WWE 2K26 has rolled out a new patch for most versions of the game, which has added stability improvements for online connections and general gameplay, as well as fixing a particularly annoying issue related to referees. This patch for version 1.05 of WWE 2K26 is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 players can expect it to arrive at a later date.
It's been a bit of a rough start for 2K and Visual Concepts ever since WWE 2K26's early access release on March 6. Professional reviews for the latest entry in the long-running wrestling franchise have taken a slight dip compared to WWE 2K25which is a trend that has persisted since 2023, but reactions from critics have nevertheless been generally positive. The same cannot be said for player-generated reviews, which in their entirety reflect dissatisfaction with the game, largely due to bugs and performance issues. Since the game is still in its infancy and only reached its official release date of March 13, Visual Concepts' post-launch team is working hard to address these issues, with these fixes making up the bulk of the latest patch.
WWE 2K26 is currently under review
Frustrations with microtransactions, specifically the Ringside Pass, lead to WWE 2K26 undergoing a collective review bombing online.
WWE 2K26 fixes annoying ref issues
However, a major problem players have had with the game involves an apparent change in refereeing since then WWE 2K25and the new patch also solves this problem. Some WWE 2K26 players have complained that referees tend to stand a little too close to the action in the latest post, resulting in many disqualifications after accidental punches hit the streaky match referee. This issue has been reported to occur in a number of different ways, such as the game automatically locking on the referee after an accidental bump and the referee standing between the player-controlled wrestler and their target during high-flying WWE moves from the top rope. The patch notes don't go into much detail about referee changes, only stating that the new update addresses “reported concerns with referee placement during matches.”
If the latest patch still doesn't satisfy players when it comes to fixing referee placement issues, the game's community has offered some advice on how Visual Concepts can fix the issue. Some fans have suggested that realistic slider settings too WWE 2K26 could be added to adjust referees' actions in the ring, allowing players to control how aggressively they intervene in matches or how sensitive they are to being hit. Then WWE 2K26 features a variety of referees, including real-life WWE personalities, others have suggested that the game may feature different behaviors attached to individual referees, such as those in AEW Fight Forever.
In addition to the ref issues, the latest patch also mentions some improvements to general stability and performance issues and upgrades to online stability. Currently, WWE 2K26 is the lowest rating since then WWE 2K20 in terms of player reviews, and that game was so poorly received by players that it resulted in an unprecedented 2021 year from the series since its inception in 2014. WWE 2K26 sits at 49 percent player satisfaction on Steam and 3.0 out 0f 10 on MetaCritic, with many negative reviews addressing online connectivity issues and gameplay issues such as crashes and issues with the crafting system.
Those aren't the only obstacles Visual Concepts faces in its uphill battle to connect with fans. Much of the gaming community reacts poorly to the Ringside Pass, a seasonal battle pass structure that leaves a large percentage of the game's massive roster locked behind a performance wall, even for fans who shelled out close to $150 for the Monday Night War Edition. An earlier one WWE 2K26 the patch, which was released just two days before the game's full launch, attempted to alleviate these issues by giving players more RXP rewards per match and discouraging quick outs, but the post-launch reviews make it seem like more tweaks will be needed to satisfy players.
WWE 2K26: Patch Notes 1.05
This update is live on March 18th for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Steam, and will be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 at a later date.
General
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Stability and performance improvements
Gameplay
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Addressed reported concerns about referee placement during matches
On-line
- Released
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March 12, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen/Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), User Interaction
