Once upon a time in the vibrant land of collectibles, where cardboard heroes and legendary athletes met in a sporting arena of glimmering hues and sweat-soaked nostalgia, the trading card world found itself caught in the chokehold of uncertainty. However, hope has re-entered the ring with a resounding slam as WWE trading cards are gearing up for an exhilarating renaissance. The catalyst for this surge of enthusiasm? The triumphant return of Topps, the legendary trading card creator, as the official manufacturer for WWE cards, coupled with the jaw-dropping collaboration that has seen WWE align its fortune with the streaming giant, Netflix.
In recent weeks, signs of this budding chaos in the world of trading cards have surfaced louder than a steel chair crashing into the ring. Recent data released by CardLadder has shown a staggering 25% spike in the sales of WWE trading cards over the last quarter, making this category the hottest of the moment—hotter even than the previously dominant Pokémon cards. This meteoric rise culminated in fireworks and confetti on a chilly December day in 2023, when the coveted 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan PSA 9—of which only 17 are known to exist—brought a jaw-dropping $132,000 at auction, dwarfing the previous record held by none other than The Rock and his eye-popping $126,000 price tag on a 2022 Panini Black Prizm 1/1.
If that doesn’t send an excitement shockwave through the card-collecting fan base, nothing will. But wait, there’s more to the story. WWE’s strategic partnership with Netflix has transformed the way the organization engages its audience, leading to an influx of new fans enveloped in the collective frenzy of wrestling fandom. Data accumulated from eBay reveals a remarkable trend—searches for WWE treasures have spurged to a staggering 2,700 per hour in 2024, climbing 5% from the previous year. The day WWE made its grand debut on Netflix on January 6 was a watershed moment. Searches surged by another 5%, revealing deep interest among new collectors triggered by the new streaming deal.
The curiosity didn’t stop there; fans went on a scavenger hunt for their favorite grapplers—Rhea Ripley saw her autographed cards rise over 100% in interest, while Roman Reigns and CM Punk had respectable bumps of 50% and 40%, respectively. It’s clear that Netflix’s global reach is introducing WWE legends to an eager audience, and collectors are lining up to snatch up cards of top superstars, almost as if they were attending a live event with the roar of an audience spurring them on.
As the curtain rises on this renewed trading card era, Topps enters the spotlight armed with creativity and fan fervor. After a multi-year absence, Topps is stepping back into the WWE ring with an attitude tuned for success. Clay Luraschi, the senior vice president of product, expressed excitement over this pivotal moment where storytelling, personality, and nostalgia converge. Luraschi emphasized wrestling’s distinct storytelling element as a differentiator. Instead of mere images on cardboard, these cards beckon collectors with the larger-than-life personas of wrestlers, promising to encapsulate what makes WWE a mecca for spirited fans.
One of the highly anticipated launches under Topps’ revitalized stewardship is the 2024 Topps WWE Chrome set, the first of its kind post-reunion. This collection features 12 packs per hobby box and an alluring two autographs per box, available for $169.99—if you’re willing to risk your savings and your sanity fighting fellow collectors for a chance at coveted cards.
What steals the show, however, are the whimsical autograph inscriptions added by wrestlers. Fans can now acquire autographs that come with charming personalized catchphrases: Cody Rhodes immortalizes “Story Finished!” while Roman Reigns asserts dominance with his “Acknowledge Me!” Not to be overlooked, the much-lauded return of The Rock’s autographs after 25 years is sending waves through the community, showcasing not just nostalgia, but sheer excitement as fans scramble to procure inscriptions like “Rock Final Boss” and “Smell It?”
In tribute to the rich history of wrestling and trading cards, Topps has included special inserts celebrating the incredible 40-year legacy since WWE’s inaugural trading card release in 1985. Luraschi, clearly channeling his inner nostalgia freak, reminisces about the thrill of 1985’s designs. As John Cena’s heartfelt farewell tour looms, Topps intends to roll out thoughtful tribute cards throughout 2024—a gesture that collectors and fans of “The Champ” are sure to appreciate.
One speculation making waves through the hobby circles is whether WWE will embrace the trend of Debut Patch cards. These exclusive finds—the stuff of collector dreams—would feature game-worn patches from a wrestler’s first match, defining them as ultimate chasers. Luraschi teased that this concept is indeed on their radar.
As collectors set their sights on what’s hot, Topps has a finger on the pulse of demand. Not surprisingly, Hulk Hogan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and John Cena are still heavyweight champions in the collecting market, while newcomers like Swerve Strickland and Lola Vice are blazing trails with astronomical increases in card popularity.
The stage is set—the lights are flashing, and the excitement is palpable as WWE trading cards prepare to reclaim their glory with fervid anticipation. 2024 is not just another year; it’s a landmark opportunity for collectors to sprint into a flourishing world of wrestling cards where Topps leads the charge, Netflix amplifies the audience, and the love for the spectacle of sports entertainment reigns supreme. The roar of the crowd grows louder, and as fans old and new tune in, the wrestling collectibles realm stands on the cusp of a magnificent renaissance.
