So, we are finally here. It is time for me to begin my WWE 2K26 Universe Mode. But unlike in previous years, this journey won’t be starting from a blank slate. This year, we are following up directly from the explosive conclusion of my previous game’s Universe.
To get everyone caught up: The Rock, The Final Boss, is your WWE Champion. But don’t let the title fool you into thinking this is just another championship reign. As you will come to understand through the events unfolding this year, The Rock wields a level of power that goes far beyond the gold around his waist. He isn’t just the champion; he is the architect of a new corporate order.
While The Rock and his corporate grip will be a defining shadow over this year’s Universe, he is far from the only story worth following. To bring you up to speed, the landscape of our champions has never been more elite; CM Punk stands tall as our World Heavyweight Champion, a man who has never been fond of “corporate” authority. Bianca Belair begins another reign as the WWE Women’s Champion, while Rhea Ripley holds the Women’s World Championship with an iron fist.
These stars are just the tip of the iceberg, and there is so much more to discuss—from the ongoing chaos of the Wyatt Sicks to the impending “retirement tour” of a Phenomenal One. You will see all of this unfold in the fallout of WrestleMania as we debut the first Raw and SmackDown of the WWE 2K26 Universe.
But before we step into the ring for the first time, let me bring you up to speed FULLY… beginning with the roadmap for the year: the official PLE schedule.
The Spring/Summer Launch
- May, Saturday Week 4: Backlash: France (St Louis, Missouri)
- June, Saturday Week 3: Saturday Night’s Main Event (Montreal, Canada)
- June, Saturday Week 4: Bad Blood (Chicago, Illinois)
- July, Saturday Week 3: Money in the Bank (Los Angeles, California)
- August, Saturday Week 4: SummerSlam ( East Rutherford, New Jersey)
The Fall Global Expansion
- September, Saturday Week 2: Clash in Paris (Paris, France)
- October, Saturday Week 3: Saturday Night’s Main Event (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- October, Saturday Week 4: Evolution (New York, NY)
- November, Saturday Week 4: Survivor Series: WarGames (San Diego, California)
The Winter Grind
- December, Saturday Week 2: Armageddon (Dallas, Texas)
- January, Saturday Week 3: Saturday Night’s Main Event (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- January, Saturday Week 4: Royal Rumble (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- February, Saturday Week 2: Elimination Chamber (Toronto, Canada)
The Road to WrestleMania
- March, Saturday Week 2: Saturday Night’s Main Event (Atlanta, Georgia)
- March, Saturday Week 3: Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
- April, Saturday & Sunday Week 2: WrestleMania (Las Vegas, Nevada)
The Gold Standard: Champions of the 2K26 Era
Before we begin with our Raw and SmackDown after WrestleMania, here is where our championships are at…
RAW
- World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk
- Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley
- Intercontinental Champion: Sheamus
- Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Becky Lynch
- World Tag Team Champions: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
SMACKDOWN
- WWE Champion: The Rock
- WWE Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair
- United States Champion: Joe Hendry
- Women’s United States Champion: Giulia
- WWE Tag Team Champions: The Lucha Bros (Penta & Rey Fenix)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend)
Now with the formalities and explanations fully out the way, lets finally get into our first shows of my WWE 2K26 Universe Mode, the Raw and SmackDown after WrestleMania!
Raw after WrestleMania
The show opens with Triple H in the ring. He looks exhausted. He reads a formal statement from the TKO Board:
“Effective immediately, by order of the TKO Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership Committee, the operational hierarchy of World Wrestling Entertainment has been restructured to maximize global brand equity and ‘Final Boss’ efficiency.”
“As a sitting member of the Board, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been granted full ‘High Table’ authority over all creative and personnel decisions. His first act of governance is as follows: The WWE is a global enterprise, not a playground. Therefore, to ensure the strongest possible ‘assets’ are properly utilized, a Full WWE Draft will commence next week to redistribute all talent.”
