Collecting Tank-used
Collecting Tank-used V: Forever captured on WWE cardboard
It's not match-used -- but it's been seen a whole lot more than that.
That sums up the item in this fifth chapter of a memorabilia series with a tweaked name -- a tank-driven tangent in my Collecting Game-used series. It's once again a piece from Shotzi Blackheart, who I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, but this time it's something seen on cards as well as the small screen.
And that's just a part of what makes it a cool item.
This final memorabilia piece for this run -- at least for now (there will be more at some point) -- comes from her brief time with a distinctly different look, her spikes era. It's from 10 days before the memorabilia seen here last month but this time it's on Smackdown and not Raw. In WWE chronology, it's still from after she was attacked by Bayley who cut off chunks of Blackheart's trademark long green hair before she finished the job herself, she began to unravel and she joined forces with Charlotte Flair to take on Bayley's group, Damage CTRL, at Survivor Series.
Keep reading to see the item and all the details.
Collecting Tank-used IV: One from a Monday night brawl
Shotzi Blackheart takes care of business against then-champ Asuka during a brawl on Raw. (WWE photo)
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It's the end of an era -- for now -- but the moments and the memorabilia remain.
That's how I'd sum up the recent developments in the wresting realm that tie into this fourth chapter of a memorabilia series with a tweaked name -- a tank-driven tangent in my Collecting Game-used series to be more specific. This time, it's once again an item from Shotzi Blackheart, who I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, but this time it comes with a mild bummer attached yet the piece being ironclad authentic and caught on tape.
The bummer part? Well, that's got nothing to do with the item -- Blackheart's five-plus year run with WWE is over as her contract isn't being renewed as of this past weekend. However, that just means she should be able to take her name and her tank anywhere else in the globe (both things pre-date WWE so they should be hers) and get a lot more ring time and add some new stories to her wrestling tales unlike others who have to find a new name that's not a WWE-owned creation. The unique part of this? Well, it's my next-to-last item for this run -- for now -- and it comes from her brief time in WWE with a distinctly different look, one that I call her spikes era. It's from after she was attacked by Bayley who cut off chunks of her trademark long green hair before Blackheart finished the job herself and she began to unravel. This item was from one of the final steps as she joined forces with Charlotte Flair to take on Bayley's group, Damage CTRL, at Survivor Series and exact some revenge.
Keep reading to see the item and all the details.
Collecting Tank-used III: Her iconic color with TV time & more
WWE star Shotzi Blackheart revisits her old NXT stomping grounds on Oct. 18, 2022. (WWE photo)
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It's one step closer to match-used, but still not there -- yet it's still an iconic piece of a moment for a colorful WWE star.
That's how I'd describe the item in this third installment of a series with a tweaked name -- a tank-driven tangent in my Collecting Game-used series to be more specific -- and it's one that didn't take a whole lot of research time at all before I added this to my collection of memorabilia.
As should be obvious, it's once again from Shotzi Blackheart, who I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, and this item, which came directly from her, also is one that's forever captured in TV history and beyond.
Keep reading to see all the details.
Collecting Tank-used II: TV-matched? No, not this time, but ...
Photo-matching a piece of used memorabilia is easier in some sports, especially in today's era of often-authenticated, slap-a-sticker-on-it premium items that can make up a meaty revenue stream for a lot of sports leagues. But, no matter what it is -- or where a piece is from -- it always comes down to one thing.
Details.
Grimey and beaten-down baseball bats? They can have plenty of details between player customizations, models, manufacturers and damage from use. Mangled used football jerseys? Stains and tears of course -- you know, details. Baseball or basketball uniforms? Tougher but still do-able ... thanks to the details of tagging, stitching and other minute things that change over time.
But in the wrestling realm? Well, details still apply ... but things might be a little different to verify depending on a star's habits, styles and budgets for in-ring gear or their tastes for their fashion outside of the ring. Sometimes, those are the same. Sometimes they have to be different ... that's this time.
