Welcome to episode four of book to last, a wrestling card podcast for the card collecting community that goes from the top rope to top loaders. We're your host, Ryan Bannister of barbie anchor seven and Adam Kelman of main event wrestling cards here on the stacking slabs podcast network with Brett from stacking slabs today. Don't forget to like and subscribe here on stacking slabs, especially if this is your first time you're joining up. You can find the Patreon at patreon.com/stackingslabs, and you can also follow Adam and I on social media at r b aker seven and w w gellman, respectively. Let's ring that bell and get this slobber knocker on the way.

Hello, boys. What's up? What's up? And we have our illustrious guest here who is a a run-in for this week. Do you bring your steel chair, Brett?

I I have been holding back on the steel chair because I've been maybe using it too often or threatening to use it as I've been stuck snowed in with the family and going a little stir crazy. So I had to make a run-in today. I've been loving the work from the both of you on listening to book to last. So Royal Rumble season. I wanna I wanna be a part of it.

Yeah. It has been absolutely frigid here in Minneapolis. I think today, wind chill is, like, negative 30. But last weekend, it was negative 40, negative 45. Ryan, I know you got hit a little bit as well.

We did. We got about a foot. I I know as well, and we we're actually in, like, 30 degree weather right now, which is weird. You step out there, and it feels like summer the way things have been. I know Right.

You guys have been negative and all that stuff. So, no, it's good to be on with all you know, both you guys really talk about this today. I know after this past weekend between going SmackDown main event to Monday Night Raw while we are getting in to the road of WrestleMania. So I'm very excited about today's show, especially that Brett is joining us. Nice.

Alright. Let's get into the opening pyro then and oops. I hit the wrong button. But, you know, if you're following along with us on Patreon, we have, all three of us joining here. You can see the content we're posting.

We've also got some fun stuff, to talk about this week. Lots to cover. We'll go through some of the stuff that's happened in, in wrestling, and then we'll get into some of the the aspects of the market and what's been going on. Lots to report there. And then we'll finish out with a title match topic that I we've been teasing it for a little bit.

So we're gonna talk a little bit about sales channel and buying and selling and places to do that, at the end here. So here we go. We we just, as we're recording this, you will be probably set to to kick off the Royal Rumble alongside us. This will air on Saturday. The Royal Rumble is this, this Saturday as well.

So we are recording this well ahead of that. We are recording it ahead of SmackDown, so all of our picks are not, are are not gonna be informed by what's actually happening. But, coming out of, SmackDown and Raw, we have now a title match with Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn set, and, AJ Styles is putting his career on the line. So, Brett, I know you had a a massive pickup. I think that's probably relevant to this title match that's gonna be happening on Saturday.

What so let do you wanna show it off for everybody who's watching along, and we can talk about it for everybody on the podcast side? Yeah. Sure. So, I have always been a big Sammy fan. Not like my main guy or my main PC, but just an appreciator of him and his in ring work.

And then, you know, you can't have the bloodline storyline without Sami Zayn. So I was I was texting you guys. I was like, man, I've been looking at this card forever. This is probably maybe three to four weeks ago. And so I pulled the trigger on eBay, and I have it in hand here.

So I picked up the 24 Prism, black finite Sammy Zane. You guys are big fans of the the finites like I am. Absolutely. Yes. These cards are gorgeous.

And I just love this card. I love the expression Sammy is making on the photography. I I'm hopeful for the tops era, but, man, these Prism cards and the photography that they used on these things are just second to none. So it was fun. Like, this card landed, finally in my, mailbox, and all of a sudden, it was like, Sami Zayn is in the picture.

What's going on? What's going to happen? And I'm sure we'll probably talk a little Sami Zayn and and what could or what might not happen. So I'm fired up to get that card. You know, I am a fan of first and first and onlys, and the black finite out of Prism is one of my favorite wrestling cards, that that has ever been produced.

So pumped to land that. Yeah. It's a huge pickup, dude. Congrats. Congrats, man.

I think I'm curious. Like, does any like, is Sammy gonna walk away the champion at Royal Rumble, or is it and, like, I feel like this is kinda one of those situations where Drew McIntyre literally just won the belt. He had it for five minutes last time he held. Are they really gonna take it off him? A week later, I don't think Sammy has much of a chance here, but I'm hoping that they tell a story where maybe it leads into something else that's fun for for both guys.

What yeah. I'm curious. What what are your guys' thoughts? Like, what do you think is going to happen here? I I think it's I think it's gonna set up for potentially Saudi next year for Mania, for Sammy, maybe to have his moment there.

I think we're building up to an even bigger story. Sammy's been a part of some major stories, obviously, the bloodline being it. I think we're gonna see a great match from these two. There's no question. I think overall, Drew's gonna find a way to win.

I think his title reign needs to last a little longer. I think he's deserved that, especially with what he went through for COVID. And then, obviously, what happened to him, the one mania when, Centimeters Punk ruined his five minutes of fame. So as much as I I wanna say go team Samby, it was great to see him to win in his hometown last week, and I think you're gonna see a great match overall where he's gonna get even more respect from the fan base is my theory on it. Can't disagree there, Brett.

Yeah. It's yeah. I'll just maybe it's hard to to say no to what you said, Ryan. Maybe just to play the other side a little bit. Sami Zayn just feels like one of those guys who has done so much for the company over the years in so many different spots and so many different roles.

I'm just thinking about all of his WrestleMania matches, even, like, the Jackass match. Like, everything he's been in come WrestleMania. Live for that. Oh, you were there for that one? I was there.

We were there, because that was the the top transcendent party that year. And That's right. Yep. Man, that match got over so big after everybody shit all over it, like, for so long. That match was a ton of fun.

We were going nuts. It was awesome. Yeah. That that's a fun that's a fun one to go back and watch. I think, you know, if Sammy were to win, maybe the reason would be to spin off Jacob Fett to Drew McIntyre and Cody in a a three way program leading into WrestleMania.

I can see that. And then maybe you incorporate Kevin Owens at some level in his return to the Sammy storyline. But I think it's kind of a long shot, but, you know, Sammy and Saudi, it's gonna be fun. Yeah. Sammy being, you know, kind of like he's not they don't really have Mansour anymore, so he's kinda like the stand in, for for What a name drop.

Yeah. Right? But, you know, I think, overall, like like, this is gonna be a fun rumble. I just I wish it was stateside because it would be at night, and you could have your party, and you could do all the stuff that we always do. Doing it at at 1PM or 2PM in the afternoon just it's just doesn't feel right, unfortunately.

But, I think the other big story that I think coming out of these last couple of weeks is is AJ Styles walking away this weekend? Like, is this the end of AJ Styles? I'm I'm getting kind of sentimental about it. I think the answer is yes, and I'm not expecting that because I was expecting, like, the year long run, like, we got from Sena. Maybe not the same pump and circumstances, but just something, and I'm thinking this might be it.

And I was thinking I was texting a friend. I was thinking about styles. Everywhere this guy has been throughout his career, whether it's indies, TNA, coming to WWE, he is just continually elevated every company he's been in. And there was a time, you know, back when Bullet Club was popping off and outside of WWE, like, the wrestling universe needed something. And AJ Styles, like, made that so cool and sold so much merchandise.

And he is the phenomenal one and maybe my favorite wrestle Royal Rumble debut of all time was Yep. Was Styles. I mean, it was so great, and his reaction was so great. And he's been one of my favorite in ring performers in WWE. It's really hard to believe it's been ten years.

So if this is the end of the road, man, there there hasn't been a in ring performer over the last decade that, you know, consistently I've been enjoying as much as styles. And I've always thought, like, his card market has been a little bit underappreciated. So I'm interested to see if this is it, what will happen to his market if people get sentimental and start wanting to pick up his cards. Yeah. Yeah.

I'm gonna go with you on that one, Brett. I I really, at first, was like, no. But the more we look into it, the more the Shinsuke match the other night. Obviously, the tweet that got out that wasn't supposed to get out apparently. And you can just see the emotion on AJ Styles' face last night.

You sense that. Plus, we were texting about this about a week ago, how Guthers becoming kind of the modern day legend killer. You take out Cena. You take out Styles. Obviously, then then eventually, yes, Goldberg.

And then you lead up to other guys that have been around this for a long time. So as much as we don't wanna see AJ Styles go away, he's still performing at a high altitude. He still got it. No question. You can hear the crowd transfer that.

It's I think this is the way AJ Styles wanna go. I don't think he wanted everything on him. Like, Cena got his whole year. I saw something the other day. It's like, we were watching Cena's retirement tour.

The whole time we didn't realize we were watching AJ Styles. It's all these clips of all these amazing matches that he's had over the past year. And I just think that's AJ Styles character and who he is as a human being. I think this is, hey. I don't need to have that big moment.

