Join Paul Heyman for an in-depth look at WWE 2K25’s The Bloodline

WWE 2K25 will allow players to “Relive, change, and create the history of The Bloodline” in the game’s Showcase mode.

Acknowledge him

And now for something completely different. Okay, well maybe not completely different, but the Showcase mode in this year’s WWE title from 2K Games and Visual Concepts is indeed something that we haven’t really seen before in the series.

Instead of just featuring a series of matches that center on one WWE Superstar, The Bloodline Dynasty I’ll work as a kind of “interactive documentary” about the faction. Actually, even better, it’s more about the Anoa’i family in general, with Rikishi, Yokozuna, and others all factoring in.

And while you’ll be able to play out some of these matches as they took place, you’ll also be tasked with either changing what happened, or making something altogether new in others. So if you’d like to see ‘Kishi Banzai Drop onto Stone Cold, this one’s for you. While we’re talking about changes too, one other kind of major thing is different this Showcase as well, and it’s the cinematics.

In a surprise move, developer Visual Concepts says that it’s taken fan requests to heart, and has done away with live action. So when you’re playing through the mode’s bouts, you’ll see in-game animations telling the story instead of awkward back and forth from actual video.

Players are invited to Relive History through iconic moments including Yokozuna vs. Hulk Hogan at King of the Ring ‘93, and Rocky Maivia vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley at RAW in ‘97. Heyman continues by introducing a twist: Players will have the chance to Change History and bring more glory to The Bloodline, avenging key losses such as Rikishi vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at No Mercy 2000, and the fateful Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins title match at Royal Rumble 2022. The trailer concludes by offering a glimpse at dream matches introduced in this year’s 2K Showcase, giving players the opportunity to Create History and experience some of the greatest fantasy matches that never were.

Returning for WWE 2K25 in response to community demand, all Showcase cutscenes now feature in-game cinematics footage, rather than historical live-action footage.

2K Games press release

History making

That’s the summary of what you’ll be engaging with in WWE 2K25‘s Showcase, but 2K has also revealed the full card for two of its modes, and part of the third. As mentioned, there are three categories, with “Relive History”, “Change History”, and “Create History”, and all three are loaded with superstars of yesterday and today.

• Relive History:
  • Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Hulk Hogan – King of the Ring ‘93;
  • Rocky Maivia vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley – RAW February 13, 1997;
  • Nia Jax vs. Lyra Valkyria – Queen of the Ring ‘24;
  • The Usos vs. The New Day w/ Big E – Hell in a Cell ‘17;
  • Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams – NXT September 13, 2022.
• Change History:
  • The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu) vs. The Steiner Bros – WrestleMania IX;
  • Rikishi vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – No Mercy 2000;
  • Umaga w/ Armando Estrada vs. John Cena – New Year’s Revolution 2007;
  • Tamina vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch – Money in the Bank ‘17;
  • Naomi vs. Bayley – Super ShowDown ‘20;
  • Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins – Royal Rumble ‘22.
• Create History:
  • “High Chief” Peter Miavia vs. George “The Animal” Steele;
  • The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) vs. The Dudley Boyz;
  • The OG Bloodline vs. New Bloodline in WarGames;
  • The Islanders (Haku and Tama) vs. The Street Profits;
  • And more!

2K Games press release

Ready to brawl? WWE 2K25 is set to launch on March 14th, for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Just remember that the new mode called The Island will be exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S editions of the game.

Actually, you might also want to remember that the premium Deadman Edition and Bloodline Edition will both get you playing a week early, on March 7th. So choose your version accordingly.