WWE 2K23: How Showcase Mode Is an Unexpected Trip Down John Cena’s Memory Lane

John Cena is one of the WWE’s most beloved Superstars, and WWE 2K23’s Showcase mode is an endearing love letter to one of sports entertainment’s biggest stars.

WWE 2K22, Visual Concepts took players back in time to relive and recreate some of Rey Mysterio’s greatest matches as the Master of the 619 himself. This year’s event: WWE 2K23The script is flipped by placing players in the spotlight AgainstCena is in the ring with his fans, and not having them wear his iconic jeans. With 14 Historical Matches to choose from, players will challenge Cena and many of his career-defining moments on some of the WWE’s biggest stages. Before the match, 2K23’s launch, members of the Visual Concepts team answered a few questions about the mode and what it was like taking this trip down memory lane.

Q: John Cena’s accomplished a lot during his WWE career. His legacy is an outstanding focal point. WWE 2K23’s Showcase mode?

John Cena has become the icon of an era. He is a historic figure, an easy member of WWE’s Mount Rushmore. He has been a part of almost every aspect of WWE’s roster, from his 2002 debut to today.

In his career, he’s competed against—and defeated—an absolute gauntlet of certified legends, and has earned the love and respect of his peers in the process.

It is well documented that John has achieved many great things. We liked being able to take an essential part of John—”Never Give Up”—and to show how it’s not just something he says to everybody else, but that it’s something he uses daily himself.

Looking at John’s career in this manner also allows us to look back at 20 years of WWE history, including some of the biggest stars of the time. Showcase is where WWE’s Legends clash once more, and John Cena is the ultimate modern-day legend.

Q: How did the decision be made to have Cena and players compete in the ring against each other, instead of having them play as him?

Two things led me to this approach. First, it became clear that the experience of playing with the same WWE Superstar over 10-15 matches for no matter who was involved felt repetitive. We had started to think of ways that we could have a wider roster so players would be able to choose from.

Then, with this being the second Showcase that’s had John as a focus, I wanted to cover his career in a different manner than past Showcases, too. Brainstorming ideas, we really liked playing into his “Never Give Up” mentality, and decided that by showing his losses, we could really emphasize that whole concept, certainly with more gravity compared to showing him winning these matches.

So, it became a question of “Do players play as Cena and just lose every match?” Even if it’s through a cutscene loss, that just seemed like too much. “Well, what if we just make it so they control Cena’s opponents? You have to beat John Cena every time, he’s like a recurring boss battle!” Then that led to “You Can’t Beat Me” and that’s when it all came together for us.

Q: There were so many matches available, how could the team choose which match to include?

Once we’d decided on the “You Can’t Beat Me” idea, where the player would control Cena’s various opponents, we had a smaller pool of matches from which to choose. So, we looked through the various WWE Superstars that have defeated John Cena, and tried to choose who between them warranted a spot –the idea being that these are the very best among the group of people to own a win over John.

While some people may have more wins than Cena’s, others might only have one. You’ll see Edge and Randy Orton, two of Cena’s biggest rivals throughout his career, as well as Rob Van Dam, whose victory at ECW One Night Stand in 2006 remains one of the most memorable matches in the career of either man.

We hope that each match has historical value, is a legendary rivalry or will bring you back to an old classic.

Q: Are players going to experience the same generation-specific visuals and filters that they were used in? 2K22?

We always try to make the game presentation look as classic as possible. This can be through the use of filters, as well as different uses of our lighting system to get the “old school” matches feeling right!

Q: Can players get anything extra for defeating Cena

Showcase Mode players can look forward to unlockable rewards! There are two kinds of rewards, similar to WWE 2K22:

You can earn Match Rewards by winning matches, regardless of whether or not you have completed all the objectives. These can be used to unlock the next match, Championship Belts or Arenas.

You can earn Objective Rewards by meeting all the requirements of the match. They are usually reserved for Superstar models or attires.

Q: Can there be a different match strategy?

The in-match goals and Showcase are likely to alter the match strategy. A player might be known for using a lot combos and running attacks. Showcase instead asks you to try things you may not do all the time – specific grapples, submissions, causing amounts of damage. You can win your match with no objectives. However, you will lose the greater rewards. To truly “beat” Showcase, players have to be capable of completing the objectives while also fending off an opponent looking to win at all times.

