37 superstars featured in WWE 2K22 were no longer with WWE when the game released, many due to "budget cuts" by WWE during the game's development. Usually a released superstar would be removed from the game prior to it's release, however most were kept in the game because they were included in the initial submitted roster list that was approved by WWE. While superstars like Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, and Kalisto would still be in the game despite being released as early as April 2021, superstars such as Aleister Black, Ruby Riott, Bray Wyatt, and Adam Cole released later in the year would not be included in the game.

The decision to keep certain superstars ultimately came down to the relationship between them and the WWE, whether or not they were still on good terms.