WWE 2K23

WWE 2K23 is a 2023 professional wrestling sports simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. Released on March 14, 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows (during WrestleMania week), it is the twenty-third game in the main WWE video game series, the tenth installment under the WWE 2K banner, and the successor to 2022's WWE 2K22. 2K23's cover features a furious-looking Triple H holding his trademark sledgehammer while sitting on a makeshift throne.

Gameplay
WWE 2K's MyCareer mode returns in 2K23. As with MyRISE from 2K22, it focuses on separate stories for male and female superstars, who can form alliances and rivals, and branch into subplots based on the choice of the player.

WWE 2K22's Universe Mode is reused for WWE 2K23, including the option to play as a single superstar throughout the mode.

2K Showcase Mode does not return for 2K23, replaced instead by two modes last featured in 2011's WWE All Stars: "Fantasy Warfare" Mode, which pits superstar against superstar and legend against legend in a fantasy match to determine the best of the best; and "Road to Greatness" mode, consisting of three, 12-match gauntlets leading the player's superstar to matches against Hulk Hogan (w/ Jimmy Hart), John Cena, or The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer).

Commentators Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton spent seven months recording commentary for WWE 2K23, which now includes specific commentary for whenever two superstars/legends face each other, whether they had a rivalry or even faced each other before, or not. For example, a match between Hulk Hogan and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will start off with commentary like this:

MICHAEL COLE: This is a dream match 25 years in the making. For the first time ever, these two all-time greats will compete to see who is the greatest WWE superstar of all time. COREY GRAVES: The biggest superstar of the 1980s' vs. the biggest superstar of the 1990s'. This truly is worthy of being called "the main event". BYRON SAXTON: Oh, did you hear all those cheers these two men got when they came to the ring? I couldn't hear myself think! COREY GRAVES: What a coincidence. Every time you open your mouth, Saxton, I can't hear myself think. MICHAEL COLE: Both "The Rattlesnake" and "The Hulkster" share similar accolades. 6-time WWE Champion. Former WWE Tag Team Champion, and multiple-time Royal Rumble winner. COREY GRAVES: Austin with a record of 3 wins, Hogan with 2. MICHAEL COLE: They have met in the ring before... BYRON SAXTON: Usually to share a beer bash. MICHAEL COLE: But now, the time for talk is over. Now these two legends will finally meet face to face.

Another example comes when pairing John Cena against Doink the Clown:

MICHAEL COLE: A stern warning from John Cena to Doink before this match started: there's a time and a place for the circus, and WWE is not that place. COREY GRAVES: Cena better watch his ass, Michael. I know for a fact that behind the makeup and the colorful suit, Doink is one of the most underrated superstars to ever step foot in the ring. Treat him as a harmless buffoon, and you'll find yourself falling victim to a Stump Puller. BYRON SAXTON: Come on, Corey! Look at this clown! He really just wants to make people smile! How dangerous could he be? COREY GRAVES: I give up.

Similarly, if you set up a match between The Undertaker (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. Kane, Mick Foley in his Mankind attire, or Vader (w/ Paul Bearer), it will start with this commentary:

COREY GRAVES: Look, I know he's still upset over Paul Bearer's betrayal, but what does the Undertaker think he'll get out of Paul Heyman being his new manager? MICHAEL COLE: Chilling words from Heyman before this match started, saying he promises to take the career of the Undertaker to the extreme. COREY GRAVES: "Hell hath no fury like a Deadman scorned!" he said. BYRON SAXTON: A man like The Undertaker seeking revenge for being betrayed, plus the evil mind of Paul Heyman?! This is my worst nightmare! COREY GRAVES: God forbid 'Taker and Heyman make some kind of cult or a ministry out of those vengeful thoughts, because WWE is doomed if that ever happens!

This style of commentary also applies to tag matches, using The Hart Foundation vs. Mick Foley and Terry Funk as an example:

MICHAEL COLE: The Hart Foundation is known as one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history. Combining the in-ring technical skill of Bret "The Hitman" Hart and the powerhouse that is Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart led to two reigns as WWE Tag Team Champions. COREY GRAVES: Yeah, but the Foundation better watch their backs, because they're up against two hardcore legends: the team of Mick Foley and Terry Funk! BYRON SAXTON: (shudders) Those two give me goosebumps. With how willing they are to put themselves into situations that could kill a normal human being, it's as if pain is just trivial to them! MICHAEL COLE: One of the most beloved of WWE's tag teams, vs. the combo of two of the craziest men in sports entertainment, means we should be in for one hell of a slobber knocker. COREY GRAVES: I liked that phrase better when J.R. said it.

