Lucha Underground
Buzz Buys (June): Some surprise cards, a few affordable hits, WWE autos, movie throwbacks & more of my usual suspects
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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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TIFFY TIMES TWO
The Cards: Tiffany Stratton 2024 Panini Three Count WWE Prime Memorabilia Autographs Purple parallel (/25) & standard version (/99)
The Price: About half of a Three Count box these days
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card was immediately on my radar back when it first was revealed among the mock-ups for this high-end WWE brand and, I've said it before, if this set hadn't used sticker autos it would be perfect. The end of the Panini WWE run combined with a logjam of releases and then the collector (and definitely flipper) focus perhaps shining more on Chrome actually made secondary market prices on a lot of stuff here a bit softer than I had expected, allowing me to pony up on two of these at prices I could handle. (I had initially figured I wouldn't land one of these, let alone one and a parallel.) I was picky with these and wanted to make sure I landed one with a clean auto -- full name, not the abbreviated and half-empty-sticker "Tiff" that shows up sometimes. Both of these hit the spot on both auto quality and price ... and if they ever dip more, I'll do more. Why? It's a Tiffy Time world and we're just collecting in it.
Grab a box right here: WWE cards are here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Buys: New classics, Victor Wembanyama, NASCAR ink, Tua, Pee-Wee Herman, Rocky goes golfing ... and new vinyl?
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 ... a mix of low-and and higher-end finds as well as some non-traditional things people might like to collect.
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MY HERITAGE SLEEPER SET ...
The Card: Hank Aaron 2023 Topps Heritage Puzzles (announced /500)
The Price: $17.99
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This oversized box-topper set isn't huge at just 20 puzzles on the checklist but they don't drop all that often, either, from what I have seen -- one per case at most (and maybe not at all). It's one that I knew I liked immediately back when Heritage dropped with its lineup of mostly current names but also with some past stars all in one spot. What are they? Literal puzzles shrink-wrapped to a cardboard backer placed atop the packs in some boxes. A total of 13 active players (two rookies) are here along with seven Hall of Famers -- but some obvious names like Shohei Ohtani didn't make the cut ... so I suspect we'll see more in the second series later this year. I liked a few of the options in this one but waited for prices to dip and they really haven't as much as I had hoped they would. (Why? They're on the rarer side of things compared to a lot of stuff in this one.) This one presented itself on more of the affordable side more recently so I bit. These are just oldschool cool if you ask me -- something that feels a bit anti-2023 but also not totally part of a rigid Heritage formula that's been going for two decades plus now. I like surprises -- and this set felt like one.
Grab a box right here: 2023 Topps HeritageKeep reading for more interesting items ...
BuzzMania 6: An Indy Wrestling & The Rivals Invasion (Hour 9)
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 ninth break for today ... a mix of older and recent indy and other promotions' cards -- an invasion of sorts with some international flair and a non-WWE slot in this year's BuzzMania lineup. Why? Keep reading ...
Battle of The Brands: 2021 AEW Unrivaled/Unmatched Collection Jazwares (four packs) vs. 2008 TRISTAR TNA Impact (blaster) vs. 2017 Panini Lucha Libre AAA 25th Anniversary Stickers (five packs) vs. 2014 Independent Women's Internet Wrestling Series 1 (one pack) vs. 2022 GCW Deathmatch All-Stars Vol. 2 (two sets) vs. 2022 History of The Wrestling Revolver Vol. 1 (two sets)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... hit BlowoutCards.com for more standard stuff
What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
BuzzMania 5: Busting 2016/2017 Panini AAA stickers (Hour 4)
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 is an international option out there that won't break the bank and includes a few stars you might know from WWE and other American wrestling promotions right now.
The packs: 2016 and 2017 Panini Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide wrestling stickers (50 packs each -- two box-sixed lots)
First Buzz preview & checklist: None for this since imports.
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... click here for WWE stuff.What's inside this one? Keep reading ...
Buzz Buys: Toni Storm, Rhea Ripley & WWE legends lead way with Sadaharu Oh, Ichiro, Joe Namath, error cards & 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 ...
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IT'S STILL WRESTLEMANIA SEASON ...
