2018 Topps WWE
Buzz Buys: Collecting Broadway Joe, Instant buys, WWE icons, good & bad ink, Kill Bill and even Drew Barrymore's debut
Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.
So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...
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A STRATUSFACTORY ADDITION
The Card: Trish Stratus 2014 Topps WWE Road to WrestleMania Trish Stratus Pants Relic
The Price: Less than a typical low-end hobby box
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This WWE Hall of Famer got her own tribute set in this Topps release and part of the project also included a small batch of jumbo memorabilia cards that, unlike most Topps WWE stuff, wasn't loaded with pieces of shirts or mat pieces. Instead, these jumbos were massive swatches of some match-worn pants from the multi-time champ and they're also seen on the cards themselves in at least one instance. (This one.) These weren't impossible pulls back then -- I just never found one and they were pricey for Relics -- but I latched onto one when it surfaced to have it in my stash almost a decade later. With so many new boxes being pricey or less enticing at times because of that in all sports, I've found myself being more selective and playing the waiting game on some ... and buying up selected singles perhaps for more than I typically do. Though at the same time, the markets are starting to feel a little more normal here and there. This is an example of that.
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... find WWE boxes here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Making the Grade (Nov.): Atlanta Braves Rookie Cards, Vladdy, David Letterman, Bo, Aerosmith, Kobe, Pistol Pete & more
Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.
Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...
A CAREER YEAR
The Card: Dansby Swanson 2017 Topps Heritage #76B action variation SP -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Bought: I'm a sucker for Heritage RCs and multi-player cards from the past, but I've never really chased the SPs that have been immensely popular since around this year where a few key names went solo from their card counterparts and have cards of their own -- both signed and unsigned. I had Swanson stashed on my fantasy league all season (mostly on the bench behind a favorite of mine you see here often) and saw the career year as it was happening. I had been eyeing this card for years now -- I own plenty of the regular ones as well as a couple of the Chrome types (I might slab those) -- and grabbed this awhile back. With the Braves' World Series showing, I figured I'd have him batting lead-off here ... and he won't be alone from the ATL here this month.
The Grade: BGS 9.5Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 34 2 0 38 Reality Check: I wasn't really worried about the pop report but I also didn't realize there were so few cards above this one. I will stash this one away with my Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. slabs I've picked up or slabbed on my own the last couple years like I suspect many have and will be doing. I probably need to slab some of their pitchers and you might see a Freddie Freeman Heritage card or two here in the future. (I lean toward the new guys more but have had some good Heritage pulls.)
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Oct. 13)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: The NFL's rookie QB debate and plenty of big pulls from around the collecting world in today's edition.
Making the Grade (Oct.): Semi-Pro's trio, young Bo, Tom Brady, Hank Aaron, Ronda Rousey, Kurt Cobain, a Canseco RC & more
Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.
Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...
EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY!
The Cards: 2008 Upper Deck Semi-Pro #1 Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), #2 Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson), #3 Clarence “Coffee Black” Withers (Andre Benjamin)
The Reason Graded: I'm a sucker for sports cards with movie tie-ins (Or is it movie cards with sports tie-ins?) and this is a set I picked up long, long ago and then revisited again recently. The set is simple -- just these three cards that were released in a pack around a piece of wrapped gum in advance of this comedy's arrival. They weren't rare back then but they have dried up a bit now, and I always wanted to slab a set but knew that there would be challenges here if you want elite grades.
The Grades: BGS 9Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1* Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1* Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1* Reality Check: This was my best trio out of a handful of sets I own and I'm fine with a matching set of BGS 9s as there can be centering issues galore here along with corner lifts on the soft stock, surface warping and even color blotches among those white borders on these highly glossed cards. These were my best options so I sent them in for the tougher grading company in my mind and got about what I had expected (while actually potentially fearing worse). As for the pop report, I'm not sure what's up here as all three of my cards actually show a pop of zero. That's perhaps because I'm the first or among the first to submit these, so they're not all linked up correctly in the BGS system. Or perhaps that whole is "It a sports card or non-sports card?" question in there, too.
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Bulk Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (10 jumbo packs)
What's a Bulk Break? Well, it's basically a Buzz Break -- but with a lot of packs or something that's found in volume but not in box or case form. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The lot: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (jumbo pack lot)
Where to buy: Click here (in the big sale right now)
Keep reading to see what was in this simple lot that delivered pretty well.
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (hobby box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: Here when available -- click here for other boxes
Get a full breakdown of this one after the jump -- and be here on Friday for #BuzzMania3, a WWE breaks marathon
Making the Grade (October): Ronald Acuña Jr. heaters, Clerks, Ernie Davis, hot ink, Supergirl, Catwoman & real Nuke LaLoosh
Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.
Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Chrome Update #HMT25 Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I only opened a couple of mega boxes for this brand but did land this guy -- and, man, do I wish this card had used the bat-down photo. (What could have been?) I recently revisited a few of my boxes holding the finds of my buys last year and this one struck me as a clean example worth a slab, especially with him having had an elite season coming up just short of being the youngest member of the elite 40-40 Club.
