The best WWE 2K23 CAWs for you to download right now

WWE 2K23 CAWs are even more important following the shock return of CM Punk at Survivor Series. As we'll explain below, this ace WWE 2K23 feature enables you to download him right away – along with other roster returnees such as Nia Jax and Kairi Sane. To grab them, head to Online > Community Creations > Downloads and search for their respective creator – then come back for even more names soon in GR's WWE 2K23 CAWs guide.

1 Ava

You may not have heard of this budding NXT talent yet – but you’re going to in the coming years. Why? She’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s daughter! Ava was surprisingly paired up with Joe Gacy on her company debut, and he arrived in July as WWE 2K23 DLC. Be sure to grab this creation by rowdydivatwo too.

2 Bronson Reed

The big lad known as Jonah outside of WWE was surprisingly let go following an encouraging NXT run, only to debut on Raw at the back end of last year. Alas, he was too late to make the WWE 2K23 roster. This effort from LoganSaib features Reed’s current attire and his gear from NXT Takeover XXX. The same creator has also produced classic versions of Mankind, Dude Love and NWO-era Randy Savage.

3 Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo

Creator HacksawHouseDLC is building quite the reputation on the WWE 2K23 CAWs front. He’s produced exceptional versions of NXT newcomers such as Charlie Dempsey (son of UK legend William Regal!), Edris Enofe, and Malik Blade. Stacks is the best of the bunch, meaning you can finally team him with fellow NXT tag-team champion – and DLC inclusion – Tony D’Angelo.

4 Chelsea Green

Green returned to WWE this year playing the character of an internet ‘Karen’ - and was tossed from the women’s Royal Rumble within five seconds. She’s nailed down the role with self-effacing humor, and is an essential add for your Smackdown roster. BlenkKrieger is the mastermind behind this WWE 2K23 CAW, in a collaboration with thatboiblunty.

5 CM Punk

Punk made an astonishing return to WWE at Survivor Series after nine years away, and having been a prominent member of the AEW roster. This excellent creation is by WhatsTheStatus, but there are other options too. Weigh them up in our WWE 2K23 CM Punk guide.

6 Duke Hudson

Receiving Andre Chase as WWE 2K23 DLC was a pleasant surprise when the extra content was announced – but sadly we didn't get Chase U tag-team partner Andre Chase. That's especially frustrating given that the pair snagged NXT tandem gold in October 2023. Fix the problem with this cool BaddestHotelDE creation.

7 Emma

Another piece of outstanding work from BlenkKrieger here. Australian bombshell Emma returned to WWE in 2022 following a five-year absence, and while her use on TV has been sparing, she’s an incredibly solid hand. In real life she’s dating ponytailed powerhouse Madcap Moss, a long overdue addition to the on-disc roster this year. Alas, Emma was released in September 2023.

8 Finn Balor (Demon)

The Irishman’s demonic alter-ego has long been a fixture of the WWE 2K series – but it was bafflingly removed this year after Balor’s commitment to the Judgment Day faction. This caused fans and developers alike a headache when he brought the gimmick back for a WrestleMania clash with Edge. WhatsTheStatus is the dude to credit here. The model comes with bespoke Demon Finn commentary and crown signs.

9 The Giant

Paul Wight hasn’t appeared in a series entry since WWE 2K20, and won’t be back anytime soon given his current place on the AEW roster. Amend that using this collab between WhatsTheStatus and KelsCreation. It offers hidden voice taunts and crowd chants for the 7 ft 2 colossus. You need to search for The Giant, but can easily change to his WWE name of the Big Show should you wish.

10 Isla Dawn

This fiery Glaswegian debuted in WWE as Stacy Coates, but has since established herself under a much more memorable name – first on both NXT UK and NXT, then most recently as Alba Fyre's tag partner. This creation is by DivaDadde, with a moveset made by lexveraux.

11 Jeff Hardy

The most downloaded WWE 2K23 CAW as of late April belongs to the ‘charismatic enigma’, AKA Jeff Hardy. It was made by VirtualAK, and has been imported more than 114,000 times since the game’s March 17 release date. It offers his full moveset from WWE 2K22, and two attires: one with paint, and one without.

