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 ...

--

THIS SET IS A CLASSIC
The Card: Tua Tagovailoa 2023 Panini Luminance Gold (/250)
The Price: About $5.50
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This set was among many recent NFL releases on the high-end spectrum when it comes to box price, so, well, I'm not ripping it ... but when this one popped up in an online search I did some scrolling and I quickly realized that this set just might be one of the best photo-editing jobs done in all of modern football card history (view a lot of them here). I scouted listings and opted for this clean parallel of a top guy in the NFL this season and this one arrived so clean that there's a very good shot this will end up slabbed and in a future Making The Grade ... that's how much I like this card. The base set is full of strong images. Strong, strong images.
Grab a box right here: Grab a box by clicking here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

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 boxes: Two Wrestling Mega Mystery Boxes (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Initially only at Meijer ($29.99 each) -- click here for WWE packs, boxes and cases

Continue reading →

 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 Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (hobby)

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

Continue reading →

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 ...

IMPORTED PERFECTION
The Card: Ichiro Suzuki 2000 Upper Deck Ovation Japanese (Nippon Professional Baseball)
The Reason Graded: This set is a favorite of mine among oddball/international releases and while it might look familiar it's not one you found at, say, a Toys R Us store back in the day. This is from a set made for the stars of Nippon Professional Baseball and was sold in Japan and it uses the familiar Ovation MLB design that really does stand out as a unique one from the past with its embossed baseball seams framing the photo. The core of this set isn't huge -- you'll get that part in a typical box -- but there are short-prints in th set that are serial-numbered as well as a number of inserts to chase as well as some MLB player cameos ... but this one is the biggie. It's not super-expensive and it's not a NPB Rookie Card or anything as that's 1993 for this lock of a future Hall of Famer, but this one is from the year before his MLB Rookie Cards arrived. I own two or three of these after opening a couple boxes long ago and one more recently and this one made its way into a bulk lot as my first one or two I graded came up a little short on what I wanted.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: This time? That's the kind of grade I was hoping for and that alone is a reason this one is batting lead-off this time ... it's not my biggest card in this lineup but it's a nice copy of an oddball card with a historic name attached. This grade has the highest pop but two thirds of slabs check in lower than this one ... it's not a super-easy 10 if you ask me with the soft stock and the embossing perhaps being problematic along with a foilboard (front) and glossed (back) surface.

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

Continue reading →

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 case: 2023 Leaf Heroes of Wrestling trading cards (20 boxes)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Signers list: Click here
First Buzz preview: Click here

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

Continue reading →

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: New pulls, MLB chatter, Victor Wembanyama, NFL Week 13 and more in today's edition.

Continue reading →

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: CM Punk returns to WWE, MLB chatter, Victor Wembanyama, Black Friday, NFL Week 12 and more.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the new wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

MY SAFE PICK
2015 Topps Football factory set (Retail)
There's plenty to find in this set -- you get everybody -- but there's one basic card inside that's a Rookie Card (but not noted as one) with a lot of attention. It's the Pat McAfee Rookie Card. The NFL punter turned media mogul turned WWE commentator turned ESPN talker and now a full-on brand for that empire. I'm not a big fan but he doesn't have a boatload of cardboard and this is the home of the RC. It didn't get a RC logo as he had some medallion-looking insert the year before and then this one -- they weren't thinking about RCs for veteran punters -- but it's still a RC. Each set comes with some variations for rookies, a bonus hit and everything. When it's on sale, that's the time to grab ... it's a safe pick but there's still a little variety with that bonus hit.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

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: 2022 Panini WWE NXT wrestling cards (four blasters)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby or blaster cases)

Keep reading to see a full breakdown and gallery for this one.

Continue reading →

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: Show me the Moneyball (A's will head to Vegas), collectors have their thoughts on things, NFL Week 11, Back November and more in this one.

Continue reading →

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 ... 

