Leaked WWE 2K26 CM Punk Showcase Would Have Big Hurdles to Overcome

by

Recent leaks indicate that the new WWE 2K26 game will likely focus its Showcase Mode on the career of current World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. However, the game will also need to address the ongoing controversy surrounding Vince McMahon. While WWE 2K26 hasn’t been officially announced, a logo appeared in a video by Logan Paul, and an official reveal is expected very soon.

Details about WWE 2K26 are starting to emerge, and it looks like the game will include four new match types and bring back Showcase Mode. This year’s Showcase will focus on the career of CM Punk, a hugely popular and accomplished wrestler. However, some of Punk’s most famous moments involved individuals who could cause controversy if included in the game.

Showcase Mode in WWE 2K games typically highlights key moments from a wrestler’s career. For CM Punk, a standout moment was winning his first WWE Championship by defeating John Cena at the 2011 Money in the Bank event in his hometown of Chicago. The match ended with interference from Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis, and Alberto Del Rio failed to immediately cash in his Money in the Bank contract. Since that event, McMahon and Laurinaitis have been named in a lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who alleges sexual assault and sex trafficking. Del Rio, too, has faced numerous controversies, making a return to WWE improbable. He even left the AAA wrestling promotion shortly after WWE acquired it.

CM Punk vs. John Cena Money in the Bank 2011 Match

While a CM Punk versus John Cena match from the 2011 Money in the Bank event could be featured in the Showcase mode, it wouldn’t fully capture the story without including Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and Alberto Del Rio. They might appear in video packages explaining the events, or WWE 2K26 might leave them out entirely. Either way, the game’s decision to include or exclude these key figures will be significant.

Credits: Visual Concepts

This Wouldn’t Be the First Time the McMahon Lawsuit Impacted WWE 2K

The lawsuit against Vince McMahon and its claims created difficulties for the video game WWE 2K24. Developers had to change the game’s Showcase Mode and remove wrestler Brock Lesnar from the playable character list. While Lesnar isn’t being sued, the lawsuit alleges McMahon tried to set up a sexual encounter between him and the plaintiff, but this did not happen.

Although Brock Lesnar was briefly removed from WWE games and TV appearances, he returned in 2025 and was added to WWE 2K25 as downloadable content. It’s likely he’ll be included in WWE 2K26 from the start. Recently, Vince McMahon also appeared in a video tribute during John Cena’s final match, suggesting WWE is starting to feature individuals connected to the lawsuit a little more.

CM Punk vs. John Cena Should Have Been a Major Part of WWE 2K23

Previous WWE 2K Showcase modes often fell short because wrestlers involved were signed with competing promotions. This happened with WWE 2K23’s John Cena Showcase, which focused on his career losses. It was surprising not to see the iconic match between John Cena and CM Punk included, but at the time, CM Punk was with AEW and hadn’t returned to WWE.

We don’t know yet which wrestling matches will be included in WWE 2K26‘s Showcase Mode, but we expect to learn more details about the game soon.

Read More

2026-01-22 00:36