AEW: Fight Forever Releases Next Month

It isn’t often you get two major wrestling games releasing in the same year, especially in this form. The highest-rated wrestling game from 2K, following on from a few years of stagnation when Yuke’s left the WWE brand, is soon to be joined by some familiar names and pedigree. AEW: Fight Forever was announced in November of 2020, joined by the names of developer Yuke’s and publisher THQ Nordic. Fight Forever will be the first wrestling game the THQ name will be involved with since WWE ’13 featuring some bloke from Chicago. This will also be the first for Yuke’s since 2018.

Fight Forever will release on June 29th, days after the second Forbidden Door co-promoted by AEW and NJPW event on the 25th takes place. Set to emulate the style of older games like No Mercy or Virtual Pro Wrestling, AEW: Fight Forever will also be the first major wrestling release alongside a WWE game since TNA Impact! in 2008. Development has been a thing of discussion of late, especially after leaks of the release date via Fightful Select and being pre-loaded on select Xbox titles. That and AEW’s many controversies of late that resulted in changing poster graphics.

The cover of Fight Forever features Kenny Omega, who (while out injured) helped with the development as Creative Director, as well as Aubrey Edwards, Brit Baker, and Hangman Adam Page. Though when announced, the game heavily featured some bloke called Phil from Chicago. The same CM Punk that was part of the fallout around All Out with Omega and the Bucks.

There is no word on whether Punk will appear in-game. The same is also unknown in regards to Cody Rhodes, who left during Fight Forever’s development to “finish the story” with an ellipsis hanging over that story. Cody is still featured in the image for Stadium Stampede.

Thanks to press releases, gameplay showcases, and leaks, we have info about the AEW-centric match types. Typical matches like singles, tag, and ladder matches are central. Also included are AEW’s Casino Battle Royale match and Moxley’s favorite because presumably, he’ll bleed “like a stuffed pig” in the Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch.

Often the ESRB has been a good source of updates, and it notes unsanctioned Lights Out matches, Stadium Stampede, and “deep cleavage” among its warnings. That confirms Jade Cargill is still in the game, as well as The Bunny, with a warning of “bunny outfits.” A showcase last year also noted intergender matches, a first for Yuke’s since 2008.

Given the size of Tony’s toybox, heaven only knows who will be on the roster at this point. One would assume long-standing AEW stars will feature alongside cover stars such as Jade Cargill, Sting, Orange Cassidy, AEW champion MJF, Bryan Danielson, and Chris Jericho. Hikaru Shida, Barby Allen, Jungle Boy, Kris Statlander, Nyla Rose, and more also appear. In a chat last December with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Evil Uno of the Dark Order stated that there will be more than 50 characters to play as, with DLC likened to No Man’s Sky, which offers free updates, not DLC.

Fight Forever is confirmed for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and of course, PC, with a release on all platforms on Thursday, June 29th. Looking through multiple versions of the press release on THQ Nordic’s site, other sources, and direct emails we’ve received, there is and isn’t information on each. WrestlingNewsCo on Twitter notes a further press release with a minor line stating “[…] including upcoming pre-order and Elite Edition details!” If there is a second edition more expensive than the base $59.99 (£49.99/€59.99) or pre-orders, shouldn’t we know about it?