Developer Visual Concepts and publisher 2K rolled out Patch 1.12 and Ringside Pass Season 3 for WWE 2K26 on June 3, 2026 - and tucked inside the update, without any announcement, was one of the more surreal roster additions in the game's history: Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, now a fully playable wrestler.
A CEO Steps Into the Squared Circle
With the third season of content added to the wrestling game, Zelnick was quietly added as a playable fighter. There was no fanfare, no blog post mention, and no trailer - he simply appeared. No official statement from the publisher has been issued regarding his presence in the title, yet he is now fully integrated into the game's roster.
The presentation is anything but half-hearted. Zelnick carries a rating of 77 and is listed as a cruiserweight, with his entrance music being Frank Sinatra's "My Way" - a track currently locked exclusively to his character, meaning custom wrestlers cannot use it. WWE announcers Michael Cole and Wade Barrett have recorded new commentary lines specifically for Zelnick's entrance. One commentary line earned particular attention online: "Strauss Zelnick looking to take a title here in WWE, in fact, he might Take-Two."
The Rating Controversy
The number that has provoked the most debate is that 77 overall. That rating is higher than Johnny Gargano, Retro CM Punk, 1997 Eddie Guerrero, Syxx, and more. What is confusing is that Zelnick's rating is higher than some credentialed WWE stars - specifically William Regal, Eddie Guerrero, and Johnny Gargano.
For context, Regal is widely regarded as one of the greatest technical wrestlers to have competed in WWE, while '97 Eddie Guerrero and Gargano are fan favourites with long in-ring resumes. Handing a rating above all three to a corporate executive has fuelled visible frustration in the community. Fans aren't quite thrilled about the addition of Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick as a playable character in WWE 2K26.
Editing the Zelnick character is also reportedly difficult. Content creator WhatsTheStatus - the same account that first published footage of his full entrance - managed to bypass 2K's restrictions within hours to produce a close-up model of the CEO.
Timing and Context
The addition landed just after Zelnick discussed the WWE 2K franchise publicly. Zelnick recently spoke about the success of the WWE 2K series, telling IGN, "We're very proud of Metacritic score, we're proud of how the title performed." Whether his in-game arrival was coordinated with that interview is not confirmed, but the timing is notable.
Zelnick had previously appeared as a referee in earlier editions of the franchise, so this is not his absolute first appearance in a WWE 2K game - but the jump from referee to rated, entrance-having, commentary-supported roster member is a considerable leap.
What Else Came in Season 3
Zelnick's addition was the unofficial headline of a substantial update. The Premium route of Ringside Pass Season 3 adds Matt Cardona, Brian Pillman, La Parka, and Torrie Wilson as playable wrestlers, including a combined 36 new moves and taunts which can also be used in Creations mode.
| New Character | Type | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Cardona | Return | First appearance under current persona |
| Brian Pillman | Return | ~10 years since last console appearance |
| La Parka | Debut | Wearing 2025 NXT Halloween Havoc gear |
| Torrie Wilson | Debut | First console game appearance in ~20 years |
| Kane '01 Persona | Persona | Includes "Slow Chemical" theme |
| Rey Mysterio '01 Persona | Persona | Denim overalls WCW look |
In support of Ringside Pass Season 3 and Chapter 2 of The Island, Patch 1.12 also features a variety of game improvements. All four new superstars are unlocked immediately as the Tier 1 reward for players who have access to the Premium route.
The Bottom Line
The Zelnick situation is harmless enough - and at a pure novelty level, hearing Michael Cole acknowledge a corporate executive stepping into a Hell in a Cell has its absurd appeal. The real friction is the rating. Assigning a 77 to someone who has never laced up boots, while legends like William Regal and a peak-era Eddie Guerrero sit below him, feels like an internal joke that didn't quite read the room. The Season 3 roster additions themselves are strong, and the Patch 1.12 improvements are welcome. Zelnick is, at worst, a curious footnote - though one that will be hard to forget the first time you career him into the announcer's table.
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