WWE2k23 and AEW Fight Forever give wrestling fans a lot to look forward to in 2023

AEW Fight Forever and WWE2k23 are two big video games for wrestling fans in 2023.

Video games and professional wrestling are two closely linked worlds. Many fans of wrestling can recall the hours they spent playing video games comprised of their favorite stars from around the world. This week was filled with news about two big video games, AEW Fight Forever and WWE2k23. One on hand there is apprehension and on the other is excitement for two products in two different places.

WWE2k23 news broke surprisingly on Monday building excitement for the game. After the disaster that was WWE2k20, this reveal was a positive development to build from the reception that came with WWE2k22.

John Cena is going to be the cover star. Of course, fans responded with the proverbial “You can’t see me” jokes and some complained about who isn’t featured center stage, but all of that is beside the point. WWE2k23 will not remove any of the features that fans grew to love but will include some of those that were requested by players of previous games.

For example, the WarGames match will now be an available option in the game. MyGM, MyFaction, and Universe options will all see changes and additions. The full roster reveal has yet to occur but will feature many of the names that fans can expect from the WWE Universe, with more to come via downloadable content.

AEW Fight Forever has a big hurdle to conquer before the release

AEW Fight Forever is in a different situation. The game was first announced back in November 2020 and was presented as exactly what fans were looking for in a wrestling video game. Instead of focusing on the simulation aspect for “realness,” Fight Forever leaned into the days of WWE No Mercy.

Initial reactions were that the game pulled at the heartstrings that fans wanted, but there were still questions about how it would play and perform as it is a new system built from the ground up. The release date was the other question that popped up, with late 2022 as the announced release date. Well, the new year has come and gone, and Fight Forever is still not in the hands of fans.

Matt Black of Wrestle Zone gave an update on the situation on Wednesday. The piece reported that issues surrounding the rating of the game have caused delays with its release. The piece names the “amounts of blood and gore” that are keeping the game from achieving a Teen rating from the ESRB. The game has been resubmitted for rating to the ESRB but has not been returned and that delay continues to keep the game in development. This is a building story that will be interesting to see how far the game is pushed back.

Professional wrestling and video games go hand and hand. 2023 should be a year where fans of both forms of entertainment have a lot to be happy with from WWE and AEW.