Information is coming in thick and fast, so join us every week as more details, features, and roster members are announced for WWE 2K17!
With WWE 2K17 hitting the shelves on October 11, 2016, we’ll be bringing you everything we know about all the details and features included in the game to whet your appetite. To streamline this process, we have compiled the following list of the Superstars who are officially confirmed to be in the game. As more names get announced, this list will be updated.
Be sure to check back here at TWM News for all the latest details as they’re announced.
WWE 2K17 ROSTER
- Aiden English
- AJ Styles
- Alberto Del Rio
- Alexa Bliss
- Alicia Fox
- Alundra Blayze
- Andre the Giant
- Apollo Crews
- Arn Anderson
- Bam Bam Bigelow
- Baron Corbin
- Becky Lynch
- Big Cass
- Big E
- Big Show
- Billy Gunn
- Bo Dallas
- Booker T
- Braun Strowman
- Bray Wyatt
- Bret Hart
- Brian Pillman
- Brie Bella
- British Bulldog
- Brock Lesnar
- Bubba Ray Dudley
- Bushwacker Luke
- Bushwacker Butch
- Carmella
- Cesaro
- Charlotte
- Christian
- Chris Jericho
- Curtis Axel
- Dana Brooke
- Daniel Bryan
- Darren Young
- Dash Wilder
- Diamond Dallas Page
- Diego (Primo)
- Dolph Ziggler
- D-Von Dudley
- Earthquake
- Edge
- Emma
- Enzo Amore
- Erick Rowan
- Eva Marie
- Fandango
- Finn Balor
- Fernando (Epico)
- Goldberg
- Heath Slater
- Hideo Itami
- Jake Roberts
- Jason Jordan
- Jey Uso
- Jimmy Uso
- John “Bradshaw” Layfield
- John Cena
- Kalisto
- Kofi Kingston
- Konnor
- Larry Zybysko
- Lita
- Macho Man Randy Savage
- Mark Henry
- Mr. Perfect
- Naomi
- Natalya
- Neville
- Nia Jax
- Nikki Bella
- Paige
- R-Truth
- Randy Orton
- Razor Ramon
- Ric Flair
- Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
- Rick Rude
- Rikishi
- Rusev
- Sami Zayn
- Samoa Joe
- Sasha Banks
- Scott Dawson
- Shane McMahon
- Shawn Michaels
- Sheamus
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- Simon Gotch
- Sin Cara
- Stardust
- Stephanie McMahon
- Sting
- Summer Rae
- Tamina
- Tatsumi Fujinami
- The Miz
- The Rock
- Titus O’Neil
- Triple H
- Trish Stratus
- Tyler Breeze
- Typhoon
- Tyson Kidd
- Ultimate Warrior
- Vince McMahon
- Viktor
- Xavier Woods
- Zack Ryder
(Blue denotes a new announcement)
FEATURES AND GAMEPLAY
Earlier this week, 2K Sports released some details of the game modes and features we can expect to see and get to grips with WWE 2K17 this year as well as some of the bigger changes they’re making to the franchise in their 3rd full year with the license.
The biggest change announced was the shift from arcade-centric fighting to a simulation style closer to WWE TV. 2K Sports have been gradually making that shift since they took over the license, but early hands-on indications show this is the biggest and most noticeable step forward.
Fighting in the crowd and backstage areas makes a long awaited return. 2K stated this was “one of the most requested features” along with updated ladder match, taunting and secondary submission systems including the option to switch from the submission mini-game to the old fashioned button bashing method (more on those features further on…).
Usual additions to animations have been made, with 2K touting “thousands of additional animations captured” indicating there will be a lot more gameplay longevity for people to discover and get to grips with.
One of the biggest and most popular selling points of WWE games is the options for creating content including superstars, arenas, and entrances. A whole raft of changes and additions were announced such as extra parts, and the long-awaited addition of body hair.
New this year is a video highlight system, allowing you to assemble highlights from matches and combine it with the new Create-A-Video feature to design Titan Tron entrance videos for created superstars.
Create-A-Show has been expanded as well as a new Create-A-Victory celebration mode. 2K promises there will be more options for creations than ever before, but stopped short of confirming or denying if custom entrance music was a feature.
The biggest and so far most controversial change for WWE 2K17 was the announcement that there will be no 2K Showcase mode this year. 2K explained they have forgone the mode to focus on expanding other game modes such as WWE Universe Mode and MyCareer. Some fans reacted positively to these changes, saying they were happy they didn’t have to play historical moments over again, whilst some fans voiced their displeasure with the lack of a core single player story mode.
Speaking of WWE Universe mode, a new “live show presentation” has been introduced, making WWE Universe mode feel like you’re playing through a weekly episode of RAW, SmackDown or NXT with even more run-ins and pre & post-match stories and attacks.
There will be a new Promo Engine, letting WWE Superstars express their thoughts and emotions in a new way. WWE Universe mode has been completely expanded and revamped, with 2K Sports stating this is the “most comprehensive, authentic and ambitious Universe Mode we’ve attempted so far”.
The new Promo Engine is also integrated into the revamped MyCareer mode, with backstage interview segments improved and backstage brawls introduced. 2K Sports stated at some point, you will come face to face with Brock Lesnar in your quest to become a WWE Hall of Famer.
The final announcement made was the roster for WWE 2K17 will be even bigger than last years 105 Superstars.
As explained earlier, ladder matches have been completely revamped. Instead of struggling to set the ladder up in the middle of the ring, it is now only possible to set the ladder up in five specific locations – in front of each side of the ropes and dead center in the ring. The ladder can also be used as a bridge from the ring apron to the barricade, opening up a lot more possibilities.
Just like on WWE TV, when a Superstar takes heavy damage during a ladder match from a big move or from falling off, the game will force you to rest outside of the ring. Depending on how much damage you’ve taken will determine how long you’re incapacitated for. 2K hopes this will help put an end to the absolute mess multi-man ladder matches became in last year’s game.
Chain wrestling, while still in the game, is no longer a guaranteed start to a match. It will happen if two superstars grapple each other simultaneously, or if the wrestler is of a technical style, but it’s no longer the only way to start a match.
Much to the delight of a lot of fans, the rotating mini-game for submission moves has been revamped. It’s been made less difficult to gets to grips with, and for those who can’t stand it altogether, there is finally an option to revert to the old button-bashing method.