Details on WWE2K including launch date, cover athlete, and features, recap of press event with Rey Mysterio

2K held a virtual press conference with the media on Jan. 18 ahead of today’s announcement detailing the launch of WWE 2K22. The game will launch on March 11 and Rey Mysterio is the cover athlete.

WWE 2K22 features four editions of the game: Standard Edition, Cross-Gen Digital Bundle, Deluxe Edition, and the nWo 4-Life Digital Edition. The game will be available on PS4, XBox One, XBox Series S/X.

Pre-order details have also been announced. Players who pre-order the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle will also receive the Undertaker Immortal Pack, which includes three additional Undertaker personas, MyFACTION EVO cards for Undertaker, plus MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses, including an Undertaker MyFACTION Logo Card, Undertaker MyFACTION Wallpaper Card, and Undertaker MyFACTION Nameplate Card. This pack is also included in the Deluxe Edition and nWo 4-Life Edition at launch.

Players that pre-order the deluxe and NWO 4-Life editions of the game will be able to play starting on March 8. For further details on each edition of the game, you can see the press release below.

2K has yet to show any extended gameplay from WWE 2K22, but promised more information on the game would be made available ahead of launch.

Below is a recap of 2K’s conference call with WWE 2K22 cover star Rey Mysterio:

Sam Roberts and Byron Saxton are the hosts.

Sam said 2K is ready to prove to the world that WWE 2K22 hits different. Roberts then introduced Rey Mysterio in celebration of his 20th Anniversary as a WWE wrestler. Roberts said Mysterio is the WWE 2K22 cover superstar. Mysterio joined Saxton and Roberts on the panel. Mysterio said it is a moment of great pride to represent lucha libre and all the latinos out there.

Roberts said Mysterio will share his stories through his own Showcase mode. Mysterio promised players would see stuff they’ve never seen before in the mode. Mysterio talked about winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania and winning the Smackdown Tag Team Championship with his son Dominick. He talked about how he had been wrestling since 1989 and he has so many memories and moments.

Roberts announced that the game would release on March 11 on PS4, XBox One, PS5, XBox series X, and XBox Series S.

Mysterio revealed his match vs. Eddie Guerrero at WrestleMania 21 would be highlighted in his Showcase. He also talked about facing Undertaker at the Royal Rumble being another part of the Showcase mode. Saxton asked him to walk them through the moment when he found out he would be the cover superstar for WWE 2K22. He said he couldn’t believe it and it didn’t hit him until they were getting ready to make the announcement and release the launch date. He talked about how he doesn’t know how many years he has left in the ring, so the timing for him to be the cover superstar was “on point.”

Mysterio said he hasn’t played the game yet. He said he wants to experience every mode possible in the game. Saxton asked him about his HOF career and his goals in and out of the ring. He said he wants to share the ring with Dominick at WrestleMania “I want to have a WrestleMania moment with my son before I hang up the mask.”

Rosenberg took some press questions for Mysterio.

-He was asked who he would like to face today. Mysterio said he would like to wrestle Kevin Owens. He also mentioned that he would like to wrestle Finn Balor one-on-one.

-Mysterio was asked which three superstars past or present he would like to build a faction with. Mysterio says he would love to rebuild the LWO. Mysterio said he would like to team with Damien Priest. He also mentions Garza, Carrillo. and Dominick. He says his son hasn’t been trained much in lucha libre. Mysterio said if he went back in time he would like to team with Macho Man, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigalow. Myserio said he got to wrestle Bam Bam and he really enjoyed it.

-Mysterio was asked who should have the better stats in the game, him or his son. Mysterio said of course the father should have the better stats. Mysterio said it’s really cool to be able to enjoy this game with his son now instead of his son playing as him in the game. Now it’s him and his son playing as themselves in the game.

-Mysterio was asked what dream tag team match he would like to see place against him and Dominick. He said Garza and Carillo would be big for him. He also said he would also love to see Ricochet team with anyone and face him and his son.

-Mysterio was asked who will induct him into the WWE HOF. Mysterio says he has a lot of people to thank in his journey. He thanks the fans for being a big part of his journey. He said either his wife, his daughter, or his son should induct him.

-Mysterio was asked if he looked back at anything differently when filming for the showcase mode moments. Mysterio said no. He said every moment has been special and there’s not one that he regrets.

-Mysterio was asked how his participation in games has evolved since 1997. Mysterio said he is impressed with how far games have come. Mysterio said he doesn’t play that much. He said he and Dominick travel with a playstation and Dominick is his teacher.

-Mysterio was asked about MyGM mode in WWE 2K22 and which show he would run and who would be his first draft pick. He said his first pick would be Brock Lesnar.

-Mysterio was asked which soccer player he would create in WWE 2K22. He said it would be Messi or Ranaldo, but he said he would pick Ranaldo. He said he would go with Ranaldo because Messi is more laid back.

Mysterio concluded by saying he looks forward to having everyone experience his 2K Showcase in March.

You can read the entire press release from 2K below:

Next installment in WWE 2K franchise set to launch on March 11, 2022, with a redesigned game engine, new controls, stunning graphics, and all-new game modes

New York, NY – January 20, 2022 – 2K today announced the full set of features for WWE® 2K22, the next installment of the flagship WWE video game franchise from Visual Concepts, featuring Rey Mysterio® on the cover in celebration of his 20th anniversary as a WWE Superstar. A globally recognized icon, Rey Mysterio is synonymous with the Mexican tradition of lucha libre – featuring fast-paced action, incredible aerial maneuvers, and masked competitors – and paved the way for many high-flying, agile Superstars. The decorated high-flyer has held multiple championships across his storied career, performing in his own unique style and wearing an array of colorful and iconic masks, proving that “The Ultimate Underdog” hits different. WWE 2K22 is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 11, 2022, and is available for pre-order today.

