After releasing a first gameplay trailer less than a week ago, 2K has today treated fans to this year’s first ringside report video for the upcoming WWE 2K26. These ringside reports have become an annual fixture on the road to release for WWE games. So I was delighted to see them return, especially with the hilarious voice-over from former superstar and now commentator Wade Barrett.
This latest ringside report focuses on core gameplay improvements, including new match types, interactive environments and objects, surprise attacks, start-of-match actions, new A.I. sequences, rivalries, a new commentary team, and interactive entrances.
They begin by showing off snippets of the four new match types: Dumpster Match, I Quit Match, 3 Stages Of Hell Match and Inferno Match. All of these have long been requested as permanent features of the series. They have previously shown up in some form, usually in a showcase appearance or as part of WWE games, long before 2K took over the franchise. It’s great to see them back in virtual form, and the I Quit Match in particular looks like it has a unique mini-game attached to its mechanics.
After showing off these matches, they quickly turn our attention to the new environments, including all-new environmental and weapon interactions. The sight of Stone Cold Steve Austin pushing Booker T around in a shopping cart brings back vivid memories of the early 00s. That isn’t all we get to see in this section. In the new Scrapyard environment, we see Becky Lynch ascending to great heights using what looks like a trampoline before punishing Maxxine Dupree. We even get a look at Dominik Mysterio, who shows further use of the shopping cart by attacking his father, Rey Mysterio, as he lies defenseless in the cart, before crashing it into the ring.
Wade then continues to tell us about various weapons and ways we can use them, from Thumbtacks to the return of double-stacking tables and more. I have to say, everything I’ve seen from the gameplay in this trailer gives me confidence that WWE 2K26 may well deliver the most fun in-ring experience since 2K began making these games.
Before the trailer ends, Wade, of course, has to tell us about the improved presentation this year. Who can blame him? This is his debut on the WWE 2K commentary team, which is sure to bring some much-needed freshness to the commentary we hear during matches. Corey Graves, Booker T and the legendary Michael Cole make up the rest of the commentators in this year’s game, so we should be in for some interesting dynamics. Although, as a fan who watches the WWE every week, it’s a shame to see someone like Joe Tessitore miss out on a WWE game debut.
The ringside report also featured new referees, interactive entrances, and much more. So make sure you check it out yourselves. To see more coverage of WWE 2K26 as we head into launch, click here.
WWE 2K26 will be available starting March 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, with the Standard Edition releasing on March 13, 2026.
Sources: Press Release & Official YouTube Channel
