Collecting Game-used: One directly from the ballpit, err closet

I think I have said this before right here, but ... sometimes, it's all about timing and some dumb luck.

Collectors of game-used memorabilia for the traditional sports can land things easily -- sometimes right after games they just watched -- in a team gift shop for baseball, football, basketball and so on. But, for other sports or even stuff used in TV shows and movies? Well, you have to know where to look and be ready when auctions or items might pop up by being plugged in.

My latest item in this Collecting Game-used series is a little different than a lot of the baseball, football and other stuff that arrives here each month. I landed this month's item just a week ago today and it all started with a simple Instagram story notice that's come and gone ... but in essence it was a message that said "I'm moving and cleaning out my closet."

I smashed the link and saw what was up for grabs, then I did a deep dive on (Where else?) Instagram, to see what I could find that was photo-matchable and unique (or at least seemed familiar) for a colorful personality and competitor out there in the world of pro wrestling -- and a favorite star of mine for sure. This time, it was something very affordable (not match-used ... I missed on that) and something that still feels right for a star known for a colorful and energetic look with plenty of attitude -- and a piece that seems to kind of pre-date where she's at now in the ring.

Keep reading to see the details ... and the item in action.

THE BASICS ...
The Item: Shotzi Blackheart photoshoot-worn customized Harley Davidson vest
Watch it in action: Via Instagram posts embedded below (and more images in gallery)

The matchup: N/A -- No event this time beyond a photo shoot.

What's Buzz-worthy: This month's piece is a customized (bleached with patches added and sleeves removed) Papaya brand denim jacket worn and signed by WWE star Shotzi Blackheart. She's a tank-driving, horned-helmet-wearing ball of unique punk-rock-fueled energy, a "Ballsy Badass" who has howled at the moon (she's a big horror movie buff) and bounced around the ring (and often times out of it) for years after her "Tank Girl" entrances in NXT and in the indies with her neon green hair always flowing. (That's a mix of "Pravana green and Manic Panic Electric Lizard" by the way.) ... The vest can be seen in a couple of frenetic clips (see below) from a photo shoot of some sort on location at the allegedly haunted Casa Grande Domes in Casa Grande, Ariz. The clips -- one a classic blooper -- were posted in March 2020 and give you a touch of her in-ring persona. They arrived after she had signed with WWE but before this longer introductory TV promo that pretty much describes all in her own words. (The vest's Harley vibe ties into something she talks about in the WWE video.) For her ring entrances, she's easily known for studded or elaborately painted leather jackets with plenty of green (and, these days, spikes) on them and those carry a cost of around $2,000 when she lets them go. This one, with vibes of more of a WWE rookie-era Shotzi (though this was not likely worn for a show), was way more in my wheelhouse with a lot less green needed to land it. It was a mere $60 ... with the autograph added free after I asked. There are no questions about it being legit since it was straight from her closet via Poshmark and you can even match the dark and light spots in the denim to the up-close still image. ... You'll see her here in this Collecting Game-used series again soon as I grabbed a second piece to go with this (look for that one in August) and I had these on the way when I missed on a nice ring-worn item -- one I photo-matched to a few Topps cards. That item added a zero to the price (plus some), though, so I slept on that kind of big decision and it ended up in some other collector's hands. Match-used stuff doesn't come cheap ... but I'm good with a couple of photo-matched items of a badass in my stash -- for less than what I have paid for some of her cards -- to get started.

 

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>> See all past Collecting Game-used stories from Buzz here

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This second clip is oh-so Shotzi.

 

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A post shared by Ash Urbanski (@shotziwwe)

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