WWE’s calendar is tough to prepare for when it comes to video game content. As one of the few year-round, nonstop sports in the world, its high intensity in the ring is matched only by its high volatility outside of it. Newcomers debut, stars are born, and contracts expire, as 2K Games knows very well with its WWE 2K series.
Publishing the biggest wrestling game of the year for well over a decade, developers have found it challenging to keep up with gimmick changes, entrance tweaks, and most importantly, roster shuffles, with titles outdating themselves within the span of months post-release.
This year will be no different for their upcoming launch during WrestleMania season, so without further ado, here are four Superstars who most certainly won’t make the WWE 2K26 official roster:
1. Andrade Skips WWE 2K Roster, Again
The Mexican sensation surprisingly returned to the company during the 2024 Royal Rumble to the shock of many after a memorable run in AEW from 2021 to 2023. Andrade came back to the WWE roster to be closer to his then-partner, 14-time World Champion Charlotte Flair.
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After a divorce and a lacklustre run due to poor booking, the hard-hitting wrestler was unable to connect with the fanbase and was ultimately released on September 13th, 2025.
He returned to AEW a month later, violating his non-compete clause and almost keeping himself from in-ring competition for a year due to legal conflicts. Although this has been resolved with WWE, don’t expect El Ídolo to make his way down the ramp for the 2026 instalment, cutting his return to the franchise short after only one year.
2. Wes Lee Gone From WWE 2K26 For First Time in Five Years
The former NXT North American Champion and Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winner was a fan-favorite down in Florida’s NXT. His hard strikes and fast pace stuck with the crowd, which pushed his act from the tag team division to singles competition.
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All that changed in the summer of 2024, however, when creative decided to switch things up post-injury return, turning Wes Lee heel for the first time in his five-year tenure. This did not land well with the WWE Universe, who neither loved nor hated his switch in energy.
A little over a year later, this indifference led to MSK’s better half being released from the company on October 10th, snapping a five-year streak in the saga with WWE 2K25.
3. Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux Released From WWE 2K26 Roster
The #WeWantKross movement took over X by storm when the fan-favorite wasn’t featured on the product as much as the WWE Universe would’ve liked. Cut-throat promos, kayfabe play, and aura surrounded Karrion and his wife Scarlett for the better part of 2025, leading to a SummerSlam clash with the ultimate underdog, Sami Zayn.
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While many speculated that the match and storyline were leading to bigger and better things for the couple, both professional wrestlers got the boot on August 10th, 2025, only a week after the Premium Live Event.
Reports state negotiations fell apart after a lack of transparency got the best of both parties, leaving it unclear whether Karrion was being re-signed as a solo act or as a duo alongside his real-life partner and on-screen manager, as they had been throughout their WWE career. Inevitably, Karrion and Scarlett have gone on to tour the indie scene, making their WWE 2K26 appearance impossible.
4. Mick Foley Will Miss Fourth Roster in Over 20 Years
After taking to X to tweet about his discomfort and disagreements with WWE and its links to the current United States government, hardcore icon Mick Foley requested his release from his WWE Legends contract, which was granted on December 17th, 2025.
His gripes revolved around the hypocritical claims of respect, unity, and diversity the wrestling company promotes while being heavily involved with President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet and ICE movement, an anti-migrant militia targeting minorities unlawfully.
As a result, this will be Mick Foley's first time missing a major WWE video game release since WWE 2K15. Foley has been featured on the official roster in all other mainline titles, except for the WWE SmackDown vs. RAW editions from 2009 to 2011, a streak only Mick himself could bring to a tire-screeching halt.
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