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.

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

TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY CONDITION IS IN ...
The Album: The Big Lebowski soundtrack (Mercury, 2014 -- first pressing)
The Reason Graded: As you can probably tell, I'm a dabbler with grading in a few -- but not yet all -- directions, but the notion of having a pristine item encased for permanent protection to be appreciated as an artifact of sorts appeals in a lot of ways. Video games, Funko Pop! figures, other toys, VHS, tickets, press photos and more can be graded just like cards, comic books, magazines and coins. I've tried grading VHS and there's a chance I might do more there with a different company that I use for pretty much everything else, but vinyl is one that, well, I jettisoned most of what I had long ago. That means this was more of a first project than just a first try. (I didn't have much vinyl as my early music-buying years were where the Sony Walkman and then CDs were a thing or emerging, not records.) I spotted this soundtrack cheaper than it might have been elsewhere and it's an original, so I grabbed it with an eye for a slab with Texas-based Tuned In Grading as this one is memorable as more than just a soundtrack but a film that's a cult classic with tons of interest and action beyond a couple hours of screen time. And the total package is cool front and back with scenes and even key characters noted.
The Grade: Tuned In Grading 9.0 (sealed)

Reality Check: I did this one to basically to go through the process and see if I liked the results and then to decide how I would approach doing more. It seems based on their grading scale and description that a 10 isn't easy -- that's fine in my book and that took away some of the grade-shock here. (A nine is fine in all realms, really, but we all want perfection and in some genres a nine has a few slots above it on the scale. Not here.) There isn't really a pop report just yet (but I know of at least one copy*) and it appears that the typical overall grade is a meshing of five applicable sub-grades -- record, cover, inner sleeve, labels, shrink -- but since this is a sealed record only two of those are in play. They both clicked at nines for me -- the cover here had a small bend on the back, while the shrinkwrap has a couple minor spots on the right side but I didn't notice one of them previously. I wasn't totally surprised as I knew the small bend would hurt me but everything else seemed strong. Part of me wants to try something vintage that's not sealed next time, but that's easier said than done in terms of balancing condition, an item I like and price -- I know of a few I'd try but I'm a stickler for condition and this kind of grading isn't quite as cheap as others but still less than some so I'd want something with an appealing grade. Plus, if it's not sealed then other things get looked at ... that you can't examine unless you're buying stuff in-person. Part of me also thinks albums without shrink-wrap could look better in the sleeve but I haven't really read up on what the musical devotees prefer. I think, generally, I dig it but I think for storage and size I like the idea of slabs for CD, DVDs and stuff that's more game-sized more ... but the size here also makes all the details you see on the back of this one as well as that main art on the front pop a bit more, too.

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: 2023 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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

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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: 2021 Topps WWE Slam Attax (Topps India Carry Box)
Where to buy: Will take some looking -- get standard WWE boxes here

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

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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 ... 

TWO OF A KIND ...
The Cards: Nick Chubb 2018 Panini Playoff & 2018 Panini Playoff Autographs -- Rookie Card/parallel
The Reason Graded: I bought a lot of this brand back then because it was simple in its inclusions, jammed with rookies, had a pretty simple design frame and, well, because it was cheap and widely available out in the retail wild. The textures used on the designs as you can see down low here are interesting but also a drawback as issues can blend in there, too, and the stock was perhaps a little soft when it comes to those corners and some edges. Because of that scenario, I sent in a base RC along with the autograph that I went out and previously bought raw because Chubb has been an overlooked dominator in the league. He was just four yards short of 1,000 as a rookie and has racked up four 1,000-yard seasons since with 6,447 yards and 48 TDs in 76 career games. Among all active NFL players, he was third in rushing yards before his injury trailing only the obvious big name, Derrick Henry, and then Ezekiel Elliott who is likely at a crossroads this year ... deliver or be done. Both of those guys are also two years older in terms of NFL time.
The Grades: CSG 9

-

Reality Check: They both checked in at my ideal minimum here and even getting a 9.5 might be challenge based on these sparse pop numbers. I'm sure there are countless other Chubb RC scenarios slabbers look at before this one ... it's just one of my favorite Chubb debut cards. This was prepped before his injury so that's a bummer ... but I still dig this card a lot.

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 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: 2021 Topps WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Click here

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

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: 2015 Topps WWE wrestling cards (retail gravity box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) or for newer WWE

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

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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 ...

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IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON ... 
The Item: Paul "Bear" Bryant cut autograph (BAS authenticated)
The Price: Less than a lot of new hobby boxes.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This pricier (for me) pick-up actually came in the last week of last year but I decided to hold onto posting it here until it's the right time -- and since football season is upon us, well, that means now's the time. In the fall of 2019, I bought a starter auto of this legendary Alabama Crimson Tide coach who before Nick Saban was easily the greatest in school history (right now, it's perhaps a toss-up) -- that one was an inscribed nickname-only auto -- for a lot less as it was a cut from a paperback book. This one? It's signed on thick, red paper (almost a light cardboard stock) and I know exactly where it came from -- a 1975 copy of his autobiography, Bear: The Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama's Coach Bryant. I have a clean-but-ratty copy of that book somewhere in my stash from an antiques store find 20-some years ago, but when this popped up from a West Coast mega-dealer of vintage (and selected modern-player) autographed stuff and plenty more I bit. I actually prefer the cut auto feel here in its case vs. the full book as it can be viewed when you find it vs. tucked behind a cover. A lot of Bryant autographs are found these days -- 40 years after his death -- are on signed copies of this book or on a style of autographed photo or two that is nearly always found inscribed and dated to fans or boosters from back in the day. While a photo (preferably slabbed) would be nice, this is a better, simpler item. Authenticated photos can cost less but look iffier depending on condition. I like this one -- and it's card-like feel -- and, heck, I might even do more. They are out there and findable.
Grab a box right here: College football boxes

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2023 Leaf Art of Sport trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 26, 2024
Box basics: Four "premium hits" per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf brings some artistic flair to collectors once again with a follow-up to its debut art release -- and this time it "expands on that artistic endeavor with new and exciting athletes, artwork and designs" in a release that "is truly a work of art."

