”WWE 2K25” largely builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, including the returning “Chain Wrestling” mechanic, the new “Giant” class of wrestler (which have an additional [[Health (game terminology)|life bar]] that must be drained before they are able to take damage), and new gimmick match modes such as “[[Professional wrestling match types#Raw/NXT Underground|Underground]]” and “Bloodline Rules” (a no-disqualifications match inspired by the [[WrestleMania XL]] night 2 main event, which gives the wrestlers an ability granting up to three [[Run in|run ins]] who stay in the ring after they’ve been summoned).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jessey |first=Ben |date=2025-03-12 |title=WWE 2K25: Bloodline Rules Matches, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/wwe-2k25-bloodline-rules-matches-explained/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> ”2K25” is the first entry in the ”WWE 2K” franchise to support intergender matches since [[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009]].<!–old thq had them–><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=WWE 2K25 Review – New World Order |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k25-review/1900-6418343/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2025-02-05 |title=WWE 2K25 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-hands-on-preview |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
”WWE 2K25” largely builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, including the returning “Chain Wrestling” mechanic, the new “Giant” class of wrestler (which have an additional [[Health (game terminology)|life bar]] that must be drained before they are able to take damage), and new gimmick match modes such as “[[Professional wrestling match types#Raw/NXT Underground|Underground]]” and “Bloodline Rules” (a no-disqualifications match inspired by the [[WrestleMania XL]] night 2 main event, which gives the wrestlers an ability granting up to three [[Run in|run ins]] who stay in the ring after they’ve been summoned).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jessey |first=Ben |date=2025-03-12 |title=WWE 2K25: Bloodline Rules Matches, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/wwe-2k25-bloodline-rules-matches-explained/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> ”2K25” is the first entry in the ”WWE 2K” franchise to support intergender matches since [[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009]].<!–old thq had them–><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=WWE 2K25 Review – New World Order |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwe-2k25-review/1900-6418343/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Driver |first=Dale |date=2025-02-05 |title=WWE 2K25 Hands-On Preview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-hands-on-preview |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
The Showcase mode is themed around [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] and the [[AnoaÊ»i family]], highlighting members such as [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], [[Roman Reigns]], [[Tamina Snuka|Tamina]], [[The Usos]] ([[Jimmy Uso|Jimmy]] and [[Jey Uso|Jey]]), and [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]], as it’ll feature matches showcasing each member of the family in a non-chronological order, from Yokozuna VS. [[Hulk Hogan]] for the [[WWE Championship]] at [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring 1993]] to Roman Reigns VS. [[Seth Rollins]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] at [[Royal Rumble (2022)|Royal Rumble 2022]], culiminating in three fictional matches, the Bloodline Civil [[WarGames match]] between the OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and [[Sami Zayn]]) and the Rogue Bloodline ([[Solo Sikoa]], [[Jacob Fatu]], [[Tama Tonga]] and [[Tonga Loa]]) at the [[Survivor Series: WarGames (2024)|Survivor Series: WarGames 2024]] arena, [[Islanders (professional wrestling)|The Islanders]] ([[Haku (wrestler)|Islander Haku]] and [[Sam Fatu|Islander Tama]]) VS. [[Street Profits|The Street Profits]] ([[Montez Ford]] and [[Angelo Dawkins]] at the [[WWE Day 1 (2024)|Raw Day 1 2024]] arena and the Tribal [[Gauntlet match]] between any of the 11 of the 24 superstars featured in the showcase at the Tribal Hall of Acknowledgment arena to determine the “Tribal Chief”, across three match styles, as akin to ”[[WWE Legends of WrestleMania]]”’s [[WrestleMania]] Tour mode: Relive History, which follows the actual match as it happens, Change History, which is similar to Relive History, but brings in a “what-if” scenario where the losing superstar would win the match instead, and Create History, which brings in fictional matches. The showcase is hosted by Roman Reigns’ special council, [[Paul Heyman]], and the showcase begins in the final moments of the Tribal Rules match between [[Cody Rhodes]] (with run ins from Jey Uso (not shown), [[John Cena]], [[Seth Rollins]] and [[The Undertaker]]) and Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman by his side and run ins from Jimmy Uso (not shown), Solo Sikoa and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]) at WrestleMania XL for the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]]. Match cutscenes have now reverted back to in-game only, as in past ”WWE 2K” games, prior to ”[[WWE 2K20]]”, which had re-recorded commentary and archived audio. MyGM, MyFaction and Universe mode also make returns in this game. MyGM added eight new managers ([[Ava Raine|Ava]], [[Nick Aldis]], [[Shawn Michaels]], [[Sensational Sherri]], [[Miss Elizabeth]], [[Armando Estrada]], [[Mr. Fuji]] and [[CM Punk]]), a new brand, [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT Mutiny]], a fictional version of NXT from MyRise Mutiny, which was under control by Mutiny, support for online simulation matches, and cross-brand PLEs, which feature pre-set cross-brand opening and main event matches. Universe reinstated support for [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]]. The MyRise campaign mode, which is now under a single storyline for both male and female divisions, entitled “Mutiny”, follows a group of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers, known as “Mutiny”, attempting to take over [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] for control of WWE, as the protagonist, who was drafted first overall in the [[WWE Draft]], band together a group of either Legends, wrestlers from the independent wrestling promotion, TBD, or 2K MyPlayers, which are pre-made custom superstars who are also protagonists of previous MyCareer and MyRise storylines from past ”WWE 2K” games, from ”[[WWE 2K19]]” (MyCareer) to ”[[WWE 2K24]]” (MyRise Undisputed and Unleashed), to overthrow Mutiny and regain control of WWE.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:1″ /> A new mode known as “The Island”, which is exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amoroso |first=Dan |date=2025-01-28 |title=WWE 2K25’s Island Comes With a Catch |url=https://gamerant.com/wwe-2k25-ps5-xbox-series-x-only/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> is an online [[Player versus player|PvPvE]] mode modelled after “The City” from recent ”[[NBA 2K]]” games, which takes place in a [[Samoa]]-inspired setting and uses players’ custom superstars, which feature a storyline that features Roman Reigns and his special council, Paul Heyman, offering a WWE contract to the one who can overcome all other challengers across the Island of Relevancy and earning the respect of Reigns and Heyman.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=2025-03-13 |title=WWE 2K25 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-review |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
The Showcase mode is themed around [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] and the [[AnoaÊ»i family]], highlighting members such as [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], [[Roman Reigns]], [[Tamina Snuka]], [[The Usos]] ([[Jimmy Uso|Jimmy]] and [[Jey Uso|Jey]]), and [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]. , MyGM, and Universe mode also make returns, support for online simulation matches, and Universe support for [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promos]]. The MyRise campaign mode, entitled “Mutiny”, follows a group of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers, known as “Mutiny”, attempting to take over [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] for control of WWE.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:1″ /> A new mode known as “The Island”, which is exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amoroso |first=Dan |date=2025-01-28 |title=WWE 2K25’s Island Comes With a Catch |url=https://gamerant.com/wwe-2k25-ps5-xbox-series-x-only/ |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> is an online [[Player versus player|PvPvE]] mode modelled after “The City” from recent ”[[NBA 2K]]” games, which takes place in a [[Samoa]]-inspired setting and uses players’ custom .<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:2″>{{Cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=2025-03-13 |title=WWE 2K25 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k25-review |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
