'WWE 2K17': Latest News, Buzz for Week of August 29

After SummerSlam weekend and the days following it, fans have a much clearer idea of what WWE 2K17 will look like.

Interviews, hands-on previews and another roster reveal peeled back the curtains on the video game, showing peeks of what to expect with the latest installment of the WWE series.

Recent NXT call-ups and current stars of the developmental brand will be a part of the game. Subtle improvements to gameplay should enhance players' overall experience. Also, the discussion about Goldberg's post-WWE 2K17 future remains a hot topic. 

There are still unanswered questions ahead, but the latest batch of WWE 2K17 news gave added reason to be excited before the game hits shelves on Oct. 11.

Roster Updates

A myriad of new faces will populate the WWE 2K17 world. A number of WWE alumni and NXT stars will make their first appearances in the 2K series.

As Matthew Artus noted on WWE.com, the following Legends will be in the game:

• Diamond Dallas Page
• Earthquake
• Typhoon
• Razor Ramon 
• Ric Flair

Earthquake and Typhoon, The Natural Disasters, are a welcome addition to the roster. The massive duo were available for last year's game but only as downloadable characters.

The New Era and the WWE's traveling developmental brand is well-represented in WWE 2K17.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan of American Alpha, as well as Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival, are officially on the roster. AJ Styles and Sasha Banks will both make their 2K debuts.

As for how all these Superstars stack up ratings-wise, SmackTalks got an early glimpse of some of their numbers. The YouTuber who focuses on WWE video games attended a WWE 2K17 preview event and was able to note the following ratings: 

Superstar	Rating	Change from '2K16' Rating
AJ Styles	89	N/A
Alberto Del Rio	83	N/A
Dean Ambrose	90	+1
Kevin Owens	86	-5
Seth Rollins	93	-1

The only real surprise there is Kevin Owens dropping several points from last year. That shift speaks to Owens going from knocking off John Cena in his debut to running in circles on the midcard months later.

Early Hands-On Impressions

Tweaks and refinements are headed to WWE 2K17 as developers continue to perfect the game. Several media members got their hands on an early build during the preview event during SummerSlam weekend and saw these improvements firsthand. 

Brian Mazique of Forbes came away impressed with the graphics. He wrote, "The hair and cloth physics in WWE 2K17 are the best I've seen in any sports video game."

He also noted that the game's striking physics have improved, while its commentary has regressed. Mazique wrote that sometimes the transition from a move to a pin was slow but said developers expect that to be cleared up before the game's release.

One of the more intriguing additions to players' options is the ability to attack a foe after the match is over. Mazique wrote, "You'll be able to inflict more damage on an opponent after securing the victory."

SmackTalks' experience with the preview edition of the game was mostly positive, too.

It's apparently now easier to pull off major reversals, the taunt system has been adjusted and, overall, the game is "much more polished," per SmackTalks:

Fox Sports' Nick Schwartz revealed that in ladder matches "Ladder placement has now been streamlined." That fixes one of the more annoying parts of recent wrestling video games. Getting the ladder in the right spot under the championship or briefcase has long been a headache.

And while many of the virtual depictions of the game's Superstars are excellent, Schwartz believes that Kevin Owens' appearance is a bit off.

He wrote, "Owens seemed to be nearly identical to his 2K16 self and was slightly off in terms of realism (his beard just looks a little...strange), but the rest of the wrestlers have never looked better. "

A Real Goldberg Return on the Way?

The speculation about the Superstar available as a pre-order bonus has rumbled loudly.

Goldberg last wrestled for WWE in 2004, when he and Brock Lesnar tangled at WrestleMania XX. The powerhouse has since kept his distance from the company. Now that he's working with 2K, many have wondered if an in-ring return is on its way.

Recent interviews have helped create buzz around that idea and, as a result, the video game's release.

When asked about a potential return, Goldberg told Ben Wilson of GamesRadar, "I've said it before and I'll say it again: [The past is] water under the bridge. If WWE wants to make good money and have a good opponent for Brock...hey, who knows?"

At the 2K event during SummerSlam weekend, Lesnar told 2K's Bryan Vore that if he saw Goldberg, he might "beat his ass:"

This kind of talk has many a fan curious about whether these two could actually meet in the ring. If WWE is welcome Goldberg back, though, it won't be right away. PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson, who spoke with Goldberg during the 2K17 launch party, wrote that the former WCW champ "had double knee surgery six weeks ago." 

2K17 versions of Goldberg vs. Lesnar will have to precede the real thing.

New Footage 

Images of the video game are emerging slowly. The screenshots up to this point have looked excellent, but there hasn't been ton of gameplay clips available.

One of the latest glimpses gamers took in featured Goldberg's famous entrance:

2K certainly didn't skimp on detail. In his virtual entrance, security guards accompany the powerhouse to the ring, he trots out from backstage to the entrance ramp and fireworks spray above him as he arrives. All of this helps capture the power of Goldberg's mystique.

In addition, IGN released a clip of Banks battling Charlotte:

This allows fans to see the reversal system at work. It shows off The Boss' taunts and selling animation.

It's brief, though, and sure to leave fans hungry to see more of how WWE 2K17 has evolved. That process will more clear in a hurry. The game will be in stores in just over a month.