For one final example, if the player sets up a battle royal featuring "goofy" characters (i.e. Doink, Boogeyman, Hurricane, Gooker, Blue Meanie, etc.), the commentary will adjust as such:

MICHAEL COLE: And this is what we here in WWE like to call a "comedy match". The superstars in this battle royal aren't going to be in the main event of WrestleMania anytime soon, they're just here to make us laugh our heads off, whatever they may do. BYRON SAXTON: There have been many "comedy characters" in WWE over the years: The Gobbledy Gooker, Doink the Clown, The Boogeyman, The Hurricane, and Hornswoggle, to name a few. They're guys you can't take seriously, and sometimes, it's debatable whether or not they really have a place here in WWE. COREY GRAVES: Then why don't you join in the match with them, Saxton? I'm sure you'll fit right in. BYRON SAXTON: Yeah---Hey!

Roster/Entrance Music/Crowd Reaction
AJ Styles - Cheer Akira Tozawa - Boo Alba Fyre - Cheer Alexa Bliss - Boo Aliyah - Cheer Andre the Giant - "Giant" - Cheer Angel - Boo Angelo Dawkins - Cheer Apollo Crews - Boo Asuka - Cheer Axiom - Cheer Bad Bunny - Cheer Batista - "I Walk Alone" - Cheer Bayley - Boo Becky Lynch - Cheer Beth Phoenix - Cheer Bianca Belair - Cheer Big Boss Man - "Hard Times" - Cheer Big E - Cheer Bobby Lashley - Cheer The Boogeyman - Cheer Booker T (w/ King Booker alt. attire) - Cheer Bradshaw '00 - Cheer Bret Hart - "Foundation" - Cheer Brie Bella - Cheer British Bulldog - "Rule, Britannia" - Cheer Brock Lesnar - Cheer Butch - Boo Cameron Grimes - Cheer Carmella - Boo Cedric Alexander - Boo Chad Gable - Boo Charlotte Flair - Boo Chyna - Cheer Ciampa - Boo Cody Rhodes - Cheer Commander Azeez - Boo Corey Graves - Cheer Cruz Del Toro - Boo Dakota Kai - Cheer Damian Priest - Boo Dana Brooke - Cheer Diesel - Cheer Doink the Clown - "Clown" - Cheer Dolph Ziggler - Boo Dominik Mysterio - Cheer Doudrop - Cheer Drake Maverick - Cheer Drew Gulak - Cheer Drew McIntyre - Cheer Eddie Guerrero - Cheer Edge - Cheer Elias - Cheer Erik - Boo Ezekiel - Cheer Faarooq - Cheer Finn Balor - Boo Finn Balor (Demon) - Cheer Flash Morgan Webster - Cheer Giovanni Vinci - Boo The Godfather - Cheer Goldberg - Cheer Gunther - Boo Happy Corbin - Boo Hollywood Hogan - "Rockhouse" - Boo Hulk Hogan - "Real American" - Cheer Humberto - Boo The Hurricane - Cheer Ilja Dragunov - Boo Indi Hartwell - Boo Ivar - Boo Iyo Sky - Cheer Jake Roberts - "Snake Bit" - Cheer JBL - "Longhorn" - Cheer JD McDonagh - Boo Jerry Lawler - "The Great Gate of Kiev" - Cheer Jey Uso - Boo Jim Neidhart - Cheer Jimmy Uso - Boo Jinder Mahal - Boo Joaquin Wilde - Boo John Cena - "My Time is Now" - Cheer John Morrison - Boo Johnny Knoxville - Cheer Jushin Liger - Cheer Kama Mustafa - "Too Much" - Boo Kane (w/ Corporate alt. attire) - "Veil of Fire" - Cheer Kane '08 - "Man on Fire" - Boo Katana Chance - Cheer Kayden Carter - Cheer Kevin Nash - Cheer Kevin Owens - Boo Kofi Kingston - Cheer LA Knight - Boo Lacey Evans - Boo Lita - Cheer Logan Paul - Boo Liv Morgan - Cheer Ludwig Kaiser - Boo Mace - Boo Madcap Moss - Cheer Mandy Rose - Boo Mansoor - Boo Maryse - Boo Mick Foley (w/ Mankind '96/'99, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack '92/'98 alt. attires) - "Wreck" - Cheer Mickie James - Cheer The Miz - Boo Montez Ford - Cheer Mr. McMahon - Boo MVP - Boo Mustafa Ali - Cheer Naomi - Cheer Natalya - Boo Nikki A.S.H. - Cheer Nikki Bella - Cheer Noam Dar - Boo Omos - Boo Otis - Boo Paige - Cheer Papa Shango - "The Shango Tango" - Boo Randy Orton - "Voices" - Cheer Randy Savage (w/ Macho King alt. attire) - "Pomp & Circumstance" - Cheer Raquel Rodriguez - Cheer Razor Ramon - Cheer Rey Mysterio - Cheer Rey Mysterio '05 - Cheer Rey Mysterio Jr. - Cheer Rhea Ripley - Boo Ric Flair - "Also Sprach Zarathustra" - Cheer Ric Flair '91 - "Also Sprach Zarathustra" - Boo Rick Boogs - Cheer Ricochet - Cheer Riddle - Cheer Ridge Holland - Boo Rikishi - "You Look Fly Today" - Cheer Rob Van Dam - "One of a Kind" - Cheer Robert Roode - Boo The Rock - "Electrifying" - Cheer The Rock '00 - "If You Smell..." - Cheer Roderick Strong - Cheer Roddy Piper - Cheer Roman Reigns - Boo Ronda Rousey - "Bad Reputation" - Cheer R-Truth - Cheer Sami Zayn - Boo Samoa Joe - Cheer Santos Escobar - Boo Sarray - Cheer Sasha Banks - Cheer Scott Hall (w/ Razor Ramon alt. attire) - Cheer Seth Rollins - Boo Shane McMahon - Cheer Shawn Michaels - Cheer Shawn Michaels '05 - Cheer Shayna Baszler - Cheer Sheamus - Boo Shelton Benjamin - Boo Shinsuke Nakamura - Cheer Shotzi - Cheer Sonya Deville - Boo Stacy Keibler - Cheer Stephanie McMahon - Boo Stone Cold Steve Austin - "I Won't Do What You Tell Me" - Cheer Tamina - Boo T-Bar - Boo Ted DiBiase - "It's All About the Money" - Cheer Theory - Boo Titus O'Neil - Cheer Trent Seven - Boo Triple H - Cheer Triple H '12 - Cheer Trish Stratus - Cheer Tyler Bate - Cheer Tyson Kidd - Cheer Ultimate Warrior - Cheer Umaga - Boo The Undertaker - "Rest in Peace" - Cheer The Undertaker '91 (w/ '94 alt. attire) - "Graveyard Symphony" - Cheer The Undertaker '99 (w/ '98 alt. attire) - "Dark Side" - Boo The Undertaker '02 (actually "The Undertaker WM36" from 2K22) - "You're Gonna Pay" - Cheer The Undertaker '10 - Cheer Vader - "Mastodon" - Boo Veer Mahaan - Boo Wes Lee - Cheer Xavier Woods - Cheer Xia Li - Cheer X-Pac - Cheer Yokozuna - Boo Zelina Vega - Cheer

