One of the more pleasant surprises in WE 2K23 is the bonus matches included at the end of the John Cena-focused 2K Showcase mode. The secret match against an invisible John Cena brought a classic meme to life as a playable character, but Super Cena isn't the only hidden unlock in the game. After defeating Super Cena, players will be surprised with one last bonus match that has John Cena take on three of WWE's biggest legends in an elimination match at Wrestlemania.
This extra bonus match puts John Cena up against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and the surprising WWE game return of World Wide Wrestling Federation legend Bruno Sammartino. While newer fans may not be familiar with Sammartino, his impact on the now-WWE and professional wrestling as a whole should not be understated. Often called The First Superstar, Sammartino was one of the longest-reigning WWE Champions of all time, and his appearance in WWE 2K23 marks only the second time he's been playable in a WWE video game.
Bruno Sammartino's Last Video Game Appearance Was in 2013
The first time Bruno Sammartino was ever playable in a WWE video game was WWE 2K14. He was not part of the base game roster but instead included as a DLC character in the WWE Legends and Creations Pack. Sammartino was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, which likely explains his appearance as a DLC character. Both of these came after a long period of bad blood between Sammartino and the WWE was resolved. However, WWE 2K14 would remain Sammartino's only appearance in a main-series 2K game for 10 years.
Seeing Sammartino make his video game return in a match that features three of WWE's biggest stars is fitting, especially given Sammartino's legendary Championship reign. Bruno Sammartino is recognized as having the longest single World Championship reign in WWE history, having held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for 2,803 days. That championship would eventually become the very same WWE Championship that the company still uses today.
How to Unlock Bruno Sammartino in WWE 2k23
To unlock Bruno Sammartino, players will need to reach the last match in the 2K Showcase mode. This final match has players control John Cena in a fatal-four-way elimination match against Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Sammartino. Simply winning the match isn't enough to unlock the rewards, as players will need to complete each of the three Showcase objectives.
Players must eliminate all three of their opponents during the match. It won't count if the player's opponents eliminate each other, as the player has to be the one to either pin or submit Hogan, Stone Cold, and Bruno. After eliminating the final opponent, players will both complete the 2K Showcase and unlock Bruno Sammartino as a playable wrestler. Bruno has a 91 overall, a rating that perfectly fits his legendary status. Players will also have access to Bruno's attire, entrance animation, and theme music in the game's extensive creation suite.