Easter eggs and secrets can be a fun way to increase the longevity of a game’s lifespan and WWE 2K18 is no different when it comes to this aspect.
Even after months of the game’s initial release date, fans are finding new ways to enjoy Vince McMahon’s merry band of virtual wrestlers in their digital environment.
Whether it is new modes, secret items, or just strange additions that rarely see the light of day, there is a healthy variety of things that the normal fan probably has not found yet.
No worries, as this list has got you covered as a treasure map to these golden nuggets of secretive additions in WWE 2K18 that will no doubt leave you with a burning desire to pick up your controller and boot it up immediately.
That is how these secrets impact the game, as 2K has been notoriously bad with leaving features that make the player want to keep wrestling matches, or creating new content, but this time, things are much different.
This is one of the reasons that WWE 2K18 truly feels like the true pinnacle of wrestling video games as they have improved through the decades to finally become this amazingly detailed and deep with features (like awesome secrets).
If finding out about details in games that no one knows about is your thing, then be prepared to be satisfied in twenty-five ways as we dive into these secrets that will blow your mind about the world’s favorite wrestling game franchise.
25 Zombies That Wrestle
Zombies have a very strange place in the world of professional wrestling. On one hand, fans look back at the WWE/ECW revival of 2008 and recall the ridiculous zombie character that came out to yell at the crowd on an infamous night of programming.
This is why we have to start off with one of the stupidest patches that 2K could have given us.
On the other hand, we have seen professional wrestlers go against zombies in the film Pro Wrestlers Versus Zombies but it is clear that the undead just would not fit in the actual WWE video game like this one. This is why we have to start off with one of the stupidest patches that 2K could have given us. The patch in question is the new addition of the “Undead” entrance option in Create-An-Entrance, which allows the characters to walk in the game with a strange limp that mimics the style of characters that you would see in The Walking Dead. Should the player pick this entrance, they will see their desired character come out with the lights down and intimidating music playing as get to the ring. Why did 2K hot-patch in a zombie entrance? The real question is “Why Not?” Then the second question would be “Was it worth it?” That is up to the player.
24 Secret Locations
It is not uncommon for there to be cut areas from video games in their final stage, but what is not uncommon is the addition of stages that have parts that are inaccessible. For some reason, there are a bunch of spaces in the backstage arena that features an area that is unusable for all players. There are few areas in the game that can be accessed outside of the standard ring but this one is particularly notable for the fact that it seems to have all the makings of an area that could have hosted some amazing fights. The area can only be seen from the highlighted camera in the Highlight Reel mode but they clearly have some weapons that can normally be used in the normal matches that occur in the game. One can assume that it was added (and apparently cut from the game) for brawls that occur outside the ring. WWE was known for some of the hardcore antics that occur backstage, perhaps 2K was looking to add a brand new mode or match type. We just wish we could have seen what it looked like.
23 Unlocking The Roll-Through Attitude Adjustment
There is a certain aura of excitement that goes with seeing a live wrestling match and the programming of WWE is a prime example of how a lot of these wrestlers put on dramatic tales.
One of the most classic examples of a wrestler that does this on a nightly basis is John Cena, and very few wrestlers have a move-set as iconic as the Doctor of Thuganomics.
One of the most classic examples of a wrestler that does this on a nightly basis is John Cena, and very few wrestlers have a move set as iconic as the Doctor of Thuganomics. His finishing move, the Attitude Adjustment, is known as a particular favorite amongst fans and those who have seen his recent encounters with wrestlers like AJ Styles have seen this exciting way to set it up! The setup is his roll-through that he does prior to lifting his opponent on his shoulders as he catches them and gathers his position back on his feet. To do this, the player must choose John Cena and activate his Catching Finisher ability when an enemy wrestler is diving from the top-rope onto a standing John Cena. Even then, it is only on rare occasions and if Cena is at red health that he will finally catch his opponent and roll backward before finally lifting them up for his finishing move. This is certainly a new way to use the iconic move.