Managers Adam Pearce Armando Estrada Bill Alfonso (DLC manager) Bobby Heenan Captain Lou Albano (DLC manager) Colonel Robert Parker (DLC manager) Daivari (DLC manager) Elektra Lopez Eric Bischoff (DLC manager) Francine (DLC manager) Freddie Blassie (DLC manager) General Adnan (DLC manager) The Grand Wizard (DLC manager) Harvey Wippleman (DLC manager) Jim Cornette (DLC manager) Jimmy Hart (w/ Colonel and Hulkamania alt. DLC attires) Johnny Polo (DLC manager) Kim Chee (DLC manager) Marlena (DLC manager) Max Dupri Miss Elizabeth Mr. Fuji (w/ Japanese robe alt. attire) Mr. McMahon Oscar (DLC manager) Paul Bearer (w/ '99 alt. attire) Paul Bearer '98 (w/ '00 alt. attire, DLC manager) Paul Ellering (DLC manager) Paul Heyman (w/ ECW alt. DLC attire) Queen Sharmell Ric Flair Sensational Sherri (regular and Queen attires, DLC manager) Slick (DLC manager) Stephanie McMahon Sunny (DLC manager) Ted DiBiase (w/ nWo alt. attire) Theodore Long (DLC manager) Triple H Vickie Guerrero (DLC manager) Virgil (DLC manager)

