The WWE 2K franchise has become a staple in the video game industry. While not every game in the series has been well-received, WWE 2K22 and WWE 2K23 have showcased the bright future of the franchise. Typically, only a select few superstars have been chosen to grace the covers of each game, with the exception of WWE 2K20. However, there are many deserving current superstars who may have the opportunity in the future. Since its rebrand in 2013, the WWE 2K series has been released annually, with the exception of the period where developer Visual Concepts took a break to avoid another WWE 2K20 disaster. In the past decade, the game has featured numerous high-profile stars on its covers, and it is likely that the current roster will produce several more cover stars in the coming years.
WWE 2K Possible Future Cover Stars
Previous WWE 2K cover stars in chronological order
The Rock
John Cena
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Brock Lesnar
Seth Rollins
AJ Styles
Becky Lynch
Roman Reigns
Rey Mysterio
LA Knight, with his meteoric rise in popularity, is the obvious choice for the next cover star. Known for his flashy style, exceptional promo skills, and effective catchphrases, he has quickly become one of the biggest stars in the company. LA Knight has been compared to legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and while it might be premature to hold him at that level, it's clear that this Maryland-born wrestler could soon contend for a major world title. His skyrocketing merchandise sales make him the perfect candidate to grace the cover of a future WWE 2K game. WWE can capitalize on his success, especially as he gains more experience and takes part in high-profile matches like his upcoming Payback match against The Miz.
Cody Rhodes is a prominent name that instantly comes to mind. Referred to as The American Nightmare, Rhodes has become a top-tier performer since his comeback to WWE. After winning the Royal Rumble in January, he headlined WrestleMania against Roman Reigns but unfortunately lost. Subsequently, he became entangled in a rivalry with Brock Lesnar. Rhodes' popularity has reached its peak, so it would be no surprise to see him gracing the cover of a WWE 2K game.
Becky Lynch is presently the sole female WWE superstar to have been featured on a WWE 2K game cover. However, with the current Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley and the highly regarded Charlotte Flair, the WWE possesses two more marketable stars who are more than capable of adorning the game's cover. Women's wrestling has never been more impressive than it is currently, with an exceptional display of athleticism and intense competition in the matches. It is therefore quite conceivable that another female cover star will emerge sooner rather than later.
Regarding future potential stars who may feature on the game's covers, notable contenders include Gunther, the longstanding Intercontinental Champion, as well as emerging talents Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. With a roster filled with immense talent, WWE is poised for a promising future. This bodes well for the WWE 2K series, which can be expected to continue thriving in the years to come.
WWE 2K23 can be enjoyed on various platforms including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.