The Card: Toni Storm 2019 Topps WWE NXT Silver Autographs (/25)
The Price: Under $100
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Here's a bit of a spoiler here ... there will be a number of WWE items in this piece and (another spoiler) you probably won't see Toni Storm at WrestleMania ... but I'm still a buyer. Why? This first WWE autograph is still her only signed card (also with parallels) to date. They have been scorchers since that time, too, but I'm sure we'll finally get a new wave in the next WWE Women's release that's set to arrive after Mania. (Right?) The price on this was arguably lower than it should have been and the condition is a lot cleaner than many other cards from this dark-bordered, skinny-stock release. I pulled one parallel version, have bought a couple base autos (they're in past editions of this series) and then I grabbed this one. Why? Because she's one of a trio of young and/or NXT stars I'm sold on. I also kind of like the challenge of trying to get an auto from this release with a good grade but that's something for a story down the line later. Once more autos arrive, perhaps prices will come down some here ... I'd probably still be a buyer.
Grab a box right here: No boxes of this one ... see all WWE boxes here.Keep reading for more interesting items in this one ...
Buzz Buys: Original WWE card artwork, Santa Claus' signature, NFL standouts, a Heisman contender, 1990 Pro Set homage, Black Lotus, The Fly, The Rock, Katy Perry's autograph & 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 there are some really unique pieces and some normal stuff found over recent months.
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BETTER THAN A BOX.
The Piece: Sasha Banks 2019 Topps WWE Undisputed original art by Rob Schamberger
The Price: Same as a box of this year's Undisputed cards
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: For the last two years, Topps' Undisputed sets have included a subset showcasing the work of WWE artist Rob Schamberger whose pieces also have been found on countless prints, shirts and more as well as in WWE Canvas 2 Canvas video shorts. How popular is his work? Well, wrestler-signed prints have their own section over at WWE Auction and he also had original card-sized works in last year's Transcendent boxes -- and this year's Undisputed set has his autographs as one of its chases. One card from last year's set that got my attention upon arrival was the Banks, which I even submitted for grading and I hadn't really thought about that one until just recently with this year's new set. What popped up? Well, he launched his new website, Schamberger Labs, where collectors can find prints, original pieces and more and that's where I found this original. For months now, I had been eyeing an original watercolor/ink piece to showcase here (story perhaps to come later ... if I do grab that one) but with the new site announcement one recent morning I checked things out and was shocked to see this original. (His photo is above since it's too large for me to photograph well.) I hadn't really imagined any art from this set ever being available but I grabbed it with little hesitation. I figured these pieces might be locked away in Topps' or WWE's possession given the card presence, but, no, the Banks and a handful of other pieces were up for grabs. (Some are still there.) These 11-by-15 pieces aren't overwhelmingly large to manage -- mine is in a photo top-loader for now -- and there's a strong chance I'll display it at some point, though I never really display any of my buys. (Well, beyond showing them off here.) This was one of my favorite finds of the year ... and it's been a good year (of shopping at home).
Grab a box right here: 2020 Topps WWE UndisputedKeep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2019 Leaf Wrestling Autographed Photo Edition
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: 2019 Leaf Wrestling Autographed Photo Edition
First Buzz Preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)
Packs per box: 1
Photos in this box: 5New Netflix series 'GLOW' has a few collecting ties to real world
"GLOW is unlike any show we've ever seen" reads the Entertainment Weekly headline for a review of an upcoming series from Netflix that's a comedic but fictionalized take on the late-1980s real-world wrestling promotion.
It stars Alison Brie as "Ruth Wilder," a struggling Los Angeles actress who opts to try out the world of pro wrestling in the series, which is based on a short-lived women's wrestling promotion called Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling that ran for four syndicated seasons in real life. (Really.) The series arrives on June 23.
The real-world wrestling show was pure cheese -- even to a 10-year-old wrestling-inclined Buzz -- in an era where Hulkamania yellow was everywhere, but apparently the new series is packing punch with critics. The EW reviewer gave it an A while breaking down all of the reasons the 1980s-based new series works. "GLOW, which takes everything over-the-top about professional wrestling," it reads, "pushes it to higher levels of absurdity and melodrama, and finds something deeply personal, explicitly political, and wonderfully brute-force awesome."
Now, how about those collecting ties? Well, they're more like pieces of trivia that could interest those who enjoy the show, but here we go ...
First Buzz: BenchWarmer Eclectic Series 2 trading cards
What: BenchWarmer Eclectic Series 2 trading cards
Arrives: Early September
Hobby box basics: 20 cards per box (16 boxes per case)What's buzz-worthy: BenchWarmer follows up on its 2014 repack product of past packs with bonus hits with a new repack that's nothing but new cards, past hits, promo sets and other surprises.
See a gallery and more ... below.
9 Item(s)