Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

PERFECTION ON THE DIAMOND
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Big League -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: One might argue that because this is Ohtani’s most low-end RC that it might not mean as much -- but that’s mostly just because of what the packs cost back in the day. How about now? How easy is it to find Big League packs vs. all of the other options that have his RCs inside? (I didn’t look ... that’s a question for you.) I'd suspect there are a boatload more flagship options to be found (at higher prices now) and a lot more of those cards slabbed vs. these. Why? While Big League was cheaper, I'd think there probably wasn’t as much made considering all of the packaging versions for flagship releases back then compared to this. That was a thought as to why I finally slabbed this one, especially when it looked pretty good.
The Grade: CGC 10 (Pristine)

Reality Check: There’s a reason this global icon leads off this month. This one checks in as just one of four in that top mark. Just 7.6 percent of those graded have landed this mark ... while a heavy majority does check in at a standard 10. Sure, these are all pop numbers that could change at any time with more subs ... but I’d think that other RCs probably will get graded more than this one.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ...

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OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN ... 
The Card: Captain Britain 2025 Topps Chrome Marvel Comics Yellow Lava Refractor
The Price: Under $2
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There seems to be an influx of deep-pocketed collectors chasing down Marvel cards hot and heavy in recent years with Precious Metal Gems and Chrome Refractor rarities being gobbled up to the point that almost everything new is seemingly of the flashy variety like this with big box prices attached. This collector doesn’t go uptown without some guaranteed stuff inside -- hits such as autographs, sketch cards or memorabilia guaranteed -- so there’s not been much dabbling for me and I’m OK with that. (Can’t collect everything.) This simple card was my first taste of this release for a character I liked the most back when I was a regular comics dabbler in the early 1990s (when baseball cards got pricey and a bit uninspired at the same time). This modern take on the 1980 Topps MLB design is one that, while I’m familiar with it, doesn’t really resonate with me to chase ‘em all. I also wished that the edges and corners were a little cleaner here ... but I have seen rougher releases with chromium-stock sets from all companies in recent years. If you have the willpower and can dig in not worried about box prices, there are some interesting releases out there in the comics realm. I used to casually dabble more in the non-sports realm when the boxes were cheaper but singles like this might be where I look more often if something strikes me. There’s little doubt that the ceiling for rarer singles is higher than ever if you pull something good, too.
Grab a box right here: Marvel cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What's Buzzing: Non-sports pulls, WWE chatter, new MLB, Topps Series 1 and Topps Heritage.

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1 -- Ripping into a Pop Century case ... and more non-sports here

2 -- New MLB pulls 

3 -- WWE chatter as Mania nears

4 -- All the MLB topics

5 -- Talking 2026 Topps

6 -- Talking 2026 Topps Heritage 

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Mystery Box Buzz Break is a new series here on The Buzz -- it's essentially a Buzz Break but only for "mystery boxes" that seem to be everywhere these days -- and not just in the sports realm. Like this and want to see more? Is there a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The mystery box: High Spots Virtual Gimmick Table -- autographed card box
Where to buy: Via High Spots (on a weekly live stream) ... find new wrestling cards at BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and a gallery of what was in this box.

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What's Buzzing: MLB chatter, MLB pulls, an ump question, WWE, NBA and Topps Heritage.

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1 -- All your MLB chatter

2 -- New MLB pulls are here

3 -- An umpire question

4 -- WWE is on their minds

5 -- Basketball has ‘em talking

6 -- Still talking Topps Heritage 

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: The good ol’ days, explaining recent years’ trends, a “hobby wallet,” Topps Heritage chatter and more.

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1 -- "Hobby wallet"

2 -- "The old days"

3 -- Have fun answering this one ... 

4 -- WWE chatter after Oba Femi dumps Brock Lesnar (again)

5 -- Topps Heritage reactions 

6 -- Whatnot lawsuit reactions

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: Basketball chatter, Topps Heritage, Whatnot, WWE thoughts heading to WrestleMania, pondering new Topps NFL and ... a fake card in a real slab?

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1 -- All your basketball chatter is here

2 -- Whoops

3 -- WWE chatter as 'Mania nears ...

4 -- Pondering new Topps NFL

5 -- Topps Heritage reactions 

6 -- Whatnot lawsuit reactions

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: Basketball chatter (and a new WNBA deal), undervalued MLB Hall of Famers, WWE chatter, showing off Shohei Ohtani and more.