22 More Secret Spaces!
Extreme Championship Wrestling has a special place in the annals of wrestling history as an alternative option to the standard professional wrestling promotion and was the place that a lot of legends would cut their teeth as they perfected their craft. Some of these were Mick Foley, Stone Cold, Rob Van Dam, and Rey Mysterio, among many others, and they did this on the dank set of the ECW olden days. This featured weapons everywhere, scaffoldings for spots, and a bunch of backstage areas that were shown through videos and promotions.
Seeing as WWE 2K18 is notable for being the first game in a while to revamp the backstage brawl system, it would almost seem like an obvious choice to go ahead and make the area for the game to be used as One Night Stand 2006 was advertised as a downloadable arena for fans to recapture their ECW glory. Well, the fine folk at 2K actually made the area but it is currently inaccessible by all wrestlers but taking a close little peek in the highlight reel mode will reveal some pretty surprising details that have infuriated fans of ECW as there are actually fully textured and rendered areas that even have usable weapons but for reasons that are still unknown, 2K opted to leave the area out of the final game. What a shame.
21 WWE Toys In The Game??
It seems like every year, WWE tries to market something that they push so hard onto their fans that it is ridiculous just how much they try to sell it. An example of this is the WWE action figure toy set Crash Cage, which features a cage that hovers over a ring and was at the ire of all the kids around Christmas time last year. It was featured in multiple matches throughout the year such as when Paul Ellering at NXT: Takeover Houston and Chris Jericho (who characteristically referred to it as the Pinata) at Royal Rumble 2017 and can actually be found in the game as well. Unfortunately, however, the player cannot be placed in the cage like Jericho or Ellering but it can be assigned as part of the stage decoration in the Create-An-Arena mode and adds a really cool aesthetic to the stage. It is nice to see things like this make an appearance for the sake of continuity but here is to hoping that the Crash Cage makes a full appearance in 2018’s iteration of the game. Needless to say, it stands as an example of the depth that 2K would go to, just to get some of the most obscure objects featured in WWE programming.
20 Reunite The Cult
Catching flies… in his mouth… tasting freedom… No one has an entrance quite as mesmerizing as Bray Wyatt and no one could possibly replicate the way he has captivated the WWE Universe with his soothing voice and the hypnotic sway of his lantern in the darkness as he makes his way to the ring.
It really means a lot to fans when there are animations that replicate the camera work and presentation of the WWE.
Even though his group known as the Wyatt Family has been disbanded for a while now, 2K was nice enough to leave in a small detailed that really makes it all worth it. When picking Bray Wyatt in a match, the player can assign all three former members of his stable and see a unique cutscene during the game. The wrestlers that are assigned are Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan, and should the player who is facing Wyatt try to leave the arena, they will be greeted with this sinister cutscene where the Wyatt Family members will just stand in unison as they give their intimidating looks to the enemy. It really means a lot to fans when there are animations that replicate the camera work and presentation of the WWE.
19 Unlock The Wrestlemania 34 Stage
Want to access the special Wrestlemania 34 stage? Well, you will be sadly disappointed as it is only available in MyCareer mode and is not an exact replica of the stage but rather a generic stage with the graphics that make it look like the recent Wrestlemania that just occurred in New Orleans. Unfortunately for fans, it is as close as it is going to get when it comes to getting the stage in the game but it is definitely a neat addition for the people that like MyCareer mode. To access it, the player must play MyCareer mode all the way to the Wrestlemania pay-per-view and should get the new arena if the game is updated correctly. It is a shame that the stage is not in the main game for people to pick it when it comes to the exhibitions and MyUniverse modes but perhaps it is a sign of things to come when it relates to seeing a plethora of updates as the time goes on. To those who are upset that it is not in the main game, they should realize that we are only a few years removed from the era in which that WWE games just simply did not get updates.
18 One Man Tag-Team Champion
Have you ever dreamed of having your WWE character win the tag team championships on their own? Well with this glitch, you can make that happen with ease.
This is a unique case of a glitch being very useful to fans and not detrimental to the game developers but rather, a rare opportunity where the community finds ways to make it more enjoyable.
