WWE stars Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair headline 2K24 covers

abcnews.go.com:

The «American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair are the cover stars for WWE 2K24 video games

PHILADELPHIA — Cody Rhodes needs only to look at the wedding band tattoo on his finger for a reminder of the days when he was a big gamer: It’s the Triforce symbol from “Legend of Zelda.”

“I have good love for the lore,” Rhodes said.

The WWE star needs only to look at the gaming aisle in his nearest retail store or scan an online retailer in the weeks ahead to see his mark on gaming stretch from a wedding ring to a wrestling ring. Rhodes is this year’s cover star on the WWE 2K24 game. WWE women’s Royal Rumble winners Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley share the deluxe edition cover, marking the first time in history two women have made a dedicated WWE 2K cover.

The standard edition is set for a March 8 release, about a month ahead of April 6 and 7 WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia.

“That’s the deal,” Rhodes said. “I came back, I wanted to win the WWE championship, I wanted to be on the cover. I think I had a few other bucket-list items. To check it off in this style, it’s just the best.”

Rhodes is one of WWE’s biggest stars, and he performed in the main event of last year’s WrestleMania card against Roman Reigns. The 38-year-old Rhodes is expected to be in the mix for the top spot next month at Lincoln Financial Field, where banners, signs and videoboards promoting the event have been more prominent at the stadium than postseason football games.

Rhodes joined some of WWE’s greats to earn a cover shot, along with previous stars Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin, Rey Mysterio and John Cena. The game also includes a Showcase of the Immortals that celebrates 40 years of WrestleMania. Roman Reigns, Andre the Giant, Becky