In the grand ring of sports collectibles, a new champion is emerging, and it comes bearing colorful card packs and nostalgia-laden ink—Topps has returned to the WWE trading card arena, and the excitement is palpable. This resurgence doesn’t just signal a comeback for the company; it’s the dawning of a new era that many collectors and analysts believe could see WWE cards catapult to unprecedented heights. Thanks to the company’s imaginative shake-up and a blockbuster streaming deal with Netflix, the wrestling card scene is punching above its weight in the broader hobby market.
About three months ago, the CardLadder wrestling index reported an exhilarating 25% growth in WWE card sales, effortlessly outpacing heavyweight contenders like Pokémon. With such numbers in the air, collectors are already positioning themselves for the inevitable rush of new camaraderie in what many are calling the next big thing in the cherished world of trading cards.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan PSA 9 card. This glorious piece of wrestling lore was snatched up for a staggering $132,000. This sale officially beat the previous record held by a one-of-a-kind The Rock card, which fetched a modest $126,000. The message was clear: WWE card collectors are in a fervor, and it seems the momentum is only set to increase.
One of the most magnetic factors pulling wrestling fans and collectors into the deep waters of card chasing is WWE’s much-publicized shift to Netflix. With a rise of about 5% in searches for WWE merchandise on eBay, fans and collectors alike are flocking to find their favorite memorabilia. The excitement around WWE’s Netflix debut on January 6 resulted in an astonishing surge, where loot-hunters honed in on cards of specific wrestlers like Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns, achieving well over 100% and 50% increases in interest respectively. It’s clear: WWE’s entry into the streaming world has expanded its reach, pulling in new faces eager to embrace the wrestling universe, and with them, an appetite for collecting.
As if to echo this new fervor, Topps, the revered trading card manufacturer, has swung back into play, leaving Panini behind for a brighter, story-rich future. The company’s senior vice president of product, Clay Luraschi, is excessively optimistic about this moment in trading card history. He perceives an electrifying spark within the wrestling card market, one that he believes cannot be ignored. Topps is looking to imbue their products with the unique storytelling that Marvels millions: wrestling. “The personalities are so strong,” Luraschi emphasized, “and that’s what we’re really going to bring out in trading cards this time.”
The show-stopping “2024 Topps WWE Chrome” set is on the horizon, and it arrives poised to make waves in the collector community. Featuring 12 packs per hobby box, each containing eight shiny cards, and touting two autographs for a retail price of $169.99, these cards aren’t just collectibles; they are artifacts of wrestling history forged in the heat of competition. The unique autograph inscriptions, wherein wrestlers pen catchphrases like Cody Rhodes’ “Story Finished!” and Roman Reigns’s powerful call to action, “Acknowledge Me,” add an irresistible layer of collectibility that could set tongues wagging in hobby circles.
And fear not, for even The Rock has returned, gracing the canvas of WWE cards once more! After a two-decade hiatus, fans can get their hands on his newly-designed autographed cards that flaunt quirky inscriptions like “Smell It?” and “Rock Final Boss.” As if that weren’t enough, a highly coveted dual autograph card featuring both The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin promises to be one of the most sought-after treasures to hit trading card collections in recent memory. The Rock’s presence alone can send the most seasoned of collectors into a feverish chase, and with such excitement brewing, one can hardly tempt fate by ignoring the growing popularity of this trading card revolution.
As WWE prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in trading cards, Topps will release special inserts that pay homage to the iconic 1985 set that seasoned collectors nostalgically fondly remember. It’s a trip down memory lane that Luraschi holds dear. “I’m geeking out because I collected that set!” he exclaimed, hinting at the emotions that accompany the release of these cards.
Moreover, as John Cena’s farewell tour takes center stage in 2025, Topps will ensure Cena is celebrated through various tribute cards planned throughout the year, encapsulating the impact of one of wrestling’s most prolific figures. “Someone like him—who’s had such a massive impact on WWE—deserves something special,” Luraschi stated. This sentiment resonates strongly among the collectors who hold Cena’s history dear to their hearts.
One must ponder: will WWE take inspiration from Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer by introducing debut patch cards? The idea of unique rookie cards featuring game-worn patches from a wrestler’s first match has collectors buzzing with curiosity, and as Luraschi coyly suggests, it’s an idea that is very much alive in their discussions.
So as we watch the wrestling card world wade through the waters of growth, several names stand out amongst the crowd—Hulk Hogan, The Rock, John Cena, and fast-rising stars like Swerve Strickland and Lola Vice. With Hogan inexplicably reigning as the most sought-after name on eBay, and newcomers breathlessly climbing the ranks of popularity, the scene is set for a magnificent 2024.
WWE trading cards are primed for explosive growth, blending nostalgia, innovation, and beloved personalities—all crucial for wrestling fans looking to capture a piece of history. As Topps re-enters the arena with the backing of successful deals and enthusiastic collectors, it’s clear that the wrestling card universe is ready to rumble. Buckle up, wrestling aficionados!