During this weekend’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event, wrestling fans received their first complete glimpse at the upcoming WWE 2K22, which included a teaser trailer and a March 2022 release date. After the cancellation of WWE 2K21 last year, 2K’s mainstream wrestling series is finally returning to the ring, promising that its newest squared circle simulation would “hit different” than the glitch-ridden WWE 2K20.
WWE 2K22 was initially shown in April at the two-night WrestleMania 37 pay-per-view, with a 30-second sample of gameplay video starring fan-favorite luchador Rey Mysterio and a peek at the game’s logo.
In May, Visual Concepts creative director Lynell Jinks gave a glimpse at some of the motion capture techniques used to bring WWE Superstars into the game environment. Since then, more details and favorable word of mouth about WWE 2K22 have steadily been flowing. The development team recently shared a few screenshots of WWE 2K22 Edge on social media, providing more insight into how WWE 2K22 will appear when it debuts next year.
During Saturday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event, a new teaser video for WWE 2K22 debuted, featuring many WWE Superstars in action and confirming the game’s March 2022 release date. For anyone who missed SummerSlam when it first aired, it is now accessible to watch on the official WWE 2K YouTube channel.
The plans for another WWE 2K22 announcement in January, which will describe the game’s numerous features and modes in-depth and unveil WWE 2K22’s cover art, are not featured in this video but are still notable.
WWE 2K20’s sour debut in 2019, as well as the tepid reception to the arcade-style WWE 2K Battlegrounds last year, have already made it tough for 2K Games and Visual Concepts to shake off their poor image.
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Since then, WWE has dismissed a number of prominent wrestlers recent months, apparently contributing to Daniel Bryan’s departure from the WWE 2K22 roster. In addition, rival organization AEW is expected to release its own wrestling game next year, which will be developed by Yukes, a former WWE 2K producer. This may put WWE 2K22 up against some stiff competition, replicating the weekly ratings war between the two wrestling businesses in real life.
This year’s SummerSlam was already a thrilling exhibition of WWE action, but the new design of WWE 2K22 piqued the attention of fans eager to return to the virtual ring. When WWE 2K22 finally debuts in March, they’ll get their chance to do so, and it might be a hopeful face turn for Visual Concepts after a rocky start as a representation of the WWE gaming brand.
