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 ... 

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A HISTORY LESSON
The Cards: Huck Betts, Joe Oeschger & Whitey Glazner 2019 Historic Autographs Triple Play Cut Signatures Triple Play Booklet ... plus 1961 Topps Leon Cadore & Joe Oeschger (Brooklyn-Boston Play 26-Inning Tie) from the Baseball Thrills subset
The Price: $21 total
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I'm not exactly sure what sparked my going down the rabbit hole to end up finding this one -- whether it was some trivia about the game or just a search of cut autographs I'm not sure as I found this earlier this year -- but for something different without breaking the bank this cardboard duo was worth a lead-off spot this time. As the Topps card details, on May 1, 1920, the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves played 26 innings to a 1-1 tie that ended due to darkness and that's still an MLB record. Cadore and Oeschger both pitched all 26 innings -- think about that a minute -- and that's their only Topps card appearance. As for the cut, Oeschger gets the center spot with an inscription for that game, while Betts was a rookie in 1920 for the Phillies and Glazner was a rookie for the Pirates later that year. Why are all three on this cut auto book? I'm not totally sure ... but all three did pitch for the Phillies at some point so it could be that beyond 1920 highlights. The center auto here is the key to me ... that's some good trivia.

Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one ... BlowoutCards.com for MLB

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2024 TruMystery Signed Figurine Edition
Arrives: Aug. 26
Box basics: One signed figure -- or sometimes a jumbo 5-by-7 auto/mem card display -- per box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: TruCreator's blind-box memorabilia line expands for the fans of autographs on figures such as Funko Pop!, action figures, McFarlane toys, bobbleheads, porcelain statues and more all in one spot.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2024 Leaf Metal Legends of Wrestling
Arrives: January
Box basics: One autograph per seven-card box (three boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The first autographs from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- and just his second time signing for a wrestling set -- arrive in this loaded release that will include some of the biggest names in wrestling history ... sometimes appearing on the same card.

Keep reading for more.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing: The Rock's Leaf autographs, NFL Week 10, non-sports cards, MLB chatter, Connor Bedard and Black November deals.

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There's one autograph perhaps at the top of many collectors' want lists for any new WWE signers -- and that ink is apparently coming soon from Leaf Trading Cards.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hasn't signed a certified autograph on a wrestling card since 1998 -- not for Fleer, Topps or Panini America in all those years since, but for the short-lived Comic Images run with the WWE (then WWF) license.

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If you're a regular reader here, then you know that Ballers has had a place in this Collecting Game-used series with other event-used pieces shown off here a few times -- in fact this is not the first time I have typed something like that.

Yes, I realize that "the game" there isn't reality, but the items used in production are, and, this time, it's for an item I bought cheap and on a whim -- 100-percent without research. And ironically the piece turned out to be the lynchpin to an entire scene and it was all there all along ... I just had to go to the tape.

Some quick background -- there was unique auction for a number of props from the HBO series via Heritage Auctions and Screenbid a few years ago and then the remaining props and other pieces went off to a company that burns that stuff from all kinds of production companies over time for this and other shows. Some items can be sold on the serious cheap because the company doesn't necessarily have the time to match things up to specific episodes or moments like you're about to see, though some items come with more detail than others.

If not, keep reading to see the details this time.

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If you're a regular reader here, then you know that Ballers has had a place in this Collecting Game-used series and other event-used pieces shown off here a few times over.

Why? A unique auction in the past saw a lot of props from the HBO series hit the open market via Heritage Auctions and Screenbid a few years ago and then remaining props and other pieces went off to a company that burns off props from all kinds of production companies over time for this and many other shows.

This one this month? Well, it's right there in the wheelhouse of all that -- a holiday pick-up of mine when the current company selling it all off actually offered discounts on items and I finally grabbed a piece that's fun, unique and has a tie to the big game this Sunday. If you know the show, then you know the tie-in.

If not, keep reading to see the details this time.

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There's one autograph perhaps at the top of many collectors' want lists for any new WWE signers.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hasn't signed a certified autograph on a wrestling card since 1998 -- not for Fleer, Topps or Panini America in all those years since, but for the short-lived Comic Images run with the WWE (then WWF) license. In fact, it's been more than a decade since his last signed card of any kind was put into a pack and they're not plentiful -- that means they're all pricey. He's got just four certified autos -- and only one is from a past wrestling set. That one? The 1998 Comic Images DuoCards WWF Superstarz set. The others? Inkworks sets for The Mummy Returns in 2001, The Scorpion King in 2002 and Doom in 2005. That's it -- nothing in the time years since, despite his global box-office dominance and asking prices for these cards.

But there is one -- just one -- new autograph up for grabs that was revealed by WWE just today.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here. 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.

