WWE
A.J. Styles in WWE? It can't hurt his autographed card values ...
A.J. Styles is reportedly set to make his WWE debut sometime in the next week with the annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view set for Sunday in Orlando and the Raw and Smackdown tapings also in Florida next week.That's good news for wrestling card collectors since he's a relatively plentiful autograph, a potential popular name for the story lines heading into the biggest time of the year with WrestleMania coming soon, and he's also a bargain auto to pick up at the moment.
How much of a bargain?
Former WWE Diva Sunny is selling her Hall of Fame ring on eBay
A former WWE Diva is done with the world of professional wrestling -- and she's selling her WWE Hall of Fame ring on eBay to prove it.Sunny, real name Tamara Sytch, was inducted into the Hall in 2011 and it's one of the first times a WWE Hall of Fame ring has made it onto the open market. (The company began awarding rings in 2009 after previously just awarding plaques.)
"After enjoying my Hall of Fame ring for the past almost five years, I think it's time for someone else to enjoy and cherish it, as have I," the auction listing reads. "It's time to let go of the past, and embrace my future, and selling my ring is the right way to get on track."
Get the 2016 BenchWarmer Daizy Dukez Update checklist right here
BenchWarmer has released the checklist for its update to a set from last year that includes only new cards and is on its way to hobby shops now.The brand is 2016 BenchWarmer Daizy Dukez Update Edition and this follow-up to the previous release includes all-new content — no previously released cards — all with the short-cut denim theme we have seen before.
There are 10 cards per box and eight boxes per case in this one -- keep reading to see the entire checklist.
Buzz Collector Profile: Gary Fisher aka "The Sting Card King"
Gary Fisher
Also Known As: @shinnox on Twitter
Website: www.facebook.com/stingcards
Email: sting.card.king@gmail.com
Location: Ohio
Work away from cards: games and graphics design
Collecting since: 1990-1999, 2011-present
Main focuses: Autographs, memorabilia cards, oddball cards.Favorite players/teams: Sting and wrestling in general.
Current collecting projects: 2010 TNA Xtreme Green /10 S-T-I-N-G name plate (I still need "S" and "I" so if anyone out there as these, please contact me.)
Topps gives 2015 WWE Undisputed the jumbo metal treatment
Fans of the first high-end set in WWE trading card history don't have to wait any longer for a sequel.Well, sort of.
Topps has revealed that a selection of base cards and inserts from 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed are now available as jumbo metal wall art.
Continue readingBest of 2015: The 15 trading cards that helped define a crazy year
It's a time of change, a time of high-end product exploration and a time of options for many collectors in what we call the sports card industry these days.Tastes, products and prices continue to evolve as does the business environment that helps bring us our cardboard. For every super-pricey box being made, there are seemingly just as many buyers ready to rip or pick off singles for not-always-so-super prices (but super bargains).
The Buzz has only been around for part of 2015, but Buzz has been here all along as part of the world of collecting. Here are Buzz's picks for 15 cards that helped define 2015.
2015-16 Upper Deck #201 Connor McDavid RC
The impressive prices being paid for what's just a simple piece of cardboard with just gloss and some foil stamping shows that fundamentals never go out of style when there's a big name involved. This time, it's the No. 1 pick Connor McDavid, a Canadian phenom drafted by the Edmonton Oilers. This photo was selected by collectors and it even has a fun sign of 2015 -- the fan showing off a photo on her phone in the background.Making the Grade: Grading diary debut includes Derek Jeter, legendary ink, vintage, WWE Diva Paige & 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.For the first grading diary here on The Buzz, it will be a mix of cards graded for a few reasons.
The Card: 1993 Upper Deck #449 Derek Jeter
The Reason Graded: This was pulled straight from an underpriced factory set and looked very clean except for a tiny spot on the back -- Buzz figured it might push into the high grades even with the gloss issue. These cards are also not easy to pull from wax or sets cleanly because the high-gloss cards often stick together, peeling away specks of paper. Another reason? This is an iconic card that's worth grading if you own a clean one.
The Grade: BGS 9Grade: 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 Total Population: 24 20 65 124 334 761 1,314 1,579 806 307 3 5,360 Reality Check: The SP Jeter rookie is the one people chase, not this one. This one's $20 on eBay -- and perhaps undervalued considering how they grade on the pop report. BGS 9s and higher are really much rarer than people think.
WWE & Texas Lottery join forces to create WrestleMania 32 collectible
Do you scratch them or do you save them?World Wrestling Entertainment's premiere event is set for April 3 in Dallas and as part of the promotion for WrestleMania 32 the company has joined forces with the Texas Lottery to create a set of five $2 scratch-off tickets.
WWEShop autographs offer big bargains at smaller prices
One advantage that World Wrestling Entertainment has with its merchandise is that autograph signings with the talent don't typically involve a middle-man or an agent -- it's part of the deal and the wrestlers get compensated for their signings.As in a cut of their merchandise sales.
Board Buzz: Five must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Dec. 8)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.What's Buzzing: This one includes perhaps the craziest case break ever recorded ... where nearly every card in the case is a case hit.
Funko Mystery Minis pack toys, fun & chase into little boxes for little price

