After a few hours with WWE 2K26, the wrestling sim keeps getting better, even if the changes are not too flashy

I went hands-on with WWE 2K26 for just under four hours. While it wasn't a final build, we had free reign to check out everything included in this year's entry.

One of my favorite things in wrestling games is when they get the psychology aspects of ring work down. Old Smackdown games allowed you to argue with the ref over a near-fall and hold submissions longer than you're allowed to after a rope break, even if they aren't beneficial to you winning, it's little details like those I miss in new entries.

However, the new match start options that allow you to select how you want to open a bout – be it a friendly handshake, a staredown, or bumrushing your opponent to deck them asap – add a nice layer to the at times awkward match openings. Plus, there ...