WWE 2K26’s Roster is the End of an Era for “3” Legendary Superstars

It seems unlikely that WWE and Mick Foley will reach an agreement, meaning the iconic “Three Faces of Foley” – Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind – will probably appear for the last time in WWE 2K26. Currently, Mick Foley and his different personas are scheduled to be playable characters and a general manager option in the MyGM mode of WWE 2K26.

Mick Foley, known by his personas Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, has been a frequent character in WWE video games for over twenty years. He first appeared in WWF War Zone on Nintendo 64, and has been a playable character in most of the main WWE game series since then. It’s estimated that he’s been featured in around 30 video games total, including main releases, spin-offs, and mobile games.

Mick Foley will be featured in WWE 2K26 both as a General Manager in MyGM mode and as his three iconic personas: Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind. Mankind is rated 86 overall, likely reflecting his famously tough career, while Dude Love comes in at 81. The rating for Cactus Jack hasn’t been announced yet. While Foley has been a regular in WWE games for years, this installment is expected to be the last time players can play as these legendary characters.

Why WWE 2K26 Marks the Last Appearance of The Three Faces of Foley

In December 2025, Mick Foley told his over 600,000 Instagram followers that he was leaving WWE. This decision stemmed from his concerns about the company’s relationship with Donald Trump, particularly after Foley publicly supported Kamala Harris during the election. He had been worried for months about what he saw as Trump’s harsh and unfair treatment of immigrants. The final issue for Foley was Trump’s disrespectful response to the death of Hollywood director Rob Reiner.

Rob Reiner often criticized President Trump, and Trump responded after Reiner’s death with a harsh statement. Trump claimed Reiner’s passing was linked to what he called “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME” – essentially, extreme anger towards him. He also described Reiner as a once-talented director and comedian who had struggled with this anger.

Following these statements, Mick Foley announced he’s ending his relationship with WWE because he strongly disagrees with President Trump’s actions and character. He told WWE he won’t be making any future appearances or signing a new contract as long as Trump is in office. Foley expressed his love and gratitude for his time with the company, but stated he’s reached his limit, quoting Popeye: ‘I’ve stood all I can stand, and I can’t stand no more.’

Mick Foley’s Departure Timeline

Foley announces he is parting ways with WWE
WWE 2K26 releases in March 2026
Foley’s Legends deal expires in June 2026
WWE 2K26 likely to release in March 2027

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

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Results

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Mick Foley Won’t Sign a New Legends Deal

The upcoming expiration of Mick Foley’s contract is central to building the roster for WWE 2K26. Since his contract hasn’t expired yet, he can be included in this year’s game, but that will change afterward. Essentially, WWE contracts with wrestlers and Legends are licensing agreements – complex legal arrangements that give WWE the right to use a performer’s name, image, and likeness in games, merchandise, and advertising. These deals often require wrestlers new to WWE to adopt different names, as fans may know them by aliases from other promotions – examples include Powerhouse Hobbs becoming Royce Keys and Mariah May becoming Blake Monroe. Most wrestlers don’t fully own their professional “brand,” though AJ Styles is a prominent exception.

Once contracts with performers expire, WWE can no longer legally use their image for new merchandise or games, though existing products aren’t affected. Mick Foley’s contract likely connects his appearance to a licensing agreement, and without that agreement, he won’t be in future games. This means WWE 2K27 will likely be the first game in years without Mick Foley, ending a long run for the wrestling legend.

While it’s unlikely, there are a few possible ways around this issue. WWE could potentially negotiate a new licensing deal with Mick Foley directly, since he doesn’t have a current Legends contract. It’s also possible that existing contracts still cover the use of his likeness for a certain amount of time. However, these scenarios are pretty improbable, considering the circumstances, Foley’s relationship with WWE, and the current plans for the next WWE 2K games.

This Will Have a Deep Impact on WWE 2K Games

Once Mick Foley’s contract ends and WWE doesn’t get the necessary permissions, his popular ‘Three Faces of Foley’ persona won’t be available for use in future WWE video games. Foley has also said he won’t work with the company while Donald Trump is president, though a resolution might be possible later on. However, there’s no guarantee that will happen.

Although it might seem small, Mick Foley’s absence from the game’s character list could significantly affect how the game unfolds. We saw a similar issue with WWE 2K23 and John Cena on the cover. Because the game couldn’t include CM Punk, his career showcase was incomplete, missing his important match against CM Punk at the Money in the Bank event in 2011. Hopefully, the CM Punk showcase in WWE 2K26 will feature that match.

Mick Foley is a wrestling legend who has faced iconic opponents like The Undertaker, The Rock, Triple H, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. He’s also teamed up with many popular WWE stars throughout his career. Without proper contracts, memorable moments like John Cena versus CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011 wouldn’t be possible in video games. WWE games have sometimes included wrestlers they didn’t have the rights to, but fans always notice. Considering one version of WWE 2K26 is themed around the Monday Night War era, it’s ironic that contract issues could prevent certain wrestlers from appearing.

2026-02-25 23:05