DLC/Entrance Music/Crowd Reaction
1-2-3 Kid - Cheer Abdullah the Butcher - Boo Adam Bomb - Boo Al Snow - Cheer Albert - Cheer Alicia Fox - Cheer Andre the Giant '84 - Cheer Road Warrior Animal - Cheer Antonio Inoki - Cheer Arn Anderson - Cheer Ax-Demolition - Cheer Balls Mahoney - Cheer Bam Bam Bigelow - "Hardwood" - Cheer The Barbarian - Boo Barry Windham - Boo Batista '04 - Boo The Berzerker - Boo Big Boss Man '99 - Boo Big Daddy V - Boo Big Show '00 - Boo Big Show '20 - Cheer Big John Studd - Cheer Billy Graham - Cheer Billy Gunn - Cheer Billy Kidman - Cheer Blue Meanie - Cheer Boa - Boo Bob Backlund - Cheer Bob Orton - Boo Booker T '96 - Cheer Brian Knobbs - Cheer Brian Pillman - Cheer British Bulldog '99 - Cheer Brock Lesnar '03 - Boo Bron Breakker - Cheer Brooklyn Brawler - Cheer Bruiser Brody - Boo Bruno Sammartino - "Head for Home" - Cheer Brutus Beefcake - Cheer Brutus Creed - Boo Bubba Ray Dudley - Cheer Buddy Roberts - Boo Buff Bagwell - Boo Bushwhacker Butch - Cheer Bushwhacker Luke - Cheer Cameron - Cheer Carlito - Boo Carmelo Hayes - Boo Chavo Guerrero - Cheer Chris Candido - Boo Chris Jericho '98 - Boo Chris Jericho '00 - Cheer Chris Jericho '18 - Cheer Christian '99 - Boo Christian '20 - Cheer Cora Jade - Boo Crash Holly - Boo Crush - Cheer Crush '94 - Boo Crush-Demolition - Boo D'Lo Brown - Boo Dean Malenko - Cheer Debra - Boo Diamond Dallas Page '98 - "Self High Five" - Cheer Diamond Dallas Page '02 - "It's Me, It's Me" - Cheer Don Muraco - Cheer Duke Droese - Cheer Dustin Rhodes - Cheer Dusty Rhodes - "Common Man Boogie" - Cheer D-Von Dudley - Cheer Dynamite Kid - Cheer Earthquake - Cheer Eddie Guerrero '00 - Cheer Edge '99 - Boo Ernie Ladd - Cheer The Fabulous Moolah - Boo Finlay - Cheer Flyin' Brian Pillman - Boo Freddie Blassie - Boo Gable Steveson - Cheer Gangrel - Cheer George Steele - Cheer Gerald Brisco - Cheer The Giant - Boo Gigi Dolin - Cheer Gillberg - Boo Gobbledy Gooker - Cheer Goldust '96 - Boo Goldust '99 - Cheer Goldust '18 - Cheer Gorilla Monsoon - Cheer Grand Master Sexay - Cheer Grayson Waller - Boo The Great Khali - Boo The Great Muta - Cheer Greg Valentine - Boo Haku - Boo Hardcore Holly - Cheer Harland - Boo Harley Race - Boo Road Warrior Hawk - Cheer Heidenreich - Boo Henry O. Godwinn - Cheer Hercules - Boo Hillbilly Jim - Cheer Honky Tonk Man - Boo Hornswoggle - Cheer Hulk Hogan '89 - Cheer Hulk Hogan '94 - Cheer Hunter Hearst Helmsley - Boo Iron Sheik (w/ Colonel Mustafa alt. attire) - Boo Irwin R. Schyster - Boo Isaac Yankem, DDS - Boo Ivory - Boo Jacqueline - Cheer Jacy Jayne - Cheer Jamie Noble - Boo Jay Strongbow - Cheer Jeff Hardy '99 - Cheer Jeff Jarrett - Cheer Jerry Lynn - Boo Jerry Sags - Cheer Jesse Ventura - Cheer Jillian Hall - Boo Jim Duggan - Cheer Jimmy Garvin - Boo Jimmy Snuka - "Superfly" Cheer Joe Gacy - Boo Joey Mercury - Boo John Cena '03 - Boo John Morrison '11 - Boo Julius Creed - Boo Junkyard Dog - "Grab Them Cakes" - Cheer Kamala - "Native