The landscape of professional wrestling gaming reached a significant milestone with the release of the WWE 2K24 roster, featuring a selection of over 200 playable characters that span across different eras, brands, and legendary statuses. This iteration of the franchise provides one of the most comprehensive libraries of talent ever assembled in a digital squared circle. From current champions on the flagship programs to the icons who defined the industry decades ago, the character selection caters to every type of wrestling fan.

Character variety in the roster is not just a matter of numbers; it affects every gameplay mode, from the strategic depth of MyGM to the storytelling in MyRise. The inclusion of current stars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT ensures that the game remains synchronized with modern programming, while the expansive Legends and Alumni section allows for dream matches that cross generational boundaries. Below is a detailed breakdown of the complete roster, organized by their respective brands and categories as they appear in the final, fully updated version of the game.

the raw roster: red brand heavy hitters

The Raw brand in the game features a dense collection of talent that forms the backbone of the Monday night experience. This group includes established main-eventers and rising stars who have defined the program's direction. The roster is balanced across heavyweight, cruiserweight, and women's divisions, providing versatility for Universe mode booking.

  • Akira Tozawa (68)
  • Alexa Bliss (83)
  • Becky Lynch (94)
  • Bianca Belair (95)
  • Big E (78)
  • Braun Strowman (82)
  • Bronson Reed (84)
  • Candice LeRae (67)
  • Carmella (74)
  • Cedric Alexander (69)
  • Chad Gable (80)
  • Chelsea Green (75)
  • Cody Rhodes (93)
  • Damian Priest (86)
  • Dexter Lumis (66)
  • Dominik Mysterio (83)
  • Drew McIntyre (89)
  • Erik (78)
  • Finn Balor (87)
  • Giovanni Vinci (72)
  • Gunther (90)
  • Indi Hartwell (63)
  • Ivar (79)
  • JD McDonagh (71)
  • Jey Uso (90)
  • Johnny Gargano (74)
  • Kofi Kingston (80)
  • Liv Morgan (85)
  • Ludwig Kaiser (73)
  • Maxxine Dupri (64)
  • Natalya (81)
  • Nikki Cross (62)
  • Otis (74)
  • Piper Niven (79)
  • Raquel Rodriguez (86)
  • Rhea Ripley (96)
  • Ricochet (81)
  • R-Truth (67)
  • Sami Zayn (87)
  • Seth "Freakin" Rollins (93)
  • Shayna Baszler (82)
  • Shinsuke Nakamura (84)
  • Sonya Deville (74)
  • Tegan Nox (77)
  • The Miz (81)
  • Tommaso Ciampa (76)
  • Valhalla (63)
  • Xavier Woods (78)
  • Zoey Stark (78)

This selection highlights the tactical diversity available on the Raw brand. High-rated superstars like Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch anchor the women's division, while the Intercontinental Championship legacy is well-represented by characters like Gunther. The inclusion of tag team specialists allows for complex division management in seasonal modes.

the smackdown roster: blue brand elite

SmackDown's roster in the game reflects its status as the home of some of the most prominent figures in current professional wrestling history. This list is characterized by a mix of veteran presence and high-octane athletic performers. Many of these characters are essential for recreating the high-stakes rivalries seen on Friday nights.

  • AJ Styles (85)
  • Alba Fyre (74)
  • Angelo Dawkins (74)
  • Ashante "Thee" Adonis (62)
  • Asuka (90)
  • Austin Theory (72)
  • Bayley (85)
  • Bobby Lashley (89)
  • Butch (75)
  • Cameron Grimes (73)
  • Charlotte Flair (92)
  • Cruz Del Toro (69)
  • Dakota Kai (78)
  • Elton Prince (76)
  • Grayson Waller (74)
  • Isla Dawn (74)
  • IYO SKY (88)
  • Jimmy Uso (84)
  • Joaquin Wilde (68)
  • Karl Anderson (72)
  • Karrion Kross (75)
  • Katana Chance (74)
  • Kayden Carter (74)
  • Kevin Owens (86)
  • Kit Wilson (76)
  • LA Knight (88)
  • Logan Paul (90)
  • Luke Gallows (73)
  • Michin (Mia Yim) (68)
  • Montez Ford (76)
  • MVP (68)
  • Omos (76)
  • Randy Orton (91)
  • Rey Mysterio (88)
  • Ridge Holland (76)
  • Robert Roode (67)
  • Roman Reigns (97)
  • Santos Escobar (78)
  • Scarlett (69)
  • Sheamus (86)
  • Shotzi (76)
  • Solo Sikoa (86)
  • Tamina (67)
  • Xia Li (73)
  • Zelina Vega (74)

