Summary
The upcomingWWE 2K24features a Showcase mode celebrating 40 years of WrestleMania, and it will seemingly include a match that prominently featured Vince McMahon as part of its conclusion.WWE 2K24has not revealed the full list of matches that will be featured in its Showcase of the Immortals mode, but 18 of the 21 matches have been confirmed for the new wrestling game to date.
As far as theAttitude Eragoes,WWE 2K24has so far only confirmed one match from the era for its Showcase mode. While it’s possible that there will be more Attitude Era representation in the final product, all fans know about for now is the No Disqualification Match for the WWF Championship that saw The Rock defending his title against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 17. This match is infamous for Steve Austin’s heel turn when he joined forces with his archenemy, former WWE owner Vince McMahon.
McMahon played a major role at the end of the Austin/Rock match at WrestleMania 17, interfering on behalf of Austin. Together, McMahon and Austin beat The Rock down with a steel chair to ultimately give Austin the victory and allow him to regain the WWF Championship. With the Austin vs. Rock WrestleMania 17 match confirmed forWWE 2K24’s Showcase mode, the match is going to have to address the elephant in the room. Either McMahon will be featured, or the match will have to make up a different, historically inaccurate ending. With how the Showcase modes blend real-life footage with the in-ring action, this could prove to be a serious challenge.
Vince McMahon’s Status in WWE 2K24 is Unknown
At the time of this writing, it has not been confirmed whether Vince McMahon will be featured inWWE 2K24or not. Thelawsuit accusing McMahon of sex trafficking and abusecame to light mere days before the game’sofficial unveiling at Royal Rumble 2024, so the developers may not have time to feasibly scrub McMahon from the game. However, including McMahon inWWE 2K24in the wake of these shocking allegations could be seen as bad taste, and could also bring more negative press to WWE.
WWE itself has avoided mentioning McMahon since the lawsuit. McMahon resigned fromWWE parent company TKO, and televised broadcasts have not acknowledged his existence. With McMahon heavily featured in high profile WWE storylines over the years, including arguably the company’s biggest feud ever with Steve Austin, it’s going to be tricky to completely erase him from WWE history without also erasing pivotal moments in the careers of legends like Steve Austin and The Rock.
All WWE 2K24 Showcase Matches Confirmed So Far
It remains to be seen exactly howWWE 2K24is going to handle the Vince McMahon situation. As previously stated, the allegations may have come to light before there was time to pivot, and so the move may be to release the game with McMahon in the WrestleMania 17 match with future installments of the series avoiding him. It also has yet to be clarified ifformer WWE and UFC Champion Brock Lesnar, who wasn’t directly named in the lawsuit but was accused of requesting a graphic video from the plaintiff, will be inWWE 2K24either. All should be answered comeWWE 2K24’s early access launch on March 5.