It's a trend that's been growing for the last decade, but there are probably more than a few collectors who have walked right by them in the card aisle at retail stores not realizing what can be had inside packs.
They're generally known as blind-wrapped mystery toys -- a small vinyl figure inside a box or mylar pouch. They're something that's been popular in Japan for a long time, but have taken off in the United States for the last decade.
Think of them as one part coin vending machine, one part toy and one part sports card.
Oh, and they can be one part fun.
Today is Sock Tuesday and WWE legend Mick Foley is ready for you
If you know who Mr. Socko is, then you know how this one is kind of a big deal.Today is Sock Tuesday in Mick Foley's world, and that means the WWE Hall of Famer is creating and signing Sockos for fans all day.
No, seriously.
First Buzz: 2016 Topps WWE wrestling cards

What: 2016 Topps WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: May 4, 2016
Box basics: Two hits in every 24-pack hobby boxWhat's buzz-worthy: Next year's flagship WWE release arrives with new talent and new signers making their Topps autograph or regular card debuts -- among them NXT women's champion Bayley, Mandy, Asuka, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable, Dana Brooke and Nia Jax to name a few. Also a first here? NXT mat Relics from TakeOver Brooklyn and a return of "Macho Man" Randy Savage to WWE cardboard.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
Buzz Gallery: 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed has look of an instant classic based on ink alone (updated)
Buzz hasn't yet seen how a typical box breaks down or the odds, but the first wave of 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed cards on eBay say one thing -- it looks like an instant classic.With an autograph in every pack, a massive checklist of signers, a ton of on-card autos from past and present greats, the first high-end release in WWE card history could be one that prompts many to collect 'em all.
WWE sells Nikki Bella autographed plaques -- with something extra -- highlighting historic title reign
She's one half of The Bella Twins, one of the stars of the Total Divas reality show on E! and the longest- reigning WWE Divas champion in historyShe's Nikki Bella and her new piece unveiled on WWEShop.com today also includes something we've not seen in recent years -- maybe not ever.
Fistographs just one highlight in 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed arriving on Wednesday (updated)
The Fistograph -- a combination of a hand print and an autograph -- was first found in 2012 Topps UFC Knockout and handprint cards have been made for other sports, too.They're just one of the inclusions in 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed, which is the first high-end card brand in WWE card history and arrives on Wednesday.
Business Buzz: Funko Pop! maker sold to investment group
Fans of Funko Pop! figures may not see a change in their seemingly always-arriving collectibles, but there was a change in ownership for the Everett, Wash.-based company that makes them earlier this month.Funko, which was founded in 1998, was acquired by ACON Investments for an undisclosed sum. Its CEO, Brian Mariotti, and management team will continue to lead operations.
"We are excited to be partnering with Brian and the entire Funko team," said Ken Brotman, Founding Partner of ACON, in a prepared statement. "Funko has established itself as a fore-runner in the pop culture space and we look forward to building value in a business that is very well positioned for continued growth."
WWE succumbs to one ugly trend -- and we're pretty sure Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman would approve
World Wrestling Entertainment has been known for some controversial moments in television history that included intense matches, risqué segments, countless "Stone Cold" Steve Austin middle fingers, exploding limos, Katie Vick and plenty more.But this? This is just ugly.
WWE launched a line of ugly sweater-inspired sweatshirts on Friday, giving those gatherings a new twist on the trend of hideous holiday attire -- a twist with some muscle and some attitude.
Checklist for 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed is a heavyweight
Topps released the final checklist for the first high-end WWE card set ever on Monday morning and 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed is a heavyweight with a lineup of Fistographs, cut autographs, auto booklets and a mix of past and present WWE greats.Among the signers? Brock Lesnar, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret "Hit Man" Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Bray Wyatt, The Iron Sheik, Edge, John Cena, Lita, Trish Stratus, "The Million-Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Paul Heyman, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks.
Oh, and also signing for the autograph-in-every-pack line? Pete Rose and Lawrence Taylor, who have appeared at past WrestleManias.
eBay Buzz: New Topps WWE Heritage autographs showing who's boss among wrestling newcomers