I'm cool with this. I'm ready to put this next guy over who's clearly a fan favorite by every WWE superstar in the locker room for what it seems like they're pushing Gunther to higher levels than other. It sucks, but I think we need to really embrace and enjoy that match on Saturday because I the more I think about it, the more I think that's his last match he's gonna have in WWE. Yeah. And, like, the the crazy part is, like, because he has such long flowing locks and his head of hair is so impressive, he looks a lot younger than he is.

He's been wrestling in TNA and and all the other places, New Japan, for since, like, 2005. Like, some crazy like, it's he's he's been around this business forever. I don't know the exact day day and year he debut, but it's been a long time. And though he's only been in WWE for ten years, like like you said, that match with the Undertaker when they were, you know, doing the COVID WrestleMania, like, there's so many big moments and and even just, like, publicly well known AJ Styles moments as a result of some of the things, whether it's the x division stuff in TNA or what he did, you know, as he was sort of wrapping up in TNA, all the stuff coming in through New Japan and Bullet Club. I mean, like, he's literally run the gamut.

I I have to agree with Brett. Like, it's he's just not the kind of guy that wants all that pomp and circumstance. And now that they had to do that match with punk on bra, like, a random bra, That's a headlining match for a pay per view, and I I I really think it signals that Saturday is the end, and it's unfortunate. But, you know, it it there there comes a time where for everybody where they gotta walk away. And I'm sure he's hurting.

He's been hurt for his last couple of years on and off TV. Like, it's clear that this is the end for him, and good for him walking away when he knows that it's his time. So I think just, in the interest of of the Royal Rumble, I wanna we we promised last week we we picked our final four. Now we're gonna pick the winners. We have Brett here to give his winners so he can be accountable too.

It's not just Ryan and I that are on the hook anymore. Now we're gonna put Brett on. I was on Brett's podcast, and I said that Gunther was gonna retire John Cena. So I am one zero Gellman over Brett here. So let's let's see how this shakes out.

Brett, since you are the running this week, who is your men's Royal Rumble winner? Man, this is a fun year for Royal Rumble winner on the men's side. For me, the the women's, I I I feel like is is I I'm feel very confident about the women's, but the men's is it's been open. I've gone in many many different directions. There's been a direction I I haven't seen or heard, but I don't know.

The way the more I think about it and what could happen based on this, I'm gonna just go wild card, and there's a little bit of a tea leaf that was dropped. I'm gonna go Logan Paul. Oh. I'm going on a low. I think, you know, they had the vision, is going to, you know, dominate and work as a team.

And I just found it interesting that Logan Paul in that backstage segment so quickly stood up and said, this is Braun Breakers. He's gonna win it. And Logan Paul's such a shithead. And I I could I could see there being, like, three guys left and one of them being Breaker and the other being Paul, and Logan Paul just scoops him up and throws him out. I so I it's a little bit of a wild card, but I'm gonna just for content and be interesting here, I'm going Logan Paul.

Alright. Ryan, you're up. I I like that. I think that's a pivot there, and I think it's it's very possible too, and I would really stir some things up for the vision. Is it Paul?

Is it Breaker? I mean, yeah, that's interesting. I like that. Obviously, I'm gonna go I'm gonna go my homer and who I'm representing today like a dang Superman shirt. My guy Randy Orton right here wearing that.

I've had it under my hoodie waiting to announce it. So, no, I I I'm gonna pick Orton because I think he is about the most overfaced right now, which is so weird for me to say. Cody was there, but I think you could just hear the fans singing a song when he comes in. I think Drew wins, and Drew needs that superior face. They put on great matches in the past.

I think Orton's coming down to his last few years. I would love to see Orton obviously get it as a fan. I know I'm being a little homer, but it just seems like time's against the clock for him. And I know he's not gonna go out this year, but is 27 The last year, which would be, if I'm correct, twenty five years of Orton, I think this should be his year to win this, get number three, go to WrestleMania, win number 15, put on a great match by with Drew McIntyre. Again, being a homer, there's many ways I could've gone, but my gut, my heart wants to see that one last time.

Will we get it? I don't know. Are they gonna give it to a young guy like a breaker like a Logan Paul who probably deserve it? But it just depends on what their storytelling is gonna tell for the next six months. Yeah.

It's a good call out. Brett kinda took a little bit of the direction I was gonna go. I when when I said on Twitter earlier, this week, I said that, everything was laid out on raw. And and and, like, it told me all I needed to know. Something is gonna go down with Logan Paul and Bron Breakker.

Now whether or not that means that Logan Paul is gonna walk away the winner or Bron Breakker is gonna throw out Logan Paul and walk away the winner, I think, is yet to be seen. But since Brett picked Logan Paul, I'm gonna go the opposite way and pick bron breaker. I think the obvious choice here, if I'm not a homer, is is that the winner's gonna face Centimeters Punk. I think that's the marquee match. And I think that as much as I like Drew McIntyre as champion, he's not the guy that ends WrestleMania.

He's Centimeters Punk is gonna be the guy on Sunday night I think they go with, or they'll go with Cody and Roman in some way, shape, or form to end Sunday night. I just think they need a marquee name, and Randy Orton would definitely be that. Like, he would definitely be a marquee name to end WrestleMania, but I think giving Punk that that final slot going up against Bron Breakker with a crowning moment for the the next next big thing, Purposely saying that because Paul Hammond's involved here. But I I think that's my pick there. And I think overall, like, I think the men's rumble is gonna be a banger.

Like, I I think it's gonna be a lot of fun to watch. It's my favorite thing to watch, and, I really hope Seth Rollins comes back. I really hope all these things sort of shake out, but I really think that Roman's gonna have a deal. Cody's gonna have a deal. Logan and and Bron Breakker will have a deal together, and then they're gonna like, something's coming out of this rumble that will set up WrestleMania very similarly to the way they did last year.

Moving on to the women's side since I went last, for the men's, I'll go first for the women. I think the obvious favorite, if she can come back, is gonna be Bianca Belair. The the match with Jade Cargill is is too perfect to pass up, but I'm not gonna pick her. And I'm gonna pick Tiffany Stratton. I would love to see a rematch with Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill.

I hope they do that at elimination chamber if they don't do it for Mania. But I I don't wanna pick the obvious pick here and and be the be the mark there, but, I think it's really, Tiffany is needs to come back. She needs to get back to where she was, and I'm a huge Tiffany Stratton fan. So my homer pick, as much as I wanna pick Becky Lynch, she's going up against AJ Lee, likely getting thrown out there. So that's that's where I'm headed.

Brian, you wanna go next? Yeah. I'm gonna go Liv Morgan on this one. I just feel like with her coming back, I feel like they need they need somebody to care a main belt, not just tag team belts. I I mean, they need something.

She clearly is the leader of the group right now. She's showing that, especially if you saw the Finn Balor little thing tip that really got under his skin, quote, unquote. So I think with her coming back as crazy as her cards are right now, as hot as she is in the element, I think Liv Morgan is my favorite to win this year's Women's Royal Rumble. Alright. Good call.

I'm just gonna go I'm gonna go chalk because the men's doesn't seem as obvious, and the women's just seems so obvious. So I'm I'll be the one to go Bianca Belair. There you go. Okay. Yeah.

I just I mean, like, Jade and Bianca, they've been teasing this for how long? Like, a year? Forever. Forever. Forever.

She hasn't defended the belt in, like, sixty days since she's won it. I think this whole title reign's been a mess. We knew it was gonna be a mess. I don't know why they kinda went this direction as much as I think Jade Cargill looks like a million bucks, can carry the the the prestige of being the champion. I just I don't understand what they're doing.

I think they've moved around writers on SmackDown, and there's likely things getting lost in the shuffle. But, I mean, from a card perspective, Jade's cards are going nuts. We'll talk about one as we get to the big sales later on here. But, you know, Liv Morgan's is probably another card we'll talk about. Liv Morgan is probably the hottest superstar in wrestling cards right now.

I I'm not a Liv Morgan fan. I I do not like Liv Morgan, but I can respect the hustle here with her cards because they are absolutely flying around and getting record prices. It's awesome to see. So other than the winners Can ask go ahead. Can I ask you guys a Liv Morgan card related question?

Of course. That's what we're here for. So so Liv's cards, I you know, a couple years ago, I started to notice that she had some pretty strong collectors, and her cards were fetching like crazy prices. And then I kinda stepped away from following these sales on a daily and weekly basis and then come around this year to pay closer attention, and it's it's insane. Like, she's Yes.

Maybe the the hottest person to buy right now. Her cards are going bananas. Like, what like, where does that stem from? Like, because you you're you're you guys are, like, very in the weeds when it comes to this stuff. Like, what do you think is causing this?

Is it more like Lid Morgan PC collectors that are going after the fighting for these cards? Like, what are you seeing? I I really don't have a legit straight answer on that. I think that's the biggest thing. I think, obviously, she's attractive.

She's a name. I I don't know. It's just been the surge because, I mean, for years, her stuff was fairly affordable. I mean, we're talking back in the pre tops days before Panini got it. So I really can't pinpoint, but we did see the same kind of trim as Alexa Bliss for years where her cards were previously going up, and they're the same almost type of wrestler size, everything.