While it has not really happened in the history of the WWE (despite Braun Strowman’s recent protests on Monday Night Raw), the fans can make this dream a reality by simply placing their desired tag team championships on a team with a custom WWE Superstar and deleting him/her. This makes it the only real way to put the championships on one person and it is a truly unique way to have a character defend the title. Sure, you have to delete a character but that it is not too hard If you just have an extra slot and come on, we all do. The amount of stories that can be told with this kind of glitch is infinite and most fantasy bookers would salivate at this kind of in-game customization that allows for them to make matches, and this is a brand new way to make their digital promotions stand out. This is a unique case of a glitch being very useful to fans and not detrimental to the game developers but rather, a rare opportunity where the community finds ways to make it more enjoyable.
17 A (Mysterio)us Easter Egg
When it comes to masked luchadors, look no further than the iconic Rey Mysterio and his undeniably huge fan base as he goes from country to country as one of the most overwhelmingly popular WWE Superstars of all time.
Fans were not sure if it was real but in-game files have revealed this is indeed a reference to the legend from the 619.
Most people will give that kind of compliment to a lot of wrestlers but Rey Mysterio is truly one of the most universally-liked figures as he is popular with kids and wrestling smarks alike and his in-ring style translates worldwide. When he returned at Royal Rumble 2018, fans were very quick to look for their favorite masked hero in the game and were not disappointed. Despite not being featured as a character or WWE even having the rights to release a game with his likeness, the legends at 2K were nice enough to drop in a small little Easter egg that gives the fans a taste of what is to come. If the player goes into the highlight reel mode and explores around the Wrestlemania 33 stage (daytime, to see it easier) they will find a pair of fans in the crowd that are notably wearing Rey Mysterio masks. Fans were not sure if it was real but in-game files have revealed this is indeed a reference to the legend from the 619.
16 Good Ol' References
Speaking of legends, when it comes to gracing the microphone as a commentator for the WWE then look no further than the Oklahoma icon Jim Ross.
For example, if 1997 Masked Kane is making his way to the ring, the player might be lucky enough to catch a reference to Jim Ross from Michael Cole and Byron Saxton.
He is truly the most beloved commentator of all time with such classic calls like “Bah God, they [ended] him!” and “This is gonna be a real slobber knocker” are just an example of the endless comments that added to the golden age of wrestling and his voice is synonymous with the greatest moments in WWE history. That is why there is such a comforting feeling to knowing that while his commentary is absent from the classic WWE stages, he is still brought up by the commentary team from time to time on rare occasions. For example, if 1997 Masked Kane is making his way to the ring, the player might be lucky enough to catch a reference to Jim Ross from Michael Cole and Byron Saxton. As mentioned, it would appear as though this is just a reference and we are not to expect good ol’ J.R. to come back as a commentator in the game, but as always, just knowing that 2K made that reference is good to know (however, we want Jim Ross back on classic stages).
15 Brock Lesnar’s Secret Ability
The suplex is a very important part of wrestling when it comes to the business and no one really does them as well (or as dominantly) as Brock Lesnar.
This is realistically proper and in tune with the actual writing of WWE programming as he is known for brutally countering any maneuver into a massive German suplex!
The former UFC and current WWE Universal Champion is known for his monstrous suplexes and relentless offense during matches with top stars like Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, and Samoa Joe, and WWE 2K18 is no different when it comes to this aspect. Sure, he has a plethora of suplexes in his move set when it comes to the basic holds and grabs but it would appear as the developers of the game added a secret ability that has never been advertised or even mentioned. Unique counters are a very strange subsection of the game that is not mentioned when it comes to the gameplay aspect of the things of the game but Brock Lesnar can actually counter a suplex into another suplex! That is right, during certain times in games, should the enemy try a German suplex on the Beast Incarnate and should Brock Lesnar reverse during the major reversal stage, then Brock will completely get out of the hold and do a suplex of his own. This is realistically proper and in tune with the actual writing of WWE programming as he is known for brutally countering any maneuver into a massive German suplex!
