WWE 2K20’s huge roster boasted more than 200 superstars, but there were many current-day wrestlers and past legends that were strangely omitted (and some icons have appeared only once in WWE titles). Most of the NXT UK division, for example, was missing. On top of that, some of the biggest names of all, such as Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch, had a large number of duplicates.

With WWE 2K21 cancelled, 2K20 has grown even more outdated as WWE’s roster continues to evolve and expand. Now, with WWE 2K22 on the horizon, fans have grown eager to see a fresh new wrestling game. When it does arrive, there are a multitude of stars who need to make an appearance.

10 Danny Burch: The British Brawler’s Time Has Come

It’s strange that Danny Burch (this brilliant WWE 2K19 Create A Wrestler was made by BHANGRA MAN/Ryeedee) wasn’t in 2K20, or even 2K19. The British Brawler has been working alongside Oney Lorcan for years, and the duo have taken NXT by storm. Their tag team matches have always been brutal, technical, and hard hitting, and their success lead them to attaining the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Burch is actually a veteran in the business, having been in WWE since 2013, so his arrival in a wrestling game is long overdue. Burch’s inclusion could easily add some experience and freshness to the 2K22 tag team roster, while his moveset would also be enticing for any fans of technical strikes and flowing combat.

9 Shotzi Blackheart: A Great Moveset Waiting To Happen

Shotzi Blackheart (this great WWE 2K19 Create A Wrestler was designed by Treybaile) is one of the most unique and energetic women on the NXT roster right now. 2020’s breakout star, Shotzi really came into her own with matches against Candice LeRae, Io Shirai and Shayna Baszler. Fans adored her unique style from the start, cheering her on against dastardly foes.

Since then, she’s become an integral part of the NXT Women’s Tag Team division. She would be a fantastic addition to the 2K22 roster, and her aggressive high-flying moveset would be extremely interesting to play with. Plus, who wouldn’t want to make an entrance on a tank like Blackheart’s?

8 Raquel Gonzalez: A Women’s Division Powerhouse

Not many people in WWE can match the brute force and strength of the current NXT Women’s Champion, Raquel Gonzalez (pictured here in a WWE 2K19 Create A Wrestler from OmegaNXT44). This might warrior has been working alongside the treacherous Dakota Kai, eventually carving her own path and becoming champion. Brutal matches against Io Shirai and Rhea Rhipley cemented her as a formidable foe, one that would be extremely fun and satisfying to play as.

She would be an amazing addition to the roster, adding some much-needed power to the women’s division. Her fluid yet hard-hitting offence would make her both a frightful character and opponent. Not only would she be a joy to play in one-on-one scenarios, but she would also be a great member of the women’s tag team division. She could add to WWE’s proud tradition of absurd storylines, too.

7 Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett: The Dark And Deadly Duo

Really, Karrion Kross (pictured here in an excellent WWE 2K19 mod by YouTube’s JoeMashups) and Scarlett are a package deal. The current NXT Champion is a force of nature, and Scarlett is a huge part of Karrion’s presentation and character. In a very short amount of time, Kross has become a demonic presence in NXT, reigning over the show with an iron fist.

Not only should Kross be a playable character in the roster, Scarlett should be alongside him as a manager. The duo are far too important to be forgotten, and Karrion’s aggressive moveset would be extremely fun to utilize. It would be incredible to see their dark, gothic entrance play out in a variety of new arenas.

6 Damian Priest: A Unique And Varied Style

Formerly a hulking superstar on the NXT brand, Damian Priest (seen here in another JoeMashups mod) has been a very important superstar on Monday Night Raw. Battling alongside Bad Bunny in a phenomenal WrestleMania matchup, Priest has become a mainstay in the upper midcard. His rockstar attitude and fearsome appearance has allowed him to carve a place as a unique character in the world of WWE.

Priest’s gameplay would consist of a blend of swift strikes, powerful grapples and gothic showmanship, creating a unique and brutal playable character. One of the many things missing from 2K20, the time for Priest to live in infamy has hopefully arrived.

5 Rob Van Dam: It’s Time He Returns To The Games For Real

The face of ECW is no stranger to WWE games, but his last appearance was in WWE 2K18. A true legend and high-flying hero, Rob Van Dam (pictured in a WWE 2K19 mod by Twitter’s Grix) deserves to make his return to the 2K franchise, especially now that he’s become a part of the WWE Hall of Fame.

This veteran has solidified himself as be one of the best aerialists in wrestling, and he’s always a very popular custom character. He could easily become the pre-order bonus of WWE 2K22, allowing dream matchups like Rob Van Dam versus Riddle to become a playable reality.

4 John Morrison: The Guru Of Gaming Greatness?

John Morrison (this is another Joe Mashups mod) is the Guru of Greatness, the Prince of Parkour. Johnny Drip Drip has done a lot since his return, working alongside The Miz to become a menace on Raw and SmackDown. His return was extremely well received by the fans, who continue to hope he will also be back as a playable character in a WWE game.

Morrison is a parkour expert, which allows his moveset to be extremely innovative and creative. He is definitely due to make his debut in the 2K franchise, allowing players to harness the showy offence of Morrison.

3 Dominik Mysterio: Fighting Alongside And Against His Father

2020’s biggest breakout star has to be Dominik Mysterio (this likeness, again, is another Joe Mashups mod). The son of masked wrestling legend Rey Mysterio really came into his own, standing up for his father and battling threats like Seth Rollins and Murphy. His crisp offence is very reminiscent of his father’s style, a dream for any players who prefer fast, furious, agile offense.

Dominik Mysterio has to debut in 2K22. The young underdog could be a fantastic addition to the game, allowing for a dream father-son team-up or even battles between the two.

2 MVP: He Could Be The MVP Of Any WWE 2K22 Match

Nobody has altered the trajectory of Monday Night Raw like MVP. The founder of the Hurt Business changed Bobby Lashley, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin’s careers forever, becoming their suave manager. While the Hurt Business is no more, MVP continues distributing pain alongside Lashley, the WWE Champion.

Though he is primarily a manager, MVP never minded getting his hands dirty. His brawling abilities have always been fun to watch, and they’d be a delight to take control of in the game. He’d be a fantastic addition, as both a playable superstar and a manager. The addition of a retro MVP would also be a fantastic surprise.

1 Walter w/ Imperium: The Game Would Be Incomplete Without The Ring General

Really, all of Imperium deserves to appear in WWE 2K22. However, The Ring General (pictured above as a 2K19 Create A Wrestler from Neotokyo) defines NXT’s UK branch. The longest-reigning NXT UK champion is one of the most dangerous and formidable threats in WWE right now.

Imperium was perhaps one of the biggest omissions from 2K20’s roster, as the faction has proven itself to be one of the most powerful groups in all of NXT. Of them all, though, Walter has to appear in 2K22 as a playable character. His blend of power, technical offence and even aerial ability would make him a near unstoppable character to go up against. Walter is NXT’s final boss, and it’s time he tormented the roster in a game.

NEXT: WWE 2K22: 10 Things It Needs To Do To Fix The Franchise