Stardust
Cody Rhodes left WWE in May - but with the roster cut-off point being around WrestleMania time in March, he still sneaks into the game one final time with his intergalactic alter-ego. Brother Goldust and dad Dusty Rhodes were both also confirmed for WWE 2K17 in late August.
Steve Austin
Bald guy, goatee, badass, throws arounds stunners, likes a beer or ten, presents regular podcasts on the WWE Network, had legendary feuds with The Rock, Undertaker, Bret Hart, and the entire McMahon Family… you still need more information on old Stone Cold? What? What? What? What?
Stephanie McMahon
A rumoured match against UFC fighting machine Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 32 never materialised – sadly – but WWE's chief brand officer has still been a mainstay of the company's TV shows this year. Many argue, in fact, that we've had too much of the boss' daughter across Raw and Smackdown in 2016; something you can now put right, should you so please, in WWE 2K17.
Sting
The WCW legend made his series debut as a pre-order incentive for WWE 2K15, ahead of his first ever in-ring appearance for the company against Triple H at WrestleMania 31. He lost that and is now retired after suffering injury in another defeat (to Seth Rollins), but nonetheless looks like being a 2K series mainstay for years to come.
Summer Rae
As Rusev’s main squeeze and Lana’s big rival, this former Lingerie Football League star had a decent 2015 – but has since returned to non-entity status after that pair reunited and were married in real life. As someone who’s always played heel, a babyface turn would temporarily raise interest in her prospects.
Sycho Sid (DLC)
For years, the excellent 'community creations' servers have been inundated with lifelike creations of the man known, at various times, as Sid Vicious, Sid Justice, and even plain old Sid. Now we get him as a real playable character at last – and with Ted DiBiase included as a manager, you can piece together a 2016 recreation of the Million Dollar Corporation too.
Tamina
Injuries and in-ring sloppiness has amounted to a quiet year for Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka’s daughter, and a Naomi face turn – bringing an unacknowledged end to the ‘Team Bad’ faction - doesn’t bode especially well for her future prospects. At least her videogame roster spot is secure for another year.
Tatanka (DLC)
Chris Chavis was largely mediocre in-ring for most of his two WWE runs – and yet is remembered as one of the '90s best characters thanks to his Native American schtick. Little known fact: he's not pretending when he dons that famous headdress – Chavis is genuinely a member of the Lumbee tribe.
Tatsumi Fujinami
Last year’s DLC appearance was this Japanese veteran’s first in the series – hardly a surprise given that his WWE (or rather, WWWF) career was mostly based in the 1970s. However, the company’s Hall Of Fame now includes famous grap names from outside the organisation, hence him being inducted at WrestleMania 32, and back for a second shot at WWE 2K.
Titus O'Neil
The former Prime Time Player might want to spend a bit of time with WWE 2K17's new promo engine – his attempt to bait ex-partner Darren Young the night after Summerslam was error-strewn and, as a result, had fans mocking him throughout. With 2K17 due in October, you can finally bring an end to comfortably the worst feud of 2016.
