WWE 2K25: Latest Previews and Gameplay Videos for New Match Types and Modes

Friday was launch day for WWE 2K25 for those gamers who purchased the Bloodline or Deadman Editions of this year's release, giving the die-hard fans of the franchise their first opportunity to see what developers 2K Games and WWE had in store for them.

For those who purchased, or will, the standard edition, they will wait until March 14 to dive deep into this year's offering.

What awaits them? Find out with this preview.

New and Returning Match Types

One thing that gamers demand out of the annual release is fresh new matches for them to compete in and this year brings plenty of them.

There is the Underground match, which removes the ropes from the ring and involves unique moves and interactions, as well as non-playable characters around the squared circle.

The match initially debuted during the short-lived, experimental Raw Underground segments and has become a staple of NXT, where Lola Vice has bested the likes of Shayna Baszler and Jaida Parker.

The Bloodline Rules match introduced a contest that was popularized at last year's WrestleMania 40, where Cody Rhodes countered interference from Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and The Rock with help from Jey Uso, John Cena, and The Undertaker to defeat Roman Reigns and win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

While it is not much different from a No-Disqualification Match or Street Fight, it allows for six run-ins (three per competitor), which sets it apart.

Intergender matches return to this year's game, allowing players to beat down Dominik Mysterio with Rhea Ripley or utilize Hall of Famer Chyna to make more history by winning the WWE Championship.

Those who enjoy taking their fights outside the ring will be overjoyed to learn that there are two new brawling locations. First is the WWE Archives, where players can battle among some of the most historically significant artifacts in WWE histor

If that isn't enough, players can take their fights to the NXT Parking Lot, where no one leaves unscathed.

The new and returning match types allow players to stay invested in the game without it ever becoming tired or played out. They also feature multiplayer opportunities that allow friends around the world to compete in and against each other, maintaining the fun and communal experience that the game has long provided.

The Bloodline Dominates New Modes

When a game has an entire edition dedicated to The Bloodline, it is common sense to expect Roman Reigns and the Samoan dynasty to play a key role in several of the modes. That is the case this year, with new and updated modes heavily featuring the Anoa'i family tree.

This year's Showcase mode allows players to relive historic moments in Bloodline history, such as Yokozuna effectively squashing Hulkamania for the next decade at the 1993 King of the Ring or Nia Jax defeating Lyra Valkyria to win the Queen of the Ring tournament.

It also allows gamers to rewrite history in matches featuring The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu) vs. The Steiner Brothers and Rikishi vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. In each, they will utilize the Bloodline's predecessors to defeat their foes and change WWE history.

Finally, players can make history, wrestling in matches that never happened, featuring some of the most significant stars in the industry's long and illustrious history. Gamers can compete as "High Chief" Peter Maivia and battle Hall of Famer George "The Animal" Steele, control Three Minute Warning's Rosey and Jamal in a battle of big men against The Authors of Pain, or square off with The Dudley Boyz while competing as Afa and Sika, The Wild Samoans.

The Island is a new mode that allows Playstation 5 and XBox Series X/S users the opportunity to take their play out of the ring and to an island location where they can play games, complete challenges, and compete in live events, all to appease The Tribal Chief.