Andre The Giant
Buzz Goes Gaming: Ravensburger WWE Legends Royal Rumble
This new department will be an occasional series that will take a quick look at a game our 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: Ravensburger WWE Legends Royal Rumble Card Game (2020)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for other gaming -- or for traditional wrestling cardsKeep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this one.
Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE Road to WrestleMania cards
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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 lot: 2018 Topps WWE Road To WrestleMania wrestling cards (three Walmart jumbo packs)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a couple formats)
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
BuzzMania 8: Making A Case For Panini Chronicles (Hour 6)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 41 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Las Vegas. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania8, a marathon of wrestling breaks all day long.
This case made last year's lineup and it had to get another crack when I found it cheap back on Black Friday. Why? This is a variety-packed brand that truly delivers that with volume -- it's a fun one to rip if you ask me -- no matter what can happen on the quality control front.
The Brand: 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE (20-box blaster case)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby and blaster lots)
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Smart Pack)
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: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Topps India Smart Pack)
Where to buy: Will take some looking -- get standard WWE boxes here
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2016 Topps WWE Series 1 (three rack packs)
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 lot: 2016 Topps WWE Series 1 cards (three rack packs)
Where to buy: Click here for all WWE boxes/packs/lots in stock
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of highlights from this one.
Making the Grade (Oct.): Ohtani, Judge, KISS, Clerks, WWE, vintage books, Black Panther, Shotzi, Machete, Maris & 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 MONSTER YEAR ...
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Heritage High Number -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: Ohtani had a monster season without even pitching -- first 50-50 Club member for starters and just short of the National League Triple Crown -- and his big-time potential had me submitting some of my RCs for him earlier this year. Did people expect this kind of showing, though? Probably not -- I know I didn't -- but I know Heritage RCs are my preference, so this one made the cut. The bottom corners seem to be the most-common issue with these cards, but this one was clean and so it made my sub -- and I will have two more on the way to grading, too, so you'll see more of this card during the off-season or by next spring.
The Grade: CGC 10Grade 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 P10 Total Population 1 0 0 1 0 1 32 149 68 181 3 436 Reality Check: The graded volume is high here but perhaps still modest vs. PSA volumes -- I'm good with that -- and this one has only been topped three times. I dig that. This mark isn't that rare but it is one that would be in demand with the two slots below also where many will look.
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax gaming cards
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: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2023 Panini Chronicles WWE cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2023 Panini Chronicles WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2023 Panini Chronicles WWE cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2023 Panini Chronicles WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
BuzzMania 7: Shredding A Panini Chronicles Case (Hour 11)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 40 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Philadelphia. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania7, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.
This is a variety-packed case that truly delivers that with some volume but it's also one that wasn't without some flaws at times with some card surface funk and wonky collation -- we'll see if that strikes again here -- but it's a fun one to rip if you ask me ... no matter what.
The Brand: 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE (20-box blaster case)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
BuzzMania 7: Big Surprises in 2022 Panini Prizm? (Hour 9)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 40 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Philadelphia. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania7, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.
This one arrived around the time of BuzzMania two years ago and was all the rage -- some justified and some absolute hype, too -- but there's no doubting that the Panini America WWE debut is a historic release. Why? It's jam-packed with color and an absolute boatload of Rookie Cards for starters ... though this format isn't perhaps as generous as others. As this break will show, though, it's worth the look ... as things can sometimes run hot.
The Brand: 2022 Panini Prizm WWE (five blasters)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (several formats)
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
BuzzMania 7: Shredding A Full 2023 Prizm WWE Case (Hour 8)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 40 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Philadelphia. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania7, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.
This one was a pick-up at a slasher price back on Black Friday -- a jaw-dropper price where I absolutely had to dabble -- and yet my first impression of ripping this one back then wasn't a good one ... so I let it sit. Now, a few months later? We'll see how the results look ...
The Brand: 2023 Panini Prizm WWE (blaster case)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Smart Pack)
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: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Topps India Smart Pack)
Where to buy: Will take some looking -- get standard WWE boxes here
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax gaming cards
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: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2023 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2023 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Buzz Break: 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
BuzzMania 6: The Topps Heritage End Of An Era Rip (Hour 10)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.
This 10th break of the day takes us back to the brand that carried the Topps WWE revival in 2005, evolved some before a break and then popped back up with some of the best modern-retro meshed cardboard of the company's run. This one is smack dab in in the midst of that with a throwback to 1987 seen a few ways.
The Brand: 2017 Topps Heritage WWE (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
BuzzMania 6: The Throwback Pack Battle Royale (Hour 6)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.
This is our sixth break for today ... a showdown between five releases from the past -- it's a lineup that includes an oddball, an import with some key inclusions and one an NWA throwback, though a lot of that history features stars that are firmly part of WWE lore now.
