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Becky Lynch
Criminally under-utilised during her three years on the main roster, WWE has finally given Limerick girl Lynch impetus with a heel turn over Charlotte Flair. As a big gamer, she’ll be delighted with another 2K series appearance. “I had a Sega [Mega Drive], Commodore 64, Game Boy. I love Pac-man, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter. Ryu is my favourite-ever character – I’d love to leapfrog the Hadouken,” Lynch told GR in 2016.
Beth Phoenix
As I've mentioned elsewhere, it's considered a series tradition that DLC one year makes it onto the disc 12 months later – but surprisingly, 2K19 sees its publisher break with tradition in the case of Rob Van Dam. RVD is sadly, and annoyingly, frog-splashed into oblivion. All other downloadable names from last year return, spearheaded by four-time champion Phoenix.
Bianca Belair
When writing about Street Profits' inclusion I mentioned 2K's knack for a happy roster surprise or two – and Belair is another who fits into that category. She was an elite track and field athlete at the University of Tennessee before signing with WWE in 2016, and 2K19 isn't her only link to the Street Profits: she's married to Montez Ford.
Big Boss Man
Boss Man returns, along with '90s wrestling's best theme tune. "If you ever take a trip down to Cobb County, Georgia, you better read the signs, respect the law and order." Or? "You'll be serving hard times." Just to be safe, I'll never publicly criticise the Falcons' Super Bowl LI meltdown again.
Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
Most stables in WWE pass their shelf life somewhere around the 18-month mark, but The New Day continue to entertain outside of the ring, and excel inside it, deep into their fourth year together. Consider us spoilt, but our only wish this year is for solo entrances for Big E and Kofi with their classic themes. “SOS, I hear them shouting…”
Big Show
Paul Wight appears to be nearing the end of a WWE career which has encompassed four world titles – five if you include ECW – and eight stints bearing tag-team gold. Injuries rendered him out of action for more than a year after wrestling Braun Strowman in September 2017, but it's a feud of monsters you can reignite virtually via WWE 2K19.
Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
These Aussie ladies made the BBC News recently after comments made by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer towards Royce's appearance were seen by some to constitute body shaming. Entirely by accident, the controversy turned both into household names – don't be shocked if it leads to a Smackdown Women's Championship run for Royce in 2019.
Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel
The Miz's former cohorts were rewarded for years of looking up at the lights in opening bouts with a Raw Tag-Team title reign, which was finally curtailed by Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler in September. '80s fans will recognise both of the pair's dads: Axel is the son of 'Mr Perfect' Curt Hennig, while Mike 'IRS' Rotunda fathered both Dallas and Bray Wyatt. Really!
Bobby Roode
The 'Glorious' one debuted in WWE 2K18 while still NXT Champion, but his entrance immediately became outmoded upon an August promotion to the Smackdown roster. Nonetheless the best theme in wrestling remains, and he's set for another big year in both real and digital ring – though a heel turn would make his character even more compelling.
Booker T
GR's unconditional love for Big Boss Man's theme tune has already been covered, but if it had a mistress – er, assuming one could marry a piece of music in the first place – it'd be Booker's 'da-da-da-da-dum-daaa-da' intro tune. That's in the game; sadly onscreen, and real-life, wife Sharmell is not.
