21 matches isn’t a bad number, but surely more matches could’ve been added for 2K Showcase of the Immortals, right? You bet there is.
Due to the excitement over the upcoming WrestleMania 40, 2K Showcase of the Immortals is a mode that is a main talking point when discussing the latest installment into the series. WWE 2K24 has taken the gaming world by storm, so why shouldn’t it be? With the abundance of changes that were made, this is undoubtedly the best in the franchise and one of the best professional wrestling games of all time. That’s quite a take, but the game is that good.
It’s already known that the mode contains only 21 memorable matches. As emphasized in the review, it’s understandable why so many matches weren’t added for obvious reasons. The matches that are already in the game are memorable. However, despite the reasons, don’t you think there are still more memorable matches that they could’ve included? I certainly do. Here are Twelve more memorable matches that they should’ve added to the 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode.
Shawn Michaels Vs. Stone Cold – WrestleMania 14
No true WWE fan will ever forget the famous bout between Stone Cold and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson on January 19, 1998. This made headlines, the segment is still being talked about today and will surely do so forever. Moreover, Tyson shocked the world by joining DX afterward.
But the baddest man on the planet isn’t the only reason why this match should be in the 2K Showcase of the Immortals. Stone Cold won the 1998 Royal Rumble, making him eligible to face The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, at WrestleMania 14. There was just one stipulation; Tyson would be the match’s ‘special outside ring enforcer’
The match had some great moments, including one of the best ending sequences. Stone Cold laid the Stone-Cold Stunner on Michaels, and Tyson counted 1-2-3 after the assigned referee, Mike Chioda, was accidentally knocked unconscious, making Stone Cold the WWE Champion. After that, Michaels confronted Tyson about his surprising turn, leading to him getting knocked out by Tyson.
But it also contained some bad moments as Michaels’s seriously troubled back was a target for Stone Cold, especially in situations such as violently throwing Michaels to a turnbuckle, which further aggravated his back problems. This match became Michaels’s last, forcing him into early retirement that lasted four years. I’m certain the players would’ve had a ball with this match, going through the objectives and reliving the wild moments.
The Rock Vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania X8
It’s anyone’s guess how this didn’t make the cut for WWE 2K24’s Showcase of the Immortals mode. This was an icon-vs.-icon match; it had to be in it. Hulk Hogan had just returned to the WWE for the first time in almost a decade, but as a the leader of one of the greatest professional wrestling factions ever, NWO.
After a confrontation that led to the NWO brutally attacking The Rock, The Rock returned a couple of weeks later and issued a jaw-dropping challenge to Hogan at WrestleMania X8, to which Hogan agreed. Now, the match was an intense showdown and one for the ages, but the real shocker was that Hogan, who was the heel back then, was the one that the fans rooted for and not The Rock, who was the face.
This was a great match for the players to complete a set of objectives, defeat the Hulkster, and of course overcome the overwhelming crowd jeers in this very memorable match. Plus, this match ended in both stars shaking hands, resulting in the return of the Hulk Hogan that everyone once loved.
The Rock Vs. Stone Cold – WrestleMania XIX
The Rock has done it all in the WWE, except for one thing, that was hanging over his head. That’s to beat Stone Cold Steve Austin at the grandest stage of them all. Stone Cold was 2-0 against The Rock at WrestleMania, and the last time they met at the pay per view was incredibly ugly for The Rock, as it was the start of Austin’s heel turn due to his alliance with Vince McMahon at the match’s final moments. This was a great opportunity for 2K to allow players to relive The Rock finally achieving his goal.
Randy Orton Vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 21
This match had one of the most exciting buildups to a WrestleMania match. Orton challenged The Undertaker to a match that was viewed as ‘Legend Vs. Legend Killer’, believing he could be the man to end The Phenom’s streak. The Undertaker accepted and started playing mind games with Orton for weeks leading up to the event.
Orton was even warned by others, such as The Undertaker’s brother, Kane, about what he was truly up against. However, this didn’t stop Orton; he vowed to accomplish what no man could. Players would’ve enjoyed defending the streak against the Legend Killer. Plus, although Randy Orton lost, this match and his iconic rivalry with The Undertaker took Orton’s career to new heights, and it’s a shocker that this match wasn’t included.
John Cena Vs. John Bradshaw Layfield – WrestleMania 21
John Cena was already a rising star. However, this match kickstarted his rise to the very top, ultimately making him the face of the company. So, it’s crazy that this didn’t make this year’s 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode. After suffering a bizarre loss to Batista at the 2005 Royal Rumble, John Cena was given another shot at the title by beating Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle at No Way Out.
