As Panini bids farewell to its WWE card licensing, the release of the 2024 National Treasures WWE set has stirred a mixed bag of reactions within the collector community. Renowned for its production of top-notch cards in various sports, the National Treasures brand is synonymous with excellence. However, the anticipation surrounding this WWE edition has turned into disappointment, with early breaks unveiling some less-than-ideal aspects that have collectors questioning the quality of the product.
National Treasures has a solid reputation for premium quality, especially in basketball and football, where it offers on-card autographs and significant game-used memorabilia. The wrestling enthusiast community was hopeful that the WWE edition would uphold the same standard. Unfortunately, the initial breaks of the First Off the Line (FOTL) boxes have showcased a different reality. Rather than the coveted on-card signatures, collectors have been greeted with sticker autographs, which are generally deemed less desirable. Furthermore, the relics come with disclaimers stating, “The enclosed authentic memorabilia is not from any specific match or event,” creating doubt about their connection to the featured wrestlers. This lack of clear authenticity to specific matches or events falls short of the expectations typically associated with National Treasures.
The letdown experienced with the 2024 National Treasures WWE release isn’t entirely unexpected for seasoned collectors. When licenses undergo transitions, it’s common for manufacturers to prioritize clearing existing inventory, sometimes at the expense of premium features. Wrestling card expert Adam Gellman highlighted this pattern during a segment on the WaxPackHero Sports Card Minute podcast, noting that collectors have witnessed similar scenarios in the past during licensing transitions.
Feedback from collectors has been polarized into two distinct camps. A portion of collectors had high hopes for the National Treasures WWE set to mirror the brand’s excellence in other sports, only to be met with disappointment due to the reliance on sticker autographs and vague relics. On the flip side, another group had more tempered expectations and found appreciation for the clean design of the product, considering it a fitting farewell to Panini’s tenure in the WWE card scene.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation is the delay in the full hobby release, which remains unexplained. Currently, the market is primarily focused on FOTL breaks, leading collectors to speculate on whether the forthcoming standard boxes will bring improvements or uphold the current format.
The 2024 National Treasures WWE release may not mark the grand finale that some collectors had envisioned as Panini bids adieu to the WWE trading card domain. Instead, it serves as a glimpse into a brand navigating the conclusion of a licensing agreement, with collectors divided on whether the product serves as a proper send-off. As the hobby release draws near, the market’s response will determine if Panini’s final WWE cards can redeem themselves or if they will be remembered as a footnote in the brand’s rich history. Presently, collectors are left with a visually appealing product that falls short of the esteemed status typically associated with National Treasures.