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On the eve of WrestleMania 39, WWE is set to release its latest collaboration with 2k Sports, WWE 2k23. The game boasts an incredibly expansive roster of over 170 current and past superstars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT as well as Legends, Hall of Famers, and WWE/WCW Alum.

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Despite the significant roster size, there are some seemingly obvious omissions from the game that fans are hoping will be included in later DLC installments, some of which have come as a surprise to avid followers of the sports-entertainment giant. Whether an oversight or contractual obligations to competing organizations causing these missing stars, WWE 2k23 is missing some big names from the company's coveted history.

10 Mark Henry

Mark Henry putting Kurt Angle in a submission hold on WWE SmackDown

Tough Texan Mark Henry commanded a dominant presence in the ring that oozed strength, aggression, and raw power, which lead to him earning the title of "World's Strongest Man" in 2002 at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic. Despite his name being synonymous with the moniker throughout his career, Henry was the furthest thing from a gimmick.

A former World Heavyweight Champion and ECW Champion in his own right, Henry brutally dispatched the likes of Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, and Kane, adding them to his fabled "Hall of Pain" over his 25-year career with the company.

9 The Big Show

Big Show walking away from the WWE ring with another wrestler lying in the background.

Standing at 7 feet tall, it is difficult not to notice that the "World's Largest Athlete" is missing from the playable characters of WWE 2k23. As is the case with several other omissions, the decision not to include Paul Wight in the game is likely attributed to his commitment to All-Elite Wrestling, who also have an upcoming game. With that being said, the Big Show was a staple of the WWE roster for decades following his inclusion in the company from WCW during its infamous buy-out by Mr. McMahon's company.

Wight produced many memorable moments in his tenure and boasts being the first athlete in history to capture the WWE, ECW, and WCW championships. But no moment will be as iconic as the famous suplex from Brock Lesnar that collapsed the ring to close an episode of SmackDown in 2003.

8 Jacqueline

WWE Jacqueline with her arms outspread addressing the crowd

Arguably one of the toughest superstars, man or woman, to ever step foot in the squared circle, Jacqueline paved the way for the women that succeeded her and proved that they deserved just as much respect as in-ring competitors as their male counterparts. Her career was draped with gold, being a multiple-time Women's Champion as well as being one of the very few women to win a men's title, winning the Cruiserweight Championship in 2004.

Her commitment to the WWE is tough to rival, having taken responsibility for officiating matches and coaching prospective wrestlers during the Tough Enough reality show. As a strong, tough woman of color, it would be a terrible oversight not to include the trailblazer in the latest wrestling video game title.

7 Ivory

Ivory holding Molly Holly on her shoulders in a WWE match

The 2018 Hall-of-Famer Ivory is best known by her peers as being one of the most passionate and fiercely-driven athletes to ever lace their boots. A 3-time Women's Champion, Ivory arrived on the scene in 1999 and produced some memorable moments in the earliest days of competitive female wrestling within the company, including bouts with Trish Stratus, Lita, and Jacqueline. Her most famous role was during her alignment with the nose-turning group "Right to Censor", where she captured her third Women's gold.

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Her commitment to WWE was cemented as she took on duties outside the ring, including trainer for season 3 of Tough Enough and announcer/host for some of the company's programs.

6 The Dudley Boyz

Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley carrying a table down the entrance ramp on WWE SmackDown

Hardcore wrestling fans can't talk about tables without mentioning Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley. One of the most successful tag teams in WWE history, the Dudley Boyz grew to fame off the back of their famous antics involving tables, which saw them plant the likes of The Rock, Edge, Jeff Hardy, and even Trish Stratus through the woodwork. Their popularity skyrocketed in 1999-2000 following a series of ladder matches and the first ever "Tables, Ladders and Chairs" match with Edge & Christian and the Hardy Boyz, a match stipulation that has risen to claim its own pay-per-view in WWE's annual calendar.

The omission of the Dudleys from the 2k23 roster may be attributed to Bubba Ray's current affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance, however, fans will still be hoping to see the half-brothers in 2k23.

5 The Hardy Boyz

Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy holding the WWE Tag Team Championships

Just as the Dudley Boyz are synonymous with tables, The Hardys are the first names that spring to mind when fans think about great ladder technicians in WWE history. With the inclusion of Lita, Team Extreme were famous for their high-flying acrobatics that saw them perform potential career-ending stunts on a regular basis. They also benefited from their clashes with the Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian, which was one of the most unforgettable rivalries of the Attitude Era.

Their exclusion from 2k23 is not a surprise, given their inclusion in the All-Elite Wrestling roster, and fans will not be holding their breath that Team Extreme be included in future DLC packs.

4 Dusty Rhodes

Dusty Rhodes in his polka-dot suit addressing the crowd with his arms in the air

In the main event of WrestleMania 39, wrestling fans will be on the edge of their seat as Dusty Rhodes' son Cody will go head-to-head with the game's highest-rated star, Roman Reigns, for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Throughout the promotion for the highly-anticipated bout, much of the narrative has been directed towards Cody Rhodes "finishing the story" and winning the title that eluded his father throughout his storied hall-of-fame career.

Dusty's charisma and pure magnetism drove him to become one of the most popular stars in the WWE during the 1970s and 1980s, leading him to his Hall Of Fame induction in 2007.

3 Mankind

Mankind holding the WWE Championship high-fiving members of the crowd

Mick Foley wore many faces during his illustrious career in the WWE, all of which produced memorable moments. While he is featured in MyGM mode and his hardcore-loving Cactus Jack persona is included in the roster, none of his personalities created more iconic moments than the crazed, masked Mankind.

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His gimmick produced one of the greatest crowd reactions in WWE Raw history when he shockingly won his first WWE title in a match with The Rock, but he is most remembered for being tossed from the top of the 16-foot tall Hell in a Cell by the Undertaker in 1998, a moment that would define Foley as a hardcore legend. Couple these iconic moments with his flair with the microphone, the "Hardcore Legend" rose to stardom as one of the most unlikely but beloved performers.

2 Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho using his signature move the Walls of Jericho on another wrestler in a WWE match

While Chris Jericho's omission from the 2k23 line-up may not come as a surprise to anyone, it is unfortunate that he is not included in the game. Y2J continues to add to his wrestling legacy as a prominent member of the competitor organization All-Elite Wrestling. However, one could not understate his immense impact on WWE during the company's Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras.

Jericho was the first man in history to win the WWE Undisputed Championship, which he famously achieved by defeating "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock on the same night. While it seems unlikely we will see Y2J in the game due to his contractual obligations to WWE's biggest competitor, Jericholics will hope to see him in future DLC releases.

1 Ric Flair

Ric Flair in a WWE ring wearing a black robe with white feathers holding his arms out

One of the biggest surprise omissions is the 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. One would not need to mention his daughter Charlotte Flair, who will defend her SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania, for Ric Flair to be deserving of a spot in WWE 2k23. His storied career, spanning over forty years, saw him become the first active wrestler to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008, before being inducted a second time in 2012 as part of The Four Horsemen.

Flair was influential on the careers of many WWE stars, particularly as part of the group "Evolution" with Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton, which will have fans pressuring game developers to include "The Nature Boy" in future DLC packs.

WWE 2k23 will be available from March 17, 2023, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

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