WWE 2K24 has been announced, with new features and promised improvements to the gameplay mechanics and its many wrestling modes. One of the biggest attractions for longtime fans is the 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase mode. As it did with the 30 Years of WrestleMania in WWE 14, it gives fans a chance to relive some of the greatest and most iconic moments in WWE history.
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Publisher 2K and developer Visual Concepts pull back the curtain on WWE 2K24, revealing various gameplay improvements, key game modes, and more.
Moreover, it could also mean that the roster could have a better selection of WWE Legends and more WrestleMania arenas to play in WWE 2K24. The trailer for WWE 2K24 revealed several details about the upcoming title, which includes some of the matches that will appear in WWE 2K24. This list will outline some of the WrestleMania Showcase matches spotted in the trailer and potential match-ups based on the latest teasers.
Updated February 7, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: A new trailer for WWE 2K24 has been revealed, showing off some more gameplay features, match types, and potential teasers for the upcoming 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase mode. As a result, this list has been updated with more potential matches for the WWE 2K24’s Showcase.
Hulk Hogan Versus Andre The Giant – WrestleMania 3
WWF Championship Bout Between The Two Biggest Names In Wrestling
- Confirmed Match for WWE 2K24
The Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan match was the biggest imaginable for wrestling fans. It was the equivalent of John Cena vs The Rock or The Rock vs Hulk Hogan in that it was a passing of the torch scenario. Before Hogan, Andre was literally and figuratively one of wrestling’s biggest stars and attractions.
With Andre set up as the unbeatable giant and the Hulkster the betrayed friend and protégé of the big man, WrestleMania 3 was set to be the biggest match in the history of the WWF/WWE. While it wasn’t the best match on the card – that honor goes to Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage – it was the most memorable. It was a featured match in WWE ’14, but now fans can recreate “the bodyslam heard around the world” when Hogan slammed the 500lb giant with WWE 2K24’s slingshot gameplay features.
Ricky The Dragon Steamboat Versus Macho Man Randy Savage – WrestleMania 3
One Of The Greatest WrestleMania Matches Of All Time
- Confirmed Match For WWE 2K24
Corey Graves hosted a Showcase reveal for WWE 2K24 and confirmed more matches between 1987 and 1989. One of these matches is Savage against Steamboat in WrestleMania 3. Even though the hype for WrestleMania 3 was geared toward the Hogan and Andre match, the match that stole the show was the incredible performance by the Macho Man Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat.
The famous Intercontinental title match displayed both wrestler’s talent as performers and athletes, and it had fans on the edges of their seats. The high-octane contest featured false finishes, close calls, and an incredible pace that should translate perfectly to WWE 2K24’s Showcase mode. Better still, it confirms the return of a legend with Ricky Steamboat, who rightfully belongs in the roster among the greats.
Hulk Hogan Versus Macho Man Randy Savage – WrestleMania 5
The Mega Powers Explode For The WWF Title
- Confirmed Match For WWE 2K24
Another match revealed on the Corey Graves showcase for WWE 2K24 was the WrestleMania 5 match between Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage. Fans were treated to an entertaining run with Hogan and Savage teaming up as the Mega Powers with notable matches against the Mega Bucks team featuring Andre The Giant and The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase.
Hogan and Savage were the two most popular wrestlers at the time, and the storyline built up between them with their tensions mounting from Savage’s jealous streak kept fans interested. Even though Savage was smaller than many of Hogan’s rivals, like Andre, Big Boss Man, and King Kong Bundy, Savage didn’t come away looking weak and put on a showing as one of Hogan’s most competitive-looking matches in the 1980s.
The Ultimate Warrior Versus Ravishing Rick Rude – WrestleMania 5
One Of The Warrior’s Best Intercontinental Title Matches
- Confirmed Match for WWE 2K24
The latest preview showed off some new footage from its WrestleMania Showcase mode. One of the most interesting for fans of WWE Legends was the match between the Ultimate Warrior and Ravishing Rick Rude. This also marks the long-awaited return of the late Rick Rude in the WWE game. His last appearance was WWE 2K19, and his return in WWE 2K24 will mark his eighth appearance in a WWE wrestling game.
