WWE 2K22 has been an exceptional release in the video game franchise but the next installment is shaping up to be markedly different in terms of the roster available to players.

There are a number of changes every single year when it comes to the roster, both on Raw and SmackDown and in NXT.

This year, though, there have been a significant number of releases already, since 2K22 was released in March.

We have already seen the likes of The Fiend Bray Wyatt scrubbed from the game’s roster, when it seemed inevitable that he would be a figurehead for the new game. There are even reports that there was a Firefly Funhouse storyline that was set to be included in MyRise.

Of course, the game came out before Cody Rhodes’ debut too, so the American Nightmare is not included in WWE 2K22, short of being downloadable content in the form of Community Creations.

Here’s a full list of wrestlers that have been released since 2K22 hit shelves, and are likely to be omitted from the next version of the game, unless they somehow make a return!

Of course, it remains to be seen if there is a WWE 2K23, as there was a two-year development cycle for 2K22, so it may be that the next release is WWE 2K24.

Full list of wrestlers to leave

  • Alexander Wolfe
  • Ariya Daivari
  • Billie Kay
  • Braun Strowman
  • Cesaro
  • Danny Burch
  • Ember Moon
  • Fandango
  • Gran Metalik
  • Isaiah “Swerve” Scott
  • Jake “The Snake”Roberts
  • Jeff Hardy
  • John Morrison
  • Johnny Gargano
  • Kalisto
  • Karrion Kross
  • Keith Lee
  • Kushida
  • Kyle O’Reilly
  • Lana
  • Lince Dorado
  • Mia Yim
  • Mickie James
  • Murphy
  • Nash Carter
  • Nia Jax
  • Oney Lorcan
  • Peyton Royce
  • Reckoning
  • “Road Dogg” Jesse James
  • Ric Flair
  • Samoa Joe
  • Scarlett
  • Shane McMahon
  • Slapjack
  • Tegan Nox
  • The Brian Kendrick
  • Timothy Thatcher
  • Toni Storm
  • Tucker
  • Tyler Breeze
  • William Regal
  • X-Pac

That is no fewer than 43 roster members who have either departed of their own accord, been released, or headed to another promotion.

Add in the fact that there are also some NXT standouts who haven’t made the cut due to the brand’s relaunch, such as Bron Breakker and Solo Sikoa, and it’s fair to say that whatever comes next is going to have a remarkably different feel.