Details on WWE 2K26 Showcase Mode featuring CM Punk
The new Ringside report video for WWE 2K26 is officially out and has revealed several new details on CM Punk’s showcase mode.
WWE 2K26 showcase mode is based on this year’s cover star, Punk. It will focus on his WWE tenure, past matches, and a few dream matches. While Paul Heyman narrated last year’s Bloodline Showcase, Punk will do the honor for his showcase mode this year.
The new promotional trailer and Ringside report videos share a detailed look at gameplay, confirm a few matches, and introduce a brand-new mode. Here are some of the matches confirmed via the announcements (in no particular order):
- CM Punk vs. JBL (SummerSlam 2008)
- CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (Armageddon 2008)
- CM Punk vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania 27)
- CM Punk vs. John Cena (RAW, Feb. 25, 2013)
- CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2013)
- CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Bad Blood 2024)
- CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (WWE RAW Netflix debut)
- CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania 41)
Punk noted that the showcase will begin with his first-ever WrestleMania main event match, the WrestleMania 41 triple threat amongst him, Rollins, and Reigns.
Three other ‘What if’ dream matches were also announced for the mode. These matches never took place in reality, unlike the above bouts, and are Punk’s dream matches or bouts that could’ve taken place if he had not walked out of WWE in 2014.
- CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero (Dream match)
- CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (Dream match)
- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. The Miz & Maryse (Dream match)
The previous editions of the showcase mode included several more matches, and it is expected that Punk’s showcase will not just be limited to these few bouts. More matches are expected to be announced as the game release gets near.
CM Punk announces brand new WWE 2K26 gameplay mode
In the same Ringside Report video, Punk announced the launch of the brand new WWE 2K26 ‘Gauntlet mode.’
This mode is targeted toward players interested in unlocking all the rewards without grinding through the lengthy showcase matches. Players can choose to play the 20-man gauntlet mode, where they need to successfully defeat 20 consecutive competitors.
Once done, the players unlock massive rewards and a huge collection of content and unlockables from the showcase journey. This mode can be played by selecting either Punk or AJ Lee.
WWE 2K26 will release on March 13, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Shounak Chakrabarti is an experienced sports journalist with a lifelong passion for athletics and storytelling. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Journalism from the University of Leeds and joined F4WOnline in 2025.
Shounak takes particular interest in soccer, closely following top clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal. Beyond sports, he enjoys fiction writing, photography, gaming, and cinema.