And they're little wrestlers, small women that can win belts, that can carry it, that can hold themselves well at the mic. I think it's just the TV time she gets, what she brings to the table. I think she's growing with the fan base as well even though she's already got a crazy one. So I can't really pinpoint that exact answer, but we saw obviously a surge with Ria, but Ria is a special talent we know. I'm I'm really trying to understand it as well.

I really am. I I I love to hear your thoughts on this. Yeah. I think, like, wrestling card collectors are a different breed, traditional gooners, but it's also like, you know, Liv I I always called Liv diet Alexa Bliss. I think that that's exactly who she is is she's like a diet version.

She's like Alexa Bliss zero. Like, you know, she's she's like, how do you zero sugar Alexa Bliss. Alexa's amazing on the mic. I think she's she's passable in the ring, but her character work is unmatched. Like, Alexa is the best at that.

She's also very attractive. And I think Liv is probably the opposite. I think her ring work is a little bit better than Alexa Bliss, but her mic work is not. So I think, like, they just have those trade offs, and it just leads down a path where I think her fans on social media are as insufferable as Sasha Banks fans used to be, and now Burtsey's, whatever her name is, fans you are at. I mean, like, they are literally the most insufferable people.

And it's not and not the collectors. I'm saying, like, the social media fans. The collectors are rabid, man. Like, rep wrestling card collectors, pretty typical. Like, they will fight over the good stuff because there's not much of it.

And I think, like, when you go into collecting, a Steph Curry or a LeBron James or whatever, they have hundreds of centerpiece cards. Liv Morgan maybe has 20. Like, it's it's it's like when good stuff comes to market, like, people wanna buy it up. And I I'm like, I respect that. Like, you love Liv Morgan and you wanna be the Liv Morgan collector, you gotta fight with some people now.

And just like I gotta fight over Becky stuff, Ryan's gotta fight over Randy Orton and Seth Rollins stuff, like, we all fight over stuff because there's just not enough of it. And I think that's really what's driving a lot of these prices, especially for things like the Finites or the Black one zero ones or the you know, all that stuff. Like, there's just not a lot to go around, and there's a ton of demand, especially given her return recently was was huge. So I think just to to keep this moving here, like, do you think we've got some surprise entrants here? Like, what what do you if you had to pick the number 30, you know, for for either Rumble, which who is your surprise entrance here that's gonna happen this week, Ryan?

I'm gonna go with that shirt he's wearing, Jerichoholics. Chris Jericho, I think, is the entry number 30. I think this is his long return we've been waiting for. I mean, obviously, he's not gonna come out early at all, and you want him to see him down to come down the end. But, I mean, I I think he'll come out at 30.

Somebody will eliminate him to where it could draw a feud. So that is my pick at number 30 is Chris Jericho. And because, obviously, his age goes into consideration as well for the time he could be out there. So Yeah. I I would love it if Jericho was just number one, and we had to watch Jericho, like, try to make it and with all the.

Although we haven't seen Jericho in a while. We haven't. Yeah. And so he is the ultimate, like, can change what he looks like in a like, one you give Jericho one month, and he looks like a different person. So I love Jericho.

Before we were recording this, I was like I was getting changed, and I was like, I think I have a jerk I have a ridiculous wrestling tee collection. I was like, I think I have a Jerichoholics shirt I'm gonna put on, so I'm glad I could find it. But, you know, Jericho is the king of innovation. What he's going to show up doing and looking like will likely be something we've never seen from him before. So that's what I'm looking forward, to.

But I'll I'll go the, on the surprise front, I'll go kinda in that same, hemisphere with kind of AEW crossover. I'm you know, the the powerhouse Hobbs has been pretty much That was gonna be right. Yeah. Trademark potentially as Royce Keys. So powerhouse Hobbs is just a he's a he's a he's a dude.

He I'm excited to see what he the place he he gets on the card, what they're gonna do with him. WWE needs some strong heels right now. I have some, like, interesting fantasy booking ideas for him that I won't share here, but maybe we can talk about offline. Special episode. Yeah.

Yeah. I think they'll make a big deal. That's what they do whenever they get AEW guys. They make a big deal out of them. So I'm going with Hobbs.

Yeah. Both both of them were were taken by the ones that I had. I'd I've also heard that evil from New Japan is coming over, so maybe we get to see him in the rumble. Listen. It's ten years since AJ Styles made his, like, you know, epic debut.

I think they're probably gonna try and recreate that, especially given that this isn't a traditional spot for the rumble. I think the last time it was held outside The United States was 1988, the first one. So, like, it hasn't been outside The United States since then. I think it's gonna be a struggle for them to to keep attention. So I think these debuts on the women's side will will I assume it's Bianca and Tiffany and all the people that are do that.

So we can kinda skip over that. I wanna just I mean, we we've spent a lot of time on this because it's so interesting. Like, the Royal Rumble is so awesome. But have you guys had a chance to watch Unreal season two? Like, that was, like, appointment viewing for me, especially with Beck and Seth Becky and Seth at the forefront of the season.

I thought this season was absolutely awesome. I loved season one as well. I'm curious. Did you guys get a chance to watch it? Yeah.

I did. I'm gonna go with I'm assuming Adam and really loved it because it was, like you said, mainly based on Becky and Seth. So, yes, I actually finished the last episode last night. I was slowly watching it, you know, in bed whenever we're done with our shows, and she goes to sleep. And I'm just like, I gotta watch a show.

Knocked out. Loved it. It was a great I think it was better than the first season. I do too. And I'm excited to see the one that comes out this summer.

So, yes, I'm caught up on it, loved it, and I'm excited to watch more. Brett? I I have watched all of it but the final episode, so maybe I'll get that in tonight. I will I will say this. The most interesting thing for me in the show so far has been the LA night of it all, and it's not even, like, the main storyline.

But I just find it so interesting, like, the exchange and the money in the bank match and how it didn't go as they h h h laid it out. And what we've seen basically, on the other side of that, I mean, LA Knight was getting pushed to the moon, and he's kind of plateaued a little bit. So that to me has been fascinating to just see that from behind the scenes because you we we wouldn't know that it was supposed to be the other way. And I remember watching that unfold where I was like, I wish this is a great finish, but I wish there was a little more drama. And then, obviously, the show told us that it was supposed to look a little different.

So that that was interesting to me. Yeah. I think, like, it it seems to me like the whole show is a work shoot. Like, it's it's like if it's public facing, there's working involved. And, I mean, I just love it.

It's just so much fun to see the behind the scenes even if it's candid moments and just the stuff with our truth was great. Like, everything with with just the the general ways the superstars are desperate for approval is so interesting to watch. And just how Eosky and Rhea Ripley did that, I mean, like, it was it was awesome. But, I mean, like, I see what happened with f one cards and drive to survive. I thought there would be a little bit of, like, a a nice attention to cards because, you know, the the fan base is exposed to these people as humans.

Like, Chelsea Green, like, got a nice little bump coming out of season one. Like, I'm really hoping that this is gonna be a similar situation for season one or two and two point five this summer. Yeah. But, do you do you think that this is gonna like, I think this has some impact on the cards. Anytime you bring more eyes to the product, it's gonna bring people to see, what can I go buy for these people?

I I hope it really does have a a good impact on the cards. I think I love the f one comparison, and I know the way I felt when I got done watching these shows was for you brought up Chelsea Green. I mean, she's the best. Like, she just rules behind the scenes, on camera. Everything about Chelsea Green is she's wonderful.

And so after, like, watching her this season and enjoying her so much on screen when I'm watching programming, I was just like, man, I need a cool Chelsea green card. I don't have any Chelsea green card. Yeah. So I know I'm not the only one who collects or has thought about collecting who probably feels that way after they watch this. Yeah.

You get to see how a person really is behind the scenes, and I've never heard nothing but all I've ever heard about Chelsea Green from people who do science with her and everything. She's absolutely incredible. She remembers people's names. She just she's so nice to everybody. That's a perfect person you wanna collect.

She's a team player. You see that. She's like, I'm here to do whatever whatever I need to do. That's my port. But I think eventually she needs to get that opportunity.

She should get that that main title carry. She deserved it. She I mean, look at that penta match she put on years ago. Good lord. I mean Still she brought out how Yeah.

How many people love talking about that. That was an incredible match if you never watched it. So I think you gotta root for somebody like that. She's worked it up. She's gone to The Indies and everything.

So, so, yeah, again, I'm with you. I think that does help the card market for her as well. So Yeah. And selfishly, I want Becky Lynch to get a nice little bump as well, but I also wanna keep paying what I'm paying for her cars. So maybe maybe that's that's a a bridge too 22.

So Alright. Before we get started hang on. Before we get started Oh, yeah. That's right. I forgot about this.

Yes. Yes. This is a wrestling card podcast. Right? Yes.

