, Jacob Fatu, Naomi, and Roxanne Perez. MyRise has fully integrated the expansion of WWE 2K25’s Live Events. You can complete them to advance your career, earn rewards, and track performance through star ratings. The overall experience emphasizes choice-driven replayability with reduced grind, voice-acted cinematics, and authentic WWE drama. So far, the game mode looks to be really exciting. If you want to learn more, read our coverage on the MyRise Story details.

All Confirmed WWE 2K26 MyRise Characters

Here’s the full list of all the MyRise characters in WWE 2K26:

• Bronze Breakker
• Buzz
• Carly Prime
• Chase
• Chosen
• Cole Quinn
• EL Mago Jr
• El Ordinario
• Gabriel Slade
• Josie Jane
• Juggernaut Grace
• La Cangrejita Loca
• LJ
• Moreno
• Odyssey Rift
• Paragon Jay Pierce
• Red
• Tavish
• MyRise 2K22 Male Player
• MyRise 2k22 Female Player
• The Dark Horse
• The Lock
• TRE

According to reports, the return of the characters from the WWE 2K22 story (specifically the MyRise 2K22 Male/Female Player) hints that they’ll potentially act as rivals or allies in a meta narrative. All the character are pure unlockeable rewards, and won’t appear in the main “The Comeback” storyline when you first play through it. They are unlocked after completing RISE Matches and progressing through story arcs/milestones. Bronze Breakker and Juggernaut Grace are special variants of Bron Breakker and Jordynn Grace, respectively.

Cole Quinn, The Dark Horse, The Lock, MyRISE 2K22 Male/Female Player, Paragon Jay Pierce, Gabriel Slade, etc are Returning Legacy MyRise Originals. These are fan-favourite created characters returning from 2K19–2K25.

Carly Prime, Buzz, Chase, Chosen, El Mago Jr, La Congreita Loca, Odyssey Rift, Red, Tavish, Tre, LJ, Moreno, Josie Jane, and El Ordinario are all Brand New Originals. These characters add variety to your roster with unique looks, movesets, and potential future story use in later games.