Terror" - Boo Kane '98 (with '99/'00 alt. attires) - "Burned" - Boo Kane '01 - "Out of the Fire" - Cheer Kane '02 - "Slow Chemical (w/o Intro)" - Cheer Kelly Kelly - Cheer Ken Shamrock - Cheer Kevin Nash '03 - Cheer Kevin Sullivan - Boo<br Killer Kowalski - Boo King Kong Bundy - Boo Koko B. Ware - "Do the Bird" - Cheer Kurt Angle '01 - "Medal (v2)" - Boo Kurt Angle '06 - "Medal (v3)" - Cheer Kurt Angle '18 - "Medal (v2)" - Cheer Lance Storm - Boo Lanny Poffo - Boo Larry Zbyszko - Boo Lash Legend - Boo Lex Luger - "Made in the USA" - Cheer Lilian Garcia - Cheer Luna Vachon - Boo Mabel - Cheer Marc Mero - Boo Maria Kanellis - Boo Mark Henry '00 - Cheer Mark Henry '11 - Boo Mark Henry '20 - Cheer Marty Jannetty - Cheer Matt Hardy '99 - Cheer Matt Hardy '05 - Cheer Max Moon - Cheer Melina - Boo Michael P.S. Hayes - "Cheer Michelle McCool - Cheer Mideon - Boo Mikey Whipwreck - Cheer Mo - Cheer Molly Holly - Cheer Headbanger Mosh - Cheer The Mountie - Boo Mr. America - Cheer Mr. Kennedy - Boo Mr. Perfect - Boo Nikolai Volkoff - Boo One Man Gang - Boo Outback Jack - Cheer Ox Baker - Boo Pat Patterson - Cheer Paul Burchill - Cheer Paul Orndorff - Boo Perry Saturn - Boo Phantasio - Cheer Phineas I. Godwinn - Cheer Randy Orton '04 - Boo Randy Savage '96 - Cheer Raven - Boo Red Rooster - Cheer Reggie - Cheer Repo Man - Boo Rhyno - Cheer Ric Flair '86 - Boo Rick Martel - Boo Rick Rude - "Simply Ravishing" - Boo Rick Steiner - Cheer Ricky Morton - Cheer Ricky Steamboat - Cheer The Ringmaster - Boo Rip Fowler - Boo Road Dogg - Cheer Rob Conway - Boo Rob Van Dam '98 - Boo Robert Gibson - Cheer The Rock '03 - Boo Rocky Johnson - Cheer Ron Simmons - Cheer Rosey - Cheer Roxanne Perez - Cheer Sable - Cheer Sabu - Cheer The Sandman - Cheer Santino Marella - Cheer Savio Vega - Cheer Scott Steiner - Cheer Scott Steiner '04 - Cheer Scotty 2 Hotty - Cheer Sgt. Slaughter - Cheer Shane Douglas - Cheer Shanky - Cheer Shawn Michaels '89 - Cheer Shawn Michaels '94 - Boo The Sheik - Boo Skinner - Boo Smash-Demolition - Cheer Solo Sikoa - Boo Spike Dudley - Cheer Stan Hansen - Boo Steve Williams - Boo Stevie Ray - Cheer Stevie Richards - Cheer Sting '91 - Cheer Sting '99 - Cheer Sting '15 - Cheer Stunning Steve Austin - Boo Sycho Sid - Cheer Tajiri - Cheer Tatanka - Cheer Tatsumi Fujinami - Cheer Tazz - Cheer Terri Runnels - Boo Terry Funk - "Road to Texas" - Cheer Terry Gordy - Boo Texas Tornado - Cheer Headbanger Thrasher - Cheer Tito Santana - Cheer Tommy Dreamer - Cheer Tony Atlas - Cheer Tori - Cheer Torrie Wilson - Cheer Triple H '03 - Boo Tugboat - Cheer Tully Blanchard - Boo Typhoon - Boo Ultimate Warrior '98 - Cheer The Undertaker '00 - Cheer Val Venis - Cheer Vampiro - Boo Vickie Guerrero - Boo Victoria - Boo Virgil - Cheer Viscera - Cheer The Warlord - Boo Waylon Mercy - Boo Wendi Richter - Cheer Wendy Choo - Boo Wild Samoan Afa - Boo Wild Samoan Sika - Boo William Regal '08 - Boo William Regal '15 - Cheer Zoey Stark - Cheer