Interestingly, players take on the role of Rude in the Showcase, adding a nice dynamic as the heel instead of the heroic Warrior. A glimpse from footage captured by Smacktalks on YouTube shows that Rude’s mannerisms have been recaptured accurately, making the transition from real-life footage to the in-game match look far smoother than its predecessors.
Steve Austin Versus Bret Hart – WrestleMania 13
The Iconic Submission Match That Put Austin On The Map
- Confirmed Match for WWE 2K24
WrestleMania 13 wasn’t filled with memorable matches, but it did feature the iconic contest between Bret The Hitman Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin in a Submission match. Despite being the villain, fans were starting to cheer for the take-no-prisoners persona of Steve Austin and slowly turning on Bret’s clean-cut good guy.
It was a believable grudge match led by two of the best at the top of their game. The match ended with a bloodied Austin refusing to submit Bret’s Sharpshooter and passing out from the pain. This cemented Austin as the unyielding badass of the WWE and transitioned Bret into his new role as one of the top heels/villains of the company. Interestingly, the trailer didn’t show Ken Shamrock as the special guest referee, but the generic ref used could be replaced later, as WWE 2K24 will feature Special Guest Referee Matches. As Shamrock is now working under a WWE Legends contract, fans are hopeful they could see the return of the former UFC champion in WWE 2K24.
Undertaker Versus Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25
Legendary Match Between Icons
- Confirmed Match for WWE 2K24
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker had two iconic matches at WrestleMania, but it was the match at WrestleMania 25 that fans view as being one of the greatest matches of all time. Two of the greatest icons with styles that fit together to create the kind of chemistry in a wrestling match that kept fans on the edges of their seats from start to finish.
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Even though The Undertaker had an undefeated streak at WrestleMania, the match wasn’t predictable. Fans will get to recreate the match-up brimming with close calls, false finishes, and feats of athleticism from both men in WWE 2K24.
Cody Rhodes Versus Roman Reigns – WrestleMania 39
Cody Returns To The WWE To Face Roman Reigns For The World Title
- Confirmed Match for WWE 2K24
The biggest wrestling story in 2023 involved Cody Rhodes returning to WWE and his intention to win the belt his father never won from Roman Reigns. It was a personal journey that fans could get behind, and those who followed Cody’s career where he reinvented himself as a star in Japan, and AEW positioned him as one of, if not the top babyface/good guy in the company – the perfect opponent for the mega heel Roman Reigns.
Most expected Cody to win, and it was another rollercoaster match between two of the best in the company. Even though Cody’s fans didn’t get the result, it elevated him further as he continued his journey to finish his story and honor his family’s legacy.
Shawn Michaels Versus Razor Ramon – WrestleMania 10
One Of The Greatest Ladder Matches Of All Time
- Potential Match for WWE 2K24 (That Is Likely)
The iconic Ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon at WrestleMania 10 didn’t appear in the reveal trailer. However, the official WWE 2K social media accounts posted the image of a ladder, tagging Shawn Michaels on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.
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The teaser likely referred to the incredible contest between two of the best Intercontinental Champions in the 1990s. The match features iconic and exciting moments like Michaels’ splash from the top of the ladder and more to be recreated in WWE 2K24’s Showcase mode.
Rhea Ripley Versus Charlotte Flair – WrestleMania 39
A Showstealing Performance From Two Of The Best At WrestleMania 39
- Confirmed Match For WWE 2K24
The terrific showing between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair was one of the best matches on both nights of WrestleMania 39. It started slowly but in the right way and developed into an exciting contest that had the fans in the palms of their hands with false finishes and finishing moves.
More importantly, it was a match that told a story in and out of the ring. Many fans consider Ripley vs Flair one of the best women’s wrestling matches in WrestleMania history, and it is hard to argue that point. It’s a deserving match to be featured in the Showcase. The reveal trailer shows Ripley winning the Smackdown championship at WrestleMania wearing the same outfit when she defeated Flair. Finally, the latest preview of WWE 2K24 confirms that the match will appear in the WrestleMania Showcase. However, the developers have updated Ripley’s makeup to look more like it did in the WrestleMania 39 match.