12 Kairi Sane

The Japanese veteran is one of the first names linked to the WWE 2K24 roster, after returning to the company and aiding countrywoman Iyo Sky at Crown Jewel 2023. However, that was in October, so it may need to be as DLC. For now enjoy her comeback in WWE 2K23 using this StoneColdBroEU creation.

13 Lyra Valkyria

Ireland’s latest grap export is looking to follow in the footsteps of names such as Becky Lynch and Finn Balor. She’s had an encouraging start on NXT, falling just short of title glory in a decent tilt with Tiffany Stratton, before capturing the belt from Lynch in October 2023. This creation lives up to its creator’s monicker – Fantastic by name, fantastic by nature.

14 Mandy Rose

WhatsTheStatus is again your boy here, having resuscitated a hidden Mandy Rose model. The long-time NXT Women’s Champion was removed from WWE 2K23 at the last minute, following her surprise pre-Christmas release from the company. Gigi Dolan and Jacy Jayne are both on this year’s roster, in case you wish to reunite the once-dominant trio of Toxic Attraction.

15 Matt Hardy

This veteran scored plenty of search traffic over the summer, after appearing as a pre-order bonus for WWE's new rival game. Hit our AEW Fight Forever Broken Matt Hardy guide for all the details, or download this WorldsFinest and Azorthious collab to deploy him in 2K23.

16 MJF

Maxwell Jacob Freidman is a key element of AEW Fight Forever, having captured that company’s world title in November 2022. However, he’s rumored to be on WWE’s radar in the longer term. This Iconic creation enables you to see how he’d fare against Roman Reigns and Randy Orton. The same creator has also made great versions of Samoa Joe, Billy Gunn, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler.

17 Odyssey Jones

This fresh face made the leap from NXT to Raw in the most recent WWE Draft, and so immediately becomes a name you need to add. His man-mountain sized doppelgänger is the work of creator HeadBussr, who also has three different versions of NXT newcomer Dragon Lee to chose from. Pick up Jones and then grab one of those too.

18 Ric Flair

This classic take on Charlotte’s legendary daddy is a collaboration between three creators: WhatsTheStatus, KelsCreation and SkyMovesets. It’s based on his 1988 WCW run, and features authentic entrance chants, crowd chants and voice taunts for the Nature Boy. Woo!

19 Roderick Strong

Strong may have been the most baffling WWE 2K23 omission of all – he was the leader of NXT faction Diamond Mine, and has been a series regular since WWE 2K18. No matter: this fine Ikeakarl effort enables you to reinstall the veteran. Turns out being left off the roster was prescient: Strong showed up in AEW in late April to side with former Undisputed Era buddy Adam Cole.

20 Sanga

Two existing roster members, Jinder Mahal and Veer, were joined by Veer’s former partner Sanga in spring 2023 to reform NXT stable Indus Sher. Their promise as a trio was rewarded with a call-up to Raw, where Mahal is flourishing in a manager role. Now you can bring them together in-game with this excellent Yarliixx CAW.

21 Thea Hail

One of the best models we’ve seen in this or any other year belongs to spritely NXT starlet Hail. It has two outfits, and a render to display on menu screens too. Illitegaming made this one, in collaboration with XayPlays2K and Lexveraux. Looking to bring Naomi back to WWE after her departure in 2023? The same creator has made her, too.

22 Tegan Nox

Yet another lady who was released in 2022 only to be brought back by Triple H just too late for the WWE 2K23 roster cut-off. IoShinice has done us a service by not just getting her face right, but also including all the Welsh lady’s tattoos from WWE 2K22. Nox’s moveset, meanwhile, is credited to WolfpacPrinxe.

23 Xyon Quinn

Daniel Vidot spent eight years as a professional rugby league player in his home nation of Australia before trying his hand as a wrestler. After debuting in NXT back in 2020, he finally received a main roster call up earlier this year. This model is by LRitchie, using logos and face textures from Iconic2K. It has a bespoke moveset, entrance, victory and render.