The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 40 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Philadelphia. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania7, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.

This one was -- and still is -- a favorite of mine from the Topps WWE years with it being a second affordable series of flagship that is loaded with simple, clean photos showcased in a minimalist design and a set that's loaded with first/early cards for a lot of young stars.

The Brand: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (aka Series 2) -- five blaster boxes

Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as the new wave of Blowout Cards' Black November sales is here

Many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

LOW PRICE, BIG POTENTIAL
2022 Topps Star Wars Book of Boba Fett Hobby Box or Case
I'm not sure I watched a minute of this series -- can't keep up with it all -- but there's reason or two to pop the lid on some tins here. You get an autograph or sketch card in every box and on of the inked possibilities is Rosario Dawson, whose auto here has sold for $500 and up (a recent eBay high of $700 ... and $899 for a plate) with some strong asking prices, too. Now she won't be in every box, of course, but as a relative newcomer to Star Wars autos and a meaty resume elsewhere, it's not a bad auto to find in general and coming from a box (tin) this cheap would be a big win. Heck, at these prices, she could pay for the case and more. Temuera Morrison (Fett) and some of the multi-signed cards here are also of not and there are some sketches that can obviously deliver well if they are well-crafted. Atop all that, you get base cards are and a number of inserts and parallels, especially if you rip by the case.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

FROM THE BARGAIN BIN TO ...
The Card: Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Topps Traded -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I picked up this at the last minute -- literally at closing time -- at a past National Sports Collectors Convention after some digging through a bargain bin where cards were literally bouncing around inside cases in a plastic tub. For just $5 this card (as a raw copy) was mine after one thing jumped out at me -- its back with all that black ink was perfectly cut and its front was super-close to centered. It's not that I needed this card, really, as I picked up about three or four sets from the 1989 JCPenney Christmas catalog -- just $12.99 apiece -- back in the day, but I found the rough back edges to be an issue when revisiting all my copies with the the stars that survived past purges. This one made it into one of my bulk grading subs earlier this year as it was past time to grade one. Yes, it's got a very slight rough spot on the front left -- some extra fuzz as it's some light cardboard -- but everything else here (especially the back) was too clean to not send it in.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: That's definitely the kind of grade I was going for here, though a lot of them seem to check in at that mark -- about 17 percent of the current population -- which seems high for the era, but, at the same time, these were released as boxed sets and not in packs so they perhaps didn't get handled as much during packaging. Plus, inner cards in the boxes got protected pretty well. I'll take it. This one has always been one of my favorite RCs for this icon ... because I could afford this one and not the other big one that many love. I have them all now, of course (I think), but I'm pretty sure few or even none of my copies from back then would grade like this one did. Not bad for a $5 find and then $10 more to grade it.

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

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... an edition heavy on MLB and WWE but with some surprises.

A FULL SIG THAT'S TWICE AS NICE ...
The Cards: Shotzi Blackheart 2020 Topps WWE NXT Roster Autographs
The Reason Graded: If you're a regular reader then you know it's no secret that I've busted tons of these boxes and picked off tons of her cards as the WWE's Tank Girl is high on my collecting radar. Why? She's unique and fun -- and the name and character is self-made, too, so if her WWE run were to ever come to an end, well then "Shotzi" won't. In this case, I pulled both of these autos myself and since it's among her first certified sigs as well as a more of a full auto (unlike how she signs now) I'm eventually slabbing all I own ... but not all at once.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: The stock here is skinny and since there are on-card autos they are prone to having some issues at times ... so this pair of 10s was an exciting return. The pop report looks pretty good, too -- I really need to get all my stuff organized to see how many of those are mine and how many more I need to slab ... eventually they'll all get graded. Why? I'm a collector and I like this one (and it's parallels) that much. 

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

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... 

