WWE 2K26's Showcase Mode centers entirely on CM Punk, tracing his WWE journey from SummerSlam 2008 through the WrestleMania 41 Triple Threat main event. Narrated by Punk himself, the mode spans more than 25 years of WWE history and rewards players with a substantial pool of unlockable characters, arenas, alternate attires, and more as they complete matches and objectives.
Quick answer: You can unlock everything in Showcase Mode either by playing through each match individually or by completing a 20-opponent Gauntlet match as CM Punk or AJ Lee — but losing the Gauntlet resets your progress entirely.
Confirmed Showcase Unlockables
The unlockable roster is heavily weighted toward era-specific versions of CM Punk and his most notable rivals. Each playable superstar or attire corresponds to a specific Showcase match, so completing that bout's objectives earns the reward. Here's every confirmed unlock so far:
| Unlockable | Type |
|---|---|
| CM Punk '08 | Superstar |
| CM Punk '11 | Superstar |
| CM Punk '13 | Superstar |
| Rey Mysterio '08 | Superstar / Attire |
| Randy Orton '11 | Superstar |
| The Rock '13 | Superstar |
| John Cena '13 | Superstar |
| Undertaker '13 | Superstar |
| Brock Lesnar '13 | Superstar |
| AJ Lee | Superstar |
| Seth Rollins WrestleMania 41 | Attire |
| CM Punkvillion | Custom Arena |
| Raw '13 | Arena |
| Raw '25 Netflix Debut | Arena |
| SummerSlam 2008 | Arena |
| SummerSlam 2013 | Arena |
| Armageddon 2008 | Arena |
| WrestleMania 27 | Arena |
| WrestleMania 29 | Arena |
| Elimination Chamber 2013 | Arena |
| Bad Blood 2024 | Arena |
| WrestleMania 41 | Arena |
The developer's Ringside Report on Showcase Mode confirms that reward categories also include Legends, Managers, and Championships, though specific items in those categories beyond the list above have not yet been detailed. Some characters — AJ Lee in particular — may ultimately be obtainable through other modes rather than exclusively through Showcase.
All Confirmed Showcase Matches
The Showcase is split into three distinct match categories, each offering a different lens on Punk's career. The mode opens with the WrestleMania 41 Triple Threat and then moves backward through time before branching into fantasy and alternate-history territory.
Historical Matches
These are faithful recreations of real WWE bouts, complete with period-accurate arenas, ring gear, and Superstar models. Each match includes objectives that reflect key moments from the original event.
| Match | Event | Stipulation |
|---|---|---|
| CM Punk vs. JBL | SummerSlam 2008 | World Heavyweight Championship |
| CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio | Armageddon 2008 | #1 Contender Tournament Final |
| CM Punk vs. Randy Orton | WrestleMania XXVII | Singles |
| CM Punk vs. The Rock | Elimination Chamber 2013 | WWE Championship |
| CM Punk vs. John Cena | Raw, Feb. 25, 2013 | #1 Contender |
| CM Punk vs. Undertaker | WrestleMania 29 | Singles |
| CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar | SummerSlam 2013 | No Disqualification |
| CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre | Bad Blood 2024 | Hell in a Cell |
| CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins | Raw, Jan. 6, 2025 | Netflix Debut |
| CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns | WrestleMania 41 | Triple Threat |
Fantasy Warfare Matches
Fantasy Warfare pits CM Punk against legends he never actually faced in WWE. These dream matchups blend eras and take place in the custom CM Punkvillion arena. Three have been confirmed:
- CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin — set in CM Punkvillion
- CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero — set in CM Punkvillion
- CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. The Miz & Maryse — Tag Team Match
"What If" Matches
A new addition for WWE 2K26, "What If" matches explore alternate timelines. The central premise revolves around questions like what would have happened if CM Punk never left WWE in 2014, or if certain rivalries had played out differently. Specific "What If" match details have not been fully revealed yet, though 2K has confirmed a handful of these scenarios exist within the mode and will be disclosed closer to launch.
There are also hints at additional unconfirmed matches, including CM Punk and AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, and a potential CM Punk TNA/ROH bout with an unnamed opponent. Neither has been officially locked in.
How the Gauntlet Instant Unlock Works
For players who want to skip the traditional match-by-match progression, WWE 2K26 introduces an optional Gauntlet match. You pick either CM Punk or AJ Lee and face 20 consecutive opponents back-to-back. Beating all 20 instantly grants every Showcase unlockable — every superstar, attire, arena, championship, and manager tied to the mode.
The catch is significant. If you lose at any point during the Gauntlet, you restart from the very first opponent. There are no checkpoints and no shortcuts. It's designed as a genuine gameplay challenge rather than a free pass, and experienced WWE 2K players will likely find it faster than completing every individual Showcase match with full objectives.
This is separate from the standard Showcase progression, where you earn rewards incrementally by completing match-specific objectives. Both paths lead to the same pool of unlockables — the Gauntlet simply compresses the process into a single high-stakes session.
More Showcase matches and unlockables are expected to be announced before WWE 2K26 launches. The "What If" category in particular remains mostly under wraps, and additional Fantasy Warfare bouts could expand the list further. For now, the confirmed roster of 22 unlockables and 13 playable matches gives a clear picture of what Punk's Showcase has in store.
