'WWE 2K17': Latest News and Buzz for Week of Sept. 12

The virtual ring won't be able to contain WWE 2K17. The latest peeks of the upcoming WWE video game showed off that the slobberknockers fans create can and will move outside of the squared circle.  

Mysteries about who will be in WWE 2K17 are over. 2K revealed the game's full roster two weeks ago. Fans' focus now turns to actual gameplay.

A new trailer offered a glimpse of what the game will look like beyond screen shots and entrances. 

So far, so good. Brawling, Brock Lesnar and new moves from a host of fresh faces are among the reasons to get excited about WWE 2K17.

The next installment in the WWE series is set for release on October 11 for PlayStation 4, Playstation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. Before that, let's look at the most recent batch of info and images for the game.

Beyond the Ropes

The most noticeable change in WWE 2K17 will be the ability to fight outside the ring.

Previous editions in the series have featured backstage skirmishes, but they were limited to specific areas and were isolated elements of the game. This year, one can slug it out in the stands, on the entrance ramp and all throughout the arena.

WWE2KDev broke down the new feature on YouTube:

The Superstars fight around the security barricade, among the fans and elsewhere. At first glance, the animations of all this look excellent, too.

The latest trailer showcased even more gameplay, with plenty of clips of wrestlers trading blows in various places other than a ring.  

Goldberg and Brock Lesnar are supposed to be the stars of the video, but many gamers will be more excited to see the fact that they were fighting backstage. Their clash travels from the locker room to a hallway, the powerhouse using tables and a circuit breaker as weapons.

Suplex City

If traveling to Suplex City on one's TV isn't enough to satisfy one's hunger, 2K has you covered.

The company is doing a marketing gimmick, as seen on WWE.2K.com, called "Suplex City." This is where fans can add a taste of the video game to their personal photos. 

It's similar to when moviegoers could make their own "straight outta" images as part of the Straight Outta Compton marketing campaign.

With the SummerSlam-2K events over and the full roster out, this is a smart, easy way to keep people talking about the game. There are still four weeks' worth of buzz to fill, after all.

Odds and Ends 

While WWE 2K17 boasts over 150 playable wrestlers, not everyone's favorite grappler will be in the game. 

Oliver Cragg of the International Business Times pointed out a number of unfortunate omissions. Batista, Ryback, CM Punk and Eddie Guerrero are among those not included.

Ryback and Punk aren't around due to contentious relationships with the company. It's not surprising that they didn't make the cut considering WWE doctor Chris Amaan is suing Punk, and Ryback left after loudly expressing frustration with the company's contract policies. 

Gamers might be more focused on the game's additions to notice, though.

Lots of wrestlers, including Asuka and Sasha Banks, will be making their WWE game debuts. Some of those wrestlers are bringing some exciting moves with them.

As Forbes writer Brian Mazique pointed out, "Kevin Owens' ring-apron powerbomb, Sasha Banks' diving double knee drop to the stomach and some sort of leaping double axe handle from Cesaro" can be seen in the game's latest trailer.

And the builds for all the newcomers look stunning so far. The current NXT tag team champions The Revival, for example, look just like the real thing: 

It's going to be hard waiting to take control of those bruisers and let them issue their trademark hard-hitting style in every corner of the virtual arena.