“Furthermore, to address the lack of discipline on Monday nights, the Board has authorized the appointment of a new General Manager for Raw, who will be revealed next week. Until that time, the Board’s directives will be carried out without exception—starting with tonight’s Main Event as per The Rock; Jacob Fatu will challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Let it also be known that Friday Night SmackDown is now officially designated as the flagship ‘high-performance’ brand of the TKO Group. As such, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been granted total administrative control over the blue brand. This includes the absolute authority to oversee all contract negotiations, draft priorities, and the personal appointment of a brand-new SmackDown General Manager who will answer exclusively to the High Table.”
After lowering the paper, Triple H should look directly at the fans and add his own personal flavor:
“They can call it ‘Brand Equity.’ They can call it ‘Restructuring.’ But let’s call it what it really is: Dwayne Johnson is trying to buy the soul of this business. He wants to hand-pick your champions. He wants to decide your future. But as long as I have a say, and as long as I can find people like our new General Manager to stand in the gap… we are going to fight for the Raw that YOU deserve.”
Sheamus interrupts, looking for a fight. He tries to hype up Triple H, but “The Game” is clearly dejected and heads backstage. Sheamus shrugs it off and issues an Open Challenge. AAA star El Hijo del Vikingo answers!
Sheamus (C) defeated El Hijo Del Vikingo to retain the Intercontinental Championship
A total clash of styles. Vikingo hits a 630, but Sheamus survives and hits a Brogue Kick for the win. Respect is shown, but the lights go dim. RUSEV makes his shocking return to WWE, absolutely demolishing Sheamus and leaving him laying. The “Bulgarian Brute” is back.
We then go backstage for an interview with our new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk:
Interviewer: “Punk, tonight you defend against a monster in Jacob Fatu, under orders from The Rock. Your thoughts?”
CM Punk: (Looking into the camera) “The Rock wants to play God. He thinks because he sits in a boardroom that he can dictate the pulse of this industry. But Dwayne, you forgot one thing: I’m the guy you couldn’t control ten years ago, and I’m the guy you can’t control now. Jacob Fatu? He’s a terrifying human being. But he’s just a tool. Tonight, I’m not just defending this title against a Samoan Werewolf; I’m defending it against the ‘High Table.’ You want your gold back, Dwayne? Come and get it yourself.”
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (with Dominik Mysterio) defeated Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
As Bayley gains momentum, Roxanne Perez jumps the barricade! She takes out Bayley’s knee (whilst Dom has the ref distracted), allowing Liv to hit the Oblivion for the win. Roxanne stands with Liv, Raquel, and Dom. The Prodigy has officially joined the Judgment Day.
Seth Rollins then comes out for an in-ring promo. He is joined by Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory.
Seth Rollins: (Dressed in a wildly expensive, iridescent suit, spinning his sunglasses. He’s standing in the ring with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory flanking him. He cackles into the mic as the “Burn It Down” chants try to break through.) “Take a look! Take a long, hard look at the face of a man who sees everything before it happens! They called me crazy. They called me delusional. But look at where we are! WrestleMania has come and gone, and while the rest of you were playing ‘Pro Wrestler,’ I was playing God.”
(He turns to Paul Heyman, smirking)
“Everyone wondered… ‘Seth, why Paul? Why the Wise Man?’ It’s simple. To kill a King like Roman Reigns, you don’t just need a sword—you need the man who knows where the armor is thin. Paul and I, we didn’t just ‘beat’ Roman. We erased the Bloodline. We took the blueprint of this entire industry and we set it on fire so we could build something better. Something… visionary.”
(Seth paces, gesturing to the rest of the group)
“I created The Vision for one reason: Total. Absolute. Sovereignty. I didn’t want to just be ‘a’ champion. I wanted to reign over the whole of WWE. I wanted to look down from the mountain and see Bron Breakker destroying the icons of the past. I wanted to see Logan and Austin holding the gold that represents the future. I created a world where my vision is the only reality that matters!”
