Buzz Break: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (hobby 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) (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com when available; Click here for other WWE boxes

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 164
Base set completion: 
97 of 100 (97 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Sasha Banks, Mandy Rose, Otis Dozovic, Eddie Guerrero, Lacey Evans, Steve Austin, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Velveteen Dream, Becky Lynch, Jake Roberts, Sting, Seth Rollins, Shinsuke Nakamura, Roman Reigns, Bayley, Matt Hardy, Ted DiBiase, Andre The Giant, Bray Wyatt, Dakota Kai, Beth Phoenix, Randy Savage, Drake Maverick, Goldust, Bianca Belair, Randy Orton, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Bret Hart, Jeff Hardy

Rookie/First NXT Cards (21) – Ronda Rousey, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Ricochet, Ember Moon, Zelina Vega, Andrade "Cien" Almas, Alexander Wolfe, Danny Burch, No Way Jose, Kona Reeves, Hanson, Rowe, Akam, Rezar, Killian Dain, Hideo Itami, Mark Andrews, Raul Mendoza

Insert cards: 66 (a sampling of everything in gallery below)
Photo variation (1) – Sasha Banks
Bronze parallel (12) – Ruby Riott, Eddie Guerrero, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Mr. Perfect, Tyler Breeze, Tucker Knight, Luke Gallows, Kassius Ohno, Fabian Archer, Nick Miller, Rezar
Roddy Piper Hall of Fame Tribute (4) – Faces Mr. T In A Boxing Match, Defeats Jerry "The King" Lawler, Teams With Paul Orndorff, Wins World Tag Team Championship With Ric Flair
Raw 25 Years (48) – Notables include Vince McMahon, Lita, Bret Hart, Shane McMahon, Triple H, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin, Goldberg, Batista, Mark Henry, Ric Flair, D-Generation X, Edge, Mankind, John Cena

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Royal Rumble Mat Relics (1) – Tamina (/299)
Autographs (1) – Liv Morgan (/99)

What's Buzz-worthy: With this weekend's action including the always-popular (and important) Royal Rumble as well as an NXT event, I figured I'd burn off one of my hobby boxes sitting in reserve for a slow afternoon -- and it's an A+ box this time. Why? The photo variations are found roughly one per case (I punted my wrappers, otherwise I'd note it) and I landed one of the top names (if you ask me) on the women's side. Atop that I landed another relatively popular (though she's affordable) autograph that has a photo that goes along with her previous character. The rest of the box here was ultimately the norm for this release -- the variation replaced a numbered parallel this time -- so the images in the gallery are from a previous break save for the unique parallels and inserts found here (so save some time and server space ... no conspiracies here). As I said last time, it's one of my more-favorite WWE releases of the last couple years. Why? Some solid photos and a design that doesn't get in their way -- almost Stadium Club in feel -- and an card for Vince McMahon's exploding limo in the Raw 25 Years insert set. That was one of the dumbest but memorable moments in WWE history -- and I had to get one graded earlier this year. Also key here are first NXT cards and WWE Rookie Cards of Ricochet and Ronda Rousey as well as a number of others and the printing seems very, very clean though the stock is as skinny as it gets so you can have issues out of packs if grading is potentially on your mind. Despite that, this one is still one of my favorites and there is some good ink to be found, too.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A+
Fun Grade: B+ (Raw set is great but hurts the variety)

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