Bianca Belair Versus Asuka – WrestleMania 39
A Competitive Match For The Raw Women’s Championship
- Likely Confirmed Match For WWE 2K24
Another notable match featured in the WWE 2K24 trailer was Bianca Belair vs Asuka at WrestleMania 39. It shows Belair hitting Asuka with the Powerbomb and the WrestleMania 39 Hollywood logo in the background. While it wasn’t as good as the Ripley v Flair match, it was an entertaining piece of showmanship from both women.
Belair’s appearance in the WrestleMania Showcase shouldn’t be surprising, as she’s the cover star alongside Rhea Ripley on the Deluxe Edition of WWE 2K24. It was a good contrast of styles, with Belair’s strength and athleticism matching well with Asuka’s cunning and technical ability. There are plenty of power spots, and Asuka’s mist will likely play a part in the Showcase. The trailer confirms the inclusion of the Bianca versus Asuka match, showcasing the same Powerbomb and outfits both wrestlers used on the night.
Hulk Hogan Versus The Ultimate Warrior – WrestleMania 6
The Ultimate Warrior’s Most Memorable Match
- Likely Confirmed Match For WWE 2K24
The trailer shows Hulk Hogan performing his finishing move on the Ultimate Warrior. This is likely a repeat showing of their iconic main event match at WrestleMania 6. It was a match featured in the Thirty Years of WrestleMania in WWE ’14.
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With modern graphics and the game’s Slingshot mechanics, the contest dubbed The Ultimate Challenge will look better than ever. Several edge-of-the-seat spots can be recreated in the game, like the comebacks and bouts of invincibility that both wrestlers used as part of their superhero-like gimmicks.
Triple H Versus Randy Orton – WrestleMania 25
The Controversial Match Between The Game And The Legend Killer
- Potential Match For WWE 2K24
In the latest trailer, Triple H appears to be wearing his attire from WrestleMania 25, and the ringpost is an exact match for the blue WrestleMania 25 logo. It’s surprising because the match is often considered a somewhat anticlimactic and controversial conclusion to the red-hot feud between Randy Orton and Triple H (although they would continue to feud after this event).
The match’s stipulation meant the title could be lost on a disqualification and a count-out. It was an angle that made no sense in a main event match for the WWE title. Furthermore, the count-out spots slowed the pace to a crawl after the fans watched one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time between the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. The fans also felt that Randy Orton should have left as the victor, but that wasn’t the case. However, several big moments can be recreated in a Showcase match for WWE 2K24, like the sledgehammer shot with the referee getting hurt, the brawling outside the ring, and more.
Shawn Michaels Versus Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 21
A Terrific Match Between Two Of The Best Of All Time
- Potential Match For WWE 2K24
WrestleMania 21 was packed with memorable matches like Eddie Guerrero taking on Rey Mysterio, JBL against John Cena, and Triple H versus Batista. Yet, it was Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle who stole the show. It was the perfect clash of styles with Michaels’ high-flying moves and speed against the legit wrestling credentials, intensity, and technical ability of Kurt Angle.
Angle and Michaels are often held up as two of the best performers of all time with their timing, ability to sell, athleticism, and knowing how to work the crowd. The trailer shows Shawn Michael in the WrestleMania 21 outfit he wore against Kurt Angle. Considering how popular the match is, it shouldn’t come as a shock if it is included in WWE 2K24’s WrestleMania Showcase.
Hulk Hogan & Mr. T Versus Rowdy Roddy Piper & Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff – WrestleMania
The First WrestleMania Main Event Match
- Potential Match For WWE 2K24
The surprise reveal of the late legendary boxer Muhammed Ali is a fun addition to the base roster. It could also suggest that he will be used to recreate his WrestleMania moment as a special guest referee in the first WrestleMania main event match. The main event featured Hulk Hogan teaming with the A-Team’s Mr. T to take on Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff.
It makes sense to include the first WrestleMania main event, which features a lot of fun moments that can be recreated in a Showcase match. More importantly, its inclusion would see the return of Mr. T on the roster and the late Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff. Despite his WWE Legend status, Orndorff has never appeared in a mainline WWE wrestling game. He has appeared in the WWE mobile card games and is also set to appear in the upcoming WWE No Mercy successor, Ultra Pro Wrestling.
