WWE 2K22has already been out for a few months and its popularity is still running high with the fans. This is in large part thanks to the excellent work provided by the community creators that spend hours working on creating accurate wrestlers using the powerful creation tools on offer.
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The most recent DLC forWWE 2K22included some current wrestlers rising in the ranks but the real stars of the show areCactus Jack and the late Vader- or Big Van Vader as he was known in WCW. Both superstars had incredible runs in WCW against the likes of Sting and Ron Simmons. Many of these stars had some pretty violent matches against each other, one of which left Cactus Jack - Mick Foley - disfigured for life.
As a result, there’s never been a better time to increase one’s roster with more WCW stars that aren’t available by default but are free to download from the Community Creation sections. Here is a list of WCW wrestlers that should be added to the roster as soon as possible.
7The Giant
Before becoming better known as The Big Show in WWE, Paul Wight was known as The Giant in WCW. He was originally billed as Andre The Giant’s son going up against the villainous Hollywood Hogan, and despite being a rookie showed a lot of promise as a talented big man.
During his run in WCW, he had memorable feuds against Hogan, Kevin Nash, Goldberg, and Sting. He also became a member of the NWO but thanks to the ridiculous numbers in that faction he became just another henchman for Hogan. Wight made his debut onSmackdownin 1999 and was instantly pushed into main event status.
6Lex Luger
Lex Luger had runs in both WCW and the WWE. He was originally set to become the main event star that was Hogan was, but his spot in the company was short-lived and it wasn’t long before he found himself back in WCW again.
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Luger had memorable runs through the 80s and 90s with good matches against Sting, Ron Simmons, and Ric Flair. However, many fans will remember his most dominant run under the management of Harley Race as the top heel in the company in 1991. This CAW of Luger has a look and move set based on that version of Luger,complete with the updated finishers.
5The Steiner Brothers
As inductees into the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame, The Steiner Brothers only just missed out on appearing inWWE 2K22. However, don’t be surprised to see both wrestlers appear in next year’s WWE game.
There was a time when it seemed like there was no chance that Scott Steiner would ever appear under the WWE banner again in any format after he left the WWE on bad terms. However, Rick’s son - Scott’s nephew - Bron Breakker is a rising young star in the WWE and it would have been a shame and a waste for the WWE and the Steiners not to rebuild their relationship and include one of the greatest tag teams of all time in future wrestling games.
4Sting
With the wrestling product becoming darker on both WCW and the WWE, Sting’s colorful surfer character was beginning to look a little dated. Enter the dark version of Sting that was inspired byThe Crow, a dark superhero movie that starred the late Brandon Lee.
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It was a total reinvention of Sting’s character and had many fans clamoring for a dream match between Sting and WWE’s supernaturally-inspired star The Undertaker. Unfortunately, that match never happened, and Sting’s run in the WWE was cut short thanks to an injury he sustained to the neck.
Despite appearing in the last few WWE games, Sting is absent fromWWE 2K22because of his involvement with AEW and his confirmed appearance in the upcoming wrestling gameAEW Fight Forever. Until then, content creator KELSCREATIONS has come up with an accurate recreation of the Icon himself.
3Harlem Heat
BeforeBooker T was the five-time WCW World Heavyweight championand a major star in the WWE, he was one-half of one of the greatest tag teams of all time in WCW, Harlem Heat.
Teaming with his real-life brother Stevie Ray, the team had incredible chemistry in the ring and is easily comparable to the Steiners for their intensity. The charismatic team was the perfect mix of speed, technical prowess, and power. Once again, KELSCREATIONS has done a fantastic job of creating the classic team. However, Booker T’s weight should be adjusted after downloading as he is set to a super heavyweight.
2Diamond Dallas Page
Long before Randy Orton was hitting the RKO “outta nowhere” in WWE, WCW superstar Diamond Dallas Page was taking out opponents with the iconic Diamond Cutter in a similar fashion. Page was often considered the people’s champion thanks to his hardworking ethic that saw him transition from a charismatic manager to the man that would give Goldberg his greatest match ever.
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Again KELSCREATIONS has done a tremendous job of creating this character and managed to make him look as good as he did inWWE 2K19. Some minor changes need to be made in his move set but that is half the fun for wrestling fans.
1Raven
Another memorable wrestler from ECW and WWE was the grunge-inspired Raven. The star led a memorable faction in WCW known as The Flock and at the time was a refreshing change from the NWO and the NWO Wolfpack. It was a long way from his run as the spoiled rich boy gimmick he used as Scotty Flamingo in the early 90s.
Raven was capable of having solid matches against anyone. Whether it was powerhouses like Goldberg orhigh-flyers like Chris Jerichoin his WCW “Lionheart” days, Raven never looked out of his depth. Content creator HiFlyerMessiahMania has done an amazing job in capturing the most accurate version of Raven in the community. The details in the face and the attire are accurate and it’s the best version of him in a game sinceWCW vs NWO Revenge.
WWE 2K22is available now for the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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