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IT'S ALMOST TIME ... 
The Item: Kenny Pickett 2022 Panini Prestige Draft Day autographs
The Price: $1,000 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I didn't price-check this one but all you need to know is that early in the season if a rookie emerges and only has a few cards available they'll be volatile if there is on-field success. He's got draft picks autos and other sigs here as well as elsewhere but this one is one that shows his first moment as a Pittsburgh Steeler while also having an on-card auto. That top-left corner isn't perfect -- that can come with on-card autos -- but this one seems like one of those kinds of cards with big early potential ... just like him, a home-grown college star at Pitt now possibly walking right into the starting spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers sooner than later. There's a reason his autos all have some interesting asking prices right now -- beyond the fact that the rookie class isn't as loaded as the last couple years. (That's another reason stars could be more volatile this year.) I'm not a buyer here but I think a number of people will be on his stuff. I'm still getting some tastes of 2021 NFL cards, myself.
Similar Pieces: Other 2022 Panini Prestige autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2022 Panini Prestige

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

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I must have done something to make the collecting gods happy ... because The One That Got Away came back to me.

This month's Collecting Game-used item is a piece of photo-matched Sports Illustrated history and you can see it above -- well, sorta -- in all its glory on the Dec. 5, 2016, issue. If you watch Ballers at some point, you'll likely see it somewhere there, too, but that research wasn't necessary for this one this time.

So what's the deal?

In late 2020, a number of props, wardrobe pieces and other items used by cast members in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's hit HBO series were on the block via Heritage Auctions and ScreenBid. Thanks to some dumb luck back then, I noticed something that the prop masters, the auction company and, based on the price, even the bidders didn't among the more than 500 items up for grabs. One of the suits that was sold -- and there were many in the sale as Ballers might be known for those as much as anything else in Spencer Strasmore's world -- also was worn on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The blue and black plaid custom-made jacket and pants were right there waiting for me at Heritage with a "designed for Dwayne Johnson" tag inside and an opening bid that was easily within my budget -- as long as the bidding didn't get too crazy. How did I know it was that one? I'll get to that. (Spoiler: It's just like matching other pieces in this series of memorabilia stories.)

I was beyond excited about the auction. I lost sleep over it for a couple days before the Sunday sale because this was such an interesting find -- a piece cooler than just something worn on screen. The live auction couldn't come fast enough. I scouted all of the lots, took notes on what I liked and what looked good for the price. I didn't dare mention this piece of trivia at all here on The Buzz, though, but I did tell a couple of relatives. (They looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned the start price for something I'd never wear.) Another plus for me was that the lot was pretty deep in the auction lineup with many suits dropping before and several after.

Once the auctions started, I took notes about what other suits cost and I scouted back-up pieces I might want -- but nothing truly came close to this one. Nothing. Early on, suits sold for way less than I expected. It really could be mine I thought, though some suits in signature colors (grey/silver) potentially from key moments, posters and DVD covers did sell for more. When my lot finally came up an hour or two in, my fingers went cold. I was nervous. I might have hyperventilated a little (not really ... but maybe ... it's all a blur). I bid. So did somebody else. I bid again (my first bids in Heritage history). They did, too. Deep breaths. I bid again. Than I paused legitimately thinking it was mine as the clock ticked down in slow-motion ... and yet it was not. Things then instantaneously went into fast-forward and there was no time to react once I realized it was gone. I was done faster than Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32. I was stunned like my chin had just met "Stone Cold." I was hotter than this 'Mania moment. I was out of it -- both the auction running and the world for a bit. It was gone and it hurt. I recovered, though, and later landed another piece with a story that was perhaps bigger so at least there was some Buzzing about the Ballers auction. (That's a classic item, too, if I do say so -- hit that link.) And this tale with The One That Got Away was over, going untold, more than a year ago.

So ... what's the deal in the here and now? Fast-forward to three weeks ago today and a not-yet-caffeinated Buzz checked some Friday-morning email and saw a props-for-sale message from Attro Digital -- a name I didn't recognize but it was essentially the same mailing list for ScreenBid that I had signed up for back in the day. By chance, something caught my eye, so I clicked.

And then I saw "Ballers" ...

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It's a TV show opening scene that seems simple enough, but it spawned a lot of Internet and TV chatter with millions (and millions) amused.

(Click for a closer view.)

Hot takes arrived left and right on entertainment sites and political pundits had their thoughts, too. (Left and right, I'm sure.) It was something simple and something planned that generated some buzz and even some high-profile tweets that went out to some 20 million people. (Meanwhile, the episode itself had just 588,000 people watching per Nielsen. Go figure.)

What is it? It's the opening-credits scene for the fifth season of Ballers and it had player-turned-agent-turned-businessman Spencer Strasmore (aka Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) reading a copy of Elizabeth Warren's 2017 book This Fight is Our Fight as he sat on the beach in the first episode. It all takes place quickly and Strasmore's down-time is interrupted first by his girlfriend (Arielle Kebbel) asking him why he never goes into the ocean -- then that's interrupted by a phone call from Bossman (aka the Ballers-world owner of the Dallas Cowboys) before he walks off down the shoreline to chat. The scene isn't about a paperback with tattered edges at all, really -- it's about the mystery of the water, what Strasmore might be hiding -- but that's how the book's brief on-screen life comes to an end.

