Summary
WWE 2K25’s The Island features a statue of Pepper, a chihuahua dog that was actually killed off in a WWE storyline from the Attitude Era.WWE 2K25is mostly focused on modern stars, but it also contains plenty of references to the company’s past. Fans can spot Easter eggs acrossWWE 2K25’s various game modes that serve as throwbacks to old-school WWE storylines and stars.
Some of these callbacks can be found in specific match types and arenas, likeWWE 2K25’s Archives area used for Backstage Brawls. This warehouse is filled with WWE memorabilia, including theiconic SmackDown Fist.WWE 2K25’s The Island game mode also has its fair share of WWE references, with multiple that can be found in its graveyard area.
TheWWE 2K25graveyard includes nods toThe Undertaker, Paul Bearer, and even the infamous Gobbledy Gooker, which was a turkey that hatched out of an egg at Survivor Series 1990. One of the graves is a statue of Pepper, a chihuahua that accompanied Al Snow to the ring during the Attitude Era. This eventually led to Big Boss Man kidnapping Pepper, killing the dog, and making Al Snow eat it. The bizarre feud culminated in the Kennel from Hell match, long considered one of the worst matches in professional wrestling history. It featured a steel cage surrounded by the Hell in a Cell with literal dogs being led around the ring.
WWE 2K25 Includes a Pepper Reference
Considering the controversial and disturbing nature of the Pepper storyline, it’s surprising to see it referenced inWWE 2K25’s The Island game mode, especially since neither Al Snow nor Big Boss Man are in the game. Unfortunately, those on PC, PS4, and Xbox One won’t be able to see the statue for themselves.WWE 2K25’s The Island mode is exclusiveto the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of the wrestling game.
The Island itself has proven plenty controversial.The Island has aggressive microtransactionsand also seems to save player data locally, which means that players could accidentally lose their character that they have potentially spent real-life money on. But while The Island certainly has its faults, its references to classic WWE storylines and wrestlers still make it worth a look, even briefly, for hardcore fans of the company.
