WWE 2K26 just added a name fans probably were not expecting.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has been added to the game as a playable character, giving fans the chance to use him inside the ring. Zelnick even comes with his own entrance, making his addition feel more like a full character release than a random extra.
His entrance also includes Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” which is exclusive to him in the game. That means players cannot use the song for other WWE Superstars.
Zelnick also comes in with a 77 overall rating. That number is already getting attention because it puts him above several actual wrestlers in the game, including Johnny Gargano, Retro CM Punk, 1997 Eddie Guerrero, Syxx, and others.
The timing is also interesting, as Zelnick was added to WWE 2K26 just hours after speaking with IGN about the game’s success and the future of the franchise.
During the interview, Zelnick said Take-Two and Visual Concepts still see room to make the WWE 2K series better. He made it clear that the company is not satisfied with simply having success and wants to keep improving the product.
“I do think there’s ongoing opportunities to improve the quality of the game. I do think that we can give consumers more of what they want, and I know our team at Visual Concepts always wants to do better. We’re never in the business of patting ourselves on the back. We believe that arrogance is the enemy of continued success, and I think that title could be double or triple the size that it is as long as we delight consumers, and as long as we give them something new and not expected that’s consistent with the brand that they love. That’s our job.”
Zelnick’s addition is definitely one of the stranger surprises in WWE 2K26. While celebrity and special character additions are nothing new for WWE games, putting the Take-Two CEO in the ring with his own entrance and exclusive music is sure to get people talking.
Now fans can decide for themselves whether they want to book Strauss Zelnick against WWE’s biggest names or simply see how far a 77-rated CEO can go inside the squared circle.
What do you think about Strauss Zelnick being added as a playable character in WWE 2K26? Is this a fun surprise, or should that spot have gone to another wrestler? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