“Representing the culture of lucha libre as the cover Superstar for WWE 2K22 is a moment of great pride for me,” said Rey Mysterio. “I’m looking forward to sharing the stories behind the big moments of my career with a dedicated community of players and connecting with WWE fans in a whole new way as they play through my 2K Showcase.”

“Throughout his career, Rey Mysterio has staged multiple comebacks to prove his resiliency time and time again, and through it all, has cemented his legacy as a living legend of sports entertainment,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. “In that same spirit of resiliency, WWE 2K22 strikes back with a slew of upgrades and community-requested features to give players complete control over the WWE experience.”

All the Features Players Can Handle

From the redesigned gameplay engine to new controls and upgraded visuals, WWE 2K22 is set to look, feel, play, and “Hit Different.” The engine, coupled with WWE 2K’s most stunning graphics to date, ensures an unprecedented level of realism for the franchise. Alongside an updated and intuitive control scheme, as well as an immersive presentation and varied camera angles, players will feel the pressure and reward of every punch, kick, and slam.

Popular game modes including the returning 2K Showcase – starring Rey Mysterio – incorporate new features and updates, allowing players to relive the iconic moments behind Mysterio’s most famous matches. In MyRISE, players chart their own paths to superstardom. With Universe Mode and the upgraded Creation Suite, WWE 2K22 offers players the ability to fully customize their WWE experience down to the smallest details. From taking control over brands, premium live events, match results, rivalries, and more – or creating the ultimate custom Superstar personas, arenas, and championships – players can share all their creations with the global WWE 2K22 community with first-time-ever, cross-platform sharing.

In addition, WWE 2K22 will introduce new modes to the WWE 2K experience: MyGM and MyFACTION. In MyGM, players step into the role of a WWE General Manager and call the shots on their way to building the biggest brand in the WWE Universe. From drafting the ultimate roster of WWE Superstars and Legends to developing iconic rivalries and championship showdowns, players will get the chance to take the reins and prove themselves on sports entertainment’s biggest stages. With the franchise-first MyFACTION mode, players can collect and manage their dream faction with weekly events and regular updates, providing tremendous challenges and replay value.

WWE 2K22 Editions and Pre-Order Bonus

WWE 2K22 features four editions of the game: Standard Edition, Cross-Gen Digital Bundle, Deluxe Edition, and – in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the New World Order faction – nWo 4-Life Digital Edition:

The Standard Edition will be available for $59.99 on previous-gen platforms (PlayStation® 4, Xbox One consoles and PC) and for $69.99 on current-gen consoles (PlayStation® 5 and Xbox Series X|S) in both physical and digital formats;

The Cross-Gen Bundle will be available for $79.99 and includes the digital Standard Edition and the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack across previous and current-gen within the same PlayStation and Xbox consoles;*

The Deluxe Edition will be available for $99.99 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S in both physical and digital formats, and on PC in digital format. The Deluxe Edition includes the Standard Edition plus the Undertaker Immortal Pack; a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs; the MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger packs; limited edition WWE® SuperCard content** (included in-box for physical copies only). The Deluxe Edition will be available from March 8, 2022 – three days early!*** Players who purchase the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S edition will also receive the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack;

The nWo 4-Life Digital Edition will be available for $119.99 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Celebrating 25 years of the faction that turned the sports entertainment world on its head, in addition to the Standard Edition, and all bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition, the nWo 4-Life Edition comes with MyFACTION EVO Cards and alternate nWo attires for Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Syxx plus a playable Eric Bischoff character, WCW Souled Out 1997 and WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 arenas, and the nWo Wolfpac Championship. The nWo 4-Life Edition will also be available from March 8, 2022 – three days early! ***;

Pre-Order Bonuses: Players who pre-order the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle will also receive the Undertaker Immortal Pack, which includes three additional Undertaker personas, MyFACTION EVO cards for Undertaker, plus MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses, including an Undertaker MyFACTION Logo Card, Undertaker MyFACTION Wallpaper Card, and Undertaker MyFACTION Nameplate Card****. This pack is also included in the Deluxe Edition and nWo 4-Life Edition at launch.

Check out the WWE 2K22 official website for a full breakdown of the pre-order details and more information on the different editions of this year’s game.

2K will release additional announcements on WWE 2K22, including deep dives on specific game modes and features, roster reveals, and much more, in the coming weeks.

For more information on WWE 2K22, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WWE2K22 or subscribe on YouTube.

Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

* PlayStation 5 console required to play PlayStation 5 version. Xbox Series X|S console required to redeem and use Xbox Series X|S version. Xbox One console required to redeem and use Xbox One version.

** WWE SuperCard is required to redeem WWE SuperCard content. WWE SuperCard is available for free download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. WWE SuperCard offers optional in-app purchases.

*** Deluxe Edition and nWo 4-Life Digital Edition: Available at participating retailers while stocks last.

**** Standard Edition pre-order bonus offer available before March 11, 2022. Offer is for Undertaker Immortal Pack. For digital pre-orders, items will be automatically entitled. For physical pre-orders, items will be redeemed in game via code provided in box. Terms apply.

Cross-Gen Bundle (digital only) pre-order bonus offer available before March 11, 2022. Offer is for Undertaker Immortal Pack. Items will be automatically entitled. Terms apply.

Contact Sean at pwtorchsean@gmail.com. Follow him on twitter @sr_torch