WWE 2K26 is locked and loaded with its Showcase Mode featuring ‘The Best in the World’ CM Punk. The game mode has been going strong for the previous iterations, featuring iconic themes like 30 Years of WrestleMania, Beat up Cena, and Best Friends, Bitter Enemies. We’ve also seen some centered around individual careers such as Rey Mysterio and Daniel Bryan.
However, even those have been linked to a subtle theme. This year’s showcase features CM Punk, and his rise to glory in the WWE. From his first iconic match in 2008 right until the Triple Threat match that took place last year. The question is: Is this enough to uphold the WWE Showcase legacy? How well will this year’s Showcase do in comparison? These are all questions I’ll answer today, so make sure to stick around.
CM Punk’s Showcase Feels A Bit Underwhelming
CM Punk is one of the most iconic wrestlers in the WWE, and only a handful of wrestlers have had a career as decorated as his. However, something just feels off. While the ‘Best in the World’ has definitely had his fair share of iconic matches, they weren’t matches the majority of the WWE would particularly remember.
Did they help shape Punk’s career? Definitely. But they change the course in WWE history? Did it make enough waves for people to go ‘Oh yeah, I remember that’? Not in my opinion. Now I’m not saying individual spotlights in Showcase Mode don’t work, we’ve seen some great editions to date. Mark Henry’s Hall of Pain and Austin 3:16 were two of the most positively-rated Showcases we’ve seen.
But both those wrestlers brought something to the ring no one else could. Mark Henry’s size and ferocity was paralleled only by the Big Show, while ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s charisma could light up the entire stadium. I’m not complaining about the CM Punk showcase since I’m sure the matches will be great, but I do think the showcase itself lacks depth. What is the backstory or event that rippled through the community, changing the WWE forever?
Who We Could Have Seen Instead?
If not CM Punk, then who? I’ll start out by saying the CM Punk showcase does make sense. While I don’t completely agree on making the feature solely around his career, the superstar is this year’s WWE 2K26 cover star. Giving him the spotlight only makes sense. But who are some other interesting superstars we could have (or might see in the future) seen?
The Undertaker
The Undertaker was hands-down one of, if not the most, iconic wrestlers in WWE history ever. His career, and especially his WrestleMania streak is something that went down in the history books, and WWE fans will talk about it forever. Due to his immortalized impact on WWE, showcasing his rise to ‘the Deadman’, the ‘Brothers of Destruction’, and his iconic chokeslams, might have been a better choice over CM Punk.
Hulk Hogan
There are only a handful of people who might not know who Hulk Hogan is, since the ‘Hulksters’ name often echoed throughout the WWE fandom. His iconic entrance, on-stage presence, and his yellow moustache can never be forgotten. Unfortunately, he also passed last year. This could have been a great opportunity to honor his legacy, and allow players to experience a career that was paramount to the growth of the WWE.
Roman Reigns
If you want modern-day representation, look no further than Roman Reigns. Starting from a trio that simply caused chaos inside and outside the ring, Roman Reigns’ rise to stardom is something that needs to be studied. Every modern WWE fan knows the name, his sworn enemies, and the words ‘the Bloodline Saga’ will echo throughout history as one of the most eventful periods in the WWE.
Even though Roman Reigns was heavily involved in last year’s showcase, it was broader and focused on the entire bloodline. Hence the name Bloodline Dynasty. However, if there was one that focused on his individual career, that would be a sight to behold. This makes him an amazing superstar to feature as part of WWE 2K26’s Showcase Mode.
That said, WWE has decided to go with the PUNKED theme this year, so let’s see what it holds.