--

THE PERFECT EARLIER SIG
The Card: Shotzi Blackheart 2020 Topps WWE NXT Roster Blue Autographs (/50)
The Price: Less than a box these days
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: If you're a regular reader, then you know this set and this auto -- in all colors -- is high on my radar and that's why I grabbed this super-clean copy with an eye on grading. It's not totally perfect but I'm fine with that as the core reason I bit here was how clean this sig is with her original WWE ink, not the shortened one that has come about on her cards since this earlier signing. (It's not quite her pre-WWE auto, which is more of a puffy almost "tagging" writing style with big curves and loops on all letters.) A quicker auto happens for many signers as they ink more and more stuff and some styles just won't come back -- so that's another reason this one is a favorite ... plus, not that many of her WWE cards have this auto.
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... but WWE boxes are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the new wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

BLACK IN NOVEMBER
2021 Topps Allen & Ginter X Baseball Box
Most boxes in this wave of picks are ones I have personally opened in the past, but this one is the lone exception for Allen & Ginter X as in it's the only one that I missed landing since 2018. Why? I actually don't remember -- it was likely timing of arrival -- but Ginter X is a pretty safe buy as there's an autograph in every box with the ink here typically trending rarer than the standard stuff. Almost everything here is in the trademark black take on the Ginter designs and among the autos this time are Aaron Judge, Chipper Jones, Corey Seager, Johnny Bench, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Mike Trout, Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr., Ryne Sandberg, Vladdy Sr. and Vladdy Jr. and more from the MLB realm. From beyond baseball, there's Bobby Moynihan, Jose Andrés, Rocky Bleier, Randall Cunnignham, Sara Spain and Trevor Lawrence to start. Again, regular Ginter doesn't include ink every time and these boxes do ... and some years of X could statistically deliver two.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the new wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

STRIKE NOW ... BIGGEST INK IS REDEMPTION
2022 Topps Heritage High Number Hobby Box & Case
This release being in Black November sales will be one of those things we look back at years from now and wish we had loaded up on it a lot more ... and a part of that sentiment could come as soon as next year. In fact, Oct. 31, 2024, is when the redemptions for Julio Rodriguez's very-in-demand autos in this one expire. Now, you shouldn't expect his ink in every case -- that's a reason it's a $600 card for just the basic version -- but there are a few autos per case and a hit per box here for starters. Atop that, there are inserts and variations all flowing regularly that can have key names attached and easily pay for the box. Beyond that, the base set itself is small so you should land most of the set in every box (or come close) and that means you can stockpile key names here for slabbing or future deals ... or sell them off in lots as timing works for you. Among the rookies? Rodriguez, Spencer Strider, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, Jeremy Peña and a ton of others. Among the auto Relics? Mike Trout, Matt Olson, Joey Votto. Among the standard autos? Bryce Harper, Witt, Carlton Fisk, Juan Marichal, Jim Palmer, Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Votto, Olson, Trout, Nolan Ryan, Ronald Acuña Jr., Steve Carlton and many others. The long-running power of the brand and the relative scarcity (difficulty to pull ink) can make some names big surprises here. There are a lot of formats to consider here but this one is, by far, the one with the biggest potential. Oh, and there are Hot Boxes, too.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

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 Leaf Heroes of Wrestling trading cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Signers list: Click here
First Buzz preview: Click here

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

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the new wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

LOW PRICE, BIG POTENTIAL
2022 Topps Star Wars Book of Boba Fett Hobby Box or Case
I'm not sure I watched a minute of this series -- can't keep up with it all -- but there's reason or two to pop the lid on some tins here. You get an autograph or sketch card in every box and on of the inked possibilities is Rosario Dawson, whose auto here has sold for $500 and up (a recent eBay high of $700 ... and $899 for a plate) with some strong asking prices, too. Now she won't be in every box, of course, but as a relative newcomer to Star Wars autos and a meaty resume elsewhere, it's not a bad auto to find in general and coming from a box (tin) this cheap would be a big win. Heck, at these prices, she could pay for the case and more. Temuera Morrison (Fett) and some of the multi-signed cards here are also of not and there are some sketches that can obviously deliver well if they are well-crafted. Atop all that, you get base cards are and a number of inserts and parallels, especially if you rip by the case.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the first wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

