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I still remember the first time I fired up GM mode back in the day—that unique thrill of building my own wrestling promotion from scratch, drafting talent, and competing against either the CPU or friends in what essentially became my personal wrestling universe. There's something magical about being the fantasy booker, making those tough decisions about which wrestlers to sign, which matches to create, and how to allocate your limited budget. For years, I've dreamed of taking this experience online, and with WWE 2K25's announcement of multiplayer GM mode, that dream finally seemed within reach. Yet as I've explored this new iteration, I've discovered both exhilarating possibilities and frustrating limitations that make this feature feel like what we in the gaming community call a "half-measure"—promising but incomplete.

Let me break down why GM mode has always held such appeal for wrestling gaming enthusiasts like myself. Unlike Universe mode, which leans more toward storytelling simulation, GM mode introduces that competitive edge that keeps you coming back night after night. You're not just creating stories—you're running a business, trying to outmaneuver opponents while managing resources, talent morale, and production values. I've spent countless hours—probably around 300-400 hours across various WWE 2K titles—fine-tuning my approach, learning when to push certain wrestlers and when to hold back, understanding that delicate balance between short-term gains and long-term growth. The addition of online multiplayer should have been the feature that elevated this experience to legendary status, but implementation matters, and that's where 2K25's version stumbles.

What exactly makes this online implementation feel incomplete? Well, for starters, the connection issues I've encountered in approximately 40% of my matches make consistent gameplay challenging. There's nothing more frustrating than finally convincing a friend to join your GM mode universe, only to have the game disconnect during a crucial draft phase or right before that main event you've been building toward for weeks. The infrastructure simply doesn't feel robust enough to support the kind of long-term engagement that GM mode requires. Unlike other competitive modes where matches are self-contained, GM mode asks players to invest in a season that can span 25-50 weeks of in-game time, and network instability undermines that commitment significantly.

Another aspect that disappoints me is the limited interaction during actual shows. When I'm running my promotion against a friend's, I want to be able to react to their booking decisions in real-time, maybe send a playful taunt when I steal their intended draft pick, or discuss potential storyline crossovers. Instead, what we have feels somewhat isolated—each of us making decisions in our own bubble with minimal meaningful interaction between our promotions. The social dimension that should make online GM mode electrifying is largely absent, reducing what could be a dynamic competition to essentially two people playing parallel single-player games that occasionally compare scores.

That said, I don't want to sound entirely negative because there are genuine thrills to be found here. The core GM experience remains deeply engaging, and being able to share that with friends—even imperfectly—adds a new dimension. Drafting wrestlers against human opponents introduces psychological elements you simply don't get against the CPU. I've noticed human players tend to overvalue certain types of wrestlers—often spending 65-70% of their budget on two or three main eventers while neglecting their mid-card, which creates interesting strategic opportunities. The satisfaction of building a cohesive roster while managing your budget against real people provides moments of genuine brilliance that single-player can't replicate.

What truly excites me about this iteration is the potential it reveals. For the first time, I can envision a future where GM mode becomes the centerpiece of WWE gaming communities—where friends form leagues, draft together, and compete across entire seasons. The foundation is there, and when everything works smoothly, it's an absolute blast. I recently completed a 15-week season with two friends, and despite the technical hiccups, the rivalry that developed between our promotions felt more authentic than anything I've experienced in single-player. We developed distinct brand identities—my friend focused on technical wrestling while I built my promotion around high-flying luchadors—creating natural storytelling opportunities that emerged organically from our competitive choices.

If 2K can address the connectivity issues and deepen the social features in future iterations, online GM mode could become the definitive way to experience this beloved game type. Imagine being able to trade wrestlers mid-season, collaborate on pay-per-view events, or even have talent appear on each other's shows—possibilities that would transform the mode from a competitive parallel play experience into a truly interconnected wrestling universe. The addition of proper communication tools, perhaps even integrated promo exchanges where players can cut verbal jabs at each other's promotions, would elevate the experience tremendously.

Despite its shortcomings, I find myself returning to online GM mode more often than I expected. There's an undeniable charm in seeing how different players approach the same challenges, and the human element introduces unpredictability that keeps the mode fresh. Where the CPU might follow recognizable patterns, human opponents bring creativity and surprise—like my friend who somehow built a compelling storyline around what should have been a throwaway lower-card wrestler, turning him into one of his most popular superstars through clever booking and consistent wins. These emergent narratives are what make wrestling games special, and they're amplified when real people are involved.

Looking ahead, I'm cautiously optimistic about the future of online GM mode. The implementation in 2K25 feels like a first step—a proof of concept rather than a fully realized vision. Yet that first step is crucial, and now that the foundation exists, I'm hopeful that future iterations will build upon it significantly. The development team has shown they're listening to community feedback, and if enough players engage with this feature despite its flaws, we might see the robust online experience we've been dreaming of in WWE 2K26 or beyond. For now, I'll continue to enjoy what's here while eagerly anticipating what comes next, because even an imperfect online GM mode is better than no online GM mode at all.