Brock Lesnar's Digital Resurrection: WWE 2K25's Cena DLC Just Got a Whole Lot More... Complicated
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Well, Brock Lesnar's making a digital comeback to WWE 2K25 via the upcoming John Cena DLC, proving that even real-world controversies can't keep a good beast down from the virtual squared circle – thanks, dataminers!
Right, so you know that feeling when a character suddenly vanishes from your favourite game, only to reappear later as if they'd just been on a particularly long tea break in another dimension? Well, buckle up, wrestling game fanatics, because Brock Lesnar, the 'Beast Incarnate' himself, is making a digital comeback to WWE 2K25. And fair dinkum, the story behind it is wilder than a rogue spell cast in a wizard's duel.
For those who might've missed the digital dust-up – or perhaps were too busy trying to perfect their DDT in WWE 2K24 – Brock Lesnar was conspicuously absent from the last iteration of the game. Not just a no-show, mind you, but outright removed, even from the 'Forty Years of WrestleMania' special edition where he was initially slated as a cover star. The official word was, naturally, as quiet as a ninja in a library. But everyone with a passing interest in the squared circle and a half-decent internet connection knew why.
Early in 2024, a rather messy lawsuit dropped, naming former WWE employee Janel Grant, Vince McMahon, and, somewhat indirectly, Brock Lesnar. While Lesnar wasn't listed as a defendant in the legal fracas (important distinction, that), the implication was clear enough for 2K Games to perform a swift, albeit silent, digital disappearing act. McMahon himself also largely vanished from the game. It was a classic case of real-world drama spilling directly onto our virtual wrestling mats, leaving fans wondering if we'd ever see Lesnar's F5 delivered with such digital fidelity again.
But hold the phone, folks, because the digital tea leaves are stirring once more! It seems our favourite beast isn't staying banished to the shadow realm. The news, as always, comes not from a flashy corporate announcement, but from the tireless efforts of our beloved dataminers. Those digital archaeologists, bless 'em, have been sifting through the upcoming WWE 2K25 'John Cena's Farewell Tour' DLC files, set to drop on October 16th, and what did they find? Only Brock Lesnar, alive and kicking, complete with a brand-spanking-new model based on his latest in-ring look, specifically his SummerSlam '25 attire. Not a re-insertion of his old 2K24 model, mind you, but a fresh, updated rendition. That’s genuinely interesting!
Now, for those keeping score, this lines up rather nicely with Lesnar's actual return to live in-ring action, where he recently laid the smack down on John Cena (of all people!) at WWE Wrestlepalooza. So, perhaps this isn't so much a controversial return as it is 2K catching up with current events, albeit with a slight delay while the real-world dust settled. It's a pragmatic move, if a little transparent in its timing, to reintroduce a major fan-favourite now that the immediate legal tempest has seemingly passed.
Beyond Lesnar's rather dramatic re-entry, the John Cena DLC – affectionately dubbed his 'Farewell Tour' (though we all know Cena's 'farewells' are more like 'see ya later, maybe next Tuesday') – packs a few other punches. Dataminers reportedly uncovered two classic Cena looks ('03 and WrestleMania 41), along with Ron Killings, aka R-Truth, in his hilarious 'Ron Cena' persona. Plus, we're getting five new T-shirts for the Create-A-Superstar mode, inspired by Cena's various looks from around the globe, and even some speculated support for Kane '03 and Kane '08. So, it's not just a Lesnar-fest; there's a fair bit of nostalgic content sprinkled in for good measure.
What does this all mean for us, the actual players? Well, on one hand, it's more content, and a new model for a powerhouse character like Lesnar is always welcome. Especially after his abrupt removal. It shows Visual Concepts and 2K are keen to keep the roster as complete as possible, navigating the tricky waters of real-world wrestling sagas. On the other hand, the cynic in me – and let's be honest, Jeff has a healthy dose of cynicism for corporate manoeuvres – can't help but wonder about the pricing of this DLC (yet to be revealed, naturally). Is this a 'fix' for a previously excised character, or just another piece of premium content to entice our wallets?
Ultimately, it’s a cautiously optimistic nod from my digital wizard hat. While the circumstances surrounding Lesnar's initial removal and subsequent return highlight the messy intersection of sports entertainment, legal battles, and video game development, the end result is more content for the fans. And that, mate, is usually a good thing. It’ll be interesting to see how 2K manages the narrative around this, or if they’ll just let the DLC speak for itself. Either way, get ready to suplex your mates with the Beast Incarnate once more. Bloody hell, never a dull moment in the squared circle, digital or otherwise!
Tags: WWE 2K25, Brock Lesnar, Gaming News, DLC, Wrestling Games
Original article: Game Rant