head to head
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is variance, and it is a single point.

Execution · Competitive PvP
A hip-hop themed brawler where customized fighters batter each other through New York clubs.

Execution · Competitive PvP
Reversal-timing duels layered over wrestling system knowledge against human opponents.
Def Jam: Fight for NY leans Execution (Competitive PvP); WWE 2K17 leans Execution (Competitive PvP).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Def Jam: Fight for NY
Combo timing, grapple inputs, environment slams demand solid hands.
WWE 2K17
Reversal timing windows decide most exchanges
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Def Jam: Fight for NY
Versus humans, baiting grabs and counters matters; AI is mappable.
WWE 2K17
Human opponents bait reversals and vary move timing
WWE 2K17 leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Def Jam: Fight for NY
Minor stage and AI behaviour randomness.
WWE 2K17
Pin kick-outs and AI logic add scripted randomness
Def Jam: Fight for NY leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Def Jam: Fight for NY
Fighting-style blends, move purchases, venue weapons reward system knowledge.
WWE 2K17
Move-set knowledge and stamina management underpin matches
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.