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.

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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: 2022 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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: 2015 Topps WWE wrestling cards (retail gravity box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) or for newer WWE

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

Continue reading →

 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: 2022 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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What: TruCreator Creator Series 1 Update Jumbo trading cards
Arrives: July 26
Box basics: One 1/1 card per 24-pack box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: TruCreator's newest release once again meshes selected athletes with creators with a 1/1 of some sort -- base or insert parallel, memorabilia or autograph -- in every box and then with other autographs dropping as extras.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2023 Super Glow Super 7s sports cards
Arrives: July 17
Box basics: One autographed card per seven-card box (seven boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Super Glow once again turns to a one-auto-per-box approach with a new multi-sport release packed with star power and card designs and stocks familiar to other releases but with some new twists here, too, like the dual-autos seen above.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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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: 2022 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here

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

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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: 2015 Topps WWE wrestling cards (retail gravity box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) or for newer WWE

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

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: 2015 Topps WWE wrestling cards (retail gravity box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) or for newer WWE

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

Continue reading →

 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: 2022 Panini Select WWE wrestling cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (hobby)

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

Continue reading →

The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.

This is our sixth break for today ... a showdown between five releases from the past -- it's a lineup that includes an oddball, an import with some key inclusions and one an NWA throwback, though a lot of that history features stars that are firmly part of WWE lore now. 

Battle of The Brands: 1985 Topps Cyndi Lauper (six packs) vs. 1987 Topps WWF (three packs) vs. 1997 Panini WWF Superstars stickers (one pack) vs. 1989 Wonderama NWA (bonus pack) vs. 1990 Classic WWF Series II (blister pack)

Where to buy: Will take some looking ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer (and better) WWE stuff

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

Continue reading →

The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.

This is our fifth break for today ... a showdown between one I loved at retail and one I wanted to love -- but it had some issues with me. Will that continue today?

Battle of The Brands: 2022 Panini Select WWE vs. 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE (one Select blaster vs. two Chronicles boxes ... what?!?)

Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

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

Continue reading →

The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.

This is our fourth break for today ... a competition between three retail releases from the past that can always deliver well ... but in differing ways.

Battle of The Brands: 2015 Topps WWE Road To WrestleMania vs. 2021 Topps Chrome WWE vs. 2021 Topps WWE Women's Division (one blaster box of each)

Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

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

Continue reading →

The biggest weekend in pro wrestling is here with WrestleMania 39 set for this Saturday and Sunday from Los Angeles. We'll make today a big one for wrestling collectors right here on The Buzz with #BuzzMania6, a marathon of WWE wax box/pack breaks all day long.

This third break of the day is one that many collectors may not have seen as it's a release that was made for the European audience -- one that's got some moments but also is as simple as it gets. 

The Brand: 2022 Panini WWE International -- Panini Group (made in Italy) mega box

Where to buy: Will take some hunting ... BlowoutCards.com for other boxes & cases

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

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What: 2023 2023 President's Choice Solitaire 2.0 Update sports cards
Arrives: May 31
Box basics: Three 1/1 cards per box (10 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: President's Choice is back with a new Solitaire release that includes nothing but 1/1 creations showcasing past greats from all around the sports world.

Keep reading for more information and a gallery of images.

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 ... and this time around it's perhaps a little heavy on wrestling (but then again so am I) and some pick-ups that have simply piled up waiting for a spot. (Call it some spring cleaning.)

--

A MONÉ MYSTERY ... 
The Card: Sasha Banks 2021 Topps Transcendent WWE Green Autograph (/15)
The Price: Way less than most new WWE boxes ...
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: When the final Transcendent set was teased, this card with its striking image (a real photo from one of her laser show entrances) was immediately on my radar from this ultra-pricey release. However, how I was going to actually land one wasn't something I had to worry about upon arrival ... her cards simply were not packed out in the boxes and she wasn't alone. Why? There's some chatter about that, but one WWE insider believed her boxes of cards may have mistakenly left at a venue. Then some popped up on the open market, forcing Topps to go track them down legally and then get the signing done. All that is stuff I don't really care about, but I'm 100-percent confident that this is a legit auto of The Legit Boss and the card is perfectly fine. A number of the other Banks autos from this one have some steep asking prices but I ponied up to land this one not that long ago, knowing it will be a few more years before we might even see Transcendent again. And who knows what the wrestling future for Mercedes Moné might hold -- Mercedes Varnado is no longer in WWE -- or if we'll even see Sasha Banks again.
Grab a box right here: None for this one but ... WWE boxes are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2023 Super Glow One Time Edition Series 1 sports cards
Arrives: April 19
Box basics: One autographed card per box (eight boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Super Glow once again turns to a one-auto-per-box approach with a new multi-sport release packed with star power. How much? Each case will include one of the names you see above and there will be Hot Cases with a 1/1 card in every box out there, too.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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What: 2023 Panini Revolution WWE wrestling cards
Arrives: June 16
Box basics: Eight packs per box (16 boxes per case via two inners)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Panini America's second year in the ring starts the same way it did as a rookie -- Prizm and then Revolution -- and this new version includes some new stuff but plenty of the familiar, too. (Kaboom! anybody?)

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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