Following the initial reveal of upcoming details, 2K Games has officially unveiled the cover athletes for this year’s WWE 2K26. In a press announcement today, CM Punk was confirmed as the cover star for WWE 2K26, marking his first appearance on the cover since his 2023 return to WWE and his second time headlining the company’s flagship video game.
Punk’s image will feature on the standard edition, which launches on March 13 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ 2, and PC via Steam. Alongside this, new journeys, match types, and three alternative covers will be released earlier on March 6, showcasing themes like the “Attitude Era” and the “Monday Night Wars.”
CM Punk’s Showcase Highlights His Career Journey
As the central figure on WWE 2K26’s cover, CM Punk’s journey through WWE is prominently featured in the showcase mode named “Punked.” Gamers will get to relive major milestones of his WWE career, including legendary matches and his rise in the wrestling world. Punk expressed his enthusiasm about becoming one of the select WWE Superstars to grace the cover twice, sharing that narrating the 2K Showcase was an enjoyable experience. It allowed him to share honest stories about his career’s key moments, matches, and controversies. Players can step into his shoes, experience his proudest WWE memories, and face challenges he never got to try in real life.
Additional Covers and Fresh Features
Beyond the showcase, WWE 2K26 introduces new match types such as “I Quit,” “Inferno,” “Three Stages of Hell,” and “Dumpster” matches. The game boasts the biggest roster in WWE 2K history, featuring over 400 Superstars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, as well as Legends and Hall of Famers.
The popular immersive mode “The Island” returns, where players align with one of three factions battling for dominance. The DLC lineup also includes enhancements via the Ringside Pass, allowing players to earn XP across all modes except online lobbies. Those who pre-order the standard edition will get the Joe Hendry Pack—offering Joe Hendry as a playable character, along with related cosmetic items, a MyFACTION EVO card, and a Spin Island emote.
Fan Take: This announcement is huge for WWE enthusiasts as it puts CM Punk’s epic comeback front and center, offering fans a deep dive into his impactful career through gameplay. With fresh match types and the largest roster yet, WWE 2K26 promises to be the most immersive and nostalgic wrestling game, potentially redefining how fans engage with the sport.
