Summary
WWE 2K24is bringing back Special Guest Referee Matches for the first time in 10 years, and now the developers have posted a brief teaser of the stipulation. During certain wrestling matches, the usual official is replaced by someone who usually doesn’t have this job, such as anotherWWE 2K24wrestler. This can add drama to a given storyline, as the replacement referee in question more often than not has a personal bias (at least in kayfabe) toward or against one of the competitors, which could impact their enforcement of the rules during the match.
The Special Guest Referee stipulation was introduced to the WWE video games withWWF Smackdownin March 2000, and it was a recurring mechanic inthe wrestling games to comeup untilWWE 2K14. In these matches, players could take the role of an in-ring official and dictate the rules of the contest, although later games would have them be forcibly removed from the match if they abused their authority too much. More recentWWE 2Kgames didn’t have Special Guest Referee matches at all, causing a wave of excitement when it was announced that the stipulation was coming back inWWE 2K24.
A brief snippet of a Special Guest Referee match was recently shared on the officialWWE 2K24Twitter page, giving fans a quick look at theWWE 2K24special match typein action ahead of March 5. It starts with a stream of social media posts asking for Special Guest Referee matches before cutting to a match being officiated by Randy Orton. The Viper is shown counting a pinfall, only to decide against putting his hand down for a third and final time. When Solo Sikoa questions Orton’s judgment, he replies by delivering his signature RKO to the disgruntled Bloodline enforcer.
WWE 2K24 Brings Back Classic Match Types
The Special Guest Referee Match is just one of the classic stipulationsbeing re-introduced inWWE 2K24, much to the joy of wrestling fans who missed being able to play through these contests in older WWE games. Some of the other returning special match types include Casket Matches, which task the winner with locking their opponent inside a coffin; Ambulance Matches, in which the competitors battle to trap each other in the back of an emergency vehicle; and the Gauntlet Match, where competitors compete in a series of matches to see who will get to fight the next opponent.
Through these special match stimulations,WWE 2K24aims to increase the variety of gameplayfans can enjoy in Universe mode or during standard Exhibition matches, in addition to the story-based MyRise mode, show-managing MyGM mode, or historical 40 Years of WrestleMania Showcase mode. It has been nearly a decade since players could last don the striped shirt of a referee, and it will be interesting to see how gamers will be able to use (and misuse) the power of the ref inWWE 2K24.
WWE 2K24
WHERE TO PLAY
FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIAWrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.AN ICONIC ROSTERWWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.NEW MATCH TYPESFrom Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.PROVE YOURSELF IN MyRISEUnleash your raw talent and become the undisputed champ in MyRISE, featuring two thrilling career arcs and original storylines chronicling your ascent to WWE stardom from the men’s and women’s divisions.BUILD YOUR FACTIONAssemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