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1 -- All your basketball chatter is here (and the WNBA will have a season)

2 -- Undervalued Hall of Famers

3 -- Showing off Shohei Ohtani cards

4 -- WWE chatter with 'Mania a month away

5 -- Topps Heritage reactions 

6 -- Whatnot lawsuit reactions

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: Reactions to Topps Heritage breaks, Topps NBA, Whatnot legal issues, showing off new cards, Roman Anthony and more.

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1 -- Topps Heritage reactions 

2 -- Roman Anthony 

3 -- Still legit

4 -- Talking Topps hoops

5 -- Showing off their new wrestling cards

6 -- Whatnot lawsuit reactions

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What: 2026 Topps Chrome WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: April 10
Box basics: Two autographs per 12-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: TBD
Odds: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps opens up its second campaign in this newest run with the WWE license the same way it did its first -- Chrome.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What's Buzzing: World Baseball Classic, Topps Heritage, Whatnot lawsuit reactions, Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar, Jaylen Waddle trade reactions and more.

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1 -- Watching the World Baseball Classic

2 -- Topps Heritage chatter

3 -- Whatnot lawsuit reactions

4 -- Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 

5 -- All your NBA thoughts are here 

6 -- Jaylen Waddle trade reactions and more 

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: World Baseball Classic reactions, wrestling chatter, MLB threads, Luka Doncic, non-sports and more.

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1 -- Watching the World Baseball Classic

2 -- Wrestling chatter on Steve Austin’s big day

3 -- All your baseball threads are here

4 -- Non-sports chatter

5 -- Luka Doncic

6 -- One for the slabs-must-match crowd

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: Talking Topps Now, a Joe Montana question, new pulls, Topps Chrome WWE, non-sports and more.

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1 -- Talking Topps Now 

2 -- A Joe Montana question 

3 -- New pulls are here 

4 -- Chrome WWE chatter

5 -- Non-sports update

6 -- Collectors react

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

This department will be an occasional series that will take a quick look at a game or gaming release with card elements -- essentially a breakdown of what's in a box, but not the typical kind of a Buzz Break. (Buzz isn't a gamer so this will just be what's in a box vs. gameplay analysis.) Maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

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The Game: Wonder Forge WWE Matching Game (2020)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for traditional WWE cards 

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this one.

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Mystery Box Buzz Break is a new series here on The Buzz -- it's essentially a Buzz Break but only for "mystery boxes" that seem to be everywhere these days -- and not just in the sports realm. Like this and want to see more? Is there a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The mystery box: High Spots Virtual Gimmick Table -- Autographed Funko Pop! mystery box
Where to buy: Via High Spots (on a weekly live stream) ... find new wrestling cards at BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and a gallery of what was in this box.

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What's Buzzing: World Baseball Classic chatter, your rules of collecting, Topps Three, new pulls, Konnor Griffin and more in this Friday edition.

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1 -- All your World Baseball Classic chatter ... and a Shohei Ohtani thread 

2 -- Rules of engagement ... err collecting?

3 -- Collecting for ... um ... 

4 -- Talking Topps Three

5 -- Showing off new wrestling pick-ups

6 -- Konnor Griffin

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

There are a lot of things one can collect that aren't cards -- sometimes they can even come in packs and sometimes they don't. Buzz has been exploring the world a little bit in different directions but with many of them still being paper items -- stacking paper but not in that ol' money kind of way. Here's a look at a few items that entered my collection in recent months that can all fall under this department, which will be found here roughly once a month. 

FOR THE CHILDREN ... AND THOSE INTO ART
The Item: Wu-Tang Clan concert poster -- Sept. 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (/350)
What It Cost Me: $18.85
What's It Worth: Original cost $50 ... recent eBay asking $19.99 to $80 ... no recent eBay sales
The Buzz: Their musical genre isn’t really my wheelhouse, but obviously I know the legendary band and some of its members and hits, but what drew me here was the style of so many of their posters that are so intensely detailed where even this digital take above doesn’t do it justice. (I struggled to take good photos of my pick-ups due to their sizes, so I am using digital images when I can.) This piece from their New York State of Mind Tour features art by an illustrator named Johnny Crap. With the group’s name being a nod to Kung Fu, it makes sense that many (but not all) of their concert posters carry that aesthetic or feel to a degree, too. As I noted last time, I've recently started dabbling with concert posters -- but only on the relative cheap -- after finding a seller/collector with a vast stock and nearly everything so fresh that the prints have never even been rolled ... so damage is almost non-existent. I've picked off a few dozen prints in recent months and you'll see concert posters like this pop up here regularly.
Find Cards At: Non-sports boxes at BlowoutCards.com

Check out even more items after the jump.