Meanwhile, that actual copy of the book? Well, it's still alive and well.

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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 ... and this time around there are some really unique pieces and some normal stuff found over recent months.

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BETTER THAN A BOX.
The Piece: Sasha Banks 2019 Topps WWE Undisputed original art by Rob Schamberger
The Price: Same as a box of this year's Undisputed cards
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: For the last two years, Topps' Undisputed sets have included a subset showcasing the work of WWE artist Rob Schamberger whose pieces also have been found on countless prints, shirts and more as well as in WWE Canvas 2 Canvas video shorts. How popular is his work? Well, wrestler-signed prints have their own section over at WWE Auction and he also had original card-sized works in last year's Transcendent boxes -- and this year's Undisputed set has his autographs as one of its chases. One card from last year's set that got my attention upon arrival was the Banks, which I even submitted for grading and I hadn't really thought about that one until just recently with this year's new set. What popped up? Well, he launched his new website, Schamberger Labs, where collectors can find prints, original pieces and more and that's where I found this original. For months now, I had been eyeing an original watercolor/ink piece to showcase here (story perhaps to come later ... if I do grab that one) but with the new site announcement one recent morning I checked things out and was shocked to see this original. (His photo is above since it's too large for me to photograph well.) I hadn't really imagined any art from this set ever being available but I grabbed it with little hesitation. I figured these pieces might be locked away in Topps' or WWE's possession given the card presence, but, no, the Banks and a handful of other pieces were up for grabs. (Some are still there.) These 11-by-15 pieces aren't overwhelmingly large to manage -- mine is in a photo top-loader for now -- and there's a strong chance I'll display it at some point, though I never really display any of my buys. (Well, beyond showing them off here.) This was one of my favorite finds of the year ... and it's been a good year (of shopping at home).
Grab a box right here: 2020 Topps WWE Undisputed

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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An auction of props and wardrobe pieces from HBO's hit show Ballers is entering its final week via Heritage Auctions and there are a number of interesting items that will end up in collectors' hands on Sunday.

A number of items were used by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as well as other cast members from the series that ran five seasons. Auction proceeds will benefit the Know Your Rights Camp. So far, a number of the items are dirt-cheap but action should pick up by the time things are over -- nearly 500 different items up for grabs.

Keep reading for a quick look at a few of the pieces on the auction block.

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The card you see above doesn't exist ... but what if it did?

Buzz has been wondering for some time now what kind of demand there might be if one of the biggest names in the world could be found in new packs of football cards. Armed with Photoshop, Buzz chose 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks, a set that includes stars from the past as well as new pros, to present the question.

Everywhere you look, it seems that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is there -- Apple and Ford commercials, countless blockbuster movies, Ballers on the small screen, on Under Armour shoes and clothing, as People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" ... we could go on and on here, but the point is that he's a global household name. For collectors, you'll find him on cardboard in a number of WWE sets, of course, and in a few non-sports releases, too, complete with some of his only certified autographed cards from when he was just getting his global-dominance career started.

But it all began long before that at the University of Miami -- and that's where his cardboard started, too.

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If you smell what The Pop is cooking, it may raise an eyebrow.

That's because The Rock is headed to the toy aisle in the newest wave of Funko Pop! vinyl toys for the first time as part of the new wave of WWE toys coming soon.

Who else is joining the star and how how many Rock chase figures are there? Keep reading ...

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may be the most-electrifying man in sports entertainment, but his new line of Under Armour training shoes are giving him a run for his money.

They're dubbed the Rock Delta and the first wave of the shoes is sold out from the company after just one day.

Because of this, the company now has a second wave available on pre-order set to arrive in mid-August and for now there's a pretty strong market for the shoes on eBay.

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The history books of professional wrestling are packed with stories about families that took part in the traveling caravan turned international spectacle -- a mere mention of names such as McMahon, Hart, Von Erich, Funk, Guerrero and so many more can mean so many names to those who know wrestling.

But there's one name -- Bevis -- that might become a household name in the future thanks to a feature film that's in the works and revealed this week from Seven Bucks Productions, which is a company helmed by Dwayne Johnson. He's a third-generation wrestling star you might know as The Rock and he's flexed plenty of muscle lately when it comes to entertainment ventures without ring ropes.

And who's Bevis? Thats Saraya-Jade Bevis, a WWE star from England who's known as Paige inside the ring and it's her story -- her family's story -- that's being developed into a movie. (Finally, we know what The Rock is cooking.)

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The upcoming Disney animated movie Moana gets a heavy toy push from Funko and there's one name in the sports world who's going to help it come to life.

The lead is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices Maui as part of a tale set to arrive in theaters on Nov. 23.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Bad cardboard, Doom autographs, 2016 Topps Series 2, The National & more ...

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