--

HER TIME IS NOW ... 
The Cards: Rhea Ripley 2020 Topps Transcendent WWE (/50) -- Rookie Card
The Price: Less than some of your new boxes out there
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one is more of a long-term buying project for me as I think Ripley has the potential to be an all-time great in the WWE's women's ranks. She's only 26 and has literally been wrestling half of her life, already has held WWE gold and this is her premium-brand Rookie Card (gaming cards don't count in my world) that has an iconic pose and is limited to only 50 copies. This one also is easily among the priciest of the unsigned cards in this pricey set that was made to be broken up. Only three of these are new additions for me but I had to take a pic of all five together as a bit of a brag -- I don't do that a lot and I don't like to give the prices when I spend big on stuff -- but this is a card I like ... and I'm definitely not done yet. She has other Rookie Cards (with logos ... this set didn't use them) from 2020 but this one will always be the best in my book and we know exactly how many exist and that it cost plenty for somebody else to land one. She's got another WrestleMania match against an all-time great, Charlotte Flair, here soon and I don't know exactly how that might go ... but I do know she's definitely worthy of a long and dominating title reign and a smackdown of a great would solidify her place. I think her time is now.
Grab a box right here: WWE boxes can be found here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

LEADING OFF WITH THE RECORD-BREAKER
The Card: Aaron Judge 2017 Topps Archives 1960 Rookie Stars
The Reason Graded: He has been an established slugger since his 52 homers as a rookie in 2017, but to a degree he'd fallen off card-wise (and power-wise) the last few years until smacking 39 in 2021 and his Yankees team record (and American League record) 62 homers this year.  I got rid of pretty much all of my RCs in 2017 -- no regrets -- to turn them into stuff I actively wanted (I'm still working rather glacially on some of those Clerks autograph runs) but some of my late-year Judge pulls and some inserts were saved along with my lone autograph. While I haven't yet slabbed my ink -- I probably will here at some point once I figure out what box I put it in -- this insert modeled after the memorable-but-overbearing 1960 Topps design was one that jumped out at me. Why? It was soooo clean.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: I was right and that pop shows me I'm not alone -- but it is surprising given how skinny the stock is here.

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

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... and it might be the biggest edition ever.

BIG SEASON AHEAD?
The Card: Josh Allen 2018 Donruss Optic #154 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I pulled a pair of these from a number of rips -- probably deep in the archives here if you poke around -- but I never slabbed any of them back then, instead grading guys like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and maybe a Nick Chubb. Meanwhile, it turns out this guy might be The One over the long term from this rookie class. After this past season's successes and close finish at the end, I figured it was time to grade a pair of these and I'm still working through some of my past pulls to see if I need to grade more for this franchise QB.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: I was happy with this one (and I'll drop my other one here at some point later this season) as Optic stock can be hit and miss, particularly on the backs. Sometimes it's dents and wrinkles or minor dents but this one was clean. It looks like these do grade pretty well with nearly half of them getting this mark. An interesting comparison to make here? PSA has graded more than 2,500 of these with more than half being 10s, while BGS has graded only 160 and SGC has slabbed 320.

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

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

MY FIRST NEW-LABEL SLAB ...
The Card: Derrick Henry 2016 Panini Origins Rookie Autographs #112
The Reason Graded: My latest submission of stuff from CSG is already back -- in times far faster than what's posted on their site -- and this card of Tennessee Titans star (and former Alabama Crimson Tide standout as well as Heisman Trophy winner) Derrick Henry was my choice for my first fast sub under their new format. Why? I thought it looked quite flawless with a solid on-card sig with literally nothing obviously wrong with the card. With this being perhaps my best NFL auto for him I opted to slab it since thick-stock cards like this have tended to grade cleanly for me.
The Grade: CSG 9.5 (10 auto)

Reality Check: I was a little surprised this didn't check in higher as the only couple of white spots on the card appeared to be to be part of the design's specs and splats but ... I'll live with it. This one might also be reflective of CSG's tough standards, which don't appear to have gotten easier at all with their new slabs and slightly tweaked scale at its top. (Cards previously in a CSG Gem Mint 9.5 are now Gem Mint 10s.) All in all, I'm good with this card and their new scale and look -- straight-on scans don't do these slabs justice. While I liked the previous style (and own plenty) this one is tight and right ... just like their time for return, price and structure that lets you see the front and backs of the cards as they were in-house. There won't be tampering/fake slabs when you can look up the card online -- a big plus over other slabs if you ask me.

