Gather your wrestling belts and tighten up those spandex suits because the world of WWE trading cards is about to experience a seismic shift. With Topps striding back into the ring as the official card manufacturer and a fresh streaming deal with Netflix, the buzz surrounding WWE trading cards is palpable, creating an arena filled with excitement. Card collectors, analysts, and fans alike are speculating that these wrestling collectibles may just wrestle their way to the top of hobby interests, outranking even the mighty Pokémon cards.
In the past few months, the WWE trading card scene has been riding a wave of enthusiasm. According to recent data, the wrestling index reported by CardLadder—a platform that meticulously tracks card sales—has surged by 25% over a mere three-month span. This impressive growth catapults wrestling cards into the spotlight as the fastest-growing category in sports cards, eclipsing the trend of favorite pocket monsters that has only seen half that surge. Collectors are increasingly treating wrestling cards with the same fervor one might expect at a title match.
Among the exciting developments, December 2023 showcased a historical wonder for wrestling aficionados when a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Hulk Hogan card, boasting a PSA 9 grade and rarer than a rare Rumble win (only 17 exist in this grade), sold for a whopping $132,000. This victory obliterated the previous record held by a card of The Rock, which had fetched $126,000 just a year prior. It appears collectors are mighty keen on capturing a piece of wrestling history and wrestling prowess.
What’s driving this explosive interest? One key factor is WWE’s tactical move into the Netflix universe. As WWE transitions to this well-loved streaming platform, data from eBay reveals a hearty increase in searches for WWE collectibles, now ticking up to 2,700 searches per hour in 2024 alone; that’s a nifty 5% increase from 2023. However, the truly impressive spike came on January 6, the day WWE made its Netflix debut, when search interest soared by yet another 5%. Fans seemed to rise for their superstars much like a raucous crowd at a WrestleMania pep rally.
Individual stars saw even heftier increases in curiosity, with grapplers like Rhea Ripley leading the charge with over a 100% uptick in searches, while Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Liv Morgan, and various others followed suit with increases ranging from 20% to 50%+. It’s a clear and somewhat poetic picture—WWE’s broader audience is certainly bringing new fans into the collectibles arena, thus increasing the demand for cards featuring these larger-than-life characters.
In a remarkable twist, Topps has regained control of the trading card universe from Panini, bringing enthusiasm back as they embark on a career rebirth of sorts. Clay Luraschi, the senior vice president of product at Topps, declares this as an opportune moment for wrestling cards to hit peak momentum. He notes that the perfect blend of timing and innovative storytelling is expected to send wrestling card excitement skyrocketing in 2024.
While some would think trading cards are merely pieces of cardboard with images, Luraschi emphasizes that it’s about the narratives and personalities behind each card. He points out that there’s a strong focus on enhancing the storytelling elements of WWE through their card releases—something that has been neglected in recent years.
This revival kicks off robustly with the inaugural release under the new Topps deal: the 2024 Topps WWE Chrome set. Priced at $169.99 per hobby box, collectors can expect an engaging experience with 12 packs per box, each featuring a harmonious blend of 8 cards and two autographs, adding to the thrill of the hunt. What truly ignites the excitement are the unique autograph inscriptions where wrestlers personalize their signatures with catchy phrases.
For those with an eye for collectibility, some inscriptions such as “Story Finished!” from Cody Rhodes or “Acknowledge Me” from Roman Reigns are bound to be big hits. On top of that, the return of The Rock’s first autographed cards since 1998 brings the perfect cherry on this collectible sundae. Featuring inscriptions like “Smell It?” and “Rock Final Boss,” these cards promise to be coveted pieces for years to come. Moreover, there’s also a dazzling dual autographed card featuring both The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, making it a coveted chase card—a true prize for any collector.
As we look to the future, 2024 marks a monumental milestone, celebrating 40 years since the first WWE trading card release. Topps Chrome will include special commemorative inserts for fans nostalgic for that classic 1985 set, adding a sweet twist to the upcoming offers. Meanwhile, the horizon also teases the possibility of tribute cards celebrating John Cena during his farewell tour beginning in 2025, ensuring that his legacy is honored in a grand style.
The potential for debut patch cards, mirroring the practices of MLB and MLS, could drive card-crazed fans into a frenzy amidst speculation. Enthusiasts can only daydream of game-worn patches from a wrestler’s debut match becoming the holy grail of WWE collectibles.
In terms of hot wrestlers dominating the collecting space, Hulk Hogan and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have claimed prominent spots among eBay’s most-searched figures, promising that even years removed from their peak, they remain icons in the marketplace. Fast-rising wrestlers like Swerve Strickland and Lola Vice are making headlines with increases well over 400%, further proving the evolving landscape of collector interest in wrestling personalities.
With these dynamic shifts taking place, it’s clear WWE trading cards are ready to rumble into uncharted territory. As fans, collectors, and casual observers gear up for this resurgence, eyes are firmly planted on Topps’ roll-out and the collective heartbeat of a renewed wrestling fandom, gearing up for a groundbreaking year.