The long-awaited WWE 2K19 Rising Stars Pack is finally available today featuring the debuts of Ricochet, Candice LeRae, Lacey Evans, Dakota Kai, and Mike and Maria Kanellis as playable characters. I took a few minutes this afternoon to go over the character models, entrances, and move-sets. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Most notably, the Ricochet character model stole the show (as he often does) with a remarkable likeness to current North American Champion. His entrance, move set, and even his mannerisms were on point. I really enjoyed playing with this character and I highly recommend trying his 630 finisher off the top.
The Man of the Hour also makes his video game debut, as Lio Rush kept me pleasantly surprised. His frog splash finisher even has the bounce back that we see Rush often perform on 205 Live. I was more than happy to pull off an in ring Spanish Fly that I’ve seen Rush pull off at an indie show, leaving my jaw on the floor. It will be fun for players to pair Rush with Bobby Lashley as a manager as well. However, I did not see manager attire available for the M.O.T.H.
The wielder of the “Woman’s Right” also makes her much anticipated debut to WWE 2k19, even though Michael Cole constantly refers to her finisher as the “Women’s Right” on commentary. I will however say the commentary for the new characters is pretty solid for the most part. The finishing maneuver itself is absolutely devastating as Lacey Evans has two different versions of one of the most appropriately named finishers I can remember. Evans move-set is great although I wish she didn’t have two of the same exact signature moves – her old Mae Young Classic finisher the “Dudebuster.” Regardless it’s still a pretty vicious move.
Kai, who also looks fantastic in the game, has two identical finishing moves as well. I wish they would add another version of the appropriately named “Kairopractor.” Honestly, I can’t complain anymore than that, because everything from her entrance to move-set is nearly perfect.
The big missed opportunity here however, is the inability to perform Mixed Match Challenge type matches with the obvious pairing of Mike and Maria Kanellis. Let’s not also forget Candice LeRae’s heavy involvement in inter-gender wrestling over the years. Still the addition of the “Greatest Love I’ve Ever Known” may be the greatest video game entrance song we’ve ever known. Kanellis is available with manager attire and as a wrestler with her ’08 gear. Smart move.
The WWE2k team continues to do their homework and get most of the details right for some long awaited favorites. I highly recommend this addition for any serious WWE and NXT fan.
