WWE 2K returns to an annual release schedule this year via WWE 2K23. After taking more than two years off to develop WWE 2K22, the studio is once again ready to launch a new game annually. 2K23 is just one month away, and the full list of matches that will be a part of its John Cena showcase has been revealed.
It had already been revealed that 2K23's showcase will be a little different from the ones that have come before it. While Cena will be its star, players will be tasked with going against The Franchise Player rather than stepping into his shoes and reliving his career. It might feel like Cena never loses, but he has been defeated in some historic and significant matches, 14 of which have been chosen for 2K's next showcase.
The full list of matches included in the showcase can be found at The SmackDown Hotel. Naturally, the showcase will begin with Cena's debut match against Kurt Angle. An iconic match WWE fans have likely seen the preamble to a thousand times. Cena answers Angle's open challenge and informs the Olympic gold medalist he has ruthless aggression while slapping him across the face.
Also making the cut is Cena's match against Rob Van Dam at ECW One Night Stand. A match in which the WWE Title was on the line, and the returning ECW fans in attendance threatened to riot if RVD lost. It'll be interesting to see what happens in that one in WWE 2K23 as players will control RVD. Might be worth testing the water to see if the virtual fans really do try to start a riot if Cena wins.
While notable losses to AJ Styles and The Undertaker are also on the list, one big match missing from the rundown is the main event of Money in the Bank 2011. The time Cena lost to CM Punk who then left WWE with the championship. Since Punk isn't currently signed to WWE, he isn't in 2K23 and therefore what might well be the biggest match of his, and maybe even Cena's, career can't be included, leaving a glaring omission in a showcase mode based on Cena's biggest losses.