WWE fans have a lot to be excited about as 2K starts building hype for the next installment of their popular wrestling game series. Over the past week, WWE and 2K have been teasing fans with videos of superstars sharing their picks for who should be the next cover star of WWE 2K26.
Big names like Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio were thrown around — but during the latest episode of SmackDown, a special edition and the first official game cover were finally revealed.
The Special Reveal on SmackDown
On this week’s SmackDown, WWE and 2K delivered on the hype by giving fans their first look at a special edition of WWE 2K26: the Attitude Era Edition. Ahead of the show, WWE Games’ official account had posted a teaser video showing various SmackDown superstars making their predictions for the next cover star, hinting at a big reveal. True to their word, fans were treated to the iconic faces of the Attitude Era on the special edition’s cover.
The Attitude Era cover features legends like:
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
- The Rock
- The Undertaker
- Kane
- D-Generation X
- Trish Stratus
- And more familiar names from that golden era
This nostalgic cover instantly connected with fans who grew up watching WWE during the late ’90s and early 2000s.
When Can Fans Pre-Order WWE 2K26?
Along with the cover reveal, it was announced that pre-orders for WWE 2K26 will begin on January 30th. While we don’t have the exact release date yet, if 2K follows the same pattern as last year, we can expect more announcements soon — including:
- The standard edition cover star
- Any other special or deluxe editions
- Official release date
Why the Attitude Era Still Matters in WWE Games
The Attitude Era is often seen as WWE’s most thrilling and rebellious time. It featured edgier storylines, unforgettable rivalries, and superstars who helped shape the wrestling industry. No wonder it continues to inspire WWE video games even today.
Here’s how the era has been represented in past games:
| Game | How It Showcased the Attitude Era |
|---|---|
| WWE ’13 | Introduced the Showcase Mode with classic Attitude Era matches |
| WWE 2K16 | Focused on Stone Cold Steve Austin’s career |
| WWE 2K24 | Featured WrestleMania classics like Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin (WM13) and Austin vs. The Rock (WM17) |
Fans clearly enjoy reliving these moments, and WWE 2K26’s Attitude Era edition continues that trend by paying tribute to the legends who built the brand.
What’s Next for WWE 2K26?
While we now know about the Attitude Era edition, fans are still waiting for more updates. Based on previous years, here’s what we can likely expect in the coming weeks:
- Reveal of the main cover superstar (possibly a current top wrestler)
- Gameplay trailers or early access previews
- Details about new game modes or improvements
- Special edition bonuses for early buyers
WWE and 2K have done a great job creating buzz, and if they keep delivering, WWE 2K26 might be one of the biggest releases in the series.
