By Michael Moore, PWTorch collectible specialist

Topps has released its first WWE trading card set of 2011. At a suggested retail price of $1.99 per pack, this is definitely a product aimed at kids and collectors of lower-end cards. Given its per-pack price, the product definitely delivers.


Topps WWE Champions is essentially a retrospective covering the year from WrestleMania 26 to WrestleMania 27. There are cards depicting such events as C.M. Punk taking over Nexus and The Miz cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the WWE Championship.


There are 100 base cards in the set, which is broken down into a variety of subsets, such as WrestleMania 26, Debuts, Highlights, Old School, and Stat Leaders, among others. Ten special foil cards are inserted one in every three packs, and include current stars like Triple H and John Morrison along with legends like Terry Funk and the British Bulldog. Autograph cards are a long shot, at approximately one per eight hobby box case or one in 150 retail packs. Autographs include current WWE stars like John Cena, Natalya, Sheamus, The Miz, and Randy Orton.

Topps and TRISTAR have conditioned collectors to focus on memorabilia and autograph cards while ignoring the base cards. Topps WWE Champions does not include memorabilia cards, and autographs are more of a bonus than a guarantee. This is definitely a product that will turn off collectors of higher end memorabilia and autographs, while catering to set builders and younger fans.

This base set is quite possibly the most eye-popping, visually appealing wrestling set ever produced. The photos are crisp and detailed, focusing on the personalities while at the same time capturing WWE’s big-time atmosphere with all of the lights, entrance videos, and large crowds.

If you’re a collector looking for a cool piece of a shirt or a sweet autograph, this set isn’t for you. If you want the autographs from this set, you’re better off searching for those individual cards on eBay.


But, if you’re a collector of lower end cards and appreciate great wrestling photography, Topps WWE Champions is a great deal and a fun product to collect. A 24-pack box sells for about $45-50, and should deliver the bulk of a base set and around eight foil inserts. Although you won’t hit the lottery without pulling a Cena autograph, this product won’t break the bank either.

Mattel, Toys R Us Offering Exclusive McMahon Figure

What’s a wrestling action figure collection without Vince McMahon?

Mattel and Toys R Us are teaming up to release an exclusive figure of the Chairman of WWE. Although several McMahon figures were produced by Jakks Pacific from 1997 to 2009, this is the first time Mattel has issued such a figure.

The figure is crafted in the style of Mattel’s Elite line, which includes more detail and points of articulation. It features Vince in a gray business suit.

To get the figure, you’ll need to buy four WWE Elite, Legends, Legends 2-Packs, or Defining Moments figures from Toys R Us between now and Sept. 3. While the McMahon figure will likely be very popular, it won’t come cheap. The Elite and Legends figures are the cheapest kind that will qualify for this offer, and those retail at Toys R Us for about $15 each; the Legends 2-Packs are $25-30 each, and the Defining Moments figures are a whopping $26 for one figure.

In other words, the McMahon figure will cost you anywhere from $60 to $120.

FYI: More information on how to obtain the figure can be found at http://thechairmanfigure.com.

Do you have a question about wrestling collectibles? Do you have an item in your collection that you’d like to share with other readers? Contact Michael Moore at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

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