It is. I like to give stuff away, and we have not got to give anything away. But what better opportunity we have Brett on for his first episode today, and we're on the road to WrestleMania effective Saturday. Royal Rumble, which is Adam and mine, favorite PLE of the year as we were saying PLE used to be pay per view. I'm I don't know.

Brett, your thoughts? I'm I'm always I I've been to more Royal Rumbles than any other event, and I've been to a lot of wrestling He's he's a connoisseur of fine Royal Rumbles. Good. I love the Royal Rumble. So we're gonna give away a box here.

It's gonna be a twenty twenty five Topps Chrome Cactus Jack. And you guys, why don't you tell listeners how they can win this? So I'll Brett usually posts a reel that talks that recaps a a part of the show. He's gonna post one of those reels as he does every week on his Instagram. We obviously, Ryan and I will share it from our accounts on WWE Gelman.

RBI crew follow stacking slabs on Instagram. You'll get all this content. I'll probably highlight it on main event wrestling cards as well. All you gotta do is comment on that reel, and we'll remind you. Don't worry.

This isn't gonna be like you have to take notes. There's not gonna be a test here. You have to comment on that reel with who you think is gonna win the Royal Rumble. The men's Royal Rumble. For the men's Royal Rumble.

And as long as you're following all three of us, you have a chance to win this awesome box. And I think, you know, if if multiple people pick the winner, we'll just put those people into a randomizer and and select whoever gets the box. Ryan will ship it out to you direct to your house. Yep. You get to open it.

Hopefully, you tell us what you get. And, best wish there's still a lot of big cards in that product. We'll talk about a few of them here in a minute. That Rhea Ripley sitting here. So, obviously, the you have to have your pick in before the match or before the winner ideally.

But I'll monitor that, and I'll timestamp it to where we're at as far as that goes. But Yeah. This this podcast is is gonna go live on Saturday. It was a it was gonna be a short window. Yeah.

We're gonna be a a short window, but, like, you know, if you can if you know that this maybe Brett can get the reel up a little bit early so that we can get so we'll we'll we'll make sure that there's time to get your entry in. Don't worry. Alright. So let's, let's move on. And thank you, Ryan.

It's sometimes there's a benefit of having one of the hosts of the podcast own a card shop. You can do things like this. That was for the moment. I was I was texting these guys earlier, and I'm like, I wanna give away a box today, guys. Can I do that?

And they're like, what what was the GIF you sent me? You sent me something like, oh, the Will Will Ferrell and old school punch in the cereal box. Oh, yeah. Yes. So yes.

Yes. But we that's what we're here for. We thought we were gonna be giving away a different box this week, but that's a different time, different story. Yeah. We'll we'll talk we'll get to that here in a second as well.

So, let's start with the biggest news of the weekend. We we've seen royalty get signed. We've seen Exalted get signed. Well, here comes top scrum twenty twenty six. Last night, two wrestlers on their social media were posting signed cards from '20 twenty six top scrum or so we believe.

One of them was Dragon Lee. You can probably go search out Dragon Lee on Instagram, and you will see the car the the video that he posted. Steve posted it on his Instagram, Sam WWE. I posted it on mine. It's it's it'll go around.

The Creed Brothers, also did the signing last night. They always put a ton of inscriptions on their cards. Looks like they're bringing back the one out of 25 oranges get the inscriptions again for this year, which is just gonna be absolute bangers. First impressions, guys, when you see these cards, the the it's hard to tell because, I mean, we're we're taking screenshots from reels and whatever, and I think they look cool. But curious what your first impressions here seeing the the the first cards off the line for for Tops Chrome 2026.

My first impression was, number one, they they maybe it's the way they're shot or these pictures, but there looks like there's a lot of lot of shine on these cards. Like, I like the refractor, elements to this. I per I think just that first look, I wasn't crazy about the layout and the look and the feel and the design of the, kind of the return to Tops Chrome. So I am I'm liking this maybe a little bit more. I think I'll wanna see a card that had is a non auto to just get the full picture.

But I think, directionally, it it's looking pretty good so far. Yeah. I I like the the live action here we have on Julius Creed. I like that. You know, we we've got an in ring action, not so much on Dragon Lee, but I think as long as you could do more things with the wrestling moment, I think that adds value.

I think that adds more to a collector as far as seeing that versus just the post. So I like that what they capture with that. Plus, again, sucker for these inscriptions on card. I can't go wrong with that one whatsoever. Yeah.

I think my only complaint here is that they're they're still not going with, like, the traditional, like, thinner borders. They have this sort of, like, extra thick border around the card kind of, like, with the color creeping up side instead of just being like a traditional sort of tops chrome border color. I really liked the the the baseball design, and tops mentioned in their tweet that they were gonna potentially transport that across NFL and NBA to sort of keep consistency. I I think these look good. Like, I think, you know, from a perspective of, a wrestling card and the way that sort of this is conceived, it's hard to tell because we haven't seen sort of the official previews yet.

And tops has become really good at making cards, you know, that that are positioned in this type of moment an upgrade once you get to the actual final product. We haven't seen the inserts. We haven't seen anything in that respect, so I can't really pass too much judgment. But I I just long for that traditional tops design that has just, like, the full bleed photo and just a little bit of a color border to tell the refractors. Like, that's my dream.

Like, tops chrome has always been my jam. I collected the hell out of 2025 tops chrome. I have, like, eight of the super factors. I know Ryan has, like, 10 of them as well. So, like, I think we we have a lot a lot of stuff here invested in this product.

And as much as I love the inscriptions, I I think it's definitely an upgrade from last year. I I was not a huge fan of last year's base design. I love some of the the special cards that they did, but I think there's definitely an upgrade over 2025. You guys agree or disagree? I think so.

Yeah. In a way. I mean, I think they did different things, and I like some of the stuff they did and other things. Again, I I this is all we can go off of right now, so I can't really Yeah. We're we're kind of early to the party here.

Early to the party. We don't know what else this stuff's gonna look like, so I can't just go, oh, it's better without seeing the the you know, everything in front of us. So that's a disadvantage. But I do like with what they're doing. Yes.

Awesome. Moving on, we also got notification that WWE World is coming back to Las Vegas. Brent, I think you were you were there last year, weren't you, for WrestleMania? I was, and I did go to WWE World. And I the way you talked about it or described it last episode or an episode before was, like, spot on because I was listening to it, I was like, yeah.

That description. It's it's like a huge shop, and then they've got just activations throughout it. And then you're gonna see, you know, stuff that has been used, whether it's attire or props and matches. They all have that highlighted, they'll do, like, an interview station where they'll have talent, and there'll be signers. McAfee was there last year doing the John Cena interview.

But I think the most interesting thing, especially for this conversation, was I could not walk anywhere in world last year in Vegas without Tops Chrome being in front of my face. It was very intentional to put, Cactus Jack and just the the chrome release placement, whether it was advertising, big cutouts, or just having the product everywhere. And this started back at the Royal Rumble in Indianapolis. It's when this Yes. Came out.

It's like, dude, they were selling mega boxes like they were hotcakes. It was nuts. So my biggest takeaway last year at the world, I thought, man, this is cool. This is really cool, the fact that, like, cards are playing such a key role in this event. And you'd walk out, and there'd be kids and dads and moms sitting everywhere on the ground just ripping this product.

And I was like, this is cool. It's like this, niche community that we have all been a part of for so long talking about, passionate about, like, to see it live unfold in person at an event like WrestleMania is it was incredible. So, hopefully, cards play an even bigger role in this year's world. Yeah. I'm gonna go with him.

Again, I wasn't there, but I was in Indianapolis. And you they had those promo packs, and they were just handing them out left and right, which those every one of those packs had a numbered card, which could have been a one zero one. I think it was up to three forty nine. But, unfortunately, for us, when we got there, megas were all gone. I was like, do you have megas left?

Like, those are all gone. We have blasters, and I think I bought, like, I don't know, 10 blasters to bring back to our room. But, yeah, it's just I like that they're integrating more cards and, like, he put it. This wasn't like it was an indie, but sounds like there was just more readily you could see. It got grabbed the attention of of not just a collector, but just anybody there, which is great to see them colliding the sports card or card industry into something of this magnitude.

Yeah. And I think, like, if it's like it was in previous years, like, it it's like, there's a ton of space. Like, they they're in a very large area. And what what I what I really like about the the way that this is presented is it's presented as, like, an opportunity for the the the people who love WWE to to get what they need in one spot. Right?

Because when you're in the arena and you go up to those, like, merch tables, like, the lines take forever. And, like, I think this is a much easier manner because at WrestleMania, everybody wants the merch. And, like, you you this just makes it easier. It makes it all in one spot. You have the signings.

You have the the activations, like, the interviews. You can do your entrance. All of that stuff is so much fun for kids and families. Like, this is really a cool thing. So even if you live in Vegas, you're just in Vegas to to go to WrestleCon or whatever, like, this is a a place that I think, you know, it's worth stopping by just to check it out.

