Buzz Break: 2020 Topps WWE NXT wrestling cards (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: 2020 Topps WWE NXT wrestling cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com 

Keep reading to see a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this one.

Packs per box: 2
Cards per pack: 25
Cards in this box: 50
Base set completion: 
21 of 100 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – See gallery for all cards in this box.

Inserts: 27
Roster (12) – Kay Lee Ray, Cameron Grimes, Zack Gibson, Bronson Reed, Keith Lee, Dakota Kai, Pete Dunne, Alexander Wolfe, Trent Seven, Shane Thorne, Bobby Fish, Marina Shafir
Called Up (4) – Lacey Evans, Aleister Black, Nikki Cross, Lars Sullivan
Johnny Gargano Tribute (4) – Johnny Gargano
Bronze parallels (6) – Adam Cole, Finn Balor, Killian Dain, Gallus, Roderick Strong, Damian Priest
Red parallels (1) – Isaiah "Swerve" Scott (1/1)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Bronze Roster Autographs (2) – Damian Priest, Bronson Reed (/99)

What's Buzz-worthy: This was my first box I ripped in 2021 and it was, at first, feeling like a bit of a bummer ... until I flipped over that Red to realize it's a 1/1 card -- they are not stamped this time but instead have printed serial-numbers on the backs. A Red auto is one in 163 packs (one in 82 boxes or one in 11 cases). The autos in this one here aren't my ideal wants but both are parallels of guys relatively new to cardboard so they don't have a ton of stuff. Why did I give this release an A-? It took a dramatic packing change due to COVID delays with Topps' printer/packager, but I think this is a twist that makes this a lot quicker, more-satisfying rip than in past years. It was supposed to be a 24-pack box but instead is a two-pack, hit-per box. This move downplays the highlights-driven base set and lets one focus on the better cards here -- the Roster set -- as well as the inserts and hits. You get an autograph in every pack this way and there are some young stars here with big demand vs. others -- particularly Shotzi Blackheart on her first WWE auto and Rhea Ripley but there are others on the checklist that aren't bad chases at the per-pack price this one is currently at. ... I didn't land either of them this time but be sure to check out my #Buzz8in8 breaks marathon either later this week (or early next week) where you will see more for this product. (Spoiler: That is an A+ box.) ... The late format switch is something I'd actually like to see tried across the board in other sports and other releases where chasing the hits is a little more interesting than a boatload of base cards.

Product Grade: A (small boxes help this one a ton)
Box Grade: A- (a 1/1 and two parallel autos helped ... the rest not that flashy)
Fun Grade: B+

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