The world of WWE trading cards is teetering on the brink of a thrilling revival, fueled by freshly minted deals, nostalgia, and an infectious enthusiasm taking the collector’s community by storm. Topps, the legendary card manufacturer whose name conjures memories of trading hunks of cardboard coated in the sweat and glory of wrestling icons, has regained its license to create WWE cards. Combine that with WWE’s groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, and you’ve got a cocktail of opportunity poised to explode.
Research from CardLadder, which diligently tracks the sale of significant wrestling cards, shows astonishing growth in this niche. In the last quarter alone, the wrestling card index rocketed up by a whopping 25%, eclipsing even the immensely popular Pokémon trading cards, which experienced only half that ascent during the same period. It’s as if wrestling fans have suddenly discovered a hidden treasure chest in their attics, dusting off old collections and revitalizing appreciation for the sport—they’ve come out swinging!
As if to typify this momentum, history was made in December 2023 with the sale of a distinguished wrestling card: a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan PSA 9, one of only 17 in existence, reached an astonishing price tag of $132,000. Talk about a slam dunk for collectors! This surpassed The Rock’s previous record for a card sold by a mere $6,000—his 2022 Panini Black Prizm 1/1.
The surge in interest isn’t coincidental; it aligns beautifully with WWE’s foray into streaming with Netflix. The power of the platform has proven a significant catalyst for fans to revisit and expand their collections. According to data from eBay, searches for WWE collectibles zoomed to 2,700 per hour in 2024, marking a 5% leap from the previous year. The pièce de résistance came on January 6, the day WWE kicked off its Netflix behavior, where searches jumped an additional 5%. Individual wrestlers experienced even larger increases in curiosity:
– Rhea Ripley—over a 100% spike
– Roman Reigns—a hearty 50%
– CM Punk—more than 40%
– Liv Morgan, Solo Sikoa, Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins—all seeing close to or just over 30% boosts
What does this mean? Well, it suggests the new Netflix audience is eagerly diving into the deep end of wrestling fandom, thereby driving demand for cards featuring their favorite grapplers.
With Topps back in the saddle, they bring not only a wealth of experience but also a fresh approach to the lovable chaos that is WWE. The senior vice president of product at Topps, Clay Luraschi, is keen on tapping into this fervor. “You can feel it bubbling up,” he exclaims, citing the enthusiasm he’s witnessed over the past several years. Their new strategy will emphasize storytelling—a hallmark of WWE—breathing life into the characters that headlock their way into our hearts and minds.
This year marks a pivotal release with the 2024 Topps WWE Chrome set, the flagship collection under Topps’ renewed license. Gird your loins, because this set is packed with good stuff! Each hobby box features 12 packs with 8 cards each, along with two guaranteed autographs—all at a retail price of $169.99. Autographed cards are getting a charismatic twist, too! Legends of the ring are adding unique inscriptions to their signatures, sweetening the pot for collectors. Among the catchphrases waiting to grace your collection are:
– Cody Rhodes: “Story Finished!”
– Jey Uso: “YEET!”
– Roman Reigns: “Acknowledge Me.”
– Tiffany Stratton: “It’s Tiffy Time!”
– X-Pac: “I Got Two Words for Ya!”
In addition, 2024 heralds one of the most anticipated come-backs—The Rock’s autographed cards, his first since 1998! His three imminent inscriptions include “Aloha,” “Smell It?” and “Rock Final Boss.” Collectors will also be ecstatic to chase after the first-ever dual autograph of The Rock alongside “Stone Cold” Steve Austin—who wouldn’t want that bit of wrestling alchemy locked up in their collection?
This year is a celebration worth waiting for, marking 40 glorious years of trading cards in the wrestling realm. To pay tribute to its roots, Topps Chrome will include exclusive inserts evocative of the beloved 1985 initial set. Luraschi, a self-proclaimed collector, excitedly reminisces, “I’m geeking out because I collected that set. It’s great to bring that nostalgia back.”
With John Cena poised to bid farewell to the wrestling world in 2025, collectors can look forward to further tributes. Exclusive tribute cards for Cena will be integrated throughout the year, with Topps building on his monumental impact within the WWE universe.
The future of WWE trading cards could bleed into uncharted territories as well. Speculation swirls around the possible introduction of Debut Patch cards—unique rookie cards featuring game-worn patches from a wrestler’s inaugural match. What a coveted piece of relics that might be! Luraschi hints, “You’ve gotta guess that we’re having the discussion. It’s something we’re toying around with.”
As we explore the pantheon of supersized stars, some of the hottest names in collecting reign above the rest in 2024. The most searched wrestlers on eBay include Hulk Hogan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and John Cena, while collectors are throwing their lot behind fast-rising names like Swerve Strickland, Lola Vice, and Uncle Howdy.
WWE trading cards, with their revival led by Topps and an ever-expanding fan community, are primed for an extraordinary boom unlike anything we’ve seen. Resilient and resourceful, wrestling cards are on the cusp of reclaiming their throne and dazzling us with a fresh bouquet of storylines and star power. Prepare for a fascinating year ahead—it’s time to lace up those boots and step into the bustling ring of collectors!
