WWE 2K26 pre-orders January 30: CM Punk Showcase, 4 match types, Attitude Era Edition details

WWE 2K26 brings the Attitude Era back to gaming with pre-orders starting January 30, 2026. The official Attitude Era edition was revealed on SmackDown January 23, featuring legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kane, and The Undertaker.

CM Punk takes center stage in this year’s Showcase Mode, narrating his career highlights while currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship. The game launches before March 31, 2026, with early March expected based on Take-Two’s fiscal year schedule.

WWE 2K26: Attitude Era Edition

Complete Game Details & Features

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Attitude Era Edition

The official Attitude Era edition cover celebrates WWE’s most iconic period with Steve Austin, The Rock, Kane, and The Undertaker featured prominently in the announcement trailer.

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CM Punk Showcase

Experience CM Punk’s greatest moments with narration from the current World Heavyweight Champion himself, featuring favorite matches, “What If?” scenarios from 2014, and fantasy matchups never seen before.

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Island Mode Returns

The Island of Relevancy features a power struggle among three factions following Roman Reigns’ departure as Tribal Chief, including the Order of Anarchy faction in the storyline.

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Enhanced Gameplay

Built with Visual Concepts’ technology, WWE 2K26 delivers improved animations, updated graphics, and refined gameplay mechanics for current-gen consoles including PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

New & Returning Match Types

Inferno Match

Flames surround the ring in this extreme environment where victory comes from setting your opponent on fire in one of wrestling’s most dangerous stipulations.

Returning

I Quit Match

Force your opponent to verbally submit by saying “I Quit” – no pinfalls, no countouts, no disqualifications. The only way to win is by breaking your opponent’s will.

Returning

3 Stages of Hell

Last featured in SmackDown vs. RAW 2006, this epic trilogy requires winning two out of three falls under different match stipulations chosen before the contest begins.

Returning

Dumpster Match

A brand new match type debuts in WWE 2K26 where competitors must force their opponent into a dumpster and close the lid to claim victory.

New

CM Punk Showcase Mode

Section 1

Favorite Matches

Relive CM Punk’s most memorable moments throughout his WWE career, handpicked by the Second City Saint himself. Players experience the matches that defined his legacy from his debut through championship reigns.

Section 2

“What If?” Scenarios

Explore alternate WWE history with “What If?” matches examining what could have been had CM Punk not left the company in 2014. These hypothetical matchups allow fans to rewrite history and experience dream scenarios.

Section 3

Fantasy Matchups

Step into fantasy matches featuring CM Punk against opponents he never faced in reality. These dream matches span different eras and bring together superstars who never shared the ring.

10 Potential Roster Personas

Jeff Hardy

The daredevil’s Swanton Bomb and high-flying style make him a fan-favorite inclusion with multiple persona options across different eras.

Matt Hardy

From Team Xtreme to Broken Matt Hardy, multiple personas offer diverse gameplay styles and entrances spanning two decades.

Chris Jericho

Lionheart, Y2J, “Best in the World” – multiple eras of one of wrestling’s most versatile performers throughout WWE history.

Ric Flair

The Nature Boy could return after his AEW contract ends in November 2025, bringing “Woo!” back to WWE games in 2026.

Matt Cardona

The “Indy God” reinvented from Zack Ryder, featuring his belt-collector gimmick and hardcore style from the independent scene.

AJ Lee

The three-time Divas Champion made her WWE return on SmackDown September 5, 2025, clearing the way for her 2K26 inclusion.

Steve Blackman

Six-time Hardcore Champion brings martial arts style and kendo stick offense, including his legendary SummerSlam 2000 moment with Shane McMahon falling 30+ feet from the Titantron.

Big Show

The giant returns with decades of history, multiple attires, and spectacle-heavy match capabilities for Royal Rumbles and multi-man tags.

Powerhouse Hobbs

Modern power wrestler offering spinebusters, lariats, and dominant big-man gameplay as featured in AEW: Fight Forever.

Mr. Iguana

AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champion (won December 8, 2024) brings lucha libre style and vibrant reptile-themed persona from Culiacán.

WWE 2K26 combines nostalgia with modern gameplay through its Attitude Era Edition while spotlighting CM Punk’s career journey. Pre-orders open January 30, 2026, with an early March release window expected before the fiscal year ends March 31.

The game brings back fan-favorite match types including Inferno, I Quit, and 3 Stages of Hell alongside the new Dumpster Match. Island Mode returns with faction warfare, while the roster potentially includes legends like Ric Flair and AJ Lee alongside modern stars. For more gaming updates, check out Resident Evil Requiem’s February showcase and Xbox’s free cloud gaming tier.