Battle of The Brands: 1985 Topps Cyndi Lauper (six packs) vs. 1987 Topps WWF (three packs) vs. 1997 Panini WWF Superstars stickers (one pack) vs. 1989 Wonderama NWA (bonus pack) vs. 1990 Classic WWF Series II (blister pack)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer (and better) WWE stuff
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
Buzz Buys: WWE greats & superstar autographs, Roger Maris, Hank Aaron, lobby cards, vintage Hollywood, mags & more
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 ... and this time around it's perhaps a little heavy on wrestling (but then again so am I) and some pick-ups that have simply piled up waiting for a spot. (Call it some spring cleaning.)
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A MONÉ MYSTERY ...
The Card: Sasha Banks 2021 Topps Transcendent WWE Green Autograph (/15)
The Price: Way less than most new WWE boxes ...
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: When the final Transcendent set was teased, this card with its striking image (a real photo from one of her laser show entrances) was immediately on my radar from this ultra-pricey release. However, how I was going to actually land one wasn't something I had to worry about upon arrival ... her cards simply were not packed out in the boxes and she wasn't alone. Why? There's some chatter about that, but one WWE insider believed her boxes of cards may have mistakenly left at a venue. Then some popped up on the open market, forcing Topps to go track them down legally and then get the signing done. All that is stuff I don't really care about, but I'm 100-percent confident that this is a legit auto of The Legit Boss and the card is perfectly fine. A number of the other Banks autos from this one have some steep asking prices but I ponied up to land this one not that long ago, knowing it will be a few more years before we might even see Transcendent again. And who knows what the wrestling future for Mercedes Moné might hold -- Mercedes Varnado is no longer in WWE -- or if we'll even see Sasha Banks again.
Grab a box right here: None for this one but ... WWE boxes are here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax gaming cards
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: 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Buzz Break: 2022 Panini Prizm WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2022 Panini Prizm WWE wrestling cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (hobby and retail)Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
BuzzMania 5: Busting 2019 Topps WWE Slam Attax Universe (Hour 6)
The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 38 set for Saturday and Sunday from Dallas. We'll make today a big day for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania5, a series of WWE wax box/pack breaks.This import is the cheapest box of the day and it's loaded with star power on the cheap. It's not a perfect release ... but it's one you can load up on without breaking the (money in the) bank.
The box: 2019 Topps WWE Slam Attax Universe (India smart pack box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: None since it's imported.
Where to buy: Will take some looking -- get newer WWE boxes hereWhat's inside this one? Keep reading ...
Buzz Buys: New cards, new autos, a new car, old mags, vintage gems, some basics & plenty of WrestleMania stars (duh)
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 ... and it's once again the biggest Buzz Buys ever. (A collection of pick-ups from recent times as well as in the past year or so.)
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A RECORD-SETTER, BUT ...
The Cards: Wander Franco 2022 Topps Living Set (/68,228)
The Price: Direct from Topps (10-pack price)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one re-wrote the new Living Set record book with its sales volume and I did a 10-pack to hopefully land a copy without centering issues and to maybe grade one or two. It turns out 10 wasn't enough as the front card is closest to centered but it has a cardboard blotch that should nix some top marks and any immediate grading from me. I still might but not right now. With so many made, there likely will be plenty graded in the coming months ... so without an obvious gem I'll wait. This might have been my first Living Set lot direct from Topps since Vladimir Guerrero Jr., so it will probably send me back to hibernation on that brand. We'll see.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Super Game Pack)
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: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Topps India Super Game Pack)
Where to buy: Will take some looking -- get standard WWE boxes here
Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.
Making the Grade (January): Ja Morant, Toni Storm, Axl Rose, Kobe Bryant, Bo Bichette, Daredevil, Andre The Giant & 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 START FROM THE HARDCOURT
The Card: Ja Morant 2019-20 Donruss Optic #168 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: As I noted last time, I have made an effort to slab some of my better (basic) Rookie Cards for key NBA names in the last couple of years and Morant is among them. Why? Well, I didn't pull all that many to start with, so they still sort of still feel special to me unlike some brands (Chronicles) where I cleaned up and have plenty of the basics. Last time here, you saw my Zion Williamson Optic Rookie Card, so I figured this time I'd drop my Morant ... If I remember correctly I found both of them in the same box.
The Grade: CSG 9.5Grade 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 Total Population -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 12 42 49 1 85 Reality Check: It graded well, which is what I was hoping for, and via CSG that's not always the easiest thing to get. Optichome-stock cards of the last couple years seem to always have issues on the backs from what I have seen with chippy edges and sometimes-textured stock that isn't all that smooth and clean. This time? It's clean and I think this mark on the CSG pop report (*they say it's coming very soon) might be a lot smaller than other places.
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.