They also have all the memorabilia there. But I I think Cactus Jack last year was very controversial, and I personally loved that they did this. I love ex convention exclusives. I've always loved when they did it for, like, the action figures and comic books and whatever. Now we finally got, like, a WWE version of that.

It was likely the smallest Chrome run of any product ever made. Like, this product had nothing. Like, there were so few boxes of it, and it was just available at this convention. They never released it outside of that. They sent a few cases to breakers and whatever, sure.

But, like, you can't walk into a car shop at the time and buy it. You can sometimes now, I'm sure. Ryan may have a few cases stashed away somewhere. But, like, I think the I know. The people all sort of the the the WrestleMania branded card had never been done before.

Like, they've made WrestleMania insert sets and stuff like that, but they've never had, like, a set that was branded as WrestleMania. And I thought everything about it was awesome. I love the exclusivity. I really hope they do it again. Like, are do you guys think they're gonna bring something like it back, or is this why they're prioritizing 2026 Chrome, hopefully, to have it there for the buyback program and everything else that goes along with it?

It's hard saying. I but I I just it feels like the foot is on the gas when it comes to fanatics and tops and WWE, and it I think it would be a massive disappointment not to have something because my takeaway leaving Vegas last year and if you're going to Vegas this year, just get ready to spend double what you think. Vegas. No joke. It's WrestleMania plus Vegas.

I I was blown away by the cost of everything, but I had a blast, and that's all that really matters. But, yeah, I I would just it'd be a big disappointment for the wrestling card community if nothing happened because it just it was such a key feature of last year. Yeah. I think they've gotta do something. I don't know if it's gonna be Cactus Jack, but I feel like they've got to not just for mania, they also got the FNAX Fest coming up this summer, which they do something else with.

That's usually where they did the cactus jack. The first year they introduced the baseball one. So may it be cactus jack, may it not be. There has to be some exclusive type product tied to that. I think that would be a big ball dropped.

Again, I think we do have to have tops chrome regular out at least to have some form of blasters, megas, hobby there. But, again, exclusively, there has to be something. I think what were they? $4.99 a box, if I'm correct? Yeah.

It was, like, it was $4.99. And it was, like, a limit. You had to be reentered every day. Correct? Yes.

Yeah. You you you they did, an EQL every day, but you could be there to claim And you can only get it if you're present, which I like that. I think that's if you're there You only get one box too. It wasn't like you could win a case. It was only one box.

One box that was it per day. Correct? Yes. Per day. So, again, I feel like they it it went over so well.

We've seen what these cards translated, what they sold on the secondary. For the record, I'm not giving away a WrestleMania cash check. I'm giving away a bit of a hobby just so the listeners aren't confused. But, no, something has to be done, and I'm curious what they're gonna put pen to paper to and what it's gonna be. If it's something exclude like, I I just ripped a case of this, like, two weeks ago, and I hit Roman by the way.

It was awesome. I hit some absolute insane monsters. I hit a Roman Reigns red autograph. It was awesome. And I love this product.

I have the Becky Lynch rainbow. I have the Cactus Champions, which I think is one of the best inserts they did in all of tops last year. So, yeah, I think it's really cool. I hope they bring something back, whether it's Chrome or something exclusive. If they could do, like, what they do for for baseball where they have, like, the Fanatics Fest, like, New York skyline, whatever type of stuff, I think that would be if they get off for something like that where it's just an offshoot of the regular Chrome, man, those cards would be absolutely some of the most collectible ones they have.

So just to to we'll touch on this very quickly. We mentioned last week that Universe was pushed out a month. Tops actually sent out emails to everybody saying that there is an updated release date. I've never seen a proactive communication on a wrestling set, so this was good to see. The question then becomes, do they need to do a little bit more?

Like, I don't know what your feedback like, collector feedback was mixed. I'm curious if if you have any feedback here, Ryan or Brett. I think that was good that they got in front of this to maybe answer, like, the million questions that they're they were getting on this. There's obviously more to the issue of why this is delayed. They're not gonna allude to that.

But it's would you rather get it right and not have potential defects? I don't know if that's the case. Or would you rather throw a product out there and deal with the aftermath of the defects? So, unfortunately, we all would like it, but at this point, what's another month? You know?

At this point, we're at waited eight. Yeah. We've only waited, so maybe this means more less redemptions. I don't know. I mean, there isn't a lot to begin with.

So I I wish I was ripping Universe this weekend while watching Rumble, but that's not the case. That was the box I was gonna give away originally, and we talked about this a while ago. But, we will give one away eventually when it releases. So I'm excited for this product. The more and more that's come out there, the more I'm like, this has the feel of what we've been waiting for, event use, relics, on card inscriptions.

The cards look really cool. At the I'm more of, like, I'm patient. I guess you've learned to be patient in this industry if you wait for redemptions as long as you have to. So I'm okay with it. It stinks, but good job by tops for at least getting that out there to maybe put some of the stress away from people.

I'm a communications fanatic. I evaluate communication in all walks of life, especially when it comes to the hobby in the industry. And I've always like, ever since I've been really in it and working in it, I've always given just the hobby in general a very low grade when it comes to communication. And to have a manufacturer share news even though it's not good news for collectors is a good thing because so often these products, they just keep pushing the dates out and we're, like, left, like, asking questions and going to social media and no one's responding, and it's just a mess. So in terms of, like, managing reputation, managing, like, expectations, like, to me, even though it's not happening when everyone wants to, the fact that there was an a communication sent out letting people know, like, some of the information, think, is a positive step.

Mhmm. Yeah. As my son would say, I think this is a w, and, I think it's something that you know, like you said, no one ever communicates. Like, I remember back when, like, you know, we had National Treasures Football come out, there were no Teddy Bridgewater autographs. There were no Odell Beckham autographs.

And we were just all like, this it's been a month. Like, none of these have been pulled, and there was no communication. And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, they just start showing up. Like, these are the types of things that I think we need to have more of. I want tops to be more upfront with the way that they communicate.

They're offering collectors the chance to cancel their preorders because I don't think anybody wants to give tops a no interest loan as they try to figure this out. So, yeah. I mean, I I think it's a w overall. Quickly, also, we had the release of TopSlam, 2026. I'm not sure if you guys are digital card collectors.

I'm big into this. I love, the NFTs that Panini did. I love this stuff. I've been playing, Slam back in 2020 and beyond of that, and it it stopped for a while because Panini had the license that the NFTs back for for another year. They're doing a Royal Rumble thing this week, and they have, like, you know, mystery cards where you can collect the numbers.

And whoever gets eliminated at that number, you get the that's what your card turns into. I think that's really cool. Like, these believe it or not, like, I I have all a number of Becky one of ones because they they have it's structured exactly like trading cards. And I was offered, like, mid 4 figures for my account recently. So, like, you know, it was it was a lot of money.

And, like, I was like, this is really awesome. Like, Tops really has something here even though the cards aren't NFTs, which I still think is a miss. But overall, I think it's still pretty cool. Have you guys ever played this? Have you guys ever tried this?

I I remember the the original marketing and advertising around this, and, honestly, I haven't. And I I didn't even know it was still a thing, but I think I don't know. I'm I'm big I'm pro, like, if there's an avenue that can get people interested in wrestling cards, like, let's let's try it out. And the fact that it's been running for as long as you just said, I think, is a good thing. But, yeah, I I have not dipped my toe in these waters and and likely won't.

I'm I'm more of a a physical guy. I I am a physical guard guy, but no shade on any digital collectors. Yeah. I'm with I'm with Brett on this one. I I did some of the NFTs of Panini when they did the wrestling ones.

I don't even know which ones I have in my account. I never look at them. But, it was kind of a means of, like, oh, let's do this for fun. I've never done the slam ones. I know you've talked about them before, Adam.

Not really my cup of tea. I'm more of a traditionalist. I wanna hold a physical actual item or at least know there's a physical item behind what I'm buying. But, no. I I think it's a great concept.

I mean, hey. At least you get some type of release this weekend. I mean, it may not be physical, but you're getting something this weekend to where you can at least enjoy it. I'm sure it's cost efficient too. It's probably affordable to do as well.

So Yeah. It is. I and funny enough, like, they have, like, thousands and thousands of users. Very few of them actually collect the physical cards, which is crazy. So to Brett's point, the crossover there, they can just capitalize on some of that.

Man, I think they've been working on that for fifteen years at this point. So maybe that that ship has sailed, but, yeah, there's a lot of interest there. Let's let's move on to some big sales. I'm gonna start off with one that I I last time I I messed up, I I thought Ryan didn't buy a card. He actually did.

I'm not sure if you bought this one. I don't think he did because the feedback on the the winner was so low, and I know you have higher feedback. The Bray Wyatt one of one Black Finite, we were talking about the one that Brett picked up earlier at Sami Zayn. So for $4,038, I actually think this is low. And, I'm I'm I love this card.

