Game CEO Challenges Players to Take Him Down in WWE 2K26

Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has made his debut as a playable character in WWE 2K26. So, if you or someone you know faced layoffs due to his decisions, you can now jump into WWE 2K26 and virtually take him down in the ring, representing the company behind the GTA 6 developer, Rockstar Games.

On June 3, WWE 2K26 rolled out an update that introduced fresh content as part of the wrestling game’s third season. New wrestlers like Terri Wilson and Brian Pillman were highlighted, but the unexpected addition of Zelnick as a “wrestler” wasn’t mentioned in the season 3 announcement. He quietly became available in the game, as showcased in a video.

Zelnick’s entrance features a unique animation and the classic “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, which is reportedly exclusive to him and cannot be used by any other character. As he makes his entrance, announcers reference his career in the video game industry and share trivia about him, showcasing a surprising level of detail.

Interestingly, Zelnick has an in-game rating of 77. While he’s not the top-rated wrestler in WWE 2K26, he ranks higher than several real-life wrestlers, including WCW-era Eddie Guerrero, Bobby Newton, and William Regal, and is just behind stars like Triple H.

While many players might enjoy tossing Zelnick around the ring for a while, this situation feels unsettling. It highlights how video game executives and CEOs have become celebrities in their own right, often followed by gamers like movie stars or renowned directors. They appear at major events, host livestreams, and announce significant game releases, creating a perception of them as cool rockstars rather than the business figures who make tough decisions that impact employees.

There’s really no justification for Zelnick’s inclusion in WWE 2K26, and the lack of mention in the patch notes suggests that even the developers recognize this oddity.

Now, the question arises: Will Zelnick make an appearance in Grand Theft Auto 6 later this year? Something tells me he might prefer to avoid that scenario.