After the botches that are WWE 2K20 and WWE 2K Battlegrounds, it’s high time another game developer and publisher create a worthy replacement. Enter former WWE 2K devs Yuke’s, who are now developing an upcoming wrestling game with the All Elite Wrestling name on it.

For those not in the know, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is the up-and-coming professional wrestling show promotion that is basically a rival to the WWE conglomerate helmed by Vince McMahon. It’s doing great so far in its 2-year run with veterans such as Jim Ross, Cody Rhodes, and Chris Jericho being involved heavily with the promotion.

The upcoming AEW console game will feature a campaign mode, a multiplayer mode, a create-a-wrestler mode, and “various other unusual modes”. However, it will not include a GM mode, according to All Elite Wrestling executive vice president Kenny Omega on an IGN Japan interview.

“I can say right now that we’re not sure of how many wrestlers will be available upon release, but one thing I can say is that the number of wrestlers in the AEW is growing all the time, and the roster of wrestlers in the game will reflect that,” he said. “There will be a campaign, and various other unusual modes, and you will be able to edit your own wrestler, too.”

The Yuke’s team are aiming for a 2021 release, though this isn’t set in stone. The quality of the game will come before release date commitments.

“I don’t want to rush it, so I don’t want to make a promise [about the release date]. I want the release version to be good.”

I think we can agree that after 2K’s attempts at making a wrestling game without Yuke’s, many fans are fine waiting for the best game possible.

Why is GM Mode a big deal?

GM stands for General Manager, and basically, you play as the GM who can set conditions and stipulations, as well as manage wrestling matches and shows, creating the best card possible. GM Mode also allows you to trade players, fixing contracts, improve superstar morale, and pay attention to wrestler injuries. It’s basically a wrestling game’s version of Football Manager, but less spreadsheets and more on-screen action.

It’s obviously a huge undertaking for game developers to create and manage, even under the eyes of wrestling game veterans Yuke’s. So it’s completely understandable for a team to just worry about the upcoming AEW game’s fundamentals and wrestling engine before they add on extra content.