Cue the dramatic entrance music and roll out the mat, because the world of WWE trading cards is about to witness a seismic shift worthy of a main event showdown. Entering the spotlight is none other than Topps, the iconic trading card company, which has reclaimed its license to produce WWE cards. With the added excitement of WWE’s fresh streaming partnership with Netflix, the stage is set for wrestling cards to experience a renaissance. Collectors, buckle up — it’s time for some high-flying action in the trading card market!
Let’s start with some figures that pack a punch. Recent analytics reveal that WWE trading cards are climbing the ranks of collectible sports cards with unprecedented speed. According to CardLadder’s wrestling index — the trusty scoreboard keeping track of key wrestling card sales — the index has skyrocketed by 25% over the last three months. Move over Pokémon! This growth puts WWE cards firmly in the driver’s seat as the most rapidly expanding sports card category. In fact, the Pokémon cards could only manage a modest 12.5% increase, which isn’t too shabby but certainly pales in comparison.
But that’s not all. It appears the wrestling card community is not just soft in the ring; it’s hitting record highs outside of it. December 2023 witnessed a staggering sale: a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan PSA 9 card — one of only 17 in existence — went under the hammer for an eye-popping $132,000. This sale shattered the previous record set by none other than The Rock, whose 2022 Panini Black Prizm 1/1 card had a sale price of $126,000. Hulkamania just got a serious boost!
Now, let’s throw some credit where it’s due. WWE’s monumental transition to Netflix is an immense factor in this sizzling surge of interest. According to statistics from eBay, searches for WWE-related products have intensified to an impressive 2,700 per hour in 2024 — a 5% increase from the previous year. But the true fireworks lit up on January 6 when WWE made its Netflix debut, triggering an additional 5% rise in interest for WWE cards and memorabilia. Some superstar wrestlers saw their card searches explode like never before:
The latest additions to collectible desirability, such as Rhea Ripley, saw over a 100% increase in search interest. Roman Reigns was not far behind with a 50% bump. Legendary figures like CM Punk and emerging stars like Liv Morgan followed closely, suggesting that WWE’s Netflix platform is paving the way for a new generation of fans eager to collect memorabilia of their favorite athletes.
With Topps back in the game for WWE trading cards, excitement within the hobby is palpable. After years of Panini holding the reins, Topps reestablishes its legacy by focusing on narrative and innovative designs. Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product, is feeling optimistic about the potential of wrestling cards. He sees this as an ideal opportunity for cards to make a grand leap forward.
Luraschi summed up the moment succinctly, saying he’s been observing this growth trend for several years and now it’s finally time for the fireworks show. He emphasizes that Topps will dig deep into the characters of WWE superstars, echoing the perspective that storytelling is what makes WWE unique in the collectible world. After all, who wouldn’t want to own a card that tells the story behind the legends?
Kicking things off in thrilling fashion is the first significant WWE trading card release under the new Topps arrangement: the 2024 Topps WWE Chrome set. For the price of $169.99, this set brings fans the chance to own 12 packs per hobby box, with eight cards in each pack and not just one, but two autographs per box. What makes this set particularly special is that it features various autograph inscriptions from wrestlers themselves, including catchphrases that fans have grown to love like Cody Rhodes saying, “Story Finished!” and Roman Reigns urging collectors to “Acknowledge Me.” These unique autographs add phoenix-like wings to the desirability factor in the secondary market.
Now, let’s talk about The Rock because his long-awaited return to WWE trading cards is leading collectors into a frenzy reminiscent of their jaw-dropping entrance moves. After a 25-year hiatus, The Rock makes his comeback to WWE trading cards with several autographic offerings in the 2024 set, featuring his iconic phrases like “Aloha” and “Rock Final Boss.” Not to be outdone, the card set introduces the first-ever dual autograph featuring The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, igniting dreams of dream fights and chase card mania.
As if that wasn’t enough, 2024 marks a milestone for WWE — the 40th anniversary of the very first trading cards to hit the shelves. To celebrate this legacy, Topps Chrome is incorporating nostalgic inserts that pay homage to that iconic 1985 set. It’s a time for both seasoned collectors to reminisce and a new wave of fans to dive into the rich history of wrestling.
Looking toward the future, there’s buzz about potential Debut Patch cards entering the scene — a concept that could mimic the style of MLB and MLS cards. Imagine holding a unique rookie card adorned with a game-worn patch from a wrestler’s debut match; now that’s the kind of collectible that would have fans clamoring in excitement!
And as for the landscape of wrestler popularity, eBay data reveals the most searched superstars in 2024 include iconic names like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and John Cena — eternal legends that still have a firm grip on the fans’ hearts. Newer talents like Swerve Strickland and Lola Vice might just be setting ablaze their own slots in the collecting universe with massive increases in popularity.
The canvas is certainly bright for wrestling cards on the horizon, and as this resurgence gains speed, one can’t help but appreciate that it’s ripe for explosive growth. The return of Topps to the WWE arena, coupled with the intrigue surrounding The Rock’s autographs and the waves of new fans, is leaving collectors buzzing with enthusiasm. The stakes are higher than a championship belt, and it appears that WWE trading cards are on the verge of a whole new era. Get your cards ready; the action is just getting started!
