In the grand arena of trading cards, the spotlight is once again shining brightly on WWE. The realm of wrestling memorabilia is poised for a remarkable renaissance, as the beloved Topps makes a triumphant return as the official purveyor of WWE trading cards. Their comeback is strategically timed with the wrestling promotion’s exhilarating debut on Netflix, igniting renewed enthusiasm among collectors and fans alike. With interest surging at an unprecedented pace, analysts believe that WWE cards are on the brink of becoming the next phenomenon in the trading card hobby, reminiscent of a bodyslam that sends shockwaves through the industry.
The stats are in, and they paint an exhilarating picture for WWE trading card aficionados. Data from CardLadder, the industry guru tracking sales of key wrestling cards, indicates that the wrestling index has surged a whopping 25% over just three months. This exhilarating rise makes WWE trading cards the fastest-growing segment in the sports card category, outpacing even the fan-favorite Pokémon cards, which, let’s face it, are typically the darlings of the card market.
As if that weren’t enough to get collectors buzzing, December 2023 announced a new crown jewel for the wrestling card realm. The 1982 Wrestling All-Stars card of Hulk Hogan, graded PSA 9 and one of merely 17 copies in existence, fetched an astounding $132,000 at auction—surpassing the previous titleholder of $126,000 held by The Rock’s 2022 Panini Black Prizm 1/1 card. It’s a new era, and it looks like wrestling cards are ready to pile-drive their way back into the spotlight with a renewed vigor.
One of the principal reasons behind this revival? WWE’s recent foray into streaming supremacy with Netflix. The transition to this massive platform has led to an upwards spike in searches for WWE merchandise by an impressive 5% in 2024 alone, signifying a growing interest in not just merchandise, but also trading cards. January 6, the date of WWE’s premiere on the streaming giant, saw an explosion in search traffic—WWE memorabilia searches spiked another 5%, with many wrestlers seeing their collector value soar. Rhea Ripley caught a meteoric rise of over 100%, while Roman Reigns and CM Punk climbed with impressive gains of more than 50% and 40% respectively. Even lesser-known stars like Solo Sikoa and Drew McIntyre enjoyed significant bumps in popularity, underscoring that the WWE is successfully mining new fans and reeling them into the vibrant world of collecting.
With Topps at the helm once more, the company has a golden opportunity to breathe fresh life into WWE trading cards. With a fresh focus on storytelling and innovation, Topps’ senior vice president of product, Clay Luraschi, is optimistic about the journey ahead. He believes that we are on the precipice of an incredible chapter in the world of wrestling trading cards, stating that he has observed a slow, yet steady bubbling up of interest over the past several years, and now it is ready to burst forth.
This narrative-driven approach is where WWE cards stand to shine. The personalities are larger than life, and Topps is laser-focused on capturing that unique essence of each superstar in their card designs. Luraschi hinted at innovative storytelling techniques that would encapsulate the excitement and drama fans witness during matches.
Kicking off 2024 in spectacular fashion, the first big release under the new Topps WWE banner is the much-anticipated Topps WWE Chrome set. Inside a hobby box, collectors will find 12 packs featuring 8 cards each, including two coveted autographs that fans will be eagerly hunting down for just $169.99 per box.
What’s particularly exciting about this release are the new autograph inscriptions, where wrestlers get a chance to leave their mark—literally! Imagine unearthing a card from Cody Rhodes inscribed with “Story Finished!” or one from Jey Uso simply stating “YEET!” These personal touches could potentially make these cards even more desirable among collectors, intensifying the thrill of the hunt.
Perhaps the crown jewel in the WWE Chrome set is the long-awaited return of The Rock’s autographed cards. The wrestling icon’s first official autographs since 1998 feature phrases that fans have come to know and love, with inscriptions like “Aloha” and “Smell It?”. There’s even a dual autograph card featuring The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin—two legends on one card can only be described as pure gold and sure to be a prized possession for any collector lucky enough to snag one.
2024 is not merely a year of exciting new cards; it also marks a significant milestone—the 40th anniversary of the first WWE trading card release. Topps is taking this opportunity to weave in special inserts that pay homage to the classic 1985 set, stirring up nostalgia for many long-time collectors. Luraschi’s excitement for the revival of those older designs is palpable—he fondly recalls collecting them himself.
As if that weren’t enough, John Cena’s farewell tour unfolding in 2025 will bring a wave of tributes, creating commemorative cards across various future products. Topps already has a special Cena insert ready for WWE Chrome, and this is just the beginning.
The burning question lingering in the minds of fans and collectors alike is whether WWE will introduce Debut Patch cards—one-of-a-kind cards featuring game-worn patches from a wrestler’s first match, much like what other leagues have introduced. Luraschi hints that discussions are indeed underway.
As the excitement builds, these are the wrestlers making waves in the collecting sphere:
Most Searched Wrestlers (2024): Hulk Hogan, The Rock, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk—names that will undoubtedly echo through collector’s hearts.
Fastest Rising Wrestlers in Card Popularity: Swerve Strickland, Lola Vice, Uncle Howdy—all ascending rapidly, showing the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of wrestler popularity.
WWE trading cards are back in the game and primed to take center stage in 2024. With Topps rekindling the excitement, a burgeoning collector base, and the added enthusiasm from WWE’s Netflix expansion, it seems everyone’s favorite grapplers are gearing up for a triumphant return—one trading card at a time.