Report: Released Talents Surprised By Inclusion In WWE 2K22

Prior to the game's release in March, it was revealed that WWE 2K22 would feature a whole host of released wrestlers and 37 talents WWE had let go are playable in the video game. This includes the likes of Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, Kyle O'Reilly, Ember Moon, Jeff Hardy, and Cesaro. 

According to Fightful Select, released talents being included in the game came as a surprise to some of the wrestlers themselves. Former WWE talents that Fightful have spoken to noted they had already been scanned for the video game but they were not explicitly told about their inclusion on the roster ahead of time. Some discovered they would be in the title prior to the roster reveal, though. 

The released talents reportedly weren't told outright that they would be getting paid for being in the video game, but they were informed to "expect something" later this year.  

Furthermore, Fightful confirmed that 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt was not included in WWE 2K22 because Vince McMahon's company wanted him to be removed. The two-time Universal Champion was released by WWE in July of 2021 after three months off TV.