Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (Series 2) (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 11 (10 packs plus a two-card Relic/bonus pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 72
Base set completion: 
43 of 100 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Alexa Bliss, Shayna Baszler, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, Bianca Belair, Drake Maverick, Lita, Steve Austin, Braun Strowman, Sting, Cesaro, Jake Roberts

Rookie/First NXT Cards: Ronda Rousey, Ember Moon, Ricochet, Billie Kay, Zelina Vega, Raul Mendoza, Alexander Wolfe, Eric Young, Hideo Itami, Mark Andrews, Killian Dain

Insert cards: 28 (a sampling of everything in gallery below)
Blue parallel (1) – Peyton Royce (/99)
Bronze parallel (5) – Velveteen Dream, Kane, Harper, Edge, Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels Tribute (1) – D-Generation X wins Unified WWE Tag Team Championship (Walmart boxes)
Roddy Piper Hall of Fame Tribute (1) – Wins World Tag Team Championship With Ric Flair
Raw 25 Years (20) – Vince McMahon, Dolph Ziggler, Mr. Perfect, Ric Flair, Batista, Steve Austin, Mark Henry, D-Generation X, Lita, Shawn Michaels, Seth Rollins, Goldberg, Mick Foley, New Age Outlaws, Nexus, A.J. Styles, Roman Reigns

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
NXT Takeover: Philadelphia Mat Relics (1) – Adam Cole (/299)

What's Buzz-worthy: At first glance, this one seemed to me to be a release with all the things you would expect, all of the names you would reasonably expect on the autograph list and then some variety among the inclusions that all feel fine but weren't necessarily enthralling. Then I opened my first pack to find Vince McMahon's exploding limo in the Raw 25 Years insert set and then not long after first NXT cards and WWE Rookie Cards of Ricochet and Ronda Rousey among others. The combination of strong images in many cases, a good mix of newcomers from 205 Live and NXT and the Raw cards made this a fun rip with the feel of a little more variety than other recent flagship/Series 2 releases despite it being ultimately the same approach. Walmart boxes include extra Shawn Michaels cardboard, Target has Randy Savage and general blasters include Roddy Piper -- all work well -- and this particular box included a Blur parallel that's one in every eight boxes. These can also have photo variation cards (one in 288 packs) that add to the chase and some of those images are pretty cool with the "wave" design we've seen this year. Hobby box prices for this release and other recent WWE products seem more affordable than usual so now is probably the time to grab and rip. Blasters of this one can deliver printing plates, Relics and autos but hobby (link above) is the way to go for now. I'll probably do some of that next on the wrestling front.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A-
Fun Grade: B+

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