SNME on November 1 Feels Like a Preview of WWE 2K26

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I’m so hyped for Saturday Night’s Main Event! We’ve got Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre, and Jey Uso battling CM Punk for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. On paper, both matches sound incredible, and I’m expecting some seriously good action in the ring. Honestly, thinking about these four guys makes me believe each of them deserves to be on the cover of WWE 2K26. But if I had to pick just one, I think CM Punk is the clear choice for the WWE 2K26 cover. There are just so many reasons why!

Look, we all know a new WWE 2K game is coming – it’s as certain as anything! 2K has officially said WWE 2K26 is in the works and will be out by April 2026. Based on past releases, I’m guessing we’ll get a proper reveal around the Royal Rumble, though I wonder if the event being in Saudi Arabia will affect the timing. Usually, it drops on either the second Tuesday or Friday of March, and that’s been consistent since the series came back. But whatever happens, I’m hoping they put the absolute best wrestler on the cover this time around!

  • WWE 2K26 is in development
  • WWE 2K26 reveal likely around the Royal Rumble
  • WWE 2K26 release date likely the second Tuesday or Friday of March (March 10/March 13)

Why WWE 2K26 Can’t Use Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, or Jey Uso

I truly believe any of these four wrestlers would be perfect for the game cover. Cody Rhodes is a fantastic performer, and I especially enjoy his ‘American Nightmare’ persona – I’d be thrilled to see him on another cover, though there’s a slight catch. Drew McIntyre remains a powerful and popular wrestler who consistently delivers, and his rivalry with CM Punk was a major highlight of Punk’s return. Jey Uso clearly connects with fans, is involved in important storylines, and his merchandise is incredibly popular. Each of these men could definitely attract people to buy WWE 2K26, but there are a few things to consider.

Cody Rhodes was featured on the cover of WWE 2K24, but the game surprisingly didn’t highlight his career. Previous versions of the game – WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, and the upcoming WWE 2K25 – each focused on the careers of their cover stars: Rey Mysterio, John Cena, and The Bloodline, respectively. While Rhodes will likely be featured in a Showcase Mode eventually, it feels a bit premature to do so immediately after his return. The game instead chose to explore the history of WrestleMania.

The same reasoning applies to Jey Uso. While he hasn’t been on a cover by himself, he was featured with his family on the cover of WWE 2K25‘s Bloodline Edition. He could be a cover star eventually, if only to remind everyone that he defeated Gunther, but now isn’t the right moment. Drew McIntyre is in a similar position. It doesn’t feel like his time yet, though if he were to beat Rhodes and have a truly memorable championship run, he could definitely be on the cover in a few years. It feels like it’s on the horizon, but it’s not quite here yet.

CM Punk is the ideal choice to be the cover star for WWE 2K26. Regardless of who wins the championship – him or Jey Uso – he’s a major draw who brings a rich history perfect for diverse in-game matches. Plus, he’s a fantastic talker who can effectively tell his own story. No other current star could deliver a showcase like Paul Heyman did for The Bloodline. It’s been a long time since he was on the cover – WWE ’13 to be exact – and his return to WWE and the game series has been a success. Whether he wins or loses at SummerSlam, the timing is perfect, as it’s clear CM Punk is back for good.

Best in the World Showcase

I believe “Best in the World Showcase” is the perfect title WWE 2K26 would use, and there are two main ways to approach it. It absolutely should highlight the entire career of CM Punk.

CM Punk is The Best in the World

One simple way to celebrate Jeff Hardy’s career would be to showcase his most memorable matches, both from the past and present. The John Cena Showcase in WWE 2K23 was criticized for leaving out his rivalry with CM Punk, and this would be a chance to avoid a similar mistake. Because Jeff Hardy is currently the NXT Tag Team Champion with his brother – a result of the partnership between WWE and TNA – bringing him back to the game seems very possible. A highlight of his return could definitely include his intense Hell in a Cell match against Drew McIntyre. While he has a lot of great moments to choose from, certain matches are essential to include.

  • CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy (SummerSlam 2009)
  • CM Punk vs. John Cena (Money in the Bank 2011)
  • CM Punk vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 29)
  • CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2013)
  • CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Bad Blood 2024)
  • CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 41)
  • At Least 1 of his MITB Matches

A Daniel Bryan match would be fantastic, but very, very unlikely.

The game has a lot of potential stars for a Showcase mode, and CM Punk’s long and varied career makes him a great fit. The developers have always tried to keep the mode fresh, but giving CM Punk his own dedicated Showcase would be a fantastic idea. It would open up a lot of interesting possibilities for how the mode is presented.

CM Punk Talks About The Best in the World

CM Punk is good at mentoring up-and-coming wrestlers, so it would be great to see him featured in a segment where he discusses his expectations for NXT’s young talent, showcasing their matches alongside his own classic bouts. Considering his involvement with the MyRise mode in WWE 2K25, this feels like a natural fit. While fans would be drawn in by CM Punk himself, it would also give a platform to the wrestlers who will become future stars after he retires. This concept aligns well with the overall theme, avoids overusing Punk, and allows for a blend of wrestling’s history and present.

Credits: Visual Concepts

WWE 2K26 is CM Punk’s Time

As a long-time fan, it’s been awesome seeing CM Punk back in WWE, even if it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing. 2K has already been including him in their games, which was cool, but now feels like the perfect time to put him on the cover. With Cody and Roman probably not going to be featured this year, it really feels like CM Punk’s moment to shine!

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2025-10-27 17:05