I think it's one of the best Bray Wyatt cards that they've made. And it's horizontal, so it takes a lot for me to give a compliment to a horizontal card. But this photo is epic. It's awesome with the lantern and the arms outstretched. Big number, like mid four figures, but I think given the circumstances of what this is likely representative of, I think it probably could have gone higher.

Ryan, what what was like, you saw this, obviously. It didn't go high for a reason. Ryan was too busy watching football, you know, you know, championship Sunday. Jameson text me about two hours before. He's like, you're you're watching it.

Right? I was like, yep. I've got it set. My alarm's gonna go off, and that alarm just didn't exist. It was like John Cena.

So couldn't hear it. Couldn't see it. I missed out on bidding this. If that would have been the case, it obviously would have went higher. My also reluctant to bid on this is how many of these actually are yeah.

What you would say terrorists. Yep. So, unfortunately, I did not. If this actually legitimately sold and the person won it, I am with Adam. They got an absolute steal.

I hope they enjoy it. This would have been for my son who doesn't really need another card like this, but it's what I do this a hobby with. This is the reason why I'm in the wrestling scope. So if I can get him a nice Bray Wyatt, I don't I don't have the true black Bray from this year, but I do have the he has the true black from the first year Prism. Sorry.

'23, which was Bray's first year Prism because he wasn't in '22. So I'm with you guys. Love the Finites. This was a great buy for whoever bought this. Love the imaging.

Unfortunately, not coming home. I echo, kind of the your sentiment, Adam. I know it's a lot of money, but I feel like it is a bit of a a steal, all things considered. I love in this last appearance, they've got Bray in this this character in this photography doing an iconic pose. You know, I was following this.

I think it what was interesting was you had a razor black, a piper black, and you had this card all ending. All in succession. Yeah. I have that. I you're stealing my thunder a little bit.

Didn't read the script. But but I was I was worried. It's like, are these going to get destroyed via, you know, the this, you know, funny business that's been going on with high end wrestling card auctions? And it's interesting because I think the underbidder was zero feedback on all of these auctions, but, hopefully, these cards ended up getting in the right collection. Legit.

Like, the person had a couple 100 feedback. But yeah. I I went and looked at it, I was like, please tell me it's not legit. Please tell me. And then after I read it, that looks legit.

But if I would've bid, somehow I'd be bid against one of these these stupid honey bitters guys. Just my luck with bidding on these type of cards never got I never win them. They rerun. They go over and over. And then one day, you just hope they fall on your lap.

Again, whoever bought this, if they're a true collector, I hope they enjoy it. They got a seal. Congrats. I mean, like, the this account is from China. So this card was based in China.

They always run auctions. They never run buy it now. There's a lot of fuckery that goes along with these overall just the as Brett was mentioning, like, there's there's suspect behavior that's been going on for eighteen to twenty four months here. And then there's additional problems with, some of these auctions getting shield just because of, the account that's associated with it as I I was told has lots of accusations against them as well. So because they're a foreign based account, there's not as many rules, so many different things.

We'll skip over that part. But card is awesome. It's a Highlander card. I'm still trying to make that happen. There can be only one Bray Wyatt, Black Finite, and it is absolutely awesome.

Stunning card. Hopefully, whoever ends up with it enjoys it because this thing is absolutely sweet. Another big so Cactus Jack, the box you're giving away, we did have a Centimeters Punk that sold for $4,000, the Inscription Superfractor Autograph. For as much as people have controversial takes on this set, the it continues to generate huge numbers. I think this might be one of the highest Centimeters Punk sales ever and just awesome card with the inscription best in the world, new school photo.

I mean, I think it's it's cool that, Cactus Jack does have this level of, attention even though the set's relatively controversial. Yeah. I mean, I I I don't is that number low? I don't really know. I mean, again, like you said, it's the highest punk, but let's we continue seeing record breaking sales with these wrestlers.

And I look at this, and I think it put in perspective of other people. I mean, what does the Centimeters Punk non inscription super go for? What? Two to three k? How much more value is that, inscription best in the world?

From my understanding, the top's Chromy sign, he didn't inscribe best in the world in the super. It was something else from my understanding. So this is his inscribed something. It wasn't Something. It wasn't like this.

Maybe it was like a one zero one. I don't remember, but that is his phrase. That is what he's known for is best in the world even though he's not best in the world because, obviously, he's my Lidmorekin to you. But Yeah. I do think he is the best in the world on the mic.

I'll give him that. But, I don't know. Is this what do you guys think? I I don't know if it's undervalued, overvalued, right on. I mean, I'm curious to hear your guys' thoughts on this.

I so this set in general is not this is just a not for me set. I'm just not into it, but I can appreciate an inscription, and I know the premium inscriptions like this can fetch. I I struggle, and this is always when, like, you've got, like, the first of something. I always struggle with, like, the paying a ton of it in the moment because there's no, like, lineage or legacy around it. Although, like, what happens is, like, they continue to make these, and then the first was always the best one.

So, yeah, I think if you're a punk fan, this is like and you collect punk, you have to have this card. It's a cornerstone piece for a collection. Cornerstone piece. But, yeah, I will I like the inscription side of it. But although it does look like maybe his pin ran out by the time he signed his He's he's so streaky.

Like, all of his signatures get really streaky, but I've heard that he hates signing inscriptions. He hates signing in general. So I think there's some challenge there. Not shocked. Not shocked.

Topps recently posted a video of him signing the old Topps Chrome from rest it was WrestleMania last year. Correct. The video is a little old. It it went up last week, but, you know, it's it's a it's a cool card. Like, I think it's it's the the inscription came out great.

So I just don't think the design is very conducive to inscriptions. If you're a punk fan or collector with that inscription, that's bold too. That's perfect. Like you said, that's Cornerstone piece. I I mean, that if I was a punk collector, that would be number one punk card I've ever seen.

I'm gonna I'm gonna just briefly touch on this card because I think it's really important. I think that select tiger stripes for wrestling are so undervalued and so awesome looking. The Stephanie Vecare ringside tiger, gem mid 10, PSA, $2,200. I think this was an absolute steal. I love I have all of these.

I I think the the animal prints, the zebras, and the tigers. I like the tigers a little bit better, but the retail element of this just continues to be awesome. Any quick thoughts here from you guys, like, on the on have you guys collected the select retail stuff from wrestling? I I haven't touched it. I will just say I will always appreciate forever the rookie badge on cards like this.

So I I love a star like has rookie cards in a product like Select, and that will stand forever and will always make those cards, whatever parallel relevant. Yeah. She'd only had, from my understanding, was Select and Flawless. Correct? I mean, while Panini had three count too.

Three count. You're right. She And National Trends. And National Trends. Okay.

There you go. So way to correct me. No. Yeah. These are these I the retail select was a great rip.

No question. Amazing rip where you can get. These tigers are awesome. I think they're They're impossible. A, I think they stand out a lot better than the zebras do.

And, obviously, the zebras are basically about one per case. These are harder to get. I don't know. You know, that's number one ranked probably tiger carding in the product. Number two be Julia.

If I'm guessing maybe three b five two based on even though she's the only one with the rookie stamp, which I don't understand why they didn't get the other ones, I guess, because they're saying passed up. But whole different other discussion. That's a different discussion, different day. But, no, I think, again, with you, Adam, I mean, she is at her peak right now. We don't know.

Is she gonna be leaving Mania as the champ still? We don't know, but she is arguably one of the best female wrestlers in the world. Another big Cactus Jack sale, the Jade Cargill, insert super fractor sold at asking for $2,000. Huge sale for Jade Cargill. Again, not a humongous fan of this particular insert.

I respect. Man, this is a big number for this card. So, you know, cool cool cool sale for Jade Cargill. Maybe this signals a little bit of a tick upwards for her. I I will say I always appreciate, the sellers, t h z, on Instagram saying, like, this is paid for.

Like, I this is to validate. I love that second level layer of validation from sellers. We're seeing that more and more, probably with just funny business going on across platforms, but I appreciate that as someone who's trying to take in everything that's happening in the market and just decide what's legit and what's not legit. And Brian is some big big cards for sale for He Brian's legit. Him and I did a big deal in Dallas.

We've done many big deals. His stuff's legit. He always has the great stuff. So when he says this sold, yeah, that's a 100% accurate. And that's a that's a big number.

I mean, I see this card, I think, thousand hours tops, but, I mean, Jade is at the highest she's ever been in WWE right now, so we are seeing those record sales for Brett alluded to this earlier. We had four black finite and black one of one prisms sell at one time. All of them sold for huge numbers. We had Tiffany Stratton, the altered one that we talked about last week, sell for 4,000. I think it's sold.

I didn't verify all of these. So some of these may be, subject to the funny business. The Bray Wyatt, obviously, we already talked about that, selling for 4,000. You had Brazier Ramon selling for 2,900, and then you had Roddy Piper selling for just over 2,000. I'm telling you, man, Panini rare and desirable cards, you cannot go wrong.