The Grade: BGS 9.5Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 18 348 83 8 459 Reality Check: Turns out I was right, though this is a card that's heavily graded with a growing pop report since I submitted this one. There was a 10 grade right after mine in the serial-numbering line and there have been plenty of 9.5s graded since -- and even the 10s aren't all that rare for this one. There's plenty here to feed the demand for a guy who should be on collector radars for years. You'll see more of Acuña here.
Keep reading for more of this month's new slabs for Buzz.
Making the Grade (August): New Vladdy, Acuña, Rally Squirrel, Undertaker, Juggernaut, Michael Jordan, Paige, Kurt Cobain, The Bad News Bears' ace ... and Keith Comstock's beanballs?
Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.
Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...
The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Living Set #179 RC
The Reason Graded: While I own a few Topps Living Set cards the arrival of this second-generation MLB star in this weekly release sparked my first purchase from this popular brand that's clearly popular with flippers. I ponied up for 10 copies of the card --solely with potential grading in mind -- but didn't receive a single perfectly centered card in my batch, which was a bummer. After some grumbling, I picked out this one from the batch and sent it in.
The Grade: BGS 9.5Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 B10 Total Population 0 0 0 0 1 1 26 29 28 2 0 87 Reality Check: It graded as well as I thought it could -- maybe better -- so I wasn't unhappy with the grade and it appears that I'm perhaps on the luckier side with just two 10s out there better than it via BGS ... for now. This is a card that will likely be graded more and more often so those won't last but but it appears that this one is arriving between 8.5 and 9.5 more often than not. I have a second one I'll submit to PSA at some point with my sights set on a 10 there. We'll see sometime later this year.
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 11 (10 packs plus a two-card Relic/bonus pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 44 of 100 (44 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notables on base cards: Jerry Lawler, Mr. McMahon, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Mickie James, Daniel Bryan, A.J. Styles, Big E, Kurt Angle
Rookie/First NXT Cards: Kayla Braxton, Christy St. Cloud, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly, Montez Ford, Pete Dunne
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 11 (10 packs plus a two-card Relic/bonus pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 43 of 100 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 1Notables on base cards: Jerry Lawler, Mr. McMahon, Jim Ross, Stephanie McMahon, Elias, Carmella, John Cena, Maryse, Paige, Peyton Royce, Daniel Bryan, A.J. Styles, Big E
Rookie/First NXT Cards: Asuka, Kyle O'Reilly, Adam Cole (2), Montez Ford, Pete Dunne, Sonya DeVille
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (May 19)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Pondering the greatness of Mookie Betts, busting 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes, a huge WWE case break and other big pulls from around the collecting world.
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 11 (10 packs plus a two-card Relic/bonus pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 42 of 100 (42 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notables on base cards: Mr. McMahon, Jim Ross, Stephanie McMahon, Elias, Carmella, John Cena, Maryse, Paige, Peyton Royce, Daniel Bryan, A.J. Styles, Big E
Rookie/First NXT Cards: Asuka, Kyle O'Reilly, Adam Cole, Montez Ford, Pete Dunne, Sonya DeVille, Bobby Fish
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (May 14)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Big pulls and one simple collecting question to start the week.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (May 12)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: The $400,000 Mike Trout Superfractor, busting new wax and two printing plates in one pack.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (May 8)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Big breaks from around the collecting world, preparing for The National and NFL investment sleepers?
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE cards (three hanger boxes)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The boxes: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (hanger)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Cards per pack: 42
Cards in this lot: 123
Base set completion: 63 of 100 (63 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notables on base cards: Triple H, Charlotte Flair, Ember Moon, Daniel Bryan, Booker T, The Miz, Maria Kanellis, Shane McMahon, Mickie James, Jim Ross, Nia Jax, Kevin Owens, Lana, Jerry Lawler, A.J. Styles, Lita, Natalya, Andrade "Cien" Almas, Brie Bella
Rookie/First NXT Cards: Asuka, Zelina Vega, Mike Kanellis, Bobby Fish, Christy St. Cloud, Bobby Roode
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 11 (10 packs plus a two-card Relic/bonus pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 43 of 100 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notables on base cards: Mr. McMahon, Jim Ross, Stephanie McMahon, Elias, Carmella, John Cena, Maryse, Paige, Peyton Royce, Daniel Bryan, Booker T, The Miz, Maria Kanellis, Shane McMahon, Mickie James
Rookie/First NXT Cards: Asuka, Kyle O'Reilly, Adam Cole, Montez Ford, Pete Dunne, Sonya DeVille, Bobby Fish
First Buzz: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards
What: 2018 Topps WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: May 2
Box basics: Two hits (one autograph guaranteed) in every 24-pack hobby box (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: The wave is coming to the ring as the 2018 Topps flagship WWE brand uses the same design as its MLB counterpart with the stars of the ring getting the cardboard nods here.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
18 Item(s)