SCHOOL COLORS & MORE
2022 Bowman's Best University Football Hobby
It might be the season talking, but this box jumped out at me among the sales ranks as it's relatively new, includes a bunch of stars playing on Saturdays (thanks to NIL deals they're in here) and some notables who are now playing on Sundays right now, too. There are two Chrome autos per box here as well as quite a bit of insert and parallel potential, too, without breaking the bank. Sure, with a deeper checklist and names who won't be pros until later, there will be some leaner boxes than others -- like anything, really -- but with full logos, NIL guys, Chrome and parallels this one might have a shelf life a little longer than others in terms of popular players emerging on the fields and on collectors' minds. Among autos here? The last two Heisman Trophy winners, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams, along with Jordan Addison, Anthony Richardson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Heisman favorite J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Jordan Addison, C.J. Stroud and more ... and there are multi-player autos to find, too.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

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: 2022 Panini WWE NXT wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading to see a full breakdown and gallery for this one.

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Leaf Exotic Multi-sport Rookies sports cards
Arrives: December
Box basics: Three autographed cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf runs through the jungle one more time with a release that's all about rookies -- from several sports -- and only presents autographs that are all rare cards limited to no more than five copies throughout the release.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.

Continue reading →

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.

Click for a closer look.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY CONDITION IS IN ...
The Album: The Big Lebowski soundtrack (Mercury, 2014 -- first pressing)
The Reason Graded: As you can probably tell, I'm a dabbler with grading in a few -- but not yet all -- directions, but the notion of having a pristine item encased for permanent protection to be appreciated as an artifact of sorts appeals in a lot of ways. Video games, Funko Pop! figures, other toys, VHS, tickets, press photos and more can be graded just like cards, comic books, magazines and coins. I've tried grading VHS and there's a chance I might do more there with a different company that I use for pretty much everything else, but vinyl is one that, well, I jettisoned most of what I had long ago. That means this was more of a first project than just a first try. (I didn't have much vinyl as my early music-buying years were where the Sony Walkman and then CDs were a thing or emerging, not records.) I spotted this soundtrack cheaper than it might have been elsewhere and it's an original, so I grabbed it with an eye for a slab with Texas-based Tuned In Grading as this one is memorable as more than just a soundtrack but a film that's a cult classic with tons of interest and action beyond a couple hours of screen time. And the total package is cool front and back with scenes and even key characters noted.
The Grade: Tuned In Grading 9.0 (sealed)

Reality Check: I did this one to basically to go through the process and see if I liked the results and then to decide how I would approach doing more. It seems based on their grading scale and description that a 10 isn't easy -- that's fine in my book and that took away some of the grade-shock here. (A nine is fine in all realms, really, but we all want perfection and in some genres a nine has a few slots above it on the scale. Not here.) There isn't really a pop report just yet (but I know of at least one copy*) and it appears that the typical overall grade is a meshing of five applicable sub-grades -- record, cover, inner sleeve, labels, shrink -- but since this is a sealed record only two of those are in play. They both clicked at nines for me -- the cover here had a small bend on the back, while the shrinkwrap has a couple minor spots on the right side but I didn't notice one of them previously. I wasn't totally surprised as I knew the small bend would hurt me but everything else seemed strong. Part of me wants to try something vintage that's not sealed next time, but that's easier said than done in terms of balancing condition, an item I like and price -- I know of a few I'd try but I'm a stickler for condition and this kind of grading isn't quite as cheap as others but still less than some so I'd want something with an appealing grade. Plus, if it's not sealed then other things get looked at ... that you can't examine unless you're buying stuff in-person. Part of me also thinks albums without shrink-wrap could look better in the sleeve but I haven't really read up on what the musical devotees prefer. I think, generally, I dig it but I think for storage and size I like the idea of slabs for CD, DVDs and stuff that's more game-sized more ... but the size here also makes all the details you see on the back of this one as well as that main art on the front pop a bit more, too.

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

Continue reading →

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: New WNBA cards, NFL Week 9 and trade deadline chatter, the World Series and more in today's edition.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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: Corbin Carroll might be the best TacoFractor to own, blasters for the win, baseball cards at Costco and more in today's edition.

Continue reading →

There's one autograph perhaps at the top of many collectors' want lists for any new WWE signers -- and that ink is apparently coming soon from Leaf Trading Cards.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hasn't signed a certified autograph on a wrestling card since 1998 -- not for Fleer, Topps or Panini America in all those years since, but for the short-lived Comic Images run with the WWE (then WWF) license.

Continue reading →