WWE 2K26 has now officially been announced, with two special editions confirmed for the latest installment of WWE’s video game franchise.
After announcing on the January 23 edition of SmackDown that WWE 2K26 will be launching with a special Attitude Era Edition, a Monday Night War Edition of the game was also unveiled.
Between the game establishing a clear focus on the WWE Attitude Era, and updates to several star’s statuses since the release of WWE 2K25, there are numerous names who we could see join the new game’s official roster.
Here are seven WWE legends to potentially return in WWE 2K26.
7. Goldberg
While Goldberg wasn’t included in the WWE 2K25 base game, it appears that the WWE Hall of Famer will be more prominently featured in WWE 2K26.
Goldberg will be one of the stars featured on the cover of the Monday Night War Edition, with the retired star included in the WCW lineup, alongside Eric Bischoff, Booker T, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan.
With Goldberg wrestling his final match against GUNTHER at the June 15, 2025 Saturday Night’s Main Event special, it would make sense to honor his legacy in WWE 2K26.
While Goldberg was added to WWE 2K25 in the Hall of Legends DLC pack, the Hall of Famer could have a bigger role in WWE 2K26, potentially being featured in the game’s Showcase mode.
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6. Mark Henry
Another legend who will likely return to the WWE 2K base game roster after only appearing as DLC in WWE 2K25 is Mark Henry.
With Henry signing a WWE Legends deal in March 2025, the former World Heavyweight Champion has re-established his relationship with WWE, making several cameo appearances for the company.
Henry was also a prominent name in the Attitude Era, notably aligning himself with the Nation of Domination in 1998.
With Mark Henry’s status as an official WWE Legend, and his roles in the era which WWE 2K26 is celebrating, the World’s Strongest Man’s inclusion in the game feels like a no-brainer.
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5. The Hardy Boyz
While you haven’t been able to do so since WWE 2K20, fans may be able to team up as Matt and Jeff Hardy in an official WWE game again soon.
The Hardy Boyz have also been re-establishing their relationship with WWE, with the duo appearing for the company on a number of occasions as part of the ongoing partnership with TNA Wrestling.
While they’re both under contract with TNA, it would make sense for a deal to be made to include Matt and Jeff Hardy in WWE 2K26, especially with both stars being tied to the Attitude Era.
Whether included as Attitude Era legends, or in a potential TNA Wrestling stars DLC pack, The Hardys returning to a WWE game would just feel right.
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4. The Bella Twins
Nikki and Brie Bella are another real-life sibling duo who it would be fun to play as in WWE 2K26 tag-team action.
Nikki Bella’s WWE return in 2025 saw her wrestle numerous matches throughout the year, most recently on the December 29 Raw episode, when she challenged for the Women’s World Title in three-way action.
While Brie Bella hasn’t wrestled for WWE since Royal Rumble 2022, the likes of Goldberg’s inclusion in WWE 2K17 have shown us that a video game addition can sometimes lead to bigger things.
The 2020 WWE Hall of Famers would be welcome additions to WWE 2K26 in any capacity.
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3. Demolition
Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow, respectively known as Ax and Smash of Demolition, signed Legends deals with WWE in February 2025.
With the duo now available to appear in WWE games, it would make sense for the duo to be included in WWE 2K26.
Including the three-time WWF Tag Team Champions would bulk up the roster of legends who aren’t specifically tied to the Attitude Era, adding variety to the lineup.
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2. Shane McMahon
After not being included as a playable character in WWE 2K25, we could see Shane McMahon show up on the roster for this year’s game.
Shane’s omission from 2K25 ended his streak of WWE game appearances, with the former WWE Executive Vice President of Global Media having appeared in every game from WWE 2K16 up until that point.
More recently, Shane McMahon attended the November 17 Raw episode at Madison Square Garden, indicating that he is on good terms with the company currently.
With Shane’s in-ring presence during the Attitude Era, it would make sense for him to be included in WWE 2K26.
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1. Chris Jericho
One of the biggest “will they, won’t they”s surrounding WWE – this time in video game form!
There has been speculation about Chris Jericho potentially returning to WWE since reports emerged indicating that his AEW contract was set to expire in December 2025.
With rumors swirling, a Jericho WWE return would almost definitely result in him being added to WWE 2K26, even if his inclusion is as part of a DLC pack.
With Chris Jericho’s Attitude Era ties, Y2J being part of WWE 2K26 would just make sense.
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