Report: Released Talent Expected To Be Included In WWE 2K22

While fans haven't had a new mainline WWE 2K video game to play in over two years, 2K will look to rectify that next year with the release of WWE 2K22 in March, shortly before WrestleMania 38.

Along with revamped controls and a redesigned gameplay engine, 2K22 will feature the return of GM Mode as well as new modes like MyFACTION.

Fears have arisen about the roster that will be playable in WWE 2K22, though, particularly as Vince McMahon's company have released over 80 Superstars since WrestleMania 37, while others like Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano and Kyle O'Reilly departed WWE after their contracts expired.

According to Brian Mazique of Forbes, however, it is "very likely" the 2K22 roster won't be as sparse as some expect.

Talent no longer under contract with WWE being included in next year's video game will reportedly be determined by if the talent was under contract when the game was announced, if they were on the initial roster list approved by WWE, and the wrestler's current relationship with WWE.

If a talent's relationship with Vince McMahon's company is "extremely broken" they likely won't be featured in the title, but if they departed on good terms, were included in the initial roster list and were under contract when the title was announced, there is a "great chance" the wrestler will be included in WWE 2K22, according to Mazique.

Mazique noted this would mean "fans should expect" the likes of Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Keith Lee, Bray Wyatt, Jeff Hardy, Ruby Soho and Kyle O'Reilly to be in WWE 2K22.

Altogether, at least 150 playable characters are expected to be in the next mainline title, but multiple versions of the same Superstar would also count towards that number.

Two former WWE Superstars in Chelsea Green and JONAH have already said they hope to be in the next WWE video game, but the former Bronson Reed noted his inclusion could hinge on if WWE want to pay him royalties.