14 The Finisher That Keeps Finishing
The finisher and signature system of WWE 2K18 ensures that the players that are in the game cannot be overpowered and generally rewards the player with options when they need to get ahead in a match. This means that no one can get the upper hand when it comes to the way that finishers are earned but there is a glitch on one specific move. The set-up running knee strike from the corner can be used by the character to get a finisher even if the move is countered. Currently, this is the only move that features this glitch but the power of this exploit can be quite daunting in a game as there is no way that the character can ever be done with signatures and finishers. The move just keeps giving, and while 2K has not said anything about moves with special abilities, one has to wonder just why this move is the one that features this glitch. Still, this would be a fun way to troll some of your friends when they come over for a match after school if they are not aware of the power of the move.
13 Breaking The 205 Live Limit
Cruiserweight wrestling is a staple of the professional wrestling world and WWE has not strayed away from giving some of these wrestlers a spotlight when it comes to the 205 Live crew and cast that grace the purple sets on a weekly basis. The addition of the Cruiserweight Championship in WWE 2K18 has been awesome and fans at home can have some of the other heavyweights join in on the action with a simple glitch/exploit in WWE Universe Mode in the game.
This allows for the player to get an opportunity at the championship with the wrestler of their choice.
Basically, the glitch is done by placing the Cruiserweight Champion in a feud with a person of their choice, as the game does not limit the rivalries by weight limit. This allows for the player to get an opportunity at the championship with the wrestler of their choice. While it may seem fairly minuscule in terms of how it can impact the gameplay, some wrestlers like Aleister Black and Tye Dillinger are listed at weights like 206 and 210 pounds, respectively, so this makes it easier to shift some would-be candidates. This is quite similar to how WWE is handling the Buddy Murphy situation on 205 Live and puts the hard-set rules on hold for the fans to customize their cruiserweight division.
12 Get Out Of The Ring During Battle Royales
In the WWE there are a ton of rules and as the saying goes.. rules are meant to be broken. One of the most loosely enforced rules of all time has been the exiting and entering of over-the-top-rope match types as fans will see heel and face wrestlers exit and enter the ring at their own discretion. This allows for a new layer of storytelling as it allows the wrestlers to get weapons, prepare for spots or just waste time as other wrestlers take the spotlight in the middle of the ring. That is why it is frustrating that WWE 2K18 does not feature a method to allow Superstars to get in and out of their ring as they please and instead makes a strict attempt at keeping the competitors in the ring. However, a new glitch has allowed players to be able to exit the ring and grab weapons for the match. To do this, the player will have to either use Shinsuke Nakamura or equip his apron leg drop move to a character, which will see the Superstar get out of the ring and onto the apron as he will drop his knee on the back of the draped opponent. After the move is completed, the player can now run around the ring as they please.
11 Delete Your Opponent From Existence
Ah yes, the ultimate DELETION. Anyone who has gotten a whiff of the professional wrestling scene is aware of the Broken Brilliance that is known as Matt Hardy and his “Ultimate Deletion” videos that caught like wildfire a few years ago and put the Hardy family on the map again. While this next feature is not exactly a tie-in with the Hardy Boyz it is still a complete and utter deletion of a character and this kind of glitch has never been seen before in any WWE game to date. Should the player interrupt an entrance while standing in the ring prior to a singles competition and pause the game right as the character is forced to stop the beat down, they can then restart the match. If done correctly, the player will be left alone in a ring with no one to wrestle around.
Take note, 2K!
This is just a fun glitch, but many fans have taken this glitch to make a lot of cool footage for My Universe mode and Create-A-Video. It is a truly strange sight to see only one person in the ring but most creative fans will take this opportunity to make some awesome content. Take note, 2K!
10 A Taunt That Attacks
This is definitely a strange one when it comes to the actual core mechanics of the game and while it does not drastically affect the outcome of the matches, it is still a unique addition to the game that definitely deserves a mention in terms of secrets. Normally, the taunts that are in the game will not affect the other characters and are strictly cosmetic means of getting the crowd to pop and receiving some in-game bonuses for it in terms of power-ups and some momentum gain.
