It's not often that you associate wrestling games with time travel, but that's exactly what's required in order to review WWE 2K26. This time last year, predecessor WWE 2K25 scored a highly merited four stars. In the ring, it was up there with all-time classic Fire Pro, offering match after match of immersive back-and-forth action, complemented by myriad smart-yet-tiny details. The one reservation was a continuous, egregious drive to part fans from their cash, via the microtransaction temptations of MyFaction and The Island.
The widespread hope was that the nickel-and-diming would be adjusted, post release. Instead, 2K doubled down. MyFaction pack prices were increased from 9,900 'MFP' to 15,100, encouraging fans to spend real-life money. Monthly 'Smash and Stash' rewards went from bountiful packs to miserly MFP and tokens, encouraging fans to spend real-life money. The popular 'Rabblerouser' badge, which sped up matches (and therefore free MFP) by granting certain wrestlers a fast finisher, was nerfed in a patch, encouraging fans to spend real-life money. Retro versions of Triple H, Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles required numerous high-value cards to unlock, encouraging… uh, you get the picture.
