Latest News and Rumors Surrounding WWE 2K15 for Sept. 8

Credit CM Punk and his legal team for spicing up an otherwise slow week in WWE 2K15 news.

Fans still haven't seen but flashes of gameplay. The roster remains incomplete. Punk, though, has reportedly pushed back about being one of the stars of the game.

How that might affect the game's release date will remain a hot topic until 2K Sports provides a clear answer. Whether one can get their hands on the Hulkamania special edition any more and an early preview are the other key items in the latest word on WWE's newest video game.

CM Punk's Letter

Punk, a central figure in the 2K Showcase mode, is seemingly not happy with his inclusion in the game.

Developers had no idea that the former world champ and WWE would have such a contentious relationship when it worked on that section of the game. After leaving  abruptly after the Royal Rumble, Punk has been at odds with the company.

The latest update in that real-life feud includes lawyers and the upcoming WWE video game. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), attorneys for Punk sent WWE a lengthy letter, with the primary focus being the company using his likeness in WWE 2K15.

That has fans worried that there might be a delay in the game's release. It's too early for real anxiety, though.

There has been no official word from 2K Sports that a legal battle would push back the Oct. 28 release date. 

Unconfirmed rumblings on the Internet have some fans believing that Punk has sued WWE in addition to sending the letter. PWInsider's Mike Johnson shoots down that rumor, writing, "neither CM Punk nor Alberto Del Rio have filed lawsuits against WWE, much less beaten them in court." 

Hulkamania Version Notes

If you were still undecided about purchasing the special collector's Hulkamania edition of WWE 2K15, you may have already lost your chance. They are going fast.

As Damien Seeto at Attack of the Fanboy notes, many retailers are already sold out of the Hulkamania edition of the game. Seeto did searches for WWE 2K15 at Best Buy, Amazon and GameStop's online store. The Hulkster-themed box sets are nowhere to be found at those sites.

The WWE 2K Twitter account reminded fans that the set is rare:

WWE 2K did not, however, say that the Hogan version is completely sold out. It did warn fans on Twitter last month that the special version of the game was selling out. Good luck finding a copy now.

Folks are already selling it at double its original price on eBay. 

Another Hands-On Perspective 

The latest writer to get his hands on an early version of the game had some good news to pass along. Ben Wilson wrote a mostly positive hands-on review for CVG.

Like early reviews, the praise is pointed at improved graphics, animations and a more realistic overall experience.

On the importance of landing one's signature moves, Wilson writes:

"

Now being on the receiving end of an opponent's signature move, such as Cena's five knuckle shuffle (I know) leaves you in grave danger of immediate defeat. Wounded, knackered grapplers struggle back to a standing position, even using the ropes to help themselves up when appropriate. But equally, if you can reverse an opponent's signature or finisher, momentum swings back heavily in your direction.

As a result, the stakes are high like never before when either player tries to end the match with one big move—miss it, and you can instantly turn glorious victory into crushing defeat.

"

Wilson goes on to describe his selected Superstar trading finisher attempts with an opponent, which sounds mighty fun.

An added sense of risk and reward would certainly benefit the game. WWE 2K14 didn't offer quite as dramatic of a reversal system. 

This addition will certainly make matches feel more like the stuff ones sees on TV. The same goes for the presentation.

Regarding the visuals, Wilson had this to say:

"

It helps that every element of the game looks like a TV broadcast. The legendary facial tech on show in the NBA 2K series has crossed over to the grappling world, and all four brutemen mentioned above look eerily like their real life counterparts. Camera cuts and replays match those you see every week on Raw and Smackdown, and the thousands of new animations on offer give the action a seamless, organic flow.

"

That all sounds excellent. If only we could all see some more peeks of that ourselves. 

Fans are unsure what to expect from the latest edition of the series. That apparently hasn't stopped them from preordering the Hogan-centered edition, though.