WWE 2k17 Release Date: Possible Launch, Pre-Order Trailer and List of Wrestlers That You Need To Know

Many WWE fans are quite worried about the looming release of WWE 2K17 video game that may not be at par with it WWE 2K16 as far as the size of virtual roster is concerned. To date, 2K16 has the biggest number of playable wrestling characters in the video game franchise history.

For example, Cody Rhodes (aka Stardust) is now off the WWE leash. As part of the WWE 2K16 lineup, it remains to be seen whether his character will be retained in the popular wrestling simulation despite his rock-solid exit from the promotion.

Stardust's fate in the WWE 2K17 is somewhat compared with what happened to Hulk Hogan's character. Following his controversial racial remarks, Hogan's character was removed from the 2K16 roster despite being in place prior to the title's release. Stardust's departure may have been of different nature but may end up with the same result.

Meanwhile, scans for WWE 2K17 have already begun with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose getting re-scanned for improved graphics. So even if Stardust already got re-scanned, his character may be pulled out anyway. Apart from Rhodes, other WWE stars who have recently headed toward the exit door include Wade Barrett, Damien Sandow and Cameron. Their playable characters are likely to be purged from 2K17 virtual roster as well, Christian Times reported.

Of course, with the departure of some stars off the roster comes with a compensation by adding a slew of new faces into the game which reportedly include AJ Styles, Sasha Banks, American Alpha, Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura, Austin Aries, the Four Horsewomen and Braun Strowman.

In another update from Morning News USA, 2K Sports has recently confirmed Bill Goldberg as a pre-order exclusive (watch trailer here) playable character with two different avatars with one from each tenure he had in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and WWE.

To most fans, the decision to make him the special playable character in the pre-order bonus was a stunner because the 49-year old has not fought since his WrestleMania 20 match against Brock Lesnar in 2004. Goldberg said that he looks forward to outperforming other exclusive biggies like Sting, Ultimate Warrior and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"As a father and an ex-wrestler, it's a dream come true," Goldberg said as quoted in an interview by WWE. "To be able to come back and be included in WWE 2K17, it's a huge honor. That the people would even want me back after such a long hiatus is another honor."

WWE 2K17 is slated for October release on PS4 and Xbox One.