One of the biggest heels at that time, John Bradshaw Layfield, had held the WWE Championship for almost a year, going through the likes of The Undertaker and The Big Show. So, who else would end that reign other than the Doctor of Thuganomics, who produced an incredible performance that night?
The Miz Vs. John Cena – WrestleMania 27
To this day, this edition of WrestleMania was the only one the rising star and WWE Champion, The Miz headlined. This time period was his prime, and the world was on his shoulders. He had to put in a great performance and prove that he deserved to headline the major pay-per-view.
The match went very well up until the horrific incident. Some of you may know that The Miz suffered a concussion after landing awkwardly with his head on the concrete floor in the stands. How Miz could even continue, let alone stick to the plan, is nothing short of incredible.
Imagine controlling a character with such trauma to the head and completing its objectives. That would’ve been something. Sadly, The Rock cost Cena the title, making The Miz the winner. This event lead to the formation of another match that should’ve been in the 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode.
Triple H Vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 27 and WrestleMania 28
We can already play WrestleMania 25’s The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels match, which is often construed as one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history, but why not with Shawn’s long-time DX partner, friend, and ex rival, Triple H? Now, both WrestleMania 27 and WrestleMania 28 should be in 2K Showcase of the Immortals because both matches were phenomenal and showed both professional wrestlers at their very best.
These two matches proved why both were among the best in the business. Seeing as Shawn Michaels failed twice in trying to end the streak, Triple H thought he’d give it a crack and felt more equipped to do so. With all that said, I’m more inclined that their battle at WrestleMania 28 is the one they use if they could only put one of them in, as it was the better match and had more heart-stopping moments. There were a couple of instances where it looked like Triple H was about to finally crack the code.
Furthermore, it was a Hell in a Cell match, Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee, and it was five-star rated. How much more epicness could there be? The players would’ve loved this match, as it was one of the best matches in the history of professional wrestling, and it marked the ‘End of an Era’ for all three stars.
The Rock Vs. John Cena – WrestleMania 28
For years, WWE fans, including myself, have wondered and discussed who’d win between the two of the biggest stars in WWE history. After Cena’s devastating loss, he and The Rock agreed to face each other at the next WrestleMania, which also began the match’s almost year-long ‘Once in a Lifetime’ promo.
The dream match would finally become a reality as the two locked horns at WrestleMania 28, which was held in the hometown of The People’s Champ. He had to win to remain the hometown hero. However, Cena also had a lot to lose, and he wasn’t going down without a fight in a heart-racing match that lasted just over thirty minutes. Again, this is another match that the fans would’ve loved so much to go through.
Charlotte Flair Vs. Asuka – WrestleMania 34
Another surprising omission from WWE 2K24’s 2K Showcase of the Immortals as this was one of, if not the greatest, women’s title matches in WrestleMania history. This match was one of the contributors towards taking the Women’s Division to the level it is today, along with iconic Women professional wrestlers such as Trish Stratus and Lita.
Two incredible athletes battled it out at the 34th annual WrestleMania. Asuka won the 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble match and chose to fight the daughter of icon Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair, as she wanted to face the best Women’s Champion in the WWE. They both produced an epic match in which Flair became victorious, thus ending Asuka’s undefeated reign. The match was so great that they both hugged each other and had a hugely positive crowd reaction.
Bianca Belair Vs. Becky Lynch – WrestleMania 38
If you need another reason why the Women’s Divison of today is at its very best, look no further than these two female titans, including one of WWE 2K24’s cover stars, Bianca. This is another match often viewed among WrestleMania’s greatest women’s matches. Raw Women’s champion Lynch was squaring off against challenger Belair. These two went on to put on a classic showdown, especially a colossal performance by the latter, resulting in an almost five-star rating and making this a no-brainer for the 2K Showcase of the Immortals.
Seth Rollins Vs. Logan Paul – WrestleMania 39
This might be surprising selection for some of you, but this was one of the matches that stole the show. There were enough high-flying and oh em gee moments between Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins and internet sensation and now WWE superstar Logan Paul that warrants this selection for the 2K Showcase of the Immortals mode. This includes the much-talked-about moment that involved YouTuber and Prime drink partner KSI and an announce table.
Logan Paul usually proves the doubters wrong and has shown himself to be an incredible in-ring performer and athlete before. However, his performance in this particular match was a different level. Having received immense praise from the fans, the media and the match being rewarded as an almost five-star contest. You could replay that match over and over again, and you’d still end up with your hand covering your mouth in amazement.
Again, the 21 matches already in WWE 2K24’s 2K Showcase of the Immortals were great to relive. But it would’ve been great to have many more matches to play, and it’s a shocker that not even a few of the ones listed above were selected. Perhaps 2K could think about adding some of these with DLC content. It’ll certainly be more than 21 matches, and the fans will be much more satisfied.