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What's Buzzing: Baseball card bubbles, new MLB pulls, new WWE finds, offseason chatter and more.

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1 -- Bubbles

2 -- New MLB pulls are here

3 -- New Universe WWE pulls

4 -- An NBA question 

5 -- Offseason football chatter

6 -- Heritage SPs and more on their minds

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Many people collect autographs -- but not in the same ways -- and not all autographs are made alike. Some are mass-produced, some are in packs. Some are personalized, some are not. Some have all kinds of documentation and many more have none ... here's a look at a few that entered my collection in recent months.

CERTIFIED INK (FROM PACKS)
The Item: Mark Metcalf 2024 Leaf Metal Pop Century Platinum Blue Prismatic Autographs (/10)
What It Cost Me: $17
What's It Worth: More than that in my book ...
The Buzz: That “Worthless & Weak” inscription may or may not resonate with you depending on your age -- I didn’t recognize him on this card at first -- but I found this on a curiosity search during a working marathon with MTV Classic on in the background. Metcalf is an actor perhaps best known for his roles in the 1970s and ‘80s and even ‘90s with Animal House, Hill Street Blues, Seinfeld and Buffy The Vampire Slayer among his credits. (See even more about him here ... it's an interesting feature about acting and typecasting.) But, he also had ongoing appearances in some 1980s videos from the rock band Twisted Sister -- a staple of early MTV -- "I Wanna Rock” and "We’re Not Gonna Take It” and that’s where I know him from. They’re  perfectly absurd little pieces of pop culture, but that’s 1980s music videos for you ... and that whole rant is a callback to a scene in Animal House, too. I was just a kid when those came out, but their over-the-top antics amused me and stuck with me ... and that’s why I thought his was a cool card all these years later.
Find Ink At: Pop Century boxes at BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a few more autos that caught my attention.

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What: 2025 Topps Exalted WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: April 1, 2026
Box basics Two autographs and one Relic per five-card hobby box (10 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The 2025 wrestling card season continues with "the brand’s bold entry into premium wrestling collectibles” with a transcendent “hobby-exclusive debut with a striking combination of autographs, relics, and vibrant parallels."

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2026 Panini MLW Ring Royalty wrestling cards
Arrives: May 6
Box basics: Two autographs per 10-card box (16 boxes per case)
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Panini’s first standalone MLW set will look at the company’s stars right now, its moments from the past and showcase some legends from elsewhere in the wrestling world.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What's Buzzing: Talking Heritage, Series 1, Topps Three, non-sports cards and new pulls.

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1 -- Heritage SPs and more on their minds

2 -- New basketball finds

3 -- New pulls from Series 1

4 -- Reactions to Topps Three NBA

5 -- Non-sports update

6 -- Talking wrestling cards

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ...

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THE FUTURE ... 
The Card: Oba Femi 2024 Panini National Treasures WWE Holo Silver (/25) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Price: $40
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was a card I picked up back in September and Femi's arrival on the main roster since then has been beyond impressive -- perhaps better than I had expected. There have been a lot of people noticing him as well -- so much so that demand for the Red parallel of this card, which is three times more plentiful -- is a crazy example in comparison to my card. One of the Reds recently went for almost $160 on eBay -- that’s impressive but this one is better. It makes me wish I would have stashed even more.
Grab a box right here: WWE cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMANTE
The Card: Roki Sasaki 2025 Topps Series 2 Diamante -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Graded: In my mind, this parallel that arrived for the Topps flagship sets last year is one of the most-dynamic options in an over-foiled lineup and this one made the cut for a grading sub after I found it in a hanger box. (These parallels are only in hanger boxes -- two at a time, every time.) The textures here can make cards look funky or even mangled to the naked eye on some corners or edges thanks to the texture and pattern, so your best bet for grading these (and other stuff, of course) is to make sure you have a loupe.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: Lone copy graded and only one slot on the scale ahead of it that could top it ... works for me. I need to scout these singles more -- that’s how much I like them -- and they are back this year.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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What's Buzzing: Chewing on Chrome WWE teasers, reacting to new stuff and more in today’s edition.

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1 -- Eyeing prospects during spring training 

2 -- Showing off 1990s MLB inserts 

3 -- WWE Universe reactions ... Talking Chrome WWE

4 -- Watching the NFL Combine? (LOL.)

5 -- Still talking 2026 Topps

6 -- 2026 Topps Heritage

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.