Cody Rhodes, the current WWE Raw Tag Team Champion, has been officially named as the cover superstar for WWE’s flagship video game series, WWE 2K24. The game is set to be released on March 8, 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Lead Up to the Announcement
In the weeks leading up to the big reveal from publisher 2K Games, there were several teases made about who the cover star would be. Some fans speculated it would be undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, while others predicted 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley.
However, on the January 9th episode of WWE Raw, Cody Rhodes cut a passionate promo about his journey back to WWE and wanting to cement his legacy as one of the greats. This led many to believe Cody was in line for the WWE 2K24 cover.
Additionally, 2K released a promotional image on social media of a throne with Cody’s logo on it, further fueling speculation he would be this year’s cover star.
Cover Announcement
The official cover reveal came on January 22nd, 2023. In a segment on Raw, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H surprised Rhodes with the news in front of the live audience. Triple H emphasized that being named the cover superstar was about more than just Rhodes’ in-ring success, but was a testament to his unwavering perseverance and determination.
In addition to the standard cover featuring Rhodes, 2K announced two other collectible covers that will be available at launch:
- Deluxe Edition: Features 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley
- nWo 4-Life Edition: Features WWE Hall of Famers Kevin Nash and Scott Hall of the legendary wrestling faction nWo
Showcase Mode Details
Along with the cover reveal, 2K also provided new information on WWE 2K24’s main single player mode called Showcase. This year’s Showcase, titled “Forty Years of WrestleMania,” will take players through some of the most iconic matches and moments from the 40 year history of WWE’s biggest event, WrestleMania.
Over 20 classic WrestleMania matches are slated for players to relive, including:
- Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III)
- Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)
- The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania X-Seven)
- John Cena vs The Rock (WrestleMania XXVIII)
Rhodes Comments on Being Named Cover Star
In an exclusive interview with digital magazine Metro following the announcement, Cody Rhodes expressed being humbled at being selected for the prestigious honor of the WWE 2K cover:
“I felt humbled and grateful about this tremendous honor. As a kid playing the WWE video games, I would always self-insert myself as a character and visualize what it would be like seeing my name and face on the cover. Now my dream has manifested into reality.”
What’s Next for WWE 2K24
More specific details for WWE 2K24, including new match types, gameplay upgrades, expanded creation suite tools, and more information on MyGM mode are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks as we get closer to the March 8 release date.
With Cody Rhodes being in one of the biggest matches at this year’s WrestleMania against undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, his visibility and popularity are destined to reach new heights. Being named the cover star will undoubtedly catapult his profile further into the mainstream.
If Rhodes manages to defeat Reigns and win the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39, we could be seeing a redesigned or alternate WWE 2K25 cover next year featuring Rhodes or Reigns.
Initial Reactions
The cover reveal has been met with overwhelmingly positive reception from gaming sites and WWE fans across social media:
“Cody Rhodes is the perfect choice for this special edition of WWE 2K24 celebrating 40 Years of WrestleMania.” – WrestleZone
“We officially have our first look at the next WWE 2K video game with Cody Rhodes! This is awesome!” – Fan tweet
“Congratulations to @CodyRhodes for representing the WWE 2K franchise on this year’s cover. It is indicative of the success he has achieved since returning at #WrestleMania” – SEScoops tweet
While some fans expressed disappointment that their favorite wasn’t selected, the majority believe Cody Rhodes is a deserving cover star based on his 2022 return to the company at WrestleMania after a six year absence, as well his current trajectory back into the main event picture.
What Industry Experts Are Saying
Industry analysts are also weighing in on the potential impact Rhodes being on the cover could provide in terms of sales and visibility for WWE:
“This is an important strategic play to continue expanding WWE’s audience. Cody appeals to the valuable 18-40 male demographic, but also has cross-generational appeal given his famous Rhodes family lineage.” – Dave Wilson, Multimedia Analyst
“Video games have always been an effective tool to increase talent popularity and draw interest back into the WWE product when integrated properly. This year’s game sales could see a substantial boost from Cody’s hardcore AEW fanbase following him to WWE programming.” – Jennifer Lambert, Digital Entertainment Columnist
With the next few weeks building more intrigue for the WWE 2K24 video game release, publisher 2K and WWE will look to capitalize on the exposure and growing momentum leading into WrestleMania 39, where Cody Rhodes hopes to complete his storybook comeback in triumphant fashion.
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