WWE 2K22was met with positive critical reception upon its release in March 2022, and has since revived the messy reputation of the franchise previously. Though it lacks somewhat in volume,the game’s roster is varied, meaning players have access to a litany of their favorite superstars. DLC has also been promised, with multiple performers coming to the game later on, but with the wrestling industry being an ever-changing landscape, there’s potential for personnel changes that can drastically affect the way the video game’s roster shakes out.
WWE confirmed that Nash Carter, a budding talent on the company’s developmental show NXT, has been released following allegations of domestic abuse. He was set to be included in the Stand Back Pack with the likes of Stacy Kiebler, Hurricane Helms, and tag-team partner Wes Lee. However, with the issues surrounding his dismissal coming to light, it’s unlikely that he will feature in the upcomingWWE 2K22content, which presents the opportunity for someone else to take his spot.
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Cody Rhodes
Returning to the WWE after six years elsewhere, Cody Rhodes has quickly become one of the top attractions on the company’s flagship show. His return is one of the most significant occurrences in pro wrestling this year, and when he was with the company from 2006-2016, he was a mainstay in its accompanying games. Although there’s every chance he could andshould be in the upcomingAEWgame, that doesn’t make him unsuitable to appear on both. With his return being the talk of the town, it would surely be a no-brainer.
Mechanically, Cody Rhodes would be a simple character for newcomers to utilize, as his ring presence and moveset is proficient, if unspectacular. He’s not a high-flyer, nor is he a submission specialist, so selecting him won’t mean players need to learncomplex gameplay quirks or be in a specific position to hit his finisher. Rhodes' is one of the most polished professional wrestlers around, and with his stunning return to WWE bringing fresh eyes to the product, it would be a tremendous shame to leave him off theWWE 2K22roster. The American Nightmare is currently the must-see superstar in the company, so his absence from the game is so easily felt.
Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee’s presence in commentary has shaken up the formula greatly on Friday Night Smackdown. Partnering company-veteran Michael Cole, McAfee has brought an energy that few have ever been able to demonstrate. That excitement has spilled over into the ring at times, with his WWE debut coming against Adam Cole at NXT Takeover, before putting on one of thebest matches of WrestleMania 38against Austin Theory. After taking (and selling to perfection) a stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin, Pat McAfee assured fans that his in-ring capability is far beyond what was expected given the limited work he’s had to put in to get there.
The WWE would do well to keep Pat McAfee around for as long as possible as his enthusiasm in the ring, or behind the commentary table is so infectious. Pat McAfee’s fingerprints are all over the brand in 2022, so honoring his efforts with a place inthe star-studdedWWE 2K22rosterwould be a treat for fans. His move set is still a relative mystery and a lack of time in the ring hasn’t helped provide clarity, but McAfee inevitably has more matches on the horizon, so including him this early in his WWE journey would be forward-thinking from the developer.
Paige
Paige is a superstar whose journey to the WWE is well documented, as her unlikely rise to the top was immortalized by the 2019 filmFighting with My Family. From the east of England to the champion of the women’s division, Paige’s impact on the WWE has been huge. Herabsence inWWE 2K22raised the eyebrows of fans, as well as herself. Paige won the Divas Championship on hew RAW debut, becoming the youngest to ever do so in the process.
TheWWE 2K22roster isn’t short of snubs, and though it does well to shine a light on the next generation of superstars, replacing Nash Carter with Paige would be a move that could pay off greatly. The latter is one of the most beloved performers in the industry, as her rags-to-riches story is one that resonates with so many around the globe. Add onto this an impressive move set that would transfer beautifully to the game, and it seems like a no-brainer.
Logan Paul
He may be a controversial figure to many, but Logan Paul’s time on WWE television has been a blast. Hisperformance alongside The Miz at WrestleMania 38was surprising in all the best ways, and although Paul will likely find new ventures to occupy his time, he proved that in the squared circle he has much to give.WWE 2K22’s roster isn’t short of unexpected additions and multiple iterations of the same character, so with the developer confirming there’s room for the Maverick, all signs point to him finding more work with the company moving forward.
Logan Paul’s inclusion has raised the eyebrows of hardcore wrestling fans, but will be more than intriguing for casual audiences. It’s newsworthy, and he has more than proven his competence on The Grandest Stage of Them All, which is an event that reaches more than a few new fans.Logan Paul inWWE 2K22simply makes sense, especially as developer Visual Concepts has obviously taken liberties with the roster up to now. Logan Paul is set to arrive in the Whole Dam Pack DLC releasing in the Summer, but getting the jump and bringing him to the game early, replacing Nash Carter would be smart, as there’s no telling what he’ll do next.
WWE 2K22is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
