WWE 2K25‘s new mode, The Island, has been one of the more ambitious additions to this year’s game — a sprawling mix of story-driven progression and unlockable rewards similar to NBA 2K‘s The City. But players haven’t been too big on the mode, with over-monetization being the main culprit. But there is another gripe players have with the mode: several of the mode’s most exciting unlockables can’t actually be used anywhere else.
A recent tweet by ThisGenGaming pointed out that many of the classic arenas in The Island appear to be locked exclusively to the mode itself. The post specifically mentions WrestleMania III, WrestleMania XVII, SmackDown (2019), and NXT (2017) as examples of venues that are currently inaccessible in Exhibition, Universe, or MyGM modes. Another user pointed out that Raw’s 1993 arena is also locked to The Island.
Crazy that The Island in WWE 2K25 has so many classic arenas locked to the mode. Like actually just showing up in the mode only and can't be unlocked for use outside.
— ThisGenGaming (@ThisGenGamingYT) October 26, 2025
I've noticed WrestleMania 3, WrestleMania 17, Smackdown 2019 and NXT 2017 so far. Crazy.pic.twitter.com/UF6GeV8ixk
For a community that thrives on customization and nostalgia, this discovery has sparked a lot of disappointment. Historically, WWE 2K titles have rewarded players with arenas, attires, and legends that could be freely used when unlocked. I myself grinded MyFaction earlier this year just to get the 2010 version of CM Punk for the purpose of attaining the “This Fire Burns” entrance theme. In 2K25, however, some of these fan-favorite throwbacks seem permanently tied to the confines of The Island’s self-contained structure.
While it’s possible that 2K could expand access to these arenas in a future update or through the in-game store, there’s been no official word that either of these will be coming. As a result, players have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, calling it a step backward for a series that has steadily rebuilt its reputation since the troubled launch of WWE 2K20.
Despite being a huge part of the game’s pre-release marketing, WWE 2K25’s The Island has been largely panned by the series’ player base, with many calling it a cash grab and others saying it’s the worst mode in an otherwise decent game.
We can only hope 2K does the right thing and allows players access to their hard-earned unlockables across the entire game in the near future.
