2K has announced the final 43 wrestlers for the WWE 2K18 roster – and while it's mostly good news, longstanding fans may recoil on learning that New Age Outlaws are among a handful of legends shown the door.
Positives first, though. Eight series debutants are included on today's list, including four from cruiserweight show 205 Live. They are Jack Gallagher (pictured), Noam Dar, Rich Swann, and Gran Metalik. 205 Live veteran The Brian Kendrick also returns, after last appearing way back in Smackdown vs Raw 2010.
Also making their way to the digital ring while being billed from Club Newbie are No Way Jose, Kassius Ohno, Peyton Royce, and Billie Kay. In addition to Kendrick, other veteran names return after an extended absence: specifically Rhyno, Curt Hawkins, and Epico and Primo Colon. (Although the latter pair were in WWE 2K17 as the bull-fighting, and rubbish, Los Matadores.)
But yes, there's bad news as well as good. This is the biggest WWE game roster ever, but it's still seen fit to axe a handful of popular old-school favourites. Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman are all dropped, as – astonishingly – is WWE boss Vince McMahon, although he'll likely be accessible as an in-game manager.
As expected, Stardust, Eva Marie, Austin Aries, Alberto Del Rio, Simon Gotch and the Dudley Boyz are also cut, having departed WWE in the last 12 months.
Rounding out this week's additions are Aiden English; Alicia Fox; Bo Dallas; Booker T; tag-team Breezango; Charlotte; Christian; Curtis Axel; Darren Young; Enzo Amore; Heath Slater; Jake Roberts; JBL; tag trio The New Day; R-Truth; Shane McMahon; Shawn Michaels; Stephanie McMahon; Sycho Sid; Steve Austin; Sting; Tatanka; Tatsumi Fujinami; Titus O'Neil; Trish Stratus; Typhoon; Tyson Kidd; and the Ultimate Warrior.
All of the above will imminently be profiled in our WWE 2K18 roster gallery, and the game is out on October 17.
