Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading, so here's this month's grading diary.

CLOSE TO PERFECT
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: Ohtani's historic 2024 season had me assessing all of my cards from my 2018 stash -- mostly lower-end stuff that's heavily graded -- but not graded by me. Why? I don't grade the heavily submitted stuff because a lesser mark wouldn't be as worthy of going through the process and, really, in most instances a card can always be found already graded if it's needed. But, with his 50-50 season being so big, I opted to slab a few basics and this is one that made the cut. The stock used in 2018 is almost as thin as it gets and all that dark ink definitely showcases flaws, but I picked a pair of cards I thought were perfect from my stash and sent them in.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: I don't know where I missed a perfect mark here but I'll still take a 10 ... less than half check in there and I think it's really harder than that -- people are examining their stuff harder before sending them in. The fact that these have checked in as low as a seven show how this one isn't easy sledding when it comes to slabbing. And as for my perfect aspirations? Well, it doesn't exist.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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A piece of the exact moment ... that's what it's all about.

There's a reason there's a tweaked name above for this item in the Collecting Game-used series this month as this isn't just some baseball, football or other typical piece from a name from a traditional game. This one is from a realm just as athletic but also one way more theatric -- the WWE -- which is a world full of colorful characters and names that have more on their resume than just what's on the stat sheet. This time there's no game and there's no uniform, but it's a small piece from a memorable moment that helped lay out the basics for a star who was then still somewhat new to the NXT landscape after a few years as an independent wrestler making her way in the world.

Her name, if you don't know it already from seeing the colorful hair and the horn-adorned Army helmet, is Shotzi Blackheart and she's a star I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, so you'll know her name from reading many other items here. This is the first of a few entries in this series that will step away from the field and get in the world that includes a ring. If her look doesn't grab your attention, her unusual entrances at times might ... she originally rode to the ring in an intentionally absurd childrens' toy tank bought at a Walmart that just works with the vibes and the unusual energy of a Blackheart. (Yes, that name an homage to Joan Jett's punk band.) Meanwhile, in more recent days, her ride is more of a WWE-style tank with and her gear a more glamorized leather aesthetic in the ring and beyond with an energy that's evolved since her late-2019 arrival.

But this time for this item in this series? Well ... keep reading to see all the details.

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What's Buzzing: 2025 Topps chatter, Wembanyama, WWE chatter heading toward Wrestlemania, hot takes and ... the Yankees beard rule?

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1 -- Inside a 2025 Topps case

2 -- Yankees beard rule reactions

3 -- Hot takes on the health of the hobby and more 

4 -- The Rock wants Cody Rhodes' soul ... Chrome WWE chatter

5  -- Victor Wembanyama reactions

6 -- Still talking 2025 Topps

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: The Rock returns to WWE, Chrome WWE chatter, more Victor Wembanyama reactions, 2025 Topps and more in this Saturday edition.

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1 -- The Rock wants Cody Rhodes' soul ... Chrome WWE chatter

2 -- Some juicy NFL headlines here

3 -- Still talking Luka and the Lakers

4 -- All your Victor Wembanyama reactions are here

5  -- New MLB pulls

6 -- Still talking 2025 Topps

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2025 Topps Chrome WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist/odds: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (all formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this box.

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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 boxes: 2022 AEW Allure wrestling cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) 

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

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What's Buzzing: 2025 Topps pulls and chatter, talking Topps Chrome WWE, on-card vs. sticker autos, a good question and more in this mid-week edition.

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1 -- Still talking 2025 Topps

2 -- On-card vs. sticker ...

3 -- Even more MLB chatter

4 -- Good question 

5  -- Topps Chrome WWE is still on their minds

6 -- New MLB pulls are popping here

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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 packs: 2025 Wild Card Decades "One" trading cards ... two 1980s packs
Where to buy: Click here
First Buzz preview: Click here

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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What's Buzzing: 2025 Topps chatter, 2025 Topps pulls, 2025 Topps Chrome WWE and plenty more in this one.

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1 -- 2025 Topps is on their minds

2 -- New 2025 Topps MLB breaks are popping

3 -- Favorite multi-player MLB cards?

4 -- New basketball pulls are popping

5  -- Roger Maris ... Hall of Famer?

6 -- Topps Chrome WWE chatter

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

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 boxes: 2022 AEW Allure wrestling cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) 

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

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What's Buzzing: Topps Black will return in 2025 Topps Series 2, new pulls, Chrome WWE, Arch Manning, Trevor Lawrence and a big Prizm WNBA box.

1 -- 2025 Topps arrives ... and Topps Black will be back

2 -- New 2025 Topps MLB breaks are popping

3 -- Topps Chrome WWE is still on their minds

4 -- LOL

5  -- Trevor Lawrence on the move?

6 -- One Prizm WNBA box yields ... 

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ... 