On top of that, players will now be using a new Superstar in nearly every match, meaning the ability to memorize certain moves aren’t there. One minute you’re Kurt Angle, and the next you’re Batista, and then you’re Triple H. We try to cater the objectives to best mesh with the Superstar’s approach (as well as matching up to historical beats), so someone like RVD will probably see you attempting dives and extreme offense, while a Randy Orton is going to be more methodical with his grapples.

Throughout his career, Cena has frequently reminded and inspired fans to never give up, and that’ll be more important than ever if you hope to defeat him in WWE 2K23. You can finally relive some of Cena’s biggest battles and challenge the 16-time world champion on March 17. To get three-day early entry and special rewards, pre-order the Deluxe Edition now!

WWE 2K23 Icon Edition

☆☆☆☆☆
13

★★★★★

$119.99

The WWE 2K23 Icon Edition, with cover art created by WWE artist-in-residence Rob Schamberger, gives you all of the bonus content from the Deluxe Edition PLUS throwback versions of some of WWE’s biggest Superstars from the Ruthless Aggression era!

The Icon Edition* includes:

• Pre-Order Bonus Pack
• Ruthless Aggression Pack: Includes throwback versions of John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, and Brock Lesnar, along with the WrestleMania 22 arena and the John Cena Legacy Championship
• Season Pass: Includes all 5 post-launch DLC character packs, the MyRISE Mega-Boost pack, with 200 additional Attribute Points, and the Supercharger pack which unlocks all base-game WWE Legends and throwback arenas. At a later time, the release dates for DLC will be disclosed.
• Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack: Includes a John Cena EVO card, Emerald-tier Bianca Belair, and Gold-tier Asuka and Edge cards, plus 3 Basic Day 1 MyFACTION card packs
• Icon Edition Bonus Pack: Includes a Paul Heyman Emerald tier Manager MyFACTION Card and 3 Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION Packs.
• 3-Day Early Access

*Icon Edition not available in Belgium.

WWE 2K23 Deluxe Edition

☆☆☆☆☆
6

★★★★★

$99.99

The value of WWE 2K23 is Even Stronger with the Deluxe Edition*!

This Deluxe Edition comes with:

• Pre-Order Bonus Pack
• Season Pass: Includes all 5 post-launch DLC character packs, the MyRISE Mega-Boost pack, with 200 additional Attribute Points, and the Supercharger pack which unlocks all base-game WWE Legends and throwback arenas. At a later time, the release dates for DLC will be disclosed.
• Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack: Includes a John Cena EVO card, Emerald-tier Bianca Belair, and Gold-tier Asuka and Edge cards, plus 3 Basic Day 1 MyFACTION card packs
• 3-Day Early Access

*Deluxe Edition not available in Belgium.

WWE 2K23 is available for Xbox Series X|S

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215

★★★★★

The ultimate WWE Experience with expanded features, stunning graphics and more. Enjoy a wide range of WWE Superstars & Legends in the Ring, including Roman Reigns (American Nightmare) Cody Rhodes; Ronda Rousey; Brock Lesnar; “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and many more.

2K SHOWCASE – INTERACTIVE DOCUMENTARY SPORTS
Play through the key moments and toughest opponents of John Cena’s storied 20-year WWE career. And in a franchise-first, take on the role of each marquee opponent – some of WWE’s greatest of all time – as you aim to take down Mr. You can be proud of your loyalty, hustle, and respect.

IT’S WARGAMES
WWE 2K23 will feature the fan-favorite WarGames, which delivers action-packed 3v3 and 4-player multiplayer melees in two rings that surround a double steel cage.

YOUR SHOW. YOUR CHOICES
MyGM lets you take over a weekly TV show, and then compete with other general managers to be the brand’s best. You now have more GMs options to choose from and can also watch multiple seasons. There is even more match card variety.

ALL CARDS ARE YOURS
To build your ultimate alliance and take on the WWE Legends, collect cards and upgrade them in MyFACTION. Now with online multiplayer

DEFINE YOUR FUTURE WITH MyRISE
Walk through the curtains for your WWE debut and shape your career as a WWE Superstar with the decisions you make along the way through distinct storylines – The Lock and The Legacy.

YOU ARE ALL PART OF THE UNIVERSE
WWE Universe Mode allows you to take control of WWE from Superstar rosters, feuds and champions to weekly shows and much more.