With the full rosters for WWE 2K26 revealed, fans have compiled a list of 46 different wrestlers who have been removed after appearing in WWE 2K25. The annual entry in the wrestling franchise from 2K is bringing plenty of new content to get fans excited about its big transition to new-gen consoles. WWE 2K26‘s Showcase mode will center on the career of WWE legend and future Hall of Famer CM Punk, while popular game modes like MyRise, MyFaction, and Universe will be getting some nice upgrades. 2K also recently revealed the array of Superstars and legends players can choose.
WWE 2K26‘s official roster reveal confirmed more than 400 wrestlers coming to the game, with a mix of modern stars and all-time greats. The game’s focus on the Attitude Era and Monday Night War for its marketing naturally came with plenty of icons from the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Triple H, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and The Undertaker. WWE 2K26 also features a big expansion to its roster with the introduction of Lucha Libre AAA, with several wrestlers from the Mexican promotion making their WWE 2K debut. However, fans have now found multiple wrestlers who will not return from last year’s game.
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WWE 2K26 Is Missing 46 2K25 Wrestlers
A recent list compiled by The Smackdown Hotel has confirmed 46 different wrestlers removed from WWE 2K26. The list largely centers on recent WWE Superstars who were either released from the company or left of their own volition, including names like Isla Dawn, Luke Gallows, and Wolfgang. Some Legends are also notably absent from WWE 2K26, likely due to their contracts expiring, with popular figures like George “The Animal” Steele, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and Ricky Steamboat removed from the game. The list confirms that NBA stars Jalen Brunson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tyrese Haliburton, alongside streamer KSI, have been removed from WWE 2K26, only available as DLC in 2K25.
Many of the removals, particularly the current wrestlers, should not come as a big surprise to WWE 2K fans, with similar omissions happening frequently. The list culls many wrestlers who are no longer affiliated with the WWE, not featuring any names with big enough starpower to justify keeping them in the game as Legends. The removal of some Legends will likely hurt a bit more for longtime fans of WWE, including multiple iconic and memorable names from throughout the wrestling promotion’s history. The handful of WWE 2K25 DLC removals are names not previously attached to the organization, so their removal was to be expected as well.
Removed Wrestlers in WWE 2K26
- Akam
- Andrade
- Ashante Thee Adonis
- Baron Corbin
- Blair Davenport
- Braun Strowman
- Carlito
- Carmella
- Cedric Alexander
- Cora Jade
- Dakota Kai
- Duke Hudson
- Eddy Thorpe
- Elektra Lopez
- Gigi Dolin
- Giovanni Vinci
- Indi Hartwell
- Isla Dawn
- Jakara Jackson
- Joe Coffey
- Karl Anderson
- Karrion Kross
- Katana Chance
- Kayden Carter
- Luke Gallows
- Mark Coffey
- Oro Mensah
- Paul Ellering
- Rezar
- Scarlett
- Shayna Baszler
- Shotzi
- Sonya Deville
- Tamina
- Tegan Nox
- Valhalla
- Wes Lee
- Wolfgang
- Bruno Sammartino
- George “The Animal” Steele
- Harley Race
- Headshrinker Fatu
- Headshrinker Samu
- Jake “The Snake” Roberts
- Peter Maivia
- Ricky Steamboat
- Jalen Brunson
- KSI
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tyrese Haliburton
While WWE 2K26 will be losing multiple names from its lineup, most fans should have enough options to keep them happy. WWE 2K26 is giving fans even more ways to use its wide array of wrestlers, with the WWE Draft officially confirmed to be added to the popular Universe mode. MyRise is also getting some big overhauls, with a brand-new story putting players in the shoes of a returning WWE Superstar. Popular manager Paul Heyman has also been confirmed to play a major antagonistic role within MyRise’s new story mode.
WWE 2K26 as a whole is going to see some big changes from the previous year’s game following its March release. 2K has confirmed updates for most of the franchise’s biggest game modes, alongside improved graphics and an overhauled physics engine. WWE 2K26 was also confirmed to be dropping older-gen consoles with its launch, not receiving a version for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One to prioritize making sweeping improvements. WWE 2K fans should have lots to look forward to from the franchise’s newest entry, with 2K looking to push some truly next-gen upgrades to the series.