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

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

--

A HOME RUN OF A SURPRISE
The Card: Hank Aaron 2021 Topps x Sports Illustrated five-pack ... Red (/5) parallel and standard cards (/2,057)
The Price: Direct from Topps ($29.99)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was my first grab from this year's SI set since this cover was one I was hoping to see in the release and I decided to take a shot at a five-pack for grading purposes. I was rewarded with one of the rarest parallels to find in one's order. Only the 1/1 is rarer and there are three other colors. (Just 111 parallel cards between all of them.) I've collected a number of cards that have commemorated Aaron's record-breaking home run back in 1974 but never graded any for condition reasons ... I might have two to slab now.
Grab a box right here: None for this one but MLB boxes are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

--

IT'S STILL WRESTLEMANIA SEASON ... 
The Card: Toni Storm 2019 Topps WWE NXT Silver Autographs (/25)
The Price: Under $100
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Here's a bit of a spoiler here ... there will be a number of WWE items in this piece and (another spoiler) you probably won't see Toni Storm at WrestleMania ... but I'm still a buyer. Why? This first WWE autograph is still her only signed card (also with parallels) to date. They have been scorchers since that time, too, but I'm sure we'll finally get a new wave in the next WWE Women's release that's set to arrive after Mania. (Right?) The price on this was arguably lower than it should have been and the condition is a lot cleaner than many other cards from this dark-bordered, skinny-stock release. I pulled one parallel version, have bought a couple base autos (they're in past editions of this series) and then I grabbed this one. Why? Because she's one of a trio of young and/or NXT stars I'm sold on. I also kind of like the challenge of trying to get an auto from this release with a good grade but that's something for a story down the line later. Once more autos arrive, perhaps prices will come down some here ... I'd probably still be a buyer.
Grab a box right here: No boxes of this one ... see all WWE boxes here.

Keep reading for more interesting items in this one ...

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... and this time it's a few fresh slabs and a few more past pick-ups than usual as my pre-COVID grading submissions are delayed and still in graders' hands.

OH, OH DOMINO ...
The Card: Zazie Beetz 2019 Goodwin Champions Autographs
The Reason Graded: Goodwin Champions is always full of interesting and different autographs -- many super-affordable ones, too, though the years -- but this is not one of the dirt-cheap sigs that has some obscure sport's star on it. Instead, this is of the celeb variety in the brand as Beetz might be best known for her roles in Deadpool 2 (where I know her), Atlanta or Joker. Domino in the movies is different than Domino in the books, but I think it worked so this auto was firmly on my want list when I first saw she was a signer. She's got almost 40 different cards in this release, which is the home of her only certified autographs so far.
The Grade: BGS 10/10

Reality Check: This was a nice surprise to me as paper-stock autos can always have minor problems -- especially with on-card autos. This was not a pull of mine -- in fact, it was in a previous Buzz Buys item as seen here -- so I was a little surprised but I also knew it looked grading worthy with scrutiny so I opted for BGS. I was also surprised to see that it's the only one graded, but there are other versions. Three of her inscribed cards have been graded with nothing higher than a 9.5. Even more interesting? This is just one of four 10s out of 40 cards graded from this particular set for all signers.

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

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

A BIG WIN
The Card: Patrick Mahomes 2017 Donruss Optic #177 Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I came real close to letting this one go raw, but late in the season I pulled it out of my "to-go box" and put it in the "slab-it stack" figuring I might get a little more out of it if I did let it go ... then they won it all. Needless to say now, that would definitely be the case for this key RC of the Super Bowl champ and new hobby go-to for many.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I didn't expect a 9.5 and that's a mark that's getting this card up close to $500 on eBay right now -- a surprise to me as I just don't watch NFL card values as much as I probably should. I only have this one but I ripped plenty back then since 2017 NFL stuff was so plentiful (back then) I'd buy and rip some boxes heavily almost by default. Those boxes are scorchers now thanks to all of the possibilities for this guy and other key rookies that year. Most copies of this card check in at this mark ... but that's clearly not scaring people off here.