“So, to the ‘High Table,’ to The Rock, to Triple H… you can draft whoever you want. You can move the pieces around the board. But you’re all living in my world now. And as long as I am the Architect, the foundation of this company is—”
Paul Heyman: (Steps forward, interrupting Seth with a cold, hollow look in his eyes) “Seth… you’ve always been a brilliant Architect. Truly. But even the best Architects eventually become… obsolete.”
Seth Rollins: (Confused, laughing nervously) “Paul? What are you talking about? We just—”
Before Seth can respond, Bron Breakker hits a Spear so violent it looks like Seth has been snapped in half! Logan Paul and Austin Theory immediately pounce, stomping Seth into the mat. They strip him of his expensive jacket and toss it out of the ring. Bron grabs the mic and shouts over Seth’s groaning body: “The Vision isn’t yours anymore, Seth. It belongs to the Alpha. And the Alpha is hungry.”
The Rock arrives in a private motorcade and runs into Triple H.
The Rock: “Look at you, Hunter. Long face. Smelling like failure. I hope you got a good seat for the main event. Jacob’s gonna bring that title home to the Family.”
Triple H: “You can buy the board, Dwayne. You can buy the contracts. But you can’t buy the heart of that locker room. Punk is gonna give Fatu a fight you aren’t prepared for.”
The Rock: (Smirks) “We’ll see. Oh, and Hunter? Tell your GM to keep our seats warm next week. I’m coming for those Draft picks.”
El Grande Americano makes his way to the ring for a promo.
El Grande Americano: “Ladies and gentlemen, the era of the ‘Average’ is over. I am the gold standard of the Americas! I am the flair, the flame, and the future!”
Je’Von Evans interrupts. “Man, you talk a big game for someone who hasn’t stepped in a WWE ring yet. You’re ‘Grande’? To me, you just look like a target.”
The two go back and forth until Evans hits a springboard kick, sending Americano retreating. Before eventually…
Je’Von Evans defeated El Grande Americano
New Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch comes out, looking colder and more arrogant.
Becky Lynch: “I stopped trying to be your ‘Hero’ and started being your ‘Inconvenient Truth.’ I am the champion because I’m the only one willing to do what’s necessary.”
Iyo Sky interrupts in Japanese/English: “You didn’t win, Becky. You stole. You are a coward in a champion’s coat.”
Eventually, the two agree to a WrestleMania rematch for next week’s Draft episode, but this time with NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!
Rhea Ripley is interviewed backstage…
Interviewer: “Rhea, a massive victory at WrestleMania over Alexa Bliss. Many thought her ‘mind games’ would be your undoing. How does it feel to silence the doubters and keep that title?”
Rhea Ripley: (She lets out a slow, mocking laugh, looking directly into the camera) “Mind games? Is that what we’re calling it now? Look at me. Do I look like someone who’s scared of the dark? Alexa spent weeks trying to crawl inside my head, trying to find a flicker of fear… but all she found was a void. I didn’t just beat Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania; I erased her. I proved that ‘magic’ and ‘monsters’ don’t mean a damn thing when you’re staring down the Riptide.”
Interviewer: “Now that WrestleMania is behind us, the Draft is looming next week. Where do you see your reign going from here?”
Rhea Ripley: “Whether it’s Raw, whether it’s SmackDown… it doesn’t matter. The brand doesn’t define Rhea Ripley; I define the brand. I’m not just a champion, I’m the inevitable. The Draft isn’t a fresh start for the division… it’s a new set of victims for Mami. And trust me… I’m just getting started.”
Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated Alpha Academy (Otis & Akira Tozawa, with Maxxine Dupri)
We then get a Wyatt Sicks vignette. The screen flickers to a grainy, distorted feed. We see the aftermath of their WrestleMania carnage over the combined forces of the MFTs and The Usos.