Should the player pick Alexander Wolfe’s taunt, however, they will be able to actually affect their opponents and make them move backward from the attack. It does the slightest bit of damage and even if done ten times would not do the effect of a normal strike, but still, it is a neat little trick that might freak out some people that do not know about it. Seeing as he is DLC and that the entire series has never featured anything like this, most players will not even be aware of its existence. It is appropriate that it would go to one of the members of SAnitY, however, as they are the anarchistic group that is known for their alternative means of offense in NXT.
9 Secret Chants
The developers at 2K were very adamant about the attention that was given to the sound design of the game when it was being initially marketed and to a commendable degree, that is the case for the game.
There are quite a few of these, so go try and recreate some of your favorite WWE rivalries and see if the crowd gets into it like they do at actual WWE events!
Sure, there are a few moments where the crowd does not react to the actual action that is going on in the ring but they still react to the important things in the game and that is crucial to keeping the live aesthetic. Everyone knows how the crowd will chant along with the theme songs of people like Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura, but what most casual players will not know is that certain one on one matches will trigger a new set of vocals from the crowd that have not been mentioned by the developers and is unique to this installment. Should the player choose two rivals from WWE history like The Rock and Stone Cold or John Cena and Chris Jericho, then the crowd will start dueling chants where they will cheer back and forth for their favorite Superstar. There are quite a few of these, so go try and recreate some of your favorite WWE rivalries and see if the crowd gets into it like they do at actual WWE events!
8 Blake & Murphy Entrance
Blake & Murphy are notable for being a fan favorite tag team on NXT and have worked their behinds off to finally move up to the main roster after their run on the developmental brand. While they have not made the game yet, Buddy Murphy has made a name for himself as a top contender on 205 Live as of late and that makes it a bit disappointing that they were not included this year. This becomes even more confusing when it has come to light that there is an entrance animation that is meant to replicate the movements of Blake & Murphy. It just comes across as weird as the animations are listed under a generic name and one has to wonder just why they were not added to the game. Luckily, there is a number of community creations that will take the place of where 2K developers have failed. Add this with the entrance animation that 2K left in and dedicated fans can get their shot at playing as the two. Once again, it must be noted that this is not exactly a bad secret but it just leaves so much to the imagination when it comes to just why the pair was not added in.
7 Hidden Finishers
Many casual fans are probably aware that some characters have two finishers, and that they can be activated as either alternate ones or as usable finishers for different situations and positions. However, what a lot of casual fans probably do not know is the fact that the Second Finisher ability was supposed to be a little more widely used as opposed to how only a handful of Superstars having it. The evidence of this is that there are numerous Superstars that have unassigned secondary finishers. The list goes on and on with people like Bayley, Kalisto, Nikki Cross, and Big Cass, as they have a plethora of finishers that cannot be used unless the player decides to edit their abilities and skills to allow them to have a second finisher. These were probably limited due to balance reasons and attempts at trying to keep the lower-card wrestlers in their place but it is still a strange aspect of the game’s production as most of these wrestlers are known for having deep move sets. Perhaps it was a decision that was made in the final stages of the game as 2K would want to hold off on making drastic differences to the game’s maneuver mechanics but it all remains a secret to most players of this game.
6 Secret Ring Post Videos
This is definitely a unique entry on this list in which the secret is not exactly hidden, but is hidden to WWE fans that have not played the game. See, the game features some ring post videos that can be accessed and used as a customizable option in Create-An-Arena that are completely unused by the real programming of WWE.
Use this little tidbit of information to find truly unique ways to customize arenas that WWE has not taken advantage of.
This is strange as they look fairly complete and realistic like the one that is featured above that reads WWE Network. One has to wonder if these were spare videos and images that were used by 2K for the sake of inclusion for fans but it is still another obscure addition that just seems odd. Whether it is a secret video that was never used for a pay-per-view that 2K dug up or a brand new one that 2K made for the sake of adding more options to the game, we are glad it is here as a secret that only the dedicated community creators would find in their spare time. Use this little tidbit of information to find truly unique ways to customize arenas that WWE has not taken advantage of. At least not yet, as these could also serve as preambles for unused stage construction that we will see someday.