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

Continue reading →

The biggest weekend in professional wrestling is here with WrestleMania 36 set for a scaled down split event on Saturday and Sunday. We'll make today a big day for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania3, a series of WWE wax box and wax pack breaks -- though also on a smaller scale than Buzz had previously planned, too.

This is Hour 7 ... another case and Buzz favorite.

The case: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (Series 2) jumbo-pack case (108 packs)
The cost: Will vary ... Click here for new boxes

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

Continue reading →

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: 
98 of 100 (98 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

Continue reading →

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

Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

--

ZION! ZION! ZION!
The Item: Kobe Bryant & Zion Williamson 2019-20 NBA Hoops Art Signatures dual-auto (BGS 9.5/10)
The Price: $99,999.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card is an interesting one in that, unless there was some other seriously advanced-planning signing sessions last year, it will absolutely never happen again making it an even more amazing (and somber) creation. This is one of the rarest inclusions in hobby boxes of 2019-20 NBA Hoops with on-card autographs of the future Hall of Famer gone too soon and the rookie who has dominated the league so far this year. Williamson just recently posted a career-high scoring night -- and more are likely on the way as he is putting up a more-than-respectable scoring streak. Any and all Zion ink will be in demand more than ever -- and this one might hold up as one of the the biggest autos of them all no matter what one-of-a-kind high-end stuff might be coming. This came out of a super-affordable flagship-style Hoops pack and it's a classic. I don't see it getting that BIN price, but I could see some big, big offers. Right now it's the highest of just two copies graded ... and we have no idea how many more might even have been signed.
Similar Pieces: Zion Williamson autographs on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019-20 NBA Hoops hobby boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

Continue reading →

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

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary ... a super-sized edition with 20 cards to open 2020.

--

SO CLOSE TO PERFECTION ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Chrome #193 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: This one looked very clean to my eye and I figured getting some of my past Acuña pulls slabbed was a good move considering his almost-40/40 showing last year. Some of his cards are heavily graded to the point where they can be had for not much more than a typical cost to slab if not in top grades. Meanwhile, others aren't as plentiful and some can typically grade very well. I went with this one since it's not as heavily graded and it does tend to grade well. Plus, I just liked the photo here compared to others -- and those I already own slabbed.
The Grade: BGS 10

Reality Check: This one surprised me a bit -- just one half-subgrade away from a BGS Black. Only 14 cards have gotten the perfect mark and this one is among an also-small population. Most cards here check in at 9.5s -- a solid mark and a perfect card to bat lead-off for this first MTG of the year. I expect big things from Acuña this year and I'll be slabbing him often.

Keep reading for more.

Continue reading →

You won't see Bryce Harper explaining his autograph ... but these guys will.

Pro wrestlers are a little different and that's what can make things a lot more interesting if you're a collector -- and that's where a new release from Topps and the autographs of two recently renamed wrestlers comes into play. All it took to see this was some work (not war) on the ol' Twitter machine.

They are The Viking Raiders -- aka Erik and Ivar -- who made their cardboard debuts with these personas in boxes of the newly released 2019 Topps WWE NXT cards that arrived this week. The current WWE Raw Tag Team Champions are in this one as part of the "Called Up" portion of the base set and autographs.

Now, about that ink?

Continue reading →

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, Eddie Guerrero, Lacey Evans, Steve Austin, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Velveteen Dream, Candice LeRae, Becky Lynch, Jake Roberts, Sting, Dean Ambrose, 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, Otiz Dozovic

Rookie/First NXT Cards (21) – Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, 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, Eric Young, Hideo Itami, Mark Andrews

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there's a surprise or two.

--

BIG CHANGE, BIG GAME
The Card: Kenyan Drake 2016 Panini Encased Rookie Notable Signatures (/75)
The Price: $3.25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This guy had a change of scenery and a big game in his first time suiting up for the Arizona Cardinals ... so that's why he leads off here. (This week's game? Not so big ... I'll admit.) That one big game -- 15 carries for 110 yards and a TD -- shows how short-term showings could help move cardboard in quick-flip scenarios if you're organized enough or use buy-sell on sites that can let you flip stuff fast. I'd think that this card could have doubled that price had I been selling, but I picked this off well before that game because he's one of the names I grab on the cheap when they present themselves. (This price suits that with an on-card auto and it being a high-end brand.) Had he done much this week, there would probably be more interest in him ... but now we just have to wait to see what happens the rest of the season.
Grab a box right here: 2016 Panini Encased

Keep reading for a few more more interesting pick-ups ...

