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Rick Rude
As mentioned previously there's been something of a roster cull among legends between 2K18 and 2K19 – but Rude holds firm, enabling you to recreate one version of DX alongside Shawn Michaels and Triple H. No X-Pac, Road Dogg or Billy Gunn, however, limiting your options with regards to the stable's later years.
Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson
Collectively known as the Rock 'N Roll Express, Morton and Gibson are two of 12 DLC wrestlers from WWE 2K18 who get upgraded to the on-disc roster this year. Joining them are Kurt Angle, Batista, Beth Phoenix, Hardy Boyz, Elias, Aleister Black, Lars Sullivan, Drew McIntyre, and Ruby Riot.
Ricky Steamboat
Macho Man's illustrious WrestleMania 3 opponent earns another 2K outing, likely with attires from both his WCW heyday and later WWF run as 'The Dragon'. We'd also love to see a silver-flecked Steamboat avatar, representing his unexpected 2009 feud with Chris Jericho. That run showed he could still go inside the squared circle – until injury struck, finally closing out an incredible career.
Rikishi
The 'keesh is one of many older stars with a familial connection to another person on the contemporary 2K19 roster. Mr Perfect is father to Curtis Axel, Jim Neidhart dad to Natalya, and Ric Flair pops to Charlotte. As for Rikishi, his offspring are Smackdown tag twins The Usos – real life names Jonathan (Jimmy) and Joshua (Jey) Fatu.
The Rock
At this point Dwayne Johnson has surely surpassed Hulk Hogan as WWE's most famous alumni ever – but he's repeatedly emphasised that he'll always consider the fed his "home", in the process ensuring a lifetime spot on the videogame roster. With an in-ring return unlikely, it's the only way you'll see him face off against newer WWE stars such as Braun Strowman and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Roddy Piper
Despite being one the biggest stars of the '80s, 'Rowdy' Roddy's videogame appearances over the intervening years have been surprisingly scarce. His last inclusion came as DLC for WWE 2K16, and he's again a downloadable character this time out, as part of the Ric Flair Wooooo! Edition. Piper, who passed away in 2015, has returned to prominence this year as the inspiration for Ronda Rousey's ring gear.
Roman Reigns
The former leader of The Shield has desperately needed a heel turn for months, particularly after another high-profile loss to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania; yet WWE stubbornly refuses to make the common-sense move. Handy, then, then 2K19 puts the booking power in your hands rather than Vince McMahon’s.
Ronda Rousey
UFC’s biggest ever female star took her WWE bow at WrestleMania 34, and instantly became 2K19’s biggest draw, going on to become Raw Women's Champion at Summerslam. You know what that means, going by the precedent of 2K17 (Goldberg) and 2K18 (Kurt Angle): Pre-order DLC. Rousey, along with Rey Mysterio, is the pre-order bonus for this year's game.
Samoa Joe
At time of writing main roster gold still evades the former TNA and NXT champ, although a combative defeat against long-time nemesis AJ Styles at Summerslam showed what he could do if given a decent run on top of Smackdown. Should Daniel Bryan recapture the big one in 2019, expect Joe to be his first challenger – and if he doesn't, make it happen in the videogame anyway.
Seth Rollins
There's no videogame cover for WWE 2K18 frontman Rollins, but regardless he's had a sublime year – snaring the Intercontinental Championship in a spectacular triple-threat at WrestleMania, and putting in performances that've made long-dormant rival Dolph Ziggler relevant again. If there’s any justice his next move will be a Universal title win over Shield comrade Roman Reigns.