The newest Topps WWE cards arrived on Friday with a crop of new signers and some surprises in 2015 Topps Heritage that we've already covered here on The Buzz.
But now the real potential surprises can be seen.
You know, seeing those first-time autographs on the secondary market for the first time -- the kinds of moments that generate can just as much excitement for collectors as WrestleMania but without ringside seats (or any Michael Cole commentary).
Topps adds WWE Superstars & Divas into wall art portfolio
The WWE is getting super-sized when it comes to trading cards.Topps is taking the Superstars, Legends and Divas found in 2015 Topps WWE and giving them the jumbo wall art treatment with pieces only available on Topps.com and four sets of 5-by-7 trading cards released by the company on Friday.
Is nWo making WWE comeback? They're in latest Topps set + Finn Balor & Sasha Banks' auto debuts
Topps released the final checklist for 2015 Topps Heritage WWE on Wednesday and there's one inclusion that might be buzz-worthy on the morning that fans around the world started buying WrestleMania tickets for next April in Dallas.It's the nWo -- the anti-establishment faction that changed the wrestling world in the 1990s when good guy Hulk Hogan shed his yellow and red in favor of black and bad-guy "Hollywood" status. Could they be back at 'Mania? It's a compelling thought considering the checklist includes an autograph set focusing solely on the group.
CM Punk's latest Marvel comic arrives this week with Drax #1
What happens when a WWE Superstar turned UFC hopeful writes a comic book series featuring a character made famous on the big screen by a former WWE Superstar turned Bond villain?Clobberin' time, maybe?

With apologies to Ben Grimm (aka The Thing), we're about to find out this week as Drax #1 arrives from Marvel Comics with a story penned by Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) focusing on Drax The Destroyer from Guardians of the Galaxy. Drax, of course, was played in the 2014 movie by Dave Bautista (aka Batista in WWE) who is Hinx in Spectre, the newest Bond movie, which opens in theaters on Friday.
Get all that? Now it's time to get the details on the books.
Board Buzz: Five must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Oct. 26)

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.WWE 2K16 video game gives collectors a Topps Heritage preview
Collectors aiming to collect a master set of 2015 Topps Heritage WWE will get a head start on the release with the arrival of the newest WWE video game on Tuesday.Every copy of WWE 2K16 for the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One will include a Heritage card of WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, according to the @WWEGames Twitter account. There will be two versions of the card -- one with a white border and one with a blue border for the set that uses the memorable 1985 Topps baseball design.






























