In a world where wrestling meets collectibles, the 2024 National Treasures WWE edition emerges as a bittersweet farewell to Panini’s era in the wrestling card industry. Touted for its legacy of premium quality in sports cards, the National Treasures brand has set the bar high for excellence. However, the debut of the 2024 National Treasures WWE edition has left collectors pondering if this grand finale lives up to its prestigious reputation.
National Treasures, with its luxurious offerings of on-card autographs and hefty game-used memorabilia in basketball and football, had fans eagerly awaiting similar treatment in the wrestling realm. Unfortunately, the initial breaks of the First Off the Line (FOTL) boxes have revealed a different narrative. Instead of on-card autographs, collectors have come across sticker signatures, which are typically viewed as less desirable in the collecting community. Furthermore, the encased relics come with disclaimers stating, “The enclosed authentic memorabilia is not from any specific match or event,” raising doubts about their genuineness and connection to the featured wrestlers. This departure from specific match-related memorabilia falls short of the authenticity that collectors have come to expect from the National Treasures series.
The transition of licensing often unleashes a wave of change in the products offered. Wrestling card expert Adam Gellman highlighted on the WaxPackHero Sports Card Minute podcast how similar shifts in the past have seen manufacturers prioritizing the clearance of existing inventory over retaining premium features during these transitions, hinting at a potential reason behind the underwhelming aspects of the 2024 National Treasures WWE edition.
As collectors voice their opinions, reactions diverge into two distinct camps. On one side, there are those with lofty expectations left dissatisfied by the prevalence of sticker autographs and non-specific relics in the set. On the other hand, some collectors who anticipated compromises in the product’s quality appreciate its sleek design and view it as a fitting conclusion to Panini’s run in the WWE card market.
Adding another layer of complexity is the delay in the full hobby release of the product, without any official explanation provided. While the market currently buzzes with FOTL breaks, collectors are left speculating whether the standard boxes, once released, will bring improvements or mirror the format already revealed.
The 2024 National Treasures WWE release signifies the end of an era as Panini makes its exit from the WWE trading card domain. Instead of a grand finale, the release acts as a reflective piece, showcasing how a brand navigates the concluding stages of a licensing deal. The product has left collectors divided, raising questions about its worthiness as a send-off.
With the full hobby release looming, the market’s reception will determine if Panini’s final WWE cards can salvage their reputation or fade into obscurity. Currently, collectors are left with a visually appealing product that strays from the usual grandeur associated with National Treasures, sparking debates on what the future holds for wrestling collectibles post-Panini.
