The inclusion of New Jack as a playable character in WWE 2K25 has been cited by Paul Heyman as proof that ECW is now being properly recognised for its impact on professional wrestling.
The late ECW Original was added as part of a DLC pack for last year’s WWE 2K release, marking his first appearance in a wrestling video game since 2000. Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Paul Heyman reflected on how ECW’s legacy has shifted in the 25 years since the promotion closed its doors.
“It’s like asking the guys in NWA what it felt like when they did the movie Straight Out Of Compton,” Heyman said. “All of a sudden these rebels, these anti-society rebels, these renegades… ECW is now recognised for how relevant it was in the social curve of professional wrestling and its contributions to the industry cannot be denied any further.”
Heyman added that for years after ECW folded, its influence was downplayed, even as WWE capitalised on its popularity.
“People spent at least a decade after the death of ECW trying to deny the relevance,” he said. “To the point where when the One Night Stand shows were so successful, WWE practically launched a new ECW to kill the old ECW. Now, it’s more accepted. It’s more accepted for its historical significance. It’s more accepted for the cultural change that it brought to professional wrestling.”
According to Heyman, that growing acceptance is why New Jack and other ECW figures are now being represented in WWE’s video game franchise in a more authentic way.
“In hindsight, acknowledged, again all puns intended, and because of that you see New Jack, amongst others, in the game,” Heyman said. “And it’s an uninhibited version of New Jack, not a watered-down, censored version of New Jack.”
Will Paul Heyman Be In WWE 2K26?
While it hasn’t been confirmed if Paul Heyman will be in WWE 2K26 as either playable character, or as a manager, it is expected that Heyman will make an appearance in the game due to the Showcase Mode for this year’s version of the game being centred around CM Punk‘s career.
Heyman has played a key role in CM Punk’s time in WWE, being an advocate for him early in Punk’s tenure in WWE and later becoming his manager while Punk was in the world title picture.