Uncle Howdy’s Voice: “You thought a ‘Grand Stage’ would be our end? No… it was our invitation. The High Table builds walls… we tear them down. The blood on our hands is just the beginning. The reign of chaos doesn’t stop until the house is empty. We are still here. And we are always watching.”
Jacob Fatu is seen pacing in a dark hallway, his eyes wild and unfocused. He looks like a predator waiting to be let off the leash!
Jacob Fatu: (Growling into the camera) “Dwayne gave me an order. He said: ‘Bring the gold home.’ Punk… you talk about ‘Honor.’ You talk about ‘The People.’ But the only thing that’s real is the hunt. Tonight, the ‘Final Boss’ gets what he wants, and the ‘Samoan Werewolf’ gets to eat. You aren’t fighting a man, Punk. You’re fighting a force of nature. YOUR REIGN ENDS NOW! And after I’m done with you, Punk, there won’t be enough left of you to talk about. All gas, no brakes. YADADAMEAN?! FATU!“
Jacob Fatu vs CM Punk (C) for the World Heavyweight Championship
The atmosphere is electric. Fatu is pure aggression, nearly decapitating Punk with a lariat in the opening minutes. Punk plays the veteran, weathering the storm and targeting Fatu’s legs to slow the monster down. Eventually Punk hits the Go To Sleep, but as he goes for the cover, The Rock emerges from the back, looking to exert his “Final Boss” authority and interfere. The referee is distracted by the chaos at ringside. But just as The Rock climbs onto the apron to strike Punk, CODY RHODES sprints down the ramp! The crowd explodes. Cody tackles The Rock off the apron, and the two icons engage in a wild brawl that spills through the crowd and all the way to the back.With the distraction cleared and Fatu momentarily stunned, Punk catches the “Samoan Werewolf” with a second, thunderous GTS. 1… 2… 3!
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk
SmackDown after WrestleMania
The show opens with the sound of a motorcade. The Rock emerges, draped in the WWE Championship, looking every bit the corporate king. He takes the mic to a chorus of boos and “Cody” chants.
The Rock: “Look at you. Still chanting for a ‘Nightmare’ that ended at WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes is the past. TKO, the High Table, and The Final Boss… we are the forever. But a King can’t be everywhere at once. I need someone who shares my blood. Someone who understands that this isn’t just a wrestling show—it’s a family business.”
The Rock then officially reveals the new SmackDown General Manager: AVA!
Ava takes the mic, “My father is right. Loyalty is everything. And to ensure this brand remains under our control, I’ve brought in a special kind of insurance.”
The MFTs of Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are joined by their newest members Talla Tonga and JC Mateo! Ava notes that Jacob Fatu is currently “on assignment” on Raw, serving the High Table’s interests there.
Ava announces that tonight’s main event will be a Triple Threat Qualifier for a shot at the WWE Championship (the first of three triple threat matches, where the 3 winners will then face off for a shot at the WWE Title). The match in tonight’s main event will be… Cody Rhodes vs. Talla Tonga vs. JC Mateo. —
Ava: “But before we get to the politics, let’s see how our ‘assets’ handle a little competition. Solo, handle the newcomer…”
TRICK WILLIAMS defeated Solo Sikoa
In a shocker, Trick Williams nails the Trick Shot knee for a huge debut win! The crowd goes wild as Trick celebrates, signaling a new threat to the Bloodline.
We see Sami Zayn backstage, when he is joined by Cody Rhodes…
Sami Zayn: “Cody, I saw what happened at Mania. I saw what happened tonight. This ‘High Table’… they’re trying to choke the life out of us. You’ve got a 2-on-1 fight in that main event tonight.”
Cody Rhodes: “I know, Sami. They want me to quit. They want me to fade away. But I didn’t come back to WWE to be a corporate footnote. Tonight, I fight Talla and JC. But more importantly, I fight the idea that the Rock owns our future.”
Sami Zayn: “Just be careful. These MFTs… they aren’t wrestlers. They’re hitters.”
