After much fan speculation, WWE 2K is expected to release its 2026 installment using the likeness of none other than Chicago’s own, Phil ‘CM Punk’ Brooks. Reports indicate he’ll be returning to become the WWE game poster boy after 14 years, joining Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns as 2K cover art Superstars.
Following his iconic resurgence at Survivor Series 2023 and a stellar run ever since, it was only a matter of time before the leader of the Straight Edge Society made his way back to the top of the video game mountain.
Now, speculation is at an all-time high regarding how his Showcase will be handled. Showcase is a game mode that features cover Superstars in their most memorable moments through gameplay and cutscenes, narrated by the wrestlers themselves. With a nine-year stint away from the company and scoops indicating fantasy booking, here is our pitch to fill in the gaps for WWE 2K26’s CM Punk Showcase:
1. CM Punk vs. AJ Styles - WrestleMania 34
Can you believe that these two titans have only clashed in a Triple Threat with Gable’s Grande Americano? Outside of the federation, Punk and AJ Styles had only shared the squared canvas in their Ring of Honor days, until now.
Debuting in 2016, the Phenomenal 1 was two years late to Punk’s less-than-amicable exit, so here’s WWE 2K26 to make up for the lack of timing over a decade ago. Essentially turning Punk into a Royal Rumble winner, he would go on to face 2018’s WWE Champion at the time, AJ Styles, which, promo and hype wise, could’ve potentially main evented the card.
As you can see, this list would not throw empty matches in his absence but instead place Punk where we think he would’ve been if he hadn’t left the company. Also, it’d be lovely to erase WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles so it can be redone properly at a later date. Low blow much?
2. CM Punk vs. Stone Cold - WrestleMania 30/38
Ah, the good old dream match-up. I remember growing up with Punk’s stellar mic that was steadily backed up in the ring, only to be compared constantly with the Texas Rattlesnake, so much so that Phil used an Austin Tee during his infamous Pipe Bomb promo.
.webp?width=700)
I also remember how everybody and their grandma talked about how awesome this match-up would be if it were possible. Eventually, Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to in-ring action for one last hurrah against Kevin Owens in 2022.
This would mean that under the right circumstances, we could’ve gotten prime Punk vs. the What chants in the decade’s easiest ticket to sell. This could’ve been accomplished either at WrestleMania 30 or by replacing KO at WrestleMania 38. Regardless, if there’s a shot for one more Stone Cold match, we should definitely line it up against the Voice of the Voiceless, even if it’s just in-game.
3. CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. The Rock – WrestleMania 29
This just feels… right. One of the many reasons CM Punk abandoned WWE was the decision to be booked out of the main event of WrestleMania 29. Now, after 12 years, 2K can do right by their cover star by delivering the right main event at the right time with the right superstars. Cena. Punk. Rock. WWE Title on the line.
Ending CM Punk’s historic 434-day reign just to advertise Cena vs. Rock for a twice-in-a-lifetime showdown was a slap in the face for Chicago’s own when the Triple Threat match was right there for everyone involved.
Despite CM Punk’s peak popularity, the Second City Saint was eventually pulled from the bookings, leaving this match to our imaginations, hopefully until this year’s release. Imagine 2K Games even recreates the vignettes in-game with new promo audio, fresh narratives, and added Punk footage. Anything but the bald fraud vs. the eventual bald GOAT, please.
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming features and opinions.