WWE 2K22 is finally out! How does it stack up compared to others in the WWE 2K series?
Kenny Omega has been voted Wrestler of the Year in the 2021 AEW Awards. Was Omega the right choice?
And with Seth Rollins having such a tough time getting onto the WrestleMania card, what path should he take to make it to WrestleMania?
Join us as we answer these—and more—questions in this week’s Gimme Five!
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1. We’ve had two weeks to play WWE 2K22. What do you make of the latest WWE video game?
Grady Hooker (@GradyHooker):
It’s been a major improvement on the last instalment but, to be fair, a tin can with a rock in it might have been better than WWE 2K20. It’s a shame about the roster and so many departed stars, but if this is what 2K is going to build off going forward, it’s a solid foundation.
AJ Murtagh:
I’ve really enjoyed the MyGM mode – that’s way up my alley and I used to love the create-a-story mode on older games – I’d love to see it expanded on in future editions. I’ve also found the new gameplay to be a positive update.
Richard Butler:
I haven’t had as much time as I would like to spend on this game but so far I’m really enjoying the return of MyGM and can’t wait for 2K to expand it in the next game. I’m also finding the career mode fun.
David Dunn (@david_dunn):
I think WWE 2K22 has just enough variety to keep players coming back to the game for most of its lifecycle. MyFaction is very different from MyGM is very different from MyRise, but cycling between the three – and the ability to update your roster with a slew of Community Creations – should ensure WWE 2K22 stays entertaining for months.
2. The 2022 New Japan Cup wraps up this weekend in Osaka-Jo Hall. Have you had the patience to follow a near-month-long tournament?
Grady:
I’ve been checking in here and there, but I haven’t been religiously following all of the results. Of the semifinalists, it’s hard to bet against Okada.
AJ:
I haven’t been able to follow along as much as I would like to, but have tried to keep up as best as I can with developments in the tournament. I hope to watch this weekend, though.
Richard:
Unfortunately not. Getting married and going away has hampered my ability to watch NJPW this month.
David:
I’ve seen almost all of the tournament. Its single-elimination format means every match has stakes—even more so than, say, the G1 Climax. It’s disappointing both Aaron Henare and Bad Luck Fale aren’t still in the running, but the semifinals and eventual final should be some of New Japan’s best matches of 2022.
3. ROH Supercard of Honor will go ahead this WrestleMania weekend under new owner Tony Khan. How do you feel about ROH’s revival?
Grady:
It is interesting. I’ll hold my judgement to see how Tony Khan can run both companies and how he makes them feel distinct. It’s almost like WWE having a brand split in the way they should have. If it turns into just modern-day Raw and SmackDown then… meh.
AJ:
I am cautiously optimistic. The fact that Khan is a fan of ROH makes me believe he will do a good job. I don’t hate the idea of ROH as a sort of developmental promotion for AEW but I’d like to see it retain its previous style and tone in some way and still feel like a separate entity.
Richard:
I’m excited. This likely gives ROH a bigger budget and the ability to trade stars with AEW. This will mean fresh matches more often while also bringing new talent into the fold. I’m excited to see where it goes.
David:
Supercard of Honor has long been a highlight of WrestleMania weekend and it seems there’s even more buzz than usual surrounding this year’s event. With the highly-anticipated Bandido vs. Jonathan Gresham title unification match, the show should serve as both the end of one era and the beginning of another.
4. North American fans voted Kenny Omega Wrestler of the Year in the 2021 AEW Awards—do you agree?
Grady:
It is a very fair win—if he didn’t get the number one spot then he’d better be number two. He dominated multiple companies and their world championships, how could he not be in that upper echelon?
AJ:
Looking at 2021 as a whole, I think this makes sense. Omega was AEW World Champion for the majority of the year and his matches were consistently good-to-great both in AEW and beyond. So, yes, I agree with this choice.
Richard:
It was either Omega or MJF for me, so I can’t argue with it too much.
David:
Omega wasn’t the biggest box office draw (CM Punk), nor my pick for best bell-to-bell (Bryan Danielson) but he’s a close second in each category which is fair justification for taking out the overall award.
5. Seth Rollins just can’t seem to get to WrestleMania. How would you have Rollins added to the card?
Grady:
It’s going to be Cody Rhodes. It was always going to be Cody Rhodes.
AJ:
I shall put the rumours aside for now and express my desire to see the Intercontinental Championship in a position of prominence at WrestleMania again. With that in mind, I’d love to see Rollins vs. Ricochet for the workhorse championship at the Showcase of the Immortals.
Richard:
I’m not the biggest Rollins fan so maybe put him in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal?
David:
Owens and Rollins were deeply concerned with the Raw Tag Team Titles about a month ago—why not put your differences aside and make RK-Bro’s defence a Fatal 4-Way?