A haunting vignette plays. We see Aleister Black in a candlelit room, but he isn’t alone. He introduces his new associate—his wife, Zelina. “The corruption of the High Table creates shadows,” Black whispers. “And in the shadows, we find our strength.”
A somber AJ Styles comes to the ring. He talks about his WrestleMania loss and admits he’s unsure if he still “has it” as he enters what will likely be his final year. Shinsuke Nakamura interrupts. He looks darker, his movements more erratic.
Nakamura: “AJ… you look like a ghost. At WrestleMania, your spirit died. I didn’t come here to respect you. I came here to finish you. One last time, ‘Phenomenal One.’ Give me the man you used to be.”
AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
Backstage, the Lucha Bros (Penta & Fenix) are admiring their titles when they are approached by The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin). Chris Sabin: “Nice gold. But you haven’t defended it against the best tag team in the world yet.” Penta: “Cero Miedo! You want a shot? You want to see how ‘Machine Guns’ handle fire?” The two teams go face-to-face, setting the stage for a massive tag team match later tonight.
The Miz is in the ring, complaining about his lack of a “Final Boss” invite and demanding respect. Suddenly, a thunderous theme hits. The former NXT Champion, OBA FEMI, makes his walk to the ring. The Miz tries to talk his way out of it, but Oba doesn’t say a word. He catches Miz mid-sentence, hoists him up, and flattens him with a Pop-up Powerbomb followed by the Fall From Grace. Oba Femi stands over the broken Miz to a standing ovation. The Ruler has arrived on SmackDown!
Backstage, Nia Jax and Lash Legend are dripping in gold and arrogance. They brag about being the most physically imposing duo in WWE history. They head to the ring and issue an “Irresistible Open Challenge”: If any team can beat them tonight, they earn a future WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship opportunity. The challenge is answered by the shocking new duo of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair!
Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair defeated Nia Jax & Lash Legend
WWE Women’s Champion Bianca Belair makes her way to the ring to a massive ovation. She reflects on her emotional year—from the highs of the Royal Rumble to the struggle of reclaiming her throne at WrestleMania. Naomi returns, debuting a sleek, darker new gimmick. She and Bianca go back and forth, showing mutual respect for their shared history. They are soon joined by Jade Cargill, and for a moment, the ring is filled with the three most dominant forces on the brand. Just as the crowd begins to cheer for this “Super-Group,” Jade Cargill brutally attacks Bianca Belair! Naomi doesn’t help. She simply watches with a cold smirk, slowly exiting the ring as Jade stands tall over the “EST.”
Lucha Bros defeated MCMG
A confused and frustrated B-Fab catches up with Jade Cargill backstage. She demands to know why Jade would throw away their momentum to take out Bianca. Jade doesn’t offer an explanation. She simply stares B-Fab down and shoves her aside, walking off into the shadows.
WWE Championship Qualifier: Cody Rhodes vs Talla Tonga vs JC Mateo
The “High Table” plan is clear from the opening bell: Talla Tonga and JC Mateo act as a two-man unit, dismantling Cody Rhodes while Ava watches smugly from the stage. Just as Cody begins to fight back, the rest of the MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) sprint down to ringside to finish him off. But… Randy Orton slides into the ring, catching Solo with an RKO out of nowhere! THE USOS then fly over the top rope, taking out the MFTs on the floor! In the ring, the distraction allows Cody to hit a double Cross Rhodes on Talla and JC. He covers JC Mateo for the 1… 2… 3!
Cody Rhodes wins and qualifies for the #1 Contenders match!
The cameras cut backstage to Ava, who is absolutely livid!
So I hope all that has wetted the appetite for my WWE 2K26 Universe Mode! Once I have got the irl WrestleMania week out the way, I will be commencing with the rest of my own WWE Universe, beginning with my next post in the series that will feature our WWE DRAFT, the reveal of the new Raw GM, and the build to our first PLE. Which in turn, will feature The Rock’s first WWE Title defence! So stay tuned, and be ready to find out what era this is…
Josh.