WWE 2K16: Latest News and Buzz for Week of Sept. 21

Despite developers unveiling the biggest roster in the video game's history, much of the talk about WWE 2K16 has been about who is missing from the upcoming video game.

The key figures in WWE's Divas Revolution are not part of the action. 2K's official response to those folks not getting a spot on the WWE 2K16 roster has fans talking just as much as the release of a brand-new trailer.

Fans received several new looks at the game this week, from last-gen screen shots to gameplay clips. In addition, a Steve Austin-heavy trailer is now making the rounds on the Internet.

The following is a look at all the new images and footage and the latest news regarding the roster as well as the takeaways from another hands-on preview.

Word on Roster Absentees

Last week, IGN released its final edition of its roster reveal. While some fans had to be thrilled to learn Ricky Steamboat, Brian Pillman and Enzo Amore made the final cut, it was the game's Diva deficiency that caused a stir.

WWE 2K16 does not feature a single one of the Four Horsewomen from NXT. Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch won't be available later via download, either.

2K announced on the game's website:

"

We pushed as hard as we could to include Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Bayley in WWE 2k16, but it simply did not work out for various reasons. While we are not divulging full details on WWE 2K16's post-launch plans just yet, we can confirm that the Four Horsewomen will not be available as DLC.

"

While 2K can't possibly include everyone, it's odd Eva Marie and Layla are a part of the final roster, not to mention two versions of Stephanie McMahon, but the last three NXT women's champs aren't available as playable characters.

As Brian Mazique of Franchise Play noted, at least the company addressed the situation:

Those waiting for Stardust's alter ego to be part of a DLC package aren't going to like what one 2K employee had to say. There will be no Cody Rhodes in the game.

2K Senior Producer Mark Little posted on the official 2K forum, "We requested to have Cody Rhodes in WWE 2K16, but it was not approved by the WWE. Much like the masked wrestlers, the WWE doesn't like to mix personas of active roster Superstars and Divas."

That's less disappointing than none of the four emerging women's wrestlers being around. There is at least one version of Rhodes available.

It looks like players wanting to play out Banks vs. Bayley at home will have to depend on some enterprising gamer creating a convincing custom version of the two wrestlers.

New Footage (Including Gameplay Trailer)

A number of new WWE 2K16 videos are now out for fans to gawk at and nitpick.

In the past, early looks of the game have focused on entrances. More gameplay videos, though, are popping up this year. For one, the WWE 2K developers team posted a long clip of Hideo Itami clashing with Tyler Breeze on YouTube: 

What's most impressive is some of the more subtle animations. Breeze holds his back in pain after getting suplexed. Itami sits frustrated on the mat after failing to put his foe away.

These kinds of details will help add to the realism of the action.

Other videos include Bad News Barrett battling R-Truth and Sting vs. Seth Rollins. The latter features the crowd erupting in a "This is awesome!" chant. It will be mighty fun if 2K has worked more chants like that into the bouts.

And after a long wait between trailers, IGN satisfied hungry WWE 2K16 fans with a trailer featuring a long list of stars:

Many of the clips are pieced from things fans have seen in previous weeks, but this is still an impressive spot. It makes it clear how much 2K did to keep attires updated. Stardust's getup at WrestleMania 31 and Dolph Ziggler's new hair metal gear are among the best examples of that.

Other Notes

PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote about his hands-on experience with the game during SummerSlam weekend.

It's a glowing review. Johnson hailed the presentation as "perfect." He also revealed some interesting details, including Lilian Garcia being seen sitting in the timekeeper's area and players being able to "call for a run-in as your opponent is in the middle of his entrance."

Aside from mentioning it may take a while to get used to the new reversal system, he only had positive things to say. Summing up his thoughts, he wrote, "The game is everything I'd want in a pro wrestling game, from the entrances to brawling around ringside to the dives to the reversals and fighting out of submissions."

It's encouraging that a longtime WWE fan like Johnson was so pulled in by the experience. 

How much of those great graphics Johnson saw firsthand will be passed down to those fans still playing PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, though? 

Recently released last-gen screen shots provide a good idea of what to expect on those consoles. The folks at Smacktalks collected a number of these images and shared them in this video:

While not as detailed and impressive as the graphics for the more advanced systems, these still look really good.

Ultimately, however, its appeal of great visuals wear off if the game is not up to par. As 2K continues to put its own stamp on the series, it looks as if fans are set for a major upgrade from last year.

All the virtual action on tap will just have to be without Banks and crew.