WWE 2K22 has been in the spotlight a bit more as of late, thanks to its recent trailer at SummerSlam 2021. The new trailer highlighted some of the superstars that gamers will be able to play as. While the full roster for WWE 2K22 hasn't been fully revealed, gamers have a better idea of who will be playable come March 2022. The WWE 2K games tend to have a significant selection of WWE legends in every game, and WWE 2K22 is unlikely to be an exception. With Kane being confirmed for the game, players have been wondering if one of his contemporaries, Stone Cold Steve Austin, will also be a playable character.
Despite the new trailer, WWE 2K22 has been delayed to March 2022. WWE games are usually released in October every year, so this new release window is unprecedented for the series so far. This could mean the game will do better commercially, as it will be launched during WrestleMania season. Much like WWE programming and the company's use of wrestling legends, the games tend to include a variety of notable names. With Stone Cold Steve Austin being one of the most recognizable wrestling names of all time, the Hall of Famer will likely be playable in WWE 2K22.
Stone Cold Steve Austin in WWE Games
While the wrestling legend has been comfortably retired for over 18 years, Stone Cold Steve Austin has appeared in the vast majority of WWE video games. So far, Steve Austin has appeared in every game under the WWE 2K banner. Stone Cold even featured on the cover of WWE 2K16, despite having been retired for 12 years at the time of the game's release. Unless WWE has planned radical changes for WWE 2K22's treatment of the Legends category of playable wrestlers, fans should be able to expect Stone Cold Steve Austin to be a part of the roster.
Stone Cold has largely kept a positive relationship with WWE in place in the years after his retirement. Steve Austin regularly contributes to WWE with his podcast, where he interviews stars of the past and modern-day wrestlers. When he makes appearances on WWE television, he continues to get the biggest reaction from the crowd. It's easy to see why Stone Cold continues to be included in the games, thanks to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest of all time and his continuing working relationship with WWE. While his days in the ring are long over, his presence is felt in WWE to this day.
Much like fellow WWE legend The Undertaker, it would be surprising if Stone Cold Steve Austin wasn't included as a playable character. Historically, Steve Austin has been in the majority of WWE games, and his popularity remains at a high level. With Steve Austin in WWE 2K22, gamers will be able to enact fantasy matches against other wrestlers that, sadly, won't come to pass on WWE television. This fantasy element of including Stone Cold in WWE games is highly appealing to fans, and WWE and 2K would be remiss not to continue using it.
WWE 2K22 is set for release in March 2022.