Roman Reigns occupies the highest rating in the game at 97, serving as a primary antagonist or champion for most players' digital universes. The SmackDown roster also emphasizes international flair with superstars like IYO SKY and Rey Mysterio, whose move-sets are specifically animated to reflect their unique wrestling styles.

the nxt roster: tomorrow's superstars today

The developmental brand's inclusion provides a fresh set of move-sets and characters who are often making their series debut or returning with updated personas. This section is vital for players who enjoy building a career from the ground up in MyRise or managing the future of the company in MyGM.

  • Andre Chase (73)
  • Angel Garza (67)
  • Apollo Crews (71)
  • Axiom (73)
  • Baron Corbin (76)
  • Blair Davenport (74)
  • Bron Breakker (80)
  • Brooks Jensen (67)
  • Brutus Creed (78)
  • Carmelo Hayes (81)
  • Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo (69)
  • Cora Jade (74)
  • Damon Kemp (68)
  • Dijak (77)
  • Drew Gulak (70)
  • Duke Hudson (71)
  • Fallon Henley (66)
  • Gigi Dolin (74)
  • Humberto (65)
  • Ilja Dragunov (81)
  • Ivy Nile (73)
  • Jacy Jayne (73)
  • Jinder Mahal (74)
  • Joe Coffey (76)
  • Joe Gacy (73)
  • Josh Briggs (69)
  • Julius Creed (79)
  • Mark Coffey (74)
  • Nathan Frazer (75)
  • Nikkita Lyons (73)
  • Noam Dar (76)
  • Roxanne Perez (78)
  • Sanga (71)
  • Scrypts (61)
  • Thea Hail (72)
  • Tiffany Stratton (79)
  • Tony D'Angelo (75)
  • Trick Williams (78)
  • Tyler Bate (76)
  • Veer Mahaan (75)
  • Wendy Choo (72)
  • Wes Lee (76)
  • Wolfgang (73)

Superstars like Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes offer distinct gameplay experiences based on technical precision and high-flying ability, respectively. This brand is a critical component for players wanting to simulate a full promotion experience with three distinct shows.

legends and alumni: the legacy of professional wrestling

One of the defining features of this year's roster is the massive selection of legends. This category is particularly expansive to celebrate the 40-year history of WrestleMania. It includes characters from the early 80s to icons who recently transitioned into the hall of fame.

  • Andre the Giant (91)
  • Bad Bunny (78)
  • Batista (89)
  • Beth Phoenix (87)
  • Big Boss Man (79)
  • Boogeyman (74)
  • Booker T (85)
  • Bray Wyatt (90)
  • Bret "Hitman" Hart (93)
  • British Bulldog (85)
  • Bruno Sammartino (91)
  • Cactus Jack (82)
  • Chyna (88)
  • Diesel (87)
  • Doink the Clown (Rate varies)
  • Dude Love (81)
  • Dusty Rhodes (91)
  • Eddie Guerrero (90)
  • Eric Bischoff (58)
  • George "The Animal" Steele (Rate varies)
  • Hulk Hogan (94)
  • Hollywood Hogan (92)
  • Jake "The Snake" Roberts (85)
  • JBL (89)
  • Jerry "The King" Lawler (86)
  • Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart (80)
  • John Cena (94)
  • Kane (79)
  • Ken Shamrock (86)
  • Kevin Nash (88)
  • Kurt Angle (89)
  • Lita (86)
  • Mankind (86)
  • Muhammad Ali (91)
  • Randy Savage (89)
  • Razor Ramon (87)
  • Rick Steiner (83)
  • Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Rate varies)
  • Rikishi (79)
  • Rob Van Dam (90)
  • Ronda Rousey (91)
  • Scott Hall (87)
  • Scott Steiner (83)
  • Shane McMahon (79)
  • Shawn Michaels (93)
  • Stacy Keibler (75)
  • Stephanie McMahon (75)
  • Steve Austin (96)
  • Ted DiBiase (85)
  • The Fiend (Rate varies)
  • The Hurricane (75)
  • The Rock (94)
  • The Undertaker (96)
  • Triple H (91)
  • Trish Stratus (89)
  • Ultimate Warrior (92)
  • Umaga (86)
  • Vader (87)
  • Wade Barrett (85)
  • William Regal (76)
  • Yokozuna (90)

The Legends list is notable for the inclusion of Muhammad Ali, reflecting his historical importance as a special guest referee at the first WrestleMania. Characters like The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin maintain high ratings, mirroring their legendary dominance.

the managers: strategic ringside presence

Managers play a functional role in gameplay, interfering in matches or providing boosts in manager-heavy modes. While they are typically not playable in standard matches without modifications, their presence adds a layer of authenticity to the presentation.

