Damien Sandow
Like Axel, Sandows push was immediately curtailed by the Hulk Hogan race row hed been teaming with Axelmania as Randy Savage parody Macho Mandow. Its back to generic theme tune and appearance, then, for one of WWEs most under-utilised talents (and best mic performers) as 2K16 cartwheels into view.
Diamond Dallas Page
Ack, that likeness. DDP had, by some margin, the worst-modelled hair in all of WWE 2K15, so lets hope co-developer Yukes have put time into fixing that. If so, a legend vs legend-killer feud with Randy Orton surely beckons Pages Diamond Cutter finisher is almost identical to the Vipers deadly RKO.
Daniel Bryan
A second injury-plagued year on the spin has led some to speculate that wrestlings most beloved babyface may have contested his final match, although he denies such claims. While the wait for a real-life comeback goes on, at least his videogame inclusion provides the opportunity for more title wins and five-star bouts with old indie circuit nemesis Cesaro.
Dean Ambrose
The one-time Shield member and Mr Renee Young won the biggest belt of all at Elimination Chamber, only for the decision to be reversed due to referee shenanigans. Hes had barely a sniff of gold since, but be assured that many fans first move after grabbing the new game will be to follow through on the title switch WWE refused to let stand.
DX (Billy Gunn and X-Pac)
Strangely, 2K hasnt yet confirmed the inclusion of Gunns New Age Outlaws tag partner, Road Dogg Jesse James. That seems likely to happen in the coming weeks; for now, crotch chop yourself silly over the news that these two members of DX have their tickets on this years grapple train booked, printed and in the first class post.
Edge & Christian
The kings of the ladder match are both now sadly retired, although have been known to make the odd appearance on Raw. Christian still elicits chants for one more match, but the Rated-R Superstar is definitely done for good after a number of serious neck injuries. Thankfully, you can un-retire him in the virtual ring instead.
Emma
Without lowering the tone, this import from the land of Neighbours might have the best body in WWE so it always seemed insane that WWE saddled her with a wacky outfit and dancing idiot gimmick. Now restyled literally and figuratively in NXT, shes set for a kickass 12 months on both the real and virtual stage.
Eva Marie
Miss All Red Everything is WWEs pet project in the developmental NXT brand, much to the annoyance of hardcore fans who (correctly) insist she cant wrestle. Still, in a year where the most of the contemporary roster is returning from 2015, even the most bitter critic will rejoice at seeing another series debutant.
Fandango
After numerous failed stints as a bad guy, the fleet-footed former Johnny Curtis finally embraced the fans this year, to an overwhelmingly positive reaction. Which lasted two weeks. Reckon you can book him better than Vinny Mac and co? Boot up WWE Universe mode and get to work.
Fit Finlay
This shillelagh-wielding Irishman experienced a series of Indian summers between 2005 and 2009, turning in hard-hitting contests with Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio and Bobby Lashley, to name three. Sadly, his videogame likeness stems from much longer ago his WCW stint saddled with dodgy leather jacket and awful mullet. Sigh.