Like, if you have any wrestler that has even a smidgen of popularity, like, just be aware that this is a highly in demand and will continue to be a highly in demand, if in my opinion. But keep in mind, like, when you and I put a note here on the on the video if you're watching on Patreon. Like, there is a lot of funny business that goes on with WWE. Just we we were not gonna get into it now, maybe in a future episode, but, you know, this is this is good to see for Panini collectors out there. Like, Brett, I know you focus a lot on Prism.

Most of my collections focus on the shiny stuff as well. Ryan has a ton of it as well. We're saying this being collectors of this. So, yes, there is some bias there, but I think we're we're taking a stance that's pretty universal in that respect. Yep.

Yeah. And, also, just I I know you guys are the same way, but just save searches in eBay and looking and refreshing and looking and refreshing. It's like this we are in a to see all of these pop up at once was like Christmas just to see even if I wasn't bidding. It just seems like we've been in this dry spell because stuff is just stashed away. So I think that trend is only gonna continue as tops continues to produce.

But, yeah, I think what we're seeing is, so a lot of affection for the Prism era, in a very, very Flawless too. Yeah, and flawless. And not saying that what is coming out, people aren't excited for. They certainly are. Like, we're seeing crazy sales.

You talked about some of those sales. But I think people really appreciated this Panini era. And I think this short window that Panini had, they did a bang up job on most of it, and collect wrestling card collectors are are collecting it. I it's so funny because I remember everyone complaining about it when they launched it, and it's just funny what three years or so can do. We we have drunk goggles when it comes to this stuff.

Like, it's like every time something goes away, it automatically becomes the coolest thing ever. It's just it it happens in literally everything. TV show ends. Oh, remember how that TV show used to be the best? But week to week, literally, people are on social media talking about how much it sucks.

Like, yeah, that's that's a thing. Go ahead, Ryan. You were gonna say No. No. I was gonna say you guys hear voices too that tell you to go check eBay all the time for searching.

All the time. I think I'm a deaf. I I think I've looked three times a day, obviously. The good news is is that I've got guys like you guys and many people in this industry in the in the hobby of wrestling cards that when something big pops up like this Bray Wyatt, I had at least five texts to to me. And most time, I'm always ahead of it, but sometimes I'm not.

So it's great whenever people are like, hey. I'm looking out for you. So it's awesome that the wrestling card community really goes out and looks out for one another, which I love. But, yes, again, three years of this, we're never gonna see it again. Things are not in well.

Different time, different story, different talk, but legendary. Legendary is what they did in the time frame knowing that it's going away. We're also seeing it going away. We saw it go with basketball license. We're about to see a football license.

So the name Prism really, you know, resonates so much in the industry and knowing that there was only three years of this. We had football from 2012 now until 2025. You know, there's three years of this, and they can only do so much. Bray Wyatt only had two years. He only had you know, some of these people don't even have 40 Roads too.

Three years. Yes. Correct. So things to consider like that. Again, some of these wrestlers may only had one or two years.

So it's sad to see it go, but, you know, it's one of those things where it may be gone but never forgotten. This defined an era. I think Prism defined an era for a lot of people, and they will look back with nostalgia. Same thing with the kabooms and the downtowns. That's why those cards are going nuts is because a lot of people entered this hobby when Panini was on top.

Just like when upper deck people came in, Exquisite still has that that level of familiarity, SP authentic. People still want those cards because that's what they came and joined the hobby, and that was what was on top when they joined. I think this will define an era. As usual, I've left no time to talk about our title match topic. I love that.

We we we like to yap, and and, like, we're we're we're we're good on the stick. We're good the really need it today, by the way. I'm I'm glad to have Brett on. I think the text we got, I'm like, this man needs to get on. Let let's get Brett on ASAP.

And and Brett's could be in any time, but I think today he really needed it. Yes. Yeah. Exactly. My therapy.

You're welcome. This is this is therapy for for us as well. It's the most cathartic experience that exists, and it's become my favorite time of the week. Because usually when I bring up wrestling cards, I was talking about this with them, earlier, my wife just gives me the eye rolls, and she's like, and she used to watch it too. So she we used to watch week to week, but she kinda, like, fell off.

And now anytime I bring it up, she's like, oh, oh, okay. And then but finally, we get some excitement here from Brett and Ryan. This is my favorite time. So let's talk about, ways card collectors engage with sort of the, quote, unquote, channels of the industry. What are the top places to buy?

What are the top places to sell? And most importantly, do you guys have a channel, like, something that's below the the radar here of places you like to go to get wrestling cards and stuff like that that people might not have experience with? Like, what are some of those things? Ryan, you wanna start? Because I I have a feeling I know where you're gonna go with this, but I'll give you the opportunity to start here.

Yeah. I mean, obviously, I would say eBay still is one the top places to go find it because there's so many people that are in this industry that aren't aware of the community behind it. The the another place skill is, like, I'm gonna get into about the Facebook groups, stuff of that nature. But I feel like eBay is the one place to start, and a lot of these people listen to eBay because they may have bought a collection. They may have pulled it from a box, and they may not do a lot of wrestling, but maybe they jumped in.

When I bought my Seth Rollins one zero one Super Factor Auto at the national this year, the one with the fire background, they literally were set up out. It was in our hotel that night, and they have all sports cards and one wrestling card. And that one wrestling card was at freaking Rowling, which multiple people pulled me. Like, you need to come over here. And I'm looking down like, why do you have this card?

They're like, well, we bought a box at a local shop. My son likes wrestling a little bit. We pulled it. Paid a big number for it. I'm just like, you don't appreciate wrestling like I do, but I get it.

So, again, I think there's more and more out there, and I think eBay is the first place people think of. So that may be the one place that you're gonna see these cards like we just sold all the black one on ones going off in one night. So that's the first place I would say to sell. You don't necessarily have to sell on eBay. Obviously, it gets more eyes on anything.

But the more you're kind of involved with this wrestling card community, the more connections you can make, the more of like, hey. I know the Becky Lynch collector, or I know a Roman Reigns collector. I know you know, it's good to see, like, Steve is a huge Roman Reigns. They're not Roman Reigns. So Rhea Ripley fan to know, like, if I pull anything, Steve, do you need this?

That is one thing I love about the wrestling card community over anything else is the true collectors and the growth of that. Can I can I interrupt just for a little last year? Go. Yeah. Because I actually so Brian's take here about finding the guy, I actually built a list, and I've I've created a SurveyMonkey where people could add their PC.

So if you go on main event wrestling cards, shameless plug. If you go on main event wrestling cards, there is a list a link to the list of wrestling card PCs that exist. So if you're listening to this, you never collected wrestling cards, or you're just getting into collecting wrestling cards and you wanna find the guy, the gal that collects this particular person, I have a list about 600 strong at this point of all the wrestling card PCs that exist. We all look out for each other. Take a look.

You might be able to move some of those rare cards that you have to somebody that's gonna appreciate it, give it a good home. Ryan, keep going. Sorry. No. I'm just disappointed you didn't go with you just made the list.

You were saying list. You just made the list. I was like, where when's he gonna do it? He he ethically failed on me. No.

No. That that's been great, and a lot of people know about that. So, again, I'm just going on a tangent because of, my experience. And I I really think the Facebook groups help out as well. I'm in a couple wrestling groups, and that helps when I can get tagged or I can tag somebody too.

I think those groups are are big as well. So I'm done on my tangent rant. You guys go next. Yeah. I'll just quickly, I'll just say even though we haven't had net new product in a while, the element in just having conversations with a lot of different business owners in this space, just starting to understand how everything works.

Like, when new product comes out, it obviously goes through breakers, places like RBI Crew seven. But breakers break this stuff, and breakers have relationships with these big consignment shops. And so there's a direct pipeline of these cards going from breaker to consignment to eBay. So we'll all be fired up when new product gets dropped because all of our saved searches will be, filled up. So that's, like, a wrinkle.

I think and I'm always going to eBay. We're we're eBay degens. I do check all the other platforms. Although, you know, the chances of finding something you actually want on something else when you're looking is all I always feel like it's low just because it's scarce inventory. But, ultimately, it's the information and the connections with the community.

Like, all the best wrestling cards I've ever gotten have been a DM. Someone saying, hey. Did you see this? Or, hey. I got this and thought about you.

So it's really like this it can be competitive because you've got very serious PC collectors in this space, and everyone's trying to, like, withhold information. But, like, as a whole, like, I feel like this community, more like any other, is very helpful, and they wanna see people succeed. So I don't know. Just a message to the wrestling card collector who's listening, who already knows this, or to the person who's thinking about it. Like, build and develop those relationships.

And the more you nurture those relationships, like, the better your collection gets because people wanna help other people. And I think, ultimately, that's the coolest thing about this community is just, like, the helpfulness. PHP. People helping people. There you go.

And I I've I've this has become one of my favorite mantras recently, which is just don't collect on an island. Like, it's just not as much fun. Like, surround yourself with people who have shared likes and shared dislikes, shared mindsets. Don't create an echo chamber. Obviously, that's we've seen how that sort of perfect prop propagates through social media.

