Shane McMahon & Stephanie McMahon & Mr McMahon
All three McMahons have featured on WWE TV over the last year: Shane as commissioner of Smackdown, Stephanie in a similar role on Raw, and Vince as an occasional authority figure – he is, after all, the real life owner of all things WWE. It's daughter Steph (along with husband Triple H) who'll one day inherit the company from the man also known as VKM.
Shayna Baszler
While Rondy Rousey’s debut understandably garnered column inches and internet headlines, a former UFC cohort has also had a notable year in WWE. Baszler looked utterly dominant during an extended spell as NXT Women’s Champion – surely cementing herself as a future tag partner for Rousey once a main-roster call-up materialises.
Shelton Benjamin
The one-time Money In The Bank match supremo returned to WWE in 2017, although we’re yet to see him excel as a single after immediately being teamed with Chad Gable. Regardless Benjamin returns to the series in 2K19 – and will likely play a key role in its promotion, as Guinness World Record holder for WWE ‘Superstar Challenge’ victories.
Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE's highly regarded Japanese import earned one of the biggest honours in wrestling by triumphing at the 30-man Royal Rumble – making his failure to claim the world championship from AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34 all the more shocking. His reinvention as a heel has been fun, however, and he'll be accompanied by new theme music in WWE 2K19.
Steve Austin
Austin has had a quiet year where WWE appearances are concerned, and was barely mentioned at WrestleMania – which is actually a healthy thing as it shows the company is more focussed on looking to the future rather than the past. Even so, he’ll be a fixture in its video games for many years to come.
Sting
WCW legend Sting – who tagged with the Ultimate Warrior as Power Team USA before the pair made it big – had never set foot in a WWE ring when he was announced as the pre-order bonus for 2K15. That proved a door-opener, and he competed against Triple H, Big Show and Seth Rollins for the 'E before retiring through injury.
Sycho Sid
DLC for WWE 2K17, Sid unleashed himself upon the main roster 12 months later, and holds onto his spot while legends such as Rob Van Dam and Mick Foley are dumped. Those looking for an unconventional Universe mode twist may wish to team him with The Undertaker: the pair were known as the Skyscrapers in WCW before 'taker scarpered for the then-WWF in 1990.
Tamina
Absent through injury since January's Royal Rumble, Tamina's future in real WWE looks a touch bleak, with Smackdown's heel side now encompassing NXT graduates Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. Still, she's back for at least one more year in videogame form.
Tatanka
With the removal of guys such as the Bushwhackers and von Erichs, those who run a legends show in Universe are lacking in opening-bout good guys – suddenly making Tatanka hotter property than he's been in two decades. Only in a videogame sense, though; the real Chris Chavis hasn't wrestled since March 2017.
Ted DiBiase
Five years after his last playable appearance – Ted's been limited to NPC managerial duties since – Million Dollar Man is allowed back inside a 2K19 ring. That's a big deal, but it's tempered by the fact that he's the only 'new' legend on the base roster. (Roddy Piper doesn't count as he's part of the Ric Flair special edition.) Disappointing like a Virgil title run, that.