This second installment with a tweaked name in my Collecting Game-used series is one for a pick-up that wasn't a definitive match when I recently found it. It was a guessing game to a degree until I could get the item in hand for a closer look at ... the details. The star once again is Shotzi Blackheart, who I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, and this item, which came directly from her, was one where those it was those cards that helped solve the mystery.
Keep reading to see all the ... details.
Collecting Tank-used: A piece of an iconic WWE star's big intro
A piece of the exact moment ... that's what it's all about.
There's a reason there's a tweaked name above for this item in the Collecting Game-used series this month as this isn't just some baseball, football or other typical piece from a name from a traditional game. This one is from a realm just as athletic but also one way more theatric -- the WWE -- which is a world full of colorful characters and names that have more on their resume than just what's on the stat sheet. This time there's no game and there's no uniform, but it's a small piece from a memorable moment that helped lay out the basics for a star who was then still somewhat new to the NXT landscape after a few years as an independent wrestler making her way in the world.
Her name, if you don't know it already from seeing the colorful hair and the horn-adorned Army helmet, is Shotzi Blackheart and she's a star I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, so you'll know her name from reading many other items here. This is the first of a few entries in this series that will step away from the field and get in the world that includes a ring. If her look doesn't grab your attention, her unusual entrances at times might ... she originally rode to the ring in an intentionally absurd childrens' toy tank bought at a Walmart that just works with the vibes and the unusual energy of a Blackheart. (Yes, that name an homage to Joan Jett's punk band.) Meanwhile, in more recent days, her ride is more of a WWE-style tank with and her gear a more glamorized leather aesthetic in the ring and beyond with an energy that's evolved since her late-2019 arrival.
But this time for this item in this series? Well ... keep reading to see all the details.
Collecting Game-used: A nod to The King from a Superstar fan
It was 45 years ago today that Elvis Presley died after a career filled with historic successes but, no, this one isn't showcase for a piece of The King -- though I own cards with pieces with memorabilia he wore in them as those have been made as part of many past card sets.
This one's more in my traditional collecting wheelhouse and a simple piece of memorabilia for a current star over in the wrestling realm who is a fan of Presley as well as other musical acts -- and they were often seen in small ways on her decorated leather jackets worn to the ring. It this one of those jackets? Nah, I don't have a couple grand to land one -- but I totally want to.
This is something far simpler from outside the WWE realm, and back in July in this very Collecting Game-used series you got Part 1. This is a promised follow-up piece that I landed at that same time, and, while this isn't really a "game-used" item, it's 100-percent photo-matched to a shoot over on Instagram.
You can see a hint of it above. Keep reading to see the reveal.
Collecting Game-used: One directly from the ballpit, err closet
I think I have said this before right here, but ... sometimes, it's all about timing and some dumb luck.
Collectors of game-used memorabilia for the traditional sports can land things easily -- sometimes right after games they just watched -- in a team gift shop for baseball, football, basketball and so on. But, for other sports or even stuff used in TV shows and movies? Well, you have to know where to look and be ready when auctions or items might pop up by being plugged in.
My latest item in this Collecting Game-used series is a little different than a lot of the baseball, football and other stuff that arrives here each month. I landed this month's item just a week ago today and it all started with a simple Instagram story notice that's come and gone ... but in essence it was a message that said "I'm moving and cleaning out my closet."
I smashed the link and saw what was up for grabs, then I did a deep dive on (Where else?) Instagram, to see what I could find that was photo-matchable and unique (or at least seemed familiar) for a colorful personality and competitor out there in the world of pro wrestling -- and a favorite star of mine for sure. This time, it was something very affordable (not match-used ... I missed on that) and something that still feels right for a star known for a colorful and energetic look with plenty of attitude -- and a piece that seems to kind of pre-date where she's at now in the ring.
Keep reading to see the details ... and the item in action.
7 Item(s)