One of WWE 2K26's lead developers has shared new information on the upcoming game's MyRise mode, including a new direction for male and female Superstars' storylines and the reveal of its primary antagonists as Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Jordynne Grace. As members of headlining heel stable The Vision, Heyman and Breakker may seem like obvious choices for top villains in WWE 2K26, but fans may be surprised to see Grace joining that list.
With the release of WWE 2K26 set for March 13, and early access coming on March 6, 2K and Visual Concepts have been hard at work providing previews of several upcoming game modes. This includes multiple Ringside Reports that have been issued over the course of February, detailing everything from new features in Universe mode and Creations to an expanded 50-week schedule in MyGM mode. But while the specifics of the creative sandbox and general manager simulation modes have been laid out in detail, one piece of information that's been generally kept under wraps is the original storylines that wrestling fans can expect to see play out in WWE 2K26.
WWE 2K26 Reveals Big Changes Coming to MyGM Mode
WWE 2K26 is set to release with significant updates to its popular MyGM mode, offering players a more immersive and challenging experience.
WWE 2K26 MyRise Mode Details Revealed
Though not coming through the usual channels, new details have emerged about WWE 2K26's MyRise storyline, which will be titled "The Comeback." In a newly published interview with TechRadar, lead narrative designer, Sean Conaway reveals that players will take on the role of a former WWE Superstar known as The Archetype, who is making a return to the company after some time away. Shortly after their return, players will be confronted by Heyman and either Breakker or Grace, who will try to halt their return to stardom.
The choice of the main villain seems like a lock for fans, as Heyman's role in WWE 2K25 saw him narrating the entirety of The Bloodline's Showcase Mode. Aside from a brief stint as Roman Reigns' Wise Man during the latter's face turn last year, Heyman has been one of the most prominent heel characters in the WWE for about six years, first advising The Bloodline before betraying Reigns and CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 41 and establishing himself as The Oracle of Seth Rollins' stable, The Vision. Likewise, Breakker is a prominent member of the stable, and his role in WWE 2K23's men's MyRise mode makes this year's installment his second big appearance in a WWE game's story mode.
Grace, however, is at the height of a face run, making her seem an unusual choice for one of Heyman's cronies. She made her first appearance in a WWE 2K game as part of WWE 2K25's Season Pass, joining the roster last July as one of five wrestlers featured in the Fearless Pack. Conaway explained that Visual Concepts' writing staff has to work several months ahead of real-life WWE bookers, and they even paired Heyman and Breakker together before WWE did. As for the decision to involve Grace in the main storyline, it's a tale of merit, as the development team expects to see a lot of success in her in-ring future.
MyRise in WWE 2K26 Will Have a Single Story with "Substantial Differences"
Traditionally, each year's MyRise mode has featured two completely separate stories, but MyRise in WWE 2K25 broke that mold, with the player's male and female created wrestlers starting out as a team before splintering, with one working for NXT Mutiny and the other standing as the WWE's savior. In WWE 2K26, Conaway said there will be "one similar story between the two divisions," but there will be "substantial" changes depending on whether the player chooses to compete on the women's or men's roster. While a comprehensive list of differences has not been released, these include alterations in cutscenes, dialogue, and significant moments in the story.
WWE 2K25's MyRise mode was loaded with unlockables, requiring players to go through the unified story multiple times to get all the goods. Based on negative fan reaction, players won't have that same repetitive experience in WWE 2K26, Conaway explained. However, they will still be able to unlock plenty of extras by going through the story-heavy game mode, including getting their hands on wrestler variants like the 2003 version of cover star CM Punk and Dusty Rhodes' classic polka dot singlet.
The annual installment of 2K's WWE franchise. WWE 2K26 features a Showcase mode revolving around the Monday Night War between WWE and WCW.
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Sports
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
