WWE 2K16 roster update: The New Day, Ricky Steamboat, and 6 more make the cut
Seth Rollins
A major frustration with WWE 2K15 was Rollins being stuck with his old Shield attire and theme particularly grating given that hes been WWE World Heavyweight Champion since cashing in his Money In The Bank contract at WrestleMania 31. His new(ish) attire and theme do make 2K16, but it still grates that weve had to wait 12 months for them.
Shane McMahon
Vinces son and heir shockingly exited WWE in 2013 for a new career away from wrestling. Many assumed, therefore, that hed never be seen in a videogame again; making his confirmation for 2K16 a huge, yet very welcome, shock. But will he ally with sister Steph or kickstart a furious blood feud? That choice is yours, and yours alone.
Sheamus
The fighting Irishman and 2015 Money In The Bank victor has been a series mainstay for more than half a decade, yet this will be the first 2K game to feature his updated mohican hairstyle and signficantly-better-yet-still-a-bit-rubbish entrance music. A power-laden moveset should make him more fun to play than watch.
Slaughter, Mustafa and Adnan
This nefarious trio infamously faced off against Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior in a handicap match at Summerslam 91, which has aged terribly and it was hardly a classic in the first place. Still, with more good guys than bad appearing as 2K16 legends, its handy to have three pantomime villains to knock into shape.
The Authority
With more than forty WWE games on his CV, Triple H sitting this one out was never feasible. But its still ace news to have wife Stephanie McMahon returning as a playable character, particularly with the company teasing a match against all-conquering UFC goddess Ronda Rousey at next years WrestleMania.
Summer Rae
As Rusevs main squeeze and Lanas big rival, this former Lingerie Football League star (yes, really) is in the midst of her most noteworthy WWE storyline since being called up from NXT in 2013. Alas, developer time constraints means its her old, pre-Bulgarian-Brute character model thats utilised in WWE 2K16.
The Terminator
No, that isnt a typo: WWE 2K16 sees the wrestling videogame debut of one Mr A. Schwarzenegger, as the games main pre-order incentive. His inclusion stems from a collaboration with Triple H at this years WrestleMania, in which the Cerebral Assassin was accompanied to the ring by a legion of murderous cyborgs.
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Tyler Breeze
Yes, that is man in a feather boa. And yes, he is carrying a selfie stick. Channeling character elements of Dino Bravo, The Model Rick Martel, Shawn Michaels and The Miz, Breeze is picking up steam as one of NXTs brightest talents and a main roster call-up to mirror this first WWE game appearance cant be far away.
Ultimate Warrior
Were still not over Warriors untimely death shortly after 2014s WrestleMania, but his inclusion in the WWE game for a third straight year at least keeps his memory alive. Sadly, Hulk Hogans removal means no way to relive their WrestleMania VI classic; those wishing to do that will need to backtrack to WWE 2K14.
Vader & Bam Bam Bigelow
Yes, weve paired them together, simply because theyre the two most athletic big men ever to set foot in the squared circle. The twosome notably aligned to face the Steiner Brothers in Japan in 1992, but Bigelows death in 2007 sadly prevents them from ever doing so again. In real life, anyway. Handy things, these videogames.
I'm GamesRadar's sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don't have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.