2K16 features 26 superstars making their WWE games franchise debut. Hulk Hogan was announced as being part of the game, but was cut late in development due to the release of controversial racial statements he had made previously. 2K also revealed that WWE denied them the inclusion of Cody Rhodes as himself in the game, though he was included as his Stardust gimmick.
2K revealed that despite 'push(ing) as hard as we could' to include them, for 'various reasons,' Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Bayley (the Four Horsewomen of NXT) will not be in the game or included as DLC. A developer for the game then clarified that the 120 unique playable characters count does not include potential DLC, and that all 120 characters are included and will be released with the game. 2K announced on their social media accounts that WWE 2K16 will feature the 'largest roster in the game's history', featuring over 120 unique playable characters, nearly double the 67 that were in last year's game.