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

The Card: 2018 Topps Home Run Challenge Silver #HRCAJ Aaron Judge (/59)
The Reason Graded: Aaron Judge recently returned from injury for the first time since April and that prompted me to lead things off with this rare card I recently got slabbed. I only have this card because I managed to predict one of his homers not long after he returned from injury last year after missing more than a month and a half. Injuries have mounted for his popular slugger the last two years, but I figured this card, given its scarcity, was one worth a slab.
The Grade: BGS 10

Reality Check: The pop report is a little iffy on this one -- there could be others not slabbed* -- since the checklist isn't complete on their site for this set this is merely a guess. (Pop report and checklists typically sync up.) I have gotten very few 10s in the last few years, but I thought this would be a contender and it was. Other Judge cards from this set -- there are at least three before this one -- are a lot rarer. Meanwhile, this appears to be the only Judge (of any color) from this set that's been slabbed.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... it's all MLB and WWE this time with a new baseball season under way and it being WrestleMania week.

The Card: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever 25 Years of Raw #RAW28 Mr. McMahon's Limousine Explodes
The Reason Graded: You don't see why? This is one of the greatest cards I've ever seen in any set, and it simply had to lead off here, too. The heat you see on the card is only rivaled by the heat that is this card. (Something like that.) So, what's the story with this? In a June 2007 episode of Raw, WWE Chairman and ultimate on-screen villain Vince McMahon had an unusual evening on the air. At the end of the show he walked through a star-laden backstage area to go to his limo at the end of his "Appreciation Night." He stepped inside, closed the door and at that exact moment it exploded on live TV. (See it happen here and read all about the fallout.) The company was bombarded with phone calls from some members of the public and it even issued a press release that McMahon was, indeed, dead. The company's stock even took a hit (seriously) as part of the story line. Somehow, it took all of these years for this epic moment to make it onto a card.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I was all over this one the second I saw the checklist and knew I'd own it in a slab. The super-skinny stock and dark edges make it tough to land without a tweaked edge or corner, but mine is the first and it's nearly perfect. (The spot on the right is part of the photo, not a nicked edge.) The only thing better than a near-perfect copy of a card like this would be one signed by VKM himself ... after all, he somehow survived. This card makes me laugh and I laugh even harder with a high-grade copy.

Keep reading for the rest of this month's new grades and additions.

Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

--

HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW?
The Item: Tom Brady 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractor (RC parallel) BGS 9.5
The Price: $19,499 Buy-It-Now
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Think this price is crazy? It is, but it isn't -- check out that link below. You should know by now that Brady has won yet another Super Bowl ring after Sunday's snoozefest in Atlanta and you need to know that his Rookie Cards are easily some of the priciest football cards out there in top condition and in slabs. This one isn't the flashiest of them -- other big ones have autographs and command much more cash -- but this is one (non-Refractor) that I managed to pull from a pack back in the day so it gets my pick here. The pop report for this particular version shows 28 others in this grade and just one getting a 10. Just 207 Refractors have been slabbed by BGS while mine is pushing 3,000 with 103 BGS 10s and two getting a BGS Black perfect 10. Some of Brady's RCs have been faked, so slabbed is the way to go unless you want to pay big bucks to chase wax (not easy to find anyway). He's expensive but there's no doubt that he's atop the mountain right now. Is he a safe buy? Traditional thought might say that he's too pricey to get in on right now, but when Brady is the top guy in NFL history there should continue to be more attention and speculation money pumped into his cards from beyond the typical collecting base.
Similar Pieces: Other 2000 Tom Brady Rookie Cards on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for NFL boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

Continue reading →

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 10.

The box: 2018 Topps WWE Then Now Forever (blaster box) 
The cost: Click here (for hobby boxes)

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

Continue reading →