WWE has been producing professional wrestling video games for decades, going back to MicroLeague Wrestling for the Commodore 64 and Atari ST. In the decades since, the branding has changed but WWE games remained focused on the pro-wrestling-themed fighting game genre (with some notable exceptions). Yet after the recent retooling of the WWE 2K series of wrestling games, it seems WWE is ready to try something new. WWE is confirmed to be working on an RPG.
The news of WWE's game production team spreading its wings came directly from the top of the company. During WWE's latest fiscal reporting call, CBO Stephanie McMahon announced in a straightforward fashion that a WWE RPG is currently in development. No further details were provided regarding the RPG, beyond that WWE had signed a deal recently to have the game developed. As such, the developer of the game isn't necessarily 2K or any other previous WWE partner.
There is some context to Stephanie McMahon's comments that could shed some light on the project. At the time McMahon announced the new RPG project, she'd previously been talking about the successes WWE has had with its mobile gaming endeavors. Specifically, she mentioned WWE Champions and WWE Supercard, a match-3 puzzle wrestling game and a CCG wrestling game. As such, it's possible, if not likely, that the RPG she's referring to is another WWE mobile game.
With that said, it's no surprise that WWE fans hearing about the possibility of a WWE RPG being in development are daydreaming about a larger project. The idea of a AAA pro-wrestling RPG, whether it's a third-person action RPG, an isometric ARPG, a turn-based RPG, or even a CRPG would put a smile on any fan's face. Decades of WWE storytelling would make for a great well to draw water from, too. An RPG re-telling of WWE's Attitude Era is just one exciting possibility.
Speculation aside, WWE doesn't seem to be particularly interested in game development that can't be heavily monetized at the moment. It would be fair to say that WWE 2K22 is the most heavily monetized game in WWE's history, with its heavy post-launch focus on the gacha MyFaction mode. Both WWE Champions and WWE Supercard are also heavily monetized.
A timeline for more information regarding WWE's in-development RPG project hasn't been established. News could be shared during any given WWE PPV or television broadcast. WWE did note that it had just penned the deal for the game, so it may be quite a ways off from release. Best not to build up too high of expectations until further information is available.
WWE's RPG is in development.