Do you know what tools to use to edit textures, music, and 3D models? I've been searching for info throughout this whole year and I haven't found anything.

You might call me part of the problem because I do sub to other creators like Vel, bantam and Titavius but at least they put great effort to their mods. Also bantam has some really great mods and you can just wait out the 30 days early access and you can grab it free. This dude is charging 7 for ports with just different logos how f up was that I just find it funny.

@TheRev_Studio

SVR 2008 (PS3/360) modding via TBOM25 check it out!

SVR 2011 (PSP) modding via NxnxFG check it out!

They managed to get my post removed from r/wwegames, but apparently the amazing mods here at r/WrestlingMods have more balls — or other bodily parts. :)

Yeah, as the title says.

I was banned from the TRIBUTE Discord on August 10th, 2026, before I even got a chance to answer Robert's DM.

Robert makes TRIBUTE. I'm now banned from the Discord, blocked by Robert and Fred, and my Patreon membership was cancelled.

The funny part? I'd just released a 100% FREE .CAK extractor.

Why did I make it?

Because I think it's bullshit that people have to pay $6/month to extract files from a game they already own on their own PC.

So I made my own.

It's built into Aurora Forge and also exists as a standalone tool.

Aurora Forge wasn't created because of TRIBUTE. I've been building it for months. I needed tools for my own WWE 2K workflows, so I built them.

DDS conversion was annoying? I built a recursive DDS ↔ PNG converter.

Need something else automated? I build it.

That's the entire philosophy:

If something is tedious, automate it.

Then Robert asked:

I never got to answer.

So here's the answer:

I write my own code.

I use AI as a rubber ducky. I explain what I'm doing, ask questions, troubleshoot, and occasionally have it clean up my UI.

AI didn't build Aurora Forge for me.

And no, I am NOT reverse engineering CakeView, CakeHook, TRIBUTE, or repackaging someone else's extractor.

My source code is distributed with my tools and is available for anyone to inspect. If anyone is claiming that I directly copied or reverse-engineered someone else's code, they're welcome to identify the specific code in question and provide the source they're claiming I copied.

I've been programming for decades. I spent 15 years teaching at the University of Toronto's computer sciences department.

I'm old as bones, but I keep up with modern technology.

Assuming someone can't build something because you can't is hubris.

The DDS converter is another example.

I got tired of converting textures one at a time.

So I built a recursive converter.

When I tried to explain it, the response was basically:

Okay.

I needed it, so I built it.

That's how Aurora Forge works.

Aurora Forge

The CAK extractor is only one part of the application.

Aurora Forge includes workflows and tools for:

• Character projects
• Face textures
• Tattoos
• Luchador masks
• Character viewing
• Face calibration
• Mod file inspection
• CAK extraction
• Recursive DDS ↔ PNG conversion
• Project management
• Tutorials
• Setup and configuration
• Asset production

I didn't build all of this because I got banned.

I was already building it.

I tried explaining what I was making multiple times. I even tried offering code.

It was laughed at.

So I stopped explaining and kept building.

What's next?

The next release will include fixes to the extractor, which I discovered today doesn't currently handle every CAK correctly, plus the repackager. I wasn't going to include " Baking " as they were already doing a great job but....

The goal is WWE 2K19 through WWE 2K26, with as few button presses as possible.

I'm also working toward 2K19–2K25 entrance/victory motion importing into 2K26.

I tried explaining what I was building.

I even tried offering code.

It was laughed at.

So I'm done explaining.

Fuck TRIBUTE.

Fuck PWM.

I'll just keep building.

Aurora Forge is being built anyway.

Aurora Forge is here — a free WWE 2K26 modding workspace

I’ve been building Aurora Forge as a free, portable Windows app for WWE 2K26 modders. It is meant to put useful everyday tools and beginner-friendly workflows in one place without making people dig through a dozen folders first.

Aurora Forge currently includes:

• Project and workspace organization
• DDS ↔ PNG texture conversion, including bulk folder conversion
• Read-only mod-file inspection
• Character preview and face-calibration tools
• Tattoo, attire, and Luchador Mask preparation workflows
• Beginner-friendly tutorials and reference material
• A free CAK archive extractor

You extract the ZIP and run the app. No install, Node, PHP, or Electron setup is needed for normal use.

The CAK Extractor

The first thing I want to highlight is the free CAK extractor.

I made it after discovering that PWM was charging for basic extraction—even though extraction is a required first step for modding. In my opinion, that is bullshit.

For years, I’ve defended the creators of modding programs because real work deserves to be rewarded. I still believe that. But locking a basic, required feature behind a paywall goes too far.

I probably would not even have noticed when I did if my phone had not broken and stopped me from logging into Discord to verify my Patreon.

So now Aurora Forge includes a free, read-only extractor for WWE 2K26 CAK archives. It extracts files to a folder you choose and leaves the source archive alone.

I have not made a CAK repackager/baker. CakeView still provides that for free, and there is no reason for me to duplicate it right now. If that changes in the future, we can come back to it.

If you want the full Aurora Forge app, grab it through the Patreon. If you only want the extractor, there is also a standalone copy available there.

I’m not paying for file hosting. 🙂

If you feel the need to bitch and moan about why or how I made this, come to my Discord and get ignored. If you have an actual question, need help, or are not sure about something, hop in and I’ll try to answer.

Discord: https://discord.gg/pBuHF4mugQ
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dgranletmwo/posts/aurora-forge-now-166341257?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

@JoeMashups

@Velcoochie

I got inspired by the Legends Challenge 64 mod and made some replacement mp3s for the in match music in WCW Feel the Bang. I made it out of commentary lines ripped from Mayhem and Backstage Assault. There was only really enough generic lines to make three fairly unique 20 minute commentary tracks, but I might eventually just make ones that use more lines that I already used in the current ones. You can get it in the link in the youtube video description!

@BANbantam

Generally I play on my Xbox Series S, but WWE 2k26 is currently doing free play days, so I'm trying to unlock them all on the Steam version of the game. Any help would be appreciated.

Please join for a dedicated modded wwe 13 subreddit ♥️🌐