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Stone Cold Steve Austin is the cover star of WWE 2K16. The unveiling of the cover was expected to take place on tonight’s Raw, but MTV UK has released the image and news early.
“First of all I’m very honoured to be the cover superstar for WWE 2K16,” Austin told MTV UK. He went on to mention how 2K had picked him because he is like the Michael Jordan of pro wrestling, and a few years ago 2K had Jordan on the cover of NBA 2K11.
There’s also expected to be a Stone Cold game mode, which will see the player going through Austin’s storied history. That news was all but confirmed when Jerry Lawler said that he’d recorded lines for it.
The decision to have Austin as a cover star is a smart one, as he remains one of the most recognisable pro wrestlers in the world. He’ll engage far more mainstream buyers than someone like Roman Reigns would have done. However, the decision to overlook Brock Lesnar was perhaps an error. He’d have definitely been a good choice given his history and current status.
Some fans are already speculating that Austin was picked because he’ll be wrestling at next year’s WrestleMania 32. His 2K16 role could be similar to the way 2K and WWE used Ultimate Warrior and Sting as tie-ins to start hype for on-screen WWE appearances.
While Austin is almost certain to have some sort of role at Mania 32, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for an in-ring return. The latest from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is that no Austin match is being thought about.