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CROSSING HIM OFF 
The Card: Joe Montana autographed 1988 Topps card (BAS slabbed)
The Price: About $65
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Rewind the clock to the early/mid 1990s and Montana is the unquestioned top QB on cardboard with perhaps only a small number of RBs or WRs even coming close to competing with him for popularity on cards. Back then, in a new era of certified autographs from brands such as Pro Line and Classic or mail-order autographed items, there was ink to chase but Montana was never, ever on my radar. Why? Look at that auto ... there's still not much going on there that would have sparked me to pay a premium price for a glorified initialgraph with a slight more added on. Fast-forward to now and the Hall of Famer still has all those rings and all those MVP awards, but he's been surpassed on the stat sheets and cards ... it happens. The 68-year-old has done a lot of signing for Leaf for its releases and buyback brands -- I think this was one from there -- in recent years and it had been on my radar for literally months as I really like the look of many of his 1980s Topps cards. A relatively clean copy with an on-card auto is a no-brainer if the price is right and I got this one for about half of the asking price of man identical copy I'd been watching. All these years later, I can cross Montana off my ink-needed list.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but NFL cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What's Buzzing: Luka Doncic traded to the Lakers, WWE chatter, new pulls, Super Bowl LIX and more.

1 -- Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Laker now ... even more NBA chatter/reactions

2 -- Checking in on the Wemby thread

3 -- New MLB pulls are here

4 -- All your 2025 Topps Chrome WWE chatter is here 

5  -- Eagles vs. Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX

6 -- 2025 Topps is coming ... read more here

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz.

GETTING EVEN BETTER?
The Card: Victor Wembanyama 2023-24 Panini Haunted Hoops -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I'm basically casually ripping at best when it comes to NBA these days -- just can't collect it all at today's prices (and might not want to with that) -- but the holiday-flavored version of Hoops got me to bite a few times since it's got a good volume of stuff in a box and a pair of Wemby RCs on the checklist. Is this a big card in the big scheme of things? Nah, but the printing and cutting here was so clean I knew I needed to grade it. Why?
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: Because this should be the result more often than not as long as the centering is there ... and the stats here show that to be the case roughly half the time. The phenom seems to be getting better with time and once the wax dries up for even stuff like this there could be interesting trends that buck the idea that stuff is overproduced these days -- it is ... but not when there's increased demand for a popular player. I need to scout singles more for this guy and cards I like ... I think there's more potential here over time than people might think based on soft prices for raw cards. (Even if boatloads of his cards are already graded.)

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post 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: 2025 Topps Chrome WWE wrestling cards (hobby)
First Buzz preview & checklist/odds: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (all formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this box.

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What's Buzzing: Topps Chrome WWE arrives, Super Bowl chatter, 2025 Topps and more in this Friday edition.

1 -- All your 2025 Topps Chrome WWE chatter is here 

2 -- Chrome breaks will start popping soon

3 -- New MLB pulls are here

4 -- Basketball chatter and more 

5  -- Eagles vs. Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX

6 -- 2025 Topps is coming ... read more here

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

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: 2024 UD AEW All Elite Wrestling cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby) 

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

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What's Buzzing: All eyes on the NFL today, new pulls, wrestling chatter, That Skenes Card and 2025 Topps in this Sunday edition.

1 -- Postseason NFL talk is here

2 -- New NFL pulls pile up

3 -- New MLB rips

4 -- Wrestling chatter on a busy weekend ... inside a NT WWE case

5  -- That Skenes Card still has 'em talking ...

6 -- 2025 Topps is coming ... read more here

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What: 2025 Topps Chrome WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: Jan. 31
Box basics: Two autos in every 12-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case) or two autos per 12-card Breakers Delight box (12 per case)
Checklist: Click here
Sapphire Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Sapphire Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps returns to the WWE ring for the first time since 2021 with a Chrome release that will be packed with star power and plenty of flash and ink ... but with smaller boxes.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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 pack: 2023 Panini Select football cards (value)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (a few formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one along with a gallery of images.

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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: 2022 AEW Allure wrestling cards (hobby)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) 

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

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What makes Buzz's Fantastic Four each time? Simple, they're cards or collectable items for names in the headlines -- or from new releases -- that came to mind for this veteran collector. Maybe they're good fits for your collection, too? Let's find out together ... 

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THE SAFE ADDITION ... 
The Card: Patrick Mahomes 2017 Donruss Rookie Card
The Price: A variety of eBay asking prices between base and parallels
Why It’s Buzzworthy: Today's modern card collectors have tons of choices -- it's not like the old days where a player had one, maybe two Rookie Cards in a year. But, if you had to choose which of Mahomes' RCs is the most iconic the simple one, Donruss, might get that nod from many collectors. Today's top QB appeared on roughly 2,000 different cards back in 2017 and that's thanks to plenty of inserts and parallel cards in plenty of releases. Of those, almost 40 qualify as a RC by the standard definition and Donruss -- or maybe its higher-end brother, Optic (at right) -- are arguably the iconic cards where many can afford to chase. If you don't have one, it can be as easy as grabbing a Donruss factory set that guarantees you can land Mahomes -- and everybody else.
The BlowoutCards.com Chase: 2017 Donruss NFL
The BlowoutForums.com Chatter: Mahomes threads

Keep reading for three more items in this roundup ...

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What's Buzzing: Talking Topps Chrome WWE, 2025 Topps MLB, NFL playoffs, NBA and more in this Sunday edition.

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What's Buzzing: Talking college football and NFL, 2025 Topps reactions and more in this Saturday edition.

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What's Buzzing: A question from a collector, The Rock signs for a WWE set, NFL chatter and more.

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