AEW has been bringing competition to WWE like it hasn’t seen since the heyday of the Monday Night War. As with their television programming, AEW games could be good for WWE games. WWE has largely been uncontested for years as the top dog in the professional wrestling industry, but AEW has proven to be a formidable contender. This goes for WWE’s video games as well, and the newfound sense of competition could encourage creativity. WWE 2K22’s roster is likely to be somewhat different than gamers are used to, thanks to AEW’s game.
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Several Wrestlers Have Moved On to AEW
AEW has become the new home for several former WWE superstars. All Elite Wrestling has managed to secure the likes of Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Matt Hardy, and more. Even The Big Show has jumped to AEW and is now performing under his real name, Paul Wight. AEW has managed to make huge new signings, and among them are wrestlers who most assumed would be in WWE for life. For many gamers, it could be the first time that the likes of The Big Show and Matt Hardy aren’t going to be featured in a WWE game.
It might be strange for gamers to play as former top WWE stars like Chris Jericho and Christian in the AEW console game. WWE game fans have become accustomed to seeing these familiar names in WWE titles only and this is set to change with AEW’s new console game. Having name value, former WWE members on the roster is a boon for AEW. Gamers will be able to play as some of their favorite wrestlers from WWE against fresh names, along with some fellow former WWE performers.
What WWE 2K22 Can Do to Counterbalance Roster Losses
WWE 2K22 should fix the last game’s failings, but it’s also an opportunity to rework its roster. With the loss of the likes of The Big Show/Paul Wight, Christian, and even Sting, Visual Concepts has a chance to restructure the roster and superstar rankings. The developer could focus on highlighting WWE’s current roster as much as possible, especially considering the talent that jumped to AEW is mostly comprised of legends. Top stars like Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, and Drew McIntyre are bound to get top billing and high rankings, but other stars could be due to be elevated.
In addition to the wrestlers who have jumped ship to AEW, WWE recently released several wrestlers. Samoa Joe, Kalisto, and Billie Kay are just some names who have been released by the company. While none of these performers have signed with AEW, at least to public knowledge, this is another reason why WWE 2K22’s roster may feel thinner compared to previous entries. WWE’s loss is AEW’s gain with some key wrestlers, and WWE 2K22 should address this by enhancing some members of the current roster. The likes of Bobby Lashley and Cesaro have raised their standing significantly, and this should be reflected in the new WWE game.
While the AEW game roster hasn’t been fully revealed, most gamers expect that WWE legends like Christian, Paul Wight, and Matt Hardy will be featured. This is a big win for AEW’s first console game and could make it awkward for WWE 2K22. In the absence of some of these big names, it might be in the best interests of WWE to double down on existing stars and raise their stock in the new title.
WWE 2K22 is currently in development for release in 2021.
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