  • Adam Pearce
  • B-Fab
  • Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
  • Cathy Kelley
  • Mick Foley
  • Miss Elizabeth
  • Paul Bearer
  • Paul Heyman
  • Theodore Long

full dlc roster: expanding the horizons

The post-launch content for the game significantly increased the depth of the roster. These characters were released in thematic packs throughout the year, adding both requested modern stars and iconic legends from specific eras or promotions.

the nightmare family pack

This pack focuses on the legacy of the Rhodes family and includes some unique historical versions of characters.

  • Dusty Rhodes '76
  • "Superstar" Billy Graham
  • Stardust
  • Mattel Cody Rhodes (Special Edition)

dlc pack 1: ecw punk pack

A tribute to the extreme era, this pack brought back a highly requested modern superstar and several hardcore icons.

  • CM Punk
  • Bubba Ray Dudley
  • D-Von Dudley
  • Sandman
  • Terry Funk

dlc pack 2: post malone & friends pack

This unique pack features a celebrity crossover along with classic characters often associated with distinct eras of wrestling entertainment.

  • Post Malone
  • Sensational Sherri
  • Mosh
  • Thrasher
  • Honky Tonk Man

dlc pack 3: pat mcafee pack

Focusing on the popular sports personality and his broadcast team, this pack added several playable co-hosts to the game.

  • Pat McAfee
  • Playable Co-Hosts

dlc pack 4: global superstars pack

This pack added high-profile talent from around the world, including several women's division superstars who had been highly requested by the community.

  • Jade Cargill
  • Nia Jax
  • Michelle McCool
  • Carlito
  • Kairi Sane
  • Lyra Valkyria
  • Dragon Lee

dlc pack 5: wcw pack

Rounding out the post-launch support, this pack focused on the stars who defined World Championship Wrestling during its most successful years.

  • Diamond Dallas Page (DDP)
  • Iron Sheik
  • Mr. Perfect
  • Great Muta
  • Lex Luger

analyzing roster ratings and game balance

Ratings in the game serve as a guide to the relative power levels of each character. While player skill is the primary factor in match outcomes, the attributes assigned to each character affect things like recovery speed, stamina, and striking power.

Roman Reigns, with his 97 rating, is designed to be a formidable challenge in any mode. Rhea Ripley (96) and Bianca Belair (95) lead the women's division with attributes that make them versatile for various match types, including the newly added Ambulance and Casket matches. On the other end of the spectrum, characters like Eric Bischoff (58) or Scrypts (61) provide a different kind of challenge for players who enjoy using underdog characters to overcome superior odds.

The inclusion of different eras for the same character also adds variety. For instance, having multiple versions of Cody Rhodes (from Undashing to Stardust to the current American Nightmare) allows players to explore different phases of a career. Similarly, the Legends section features both "The Animal" and Hollywood versions of certain icons, each with distinct entrances, music, and attribute spreads.

special characters and exclusions

In every annual release, there are notable inclusions and omissions based on licensing and external factors. This version includes several non-traditional wrestlers who have historical significance. The presence of Muhammad Ali as a playable character is a highlight for many, given his status as an international sporting icon. Bad Bunny also returns, reflecting his continued involvement with major events.

However, it is noted that certain figures who were involved in legal or corporate controversies during the development cycle were excluded from the final roster list. This includes Brock Lesnar, who was removed from certain edition covers and the standard roster, although remnants of his legacy may appear in the 40 Years of WrestleMania showcase mode through archival footage or objective-based scenarios.

concluding the roster discussion

The WWE 2K24 roster represents a vast, curated collection of professional wrestling talent. By merging the modern athleticism of the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT brands with the historical weight of the Legends and the variety provided by the DLC packs, the game ensures a high level of replayability. Whether managing a brand in MyGM or competing for the Undisputed Championship in MyRise, the selection of characters available allows for an almost infinite number of matchups and scenarios, effectively capturing the spirit of four decades of sports entertainment history.