Even though modern wrestling, whether it is WWE or AEW, features more relatable-looking wrestlers than ever before, the industry still needs larger-than-life characters to serve as the attraction for fans with powerhouses and giants, from Andre The Giant to super athletes like Brock Lesnar.WWE 2K23features these attractions from the past to the present, with some of the greatest power wrestlers stepping into the ring.
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Today’s powerhouse wrestlers stand out more than they did during the 80s and 90s. Back then, even the so-called smaller wrestlers like Ricky Steamboat were huge compared to many modern wrestlers. However, most of the best powerhouses combine athleticism and strength, making them better athletes. This list focuses on some of the best powerhouses inWWE 2K23.
9Yokozuna
The late Yokozuna was one of the most dominant WWE champions in the 90s, beating the likes of Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart at his peak. He won the WWE title shortly after his debut and had memorable feuds against Hart, Lex Luger, and Vader.
He was included as part ofWWE 2K22’s DLC but thankfully made it intoWWE 2K23as a character from the start. With high strength and devastating moves, Yokozuna is one of the best powerhouses in the game and surprisingly athletic for his size.
8Vader
Vader, also known as Big Van Vader in WCW, was a dominant force in America and Japan during the 90s, beating the likes of Sting, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Dustin Rhodes. He had memorable feuds with Hulk Hogan, but his brutal matches against Cactus Jack and Stan Hansen are the stuff of legend.
The late Vader didn’t have as good a run in WWE, but he left enough of an impact that he’s appeared in severalWWE 2Kgames as a legend. He has good strength stats and high-impact moves, and his Moonsault finisher, which sees the 450lb man flip back through the air from the top rope, is one of the best in the game.
7Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is a 6 foot 8 powerhouse wrestler that has legitimately competed in strong-man competitions and arm wrestling. He made his name competing as a member of the Wyatt Family before breaking out as a singles competitor. Strowman improved as a competitor and got into incredible shape, adding speed to his size.
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Strowman has huge strength stats and a range of powerful moves. Even his light grapple moves can do significant damage. However, he is vulnerable to more explosive wrestlers like Brock Lesnar.
6The Undertaker
After a run in WCW as Mean Mark Calaway, The legendary Undertaker began his WWE career in the 90s, defeating Hulk Hogan and feuding with The Ultimate Warrior. He made his mark with memorable matches with Shawn Michaels, Mankind, Steve Austin, Diesel - Kevin Nash, and Yokozuna.
The Undertaker has a great move set, representing his agility, size, and strength. He has powerful signature and finisher moves like the Chokeslam, The Last Ride Powerbomb, and the Tombstone Piledriver. The Undertaker is often a go-to powerhouse wrestler for fans.
5Hulk Hogan 1980s
Hulk Hogan was the face of the WWE in the 1980s and early 90s. His colorful persona and look made him look like a comic book character come to life in the wrestling ring. His appearance inRocky 3solidified his status as one of wrestling’s most recognizable stars.
Furthermore, Hogan’s legendary matches against Macho Man Randy Savage, Andre The Giant, Ultimate Warrior, and more made him a star for WWE. The Hulkster is one of the strongest characters in the game, but hisunlockable 1980s versionhas the highest strength stats. Hitting power moves like the stalling suplex, the gorilla press slam, the body slam, and the leg drop combo finisher will secure several victories for fans.
4John Cena
Despite being divisive among older fans, for many youngsters - and parents - John Cena was the Hulk Hogan of his generation. His hard work and dedication to his craft paid off because, in his prime, Cena worked hard in matches against Brock Lesnar, The Big Show, The Undertaker, Batista, Rob Van Dam, and more.
Cena is often listed among the strongest pound-for-pound wrestlers with feats like getting a near 500lb Big Show on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment finisher. For a moment, Cena carried Edge and the Big Show on his shoulders during a match.Cena’s strength stats are represented highly inWWE 2K23,with his 96 overall models being the best.
3Roman Reigns
After a somewhat unconvincing run as the good guy, Roman Reigns turned his career and his status around when he became the Tribal Chief and leader of The Bloodline. After fully embracing his villainous role, Reigns became the star of the WWE, ironically getting more cheers as a villain than he ever did as a baby-faced good guy.
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With overall rating stats of 99,Roman Reigns is the most challenging wrestler to beat inWWE 2K23. Unsurprisingly, his strength stats are high, with his variations of the Superman punch and spear creating match-ending scenarios for most. However, despite the super-high stats, Reigns doesn’t have as many explosive moves as the top two wrestlers on this list.
2Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley has always been a force in wrestling. His size, strength, speed, and explosiveness make him one of the few WWE Superstars that match up to Brock Lesnar as an equal. Like Lesnar, Lashley has a background in amateur wrestling and mixed martial arts and is every bit as athletically gifted.
Even though Lashley has never reached the heights of Lesnar’s accolades or recognition, he’s one of the few wrestlers to get clean wins over Lesnar in their on-again and off-again feud. His strength, speed, and power are represented inWWE 2K23with explosive suplexes, press slams, dominators, spine busters, and more.
1Brock Lesnar
As a multiple-time WWE champion and former UFC Champion, Brock Lesnar is one of the most recognizable and convincing stars in wrestling. He has size, speed, strength, stamina, and explosiveness. From his first appearance F5ing a 400lb Rikishi and his matches against a 500lb Big Show, where he suplexed and threw the big man around the ring like a rag doll Lesnar’s feats of strength are rarely matched in WWE.
Even thoughLesnar missed out on the top spot inWWE 2K23’sratings, he’s still arguably the best character in the game. Like Lashley, he has explosive power moves with his range of suplexes, gorilla press slams, and submissions. Lesnar is the best powerhouse character inWWE 2K23.
WWE 2K23is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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