WWE 2K24is now available everywhere, complete with a handful of smart adjustments over its predecessor. It’s been a long road fromWWE 2K20toWWE 2K24, but the franchise is clearly back on track at least. Hopefully, it can also continue this momentum with future iterations, and one key way it could do that is perhaps seen inWWE 2K24’s MyRise Undisputed Mode.
ThisWWE 2K24storyline closely connects to the real world, so much so that it could be seen as an alternate timeline to the current one. In it, Roman Reigns has gone undefeated and holds the Undisputed WWE Universal championship still up to an undated SummerSlam. It acknowledges his real-world number of days as champ, but ignoring those, the story could reasonably be set in a world where Roman retains at WrestleMania 40, is set up for another match with Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, but then just decides to leave for Hollywood. Perhaps something happens to the Bloodline, giving Roman a vendetta against The Rock to see him take off after Hollywood. However, this does feel unlikely for the real world, but one thing this MyRise story does is set fans up for a post-WrestleMania 40 world.
WWE 2K24 Acknowledges Roman Reigns' Long Shadow
At one point during the MyRise storyline, Kevin Owens will acknowledge the time period as the “Post-Roman world.” Many love The Tribal Chief, many hate The Head of the Table, but it’s undeniable that Roman Reigns has held the title longer than any other champion in the modern era. The next champion, possiblyCody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, will have to live in this shadow, and a lot of the MyRise storyline here is about this new champion, who has less prestige than Cody, attempting to get out of Reigns' shadow.
It’s entirely possible thatRoman Reignswill retain at WrestleMania 40, putting the timeline on the next champion and who it is even further out, but they will live in his shadow regardless. However, for simplicity’s sake, this article will assume Roman Reigns loses his title at WrestleMania 40.
Of course, Reigns may be leaving for Hollywood inWWE 2K24, but he still has his hooks in the new champion. He cuts promos to tease, laughs at him on social media, and can otherwise be felt everywhere even with his then-absence from WWE. Reigns leaves WWE, but WWE doesn’t leave Reigns in this scenario. Altogether, that’s going to happen with Cody Rhodes if he wins the championship. Fans love Rhodes, as evident by the#WeWantCody movement, but he’s not done with Reigns at WrestleMania. Assuming Reigns remains after WrestleMania, the entire Bloodline will only have reason to be even more aggressive. Perhaps that’s where The Rock intervenes and there’s some sort of second Bloodline Civil War, but Reigns and The Bloodline will still be at WWE. Even if Reigns remains a part-timer, his legacy is a living one and something that WWE storytelling can’t ignore.
Roman Reigns' Accomplishments
Even if Reigns takes some time off, “goes to Hollywood,” or gets too embroiled with The Rock and Bloodline business, Rhodes won’t be able to shake his shadow. Cody’s storytelling after that will no doubt involve his championship run, which will always be compared to Roman’s. The good news is that many fans don’t necessarily want another 3-4 year run, but even when that passes on to someone else, it’s still going to be in Reigns' shadow. Until there is a major paradigm shift, the Undisputed WWE Universal title will be as associated with Roman Reigns as thespinner belt is with John Cena.
It’ll be interesting to see how the real world tackles this concept because it’s obviously not going to be the same asWWE 2K24. It does eventually go off tracks, but the preview is still there. Ultimately, this MyRise storyline serves as a good way for fans to prepare for the “Post-Roman World,” should it come atWrestleMania 40or sometime thereafter.
WWE 2K24
WHERE TO PLAY
FORTY YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIAWrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, where Superstars become WWE Legends. Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you may relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.AN ICONIC ROSTERWWE 2K24 boasts a star-studded roster featuring WWE Legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker, and Andre the Giant, alongside current WWE Superstars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, and Roman Reigns, whose larger-than-life entrances and signature moves are heightened by ultra-realistic graphics.NEW MATCH TYPESFrom Guest Referee to Casket, Gauntlet, and Ambulance matches, there are a bevy of new match types to experience in WWE 2K24, including support for multiple Superstars in Backstage Brawl.PROVE YOURSELF IN MyRISEUnleash your raw talent and become the undisputed champ in MyRISE, featuring two thrilling career arcs and original storylines chronicling your ascent to WWE stardom from the men’s and women’s divisions.BUILD YOUR FACTIONAssemble your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in MyFACTION. Acquire cards, build a dominant faction, compete in online multiplayer and the all-new ranked quickplay. Plus, earn exciting promotional and final rank rewards as you climb the new seasonal leaderboard!
