In the bustling bazaar of trading cards, WWE seems ready for a spectacular renaissance. Gather ye ‘Hall of Fame’ collectors and rookie card investors, for the alchemist Topps has returned to transform the trading card landscape. After a sojourn with Panini, WWE cards are back under the watchful eye of Topps, reigniting the flames of enthusiasm and demand in a notoriously fickle market. Riding in with a monumental streaming partnership with none other than Netflix, WWE is on the brink of captivating an entirely new generation of fans, and their trading cards are about to become the cherries on top of this colossal sundae of entertainment.
Recent trends displayed by the CardLadder wrestling index—basically the pulse of the wrestling card market—show that WWE trading cards have surged by a staggering 25% in just three short months. This makes them not just contenders but leaders in a lively race against other categories, like Pokémon, which lagged behind with a more modest growth of 12%. It appears that the squared circle is not just delivering suplexes and slam dunks; it’s also delivering coveted collectibles that are climbing in value with impressive speed.
If you thought excitement was building prior to this resurgence, hold onto your championship belts! December 2023 rolled out a wrestling card that would give any collector heart palpitations: a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan PSA 9 sold for a jaw-dropping $132,000. That’s right! It shot past the previous record held by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s 2022 Panini Black Prizm 1/1, which went for $126,000. You could say wrestling cards are turning back time and bringing with them a nostalgia feast formed from the childhoods of fans and collectors alike.
At the heart of this burgeoning wave of interest is WWE’s remarkable debut on Netflix, which is not just sparkling with new content but also kicking viewer engagement into overdrive. Data from eBay unearthed a treasure trove of stats showcasing that searches for WWE collectibles exploded to around 2,700 per hour—a healthy 5% increase from 2023. The day WWE made its Netflix debut on January 6 saw those numbers spike an astounding 5%, further fanning the flames of fervor among fans and collectors.
And it’s not just the iconic names like Hulk Hogan and The Rock that are burning up the search engines; the new wave of superstars is flexing their market appeal too. Take a look at red-hot figures like Rhea Ripley, who saw an impressive over 100% increase in search interest, while Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Liv Morgan attracted their legions of loyal fans as well. It’s evident the broader exposure has allowed fresh faces and classic icons alike to claim their space in eager collectors’ hearts and hands.
The Topps revival is breathing fresh air into the collectible space with a promise of rich storytelling that is as theatrical as the wrestling matches themselves. Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product, outlined a magnificent vision where they aim to capture the magnetic personalities of WWE’s superstars. They intend to create cards infused with narrative, celebrating the outrageous tales and dramatic rivalries that make wrestling such an electrifying spectacle. The wave of innovation is set to wash over collectors with thrilling new products that resonate on a personal level.
Looking ahead, we eagerly await the 2024 Topps WWE Chrome, heralded as the grand announcement under Topps’ new license. This release is poised to grab attention for its enthralling contents, offering 12 packs in each hobby box with eight cards per pack, plus the drool-worthy enticement of two autographs per box—at a retail price of $169.99. However, it isn’t just the autographs that have everyone abuzz; Topps is bringing what they call unique wrestler inscriptions, where superstars can stamp their personalities and slogans onto cards, making these collectibles shine brighter than a championship belt under arena lights.
Speaking of shining stars, 2024 Chrome marks the belated return of The Rock to the world of WWE trading cards, the first since 1998! His autographs in Chrome are tipped to become some of the most sought-after gems in the hobby, alongside tantalizing inscriptions that reach deep into the essence of his wrestling persona, like “Aloha” and “Smell It?”. Among these innovative features is a sought-after dual autograph card with The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, an enticing offering that has collectors licking their chops.
This year also holds significant nostalgia for longtime fans as it marks the 40th anniversary of that first iconic WWE trading card release, sparking a flurry of special inserts commemorating the legendary 1985 set. One can only imagine Luraschi grinning as he reminisces about tearing into those nostalgic packs, now looking to reignite that same magic for a new generation of collectors.
With John Cena preparing for his farewell tour in 2025, Topps is also pouring out homage with special tribute cards spread throughout the year, ensuring that his legacy resonates even as new stars rise. For the hardcore collectors, the potential introduction of Debut Patch cards could send the market into a veritable frenzy, as these unique rookie cards featuring game-worn patches from a wrestler’s inaugural match could become the holy grail for collectors.
Who are the hottest properties in this modified universe of WWE card collecting? eBay data reveals that Hulk Hogan still reigns supreme in searches, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk capturing widespread attention. Meanwhile, new names are rising fast, like Swerve Strickland and Lola Vice, prickling the eyes of collectors eager to invest in tomorrow’s stars today.
As WWE dives into this exciting realm of collectible trading cards, all the cards are stacking in their favor. The combination of a passionate fan base, original ideas from Topps, and the potential of the Netflix partnership creates the perfect storm for a card-collecting boom. The roster of iconic WrestleMania moments is undoubtedly set to merge with the world of trading cards in a collectible crossover that’s bound to leave fans breathless. Wrestling cards are not just returning; they’re gathering momentum, and the best is yet to come!
