The cover athlete for WWE 2K26 was officially announced on Friday during the Royal Rumble kickoff event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. CM Punk will feature on the cover of the upcoming wrestling video game, marking his return as a focal point for the franchise.
Details on WWE 2K26 Release and Editions
WWE 2K26 is scheduled for release on March 13 across multiple platforms, including PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series S/X, and PC. The game will be offered in several special editions, such as ones centered around the Monday Night War and the Attitude Era, along with a King of Kings edition dedicated to Triple H. Pre-orders for the game began on January 30.
CM Punk’s Prior Involvement and Event Appearances
CM Punk has previously appeared as the cover star for the WWE ‘13 game. He made an appearance during the Royal Rumble kickoff show and is set to join the countdown panel on Saturday as the Royal Rumble event progresses.
Official Announcement from WWE
“The WWE 2K26 Cover Star is… CM PUNK!@WWEgames pic.twitter.com/COa7dcJWge”
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2026
Significance of the Cover Announcement
Having CM Punk as the face of WWE 2K26 emphasizes the franchise’s continued focus on prominent and influential figures within professional wrestling. The release’s multiple special editions also reflect WWE’s effort to celebrate key eras and personalities in wrestling history, appealing to both longtime fans and new players. The upcoming launch will likely generate significant interest among the WWE community and gamers worldwide.
The WWE 2K26 Cover Star is…
CM PUNK!@WWEgames pic.twitter.com/COa7dcJWge
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2026
