You can pretty much count on current TV regulars and legends with recent merchandising deals to make WWE 2K26’s cut. However, the real question arises for Universe Mode and MyGM players. They worry that some of their favorite wrestlers won’t make an appearance again.
The official roster is yet to be announced. But here are five wrestlers who likely won’t show up in 2K26’s roster — based on recent releases, contract drama, and the way 2K has handled similar situations in the past.
Mick Foley
As of now, Mick Foley tops almost every “he might be gone in 2K26” discussion we see over community threads. Reports about his relationship with WWE falling off, and questions around his Legends deal, worry fans that he won’t make the roster for 2K26.
r/WWEGames users are already convinced that even if Foley technically has a deal in place, 2K might just lock him away as they did with Brock Lesnar and Vince McMahon in 2K24’s Showcase mode.
The Hardy Boyz
The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) are WWE legends, but whether they’ll appear in the next game remains unconfirmed. At the moment, both are signed to TNA, which now has a working partnership with WWE. That relationship has already resulted in crossover appearances, including the Hardys showing up on NXT television, which at least keeps the door open for their inclusion.
Still, that possibility comes with caveats. Licensing agreements, individual contracts, and the scope of WWE’s deal with TNA would all need to align, and there’s no guarantee a separate arrangement can be reached specifically for game rights. Until something is officially announced, their inclusion remains a genuine possibility, but far from a sure thing.
Keep an eye out for that DLC, though.
Bill Goldberg
Goldberg is another WWE legend, but his WWE 2K26 presence is still uncertain.
He is technically a retired performer, which means WWE may not prioritize featuring him on the main roster. He was in the past games largely because of his star power rather than the ongoing WWE storylines. So, if WWE decides to build the main roster on active talent, Goldberg might not make the list.
The biggest obstacle here is his roster status. After his retirement match with Gunther earlier this year, Goldberg seems to have taken exception to how he was treated, particularly as it pertained to his retirement speech being seemingly cut short on the live broadcast. So if he’s no longer under contract, we wouldn’t expect to see him. However, should he be on a Legends deal, he might not have a choice.
We’re placing our bets on the former option.
Joe Hendry
Joe Hendry is a unique case compared to most of the wrestlers on this list. His inclusion in WWE 2K26 is mainly affected by the fact that he just recently joined WWE.
The process to make WWE 2K26 involves scanning the wrestlers that will be part of the game. This process usually starts months before, and late signees often miss the initial base roster. The fact that he is new means that he might not be part of the scanning process. As a result, he won’t make it in the game at launch.
While Hendry could appear later as downloadable content (DLC), there’s uncertainty over whether he will be fully integrated at launch. Fans may see him in a post-launch update, but for the main release, his inclusion is not guaranteed.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan is the biggest wildcard in this discussion, but recent patterns don’t offer much optimism regarding his future in WWE 2K titles. Hogan was once a near-automatic inclusion in WWE games, frequently positioned as a marquee legend due to his undeniable impact on the industry. However, controversies in the later years of his career have complicated his standing with WWE, and his presence has been inconsistent or absent in recent releases.
Between shifting corporate priorities, sensitivity around legacy representation, and WWE’s increased caution with how certain legends are portrayed, Hogan’s inclusion in WWE 2K26 feels uncertain at best. Even if his historical importance is undeniable, that alone may no longer be enough to guarantee a spot on the roster, especially given how selective WWE and 2K have become with legend licensing in recent years.