But, you know, like, surround yourself and and cheer each other on. Find those people. I won't rehash, a lot of what Ryan and Brett has said because I fully agree with it. Facebook, eBay, Instagram, relationships, like like, everything they've said. Most of my collections come from private deals.

That's why the top Becky Lynch card sold on eBay is only, like, $4 because the stuff I buy is not on eBay. But I will say, like, in terms of, like, something that may be a little bit under the radar, Ryan and I have been hinting at it a lot from the re the last couple of weeks. I've really gotten into these digital repacks. It's unfortunate that I have because they're insanely addicting. And I Brett's probably this is maybe your first exposure to this in our degen culture here.

But, like, I I've I spend a lot of time on, like, Arena Club and Blez and everything like that because, like, it's it's fun. It's like it's a wrestling card slot machine. And, like so if you're if you have the money to burn and you have the the ability to just to fund it and sustain the losses, it it is a lot of fun. It is pure gambling. It is pure everything that you would expect.

I know and a lot of the the wrestling card podcasts, probably haven't been exposed to this. I hear a very negative sort of thing, push this direction on a lot of sports card podcasts, rightfully so, because they market to the wrong people. They market to kids. They these things should be for adults only. There's no support for gambling addiction or anything like that.

The CollectorsMD is does great work in a lot of these areas. I think there's so much that can be improved. I it's just like you said, you pull the slot machine, go to Vegas, like, that's basically in your house. It's awesome. I am a huge collector.

So I'm not like the the flipper mentality where I have to, like, take all of this in and then get it all back out. But I think this is fueling a lot of the the kaboom in downtown and the liquid cards thing. I know this is probably something that people listening to this, this is not your cup of tea completely understand. Like, the it takes a certain type of person to enjoy this. But from a wrestling card perspective where inventory out there is so limited, you have a chance of some really nice wrestling cards.

I've gotten The Rock autographs. I've gotten the Stephanie Vecchare stuff. Like and I wouldn't normally buy that. Like, it just exposes me. I've started new PCs as a result of this, and I think that's pretty cool.

Brian, I know you and I have talked about this a lot. I'm curious, like, like, we've talked about this on the podcast in passing. Now just a little bit more, like, this is a a new avenue for the hobby. Not all positive. So I'm not saying, like, oh my god.

Let's give a full throated endorsement of this. Not at all. We're just like, this is something this is a new thing. It's it's interesting. Right?

Yeah. No. I I would like to obviously talk about this more at another time, but I it's it's something that I've been on turned on to. And the fact that, like, you can go find other types of these packs where you could sell back the cards at 90% of what they value it at. And there's so many cards that I get that I just don't want, or I'm like, hey.

I'm looking to rebuild for the national. It's hard. There's a not lot of product come out to rip. I love to rip. I love to rip wrestling, but my luck hasn't been the best in a while.

So it's been an avenue for me to rebuild and hold this stuff, and it gives me an opportunity to go, yeah. I think that buyback offer's great. I wanna sell that. Or I think that's undervalued. I wanna keep that.

And it's been a great way for me, again, to rebuild. But I enjoy it because there's my you know, there's PC cards that I could pull in there. I look at they show you every card you can get in the run. And, again, I wanna say this for another time, but I love it. I think it's fun.

I think it's been a good means for no releases since we haven't had Worldly One since finest. Yeah. I think it's been a good filler. I know you've been itching because you're saving your money for universe, and these packs are getting some of your money. And, I e, I can't join breaks and buy Rollins Norton.

I've been doing some other fun breaks inside, but I would like to talk about the subject at a later date because I have good good feelings about this, and I see the positive and negative with it. Brad, anything to add, or are you just gonna I just I you He's like were on a call, I don't know, not too long ago, and you had it up on the screen. And I was just like, what what the fuck is this? You're, like, so confused right now. You're like, I don't know what's You're right.

I I have not participated. But, dude, I think the punch line is it's impossible to find wrestling cards that we want at this point. It's really hard. Like, I'm struggling. I'm, like, on this rebuild collection phase.

I'm having fun because it's not easy. So, like, if you are willing to take risk, like, this could be an avenue for you. And you're right. It's it's Vegas. It's WrestleMania.

It's it's casino play. And there's different outlets that are gonna feed the addiction if if you so fancy. My my biggest thing is We're not endorsing this. This is not something we're endorsing No. But this is something I do wanna talk much.

I do wanna go into more detail in a later date on it. It saves me from going to my warehouse and grabbing cases off the table. So it's like, the guys it'll be great. I'll I'll actually get I'll be sitting at home, and I'll just pop on my phone because it's pretty accessible. And I get email alerts that when Ryan's doing this so then Neil's got the business link emailed, and he'll text a little group.

He's like, Ryan's at it again, guys. Ryan and his issues, and they're all just ripping on me. And I'm just like, it's okay. Look what I just got. And they're like, oh.

I'm like, well, how much that's been to you? I don't know. I got this. Don't worry about it. So Yeah.

I mean, like like, we all we all talk about, like, breakers in general. Like, I'll I'll close out this segment here just, like, there's there's this stigma. Like and I've heard it on on people that talk about it on your podcast, Brett, rightfully so. I've heard it talked about in all the major sports card podcast, the gambling mentality that exists in the hobby facilitated by breaking, facilitating by digital repacks, repack products in general. This is a very controversial subject.

I it has major problems. Like, there there are so many regulation issues. There's tons of issues. But, like, while it's here and while it's accessible and on your phone, like, if there's a wrestling pack to open, I'm gonna open it. Like, it's like, I'm sorry.

Digital or physical. Yeah. Digital or physical. And I think, like, that's where it it exposes people to wrestling cards. Like, this is unusual in that respect because to Brett's point, like, this usually doesn't happen.

This could get more eyes on the product, get more people into our community. Are they the right type of people or wrong type of people? Like, that's to be debated on social media. But I think, like, overall, like, I think it's interesting, and I think it's worth discussing at some point in the future. One last thing I wanna touch on, if that's okay, is the fact that this is drying up more wrestling cards.

In Dallas, I saw multiple people trying to buy for these type of repacks. It is causing a dry up more and more of rusting cards when there's not a lot out there, which is then driving up demand and driving up value. That's what I wanted to touch on. Yeah. And for people that don't want the prices to get more expensive, this is definitely not the best news for you.

Correct. Correct. Think the the channels themselves have changed dramatically. This is, like, the final thing. Like, things have changed so much in the last three to five years.

Panini used to have their strategy. Tops has a completely different strategy. The way they get product to breakers versus shops versus everybody online versus, you know, direct to consumer. Like, these channels are gonna change a 100 times before next year and a 100 times the year after that. Like, there's Fanatics is changing the game.

Panini changed the game back in in '28 2009. It's it's gonna continue to change. And I think, like, the more agile that collectors can be to to really fund the what they're trying to accomplish here, the better. I know, Brett, you've talked a lot about being flexible and being able to move in and out of things that you feel fits your needs at the moment. I think that's wonderful advice.

And I think, like, that's why I think content like what Brett provides on stacking slabs is so valuable because it helps collectors make sense of this ever changing world. And that's one of the reasons why we wanted to make this podcast, which was help collectors find a path that they may not be open to or they may not be aware of, but also make sense of their own path. Right? So I think that alone in sort of the way the channels are changing so rapidly, like, this is this is why we have these types of discussions. Right?

Not that we want everybody to go gamble and pull the slot machine or whatever. It's good to understand all of the options, and I've been enjoying it's fun to be a part of this, episode. This is a go this is a great podcast. I'm I'm excited about all the feedback I've been getting from everyone. I think it's been needed in this space.

And, also, I just wanna say, like, I hate myself right now for picking Logan Paul to win the Royal Rumble when he's got a 5,100,000 card up for auction with nineteen days left. I was like, what am I doing? But I'm stuck with it at this point. Yeah. Logan Paul, it's it's funny, like, because he just did this huge Pokemon auction too, which is getting tons of negative attention on social media.

Like, yeah, you're you're you're not wrong. I mean, you'll put the guy at highest he's ever been, and this card's gonna break record. Now he's gonna go win the Rumble and win WrestleMania. Way to go. Yeah.

So for next week, we'll close out. We're gonna we'll talk about Royal Rumble results. We'll talk we'll look a little forward to WrestleMania forty two. Hard not to do when you have the the two winners in front of you. We'll obviously go into, news and info for the week.

But, we'll we'll also discuss I I think the title match topic is probably gonna be more around long term collecting. So, like, picking up cards and keeping them in PCs for a longer period of time, which wrestling collectors happen happen to have a a lot of fun doing. But, Brett, thank you so much for joining us. It's been a long podcast. Not surprising when you have three people who are the Centimeters punks of the wrestling card world and love to talk on the mic.

But it was wonderful having you. Thank you for joining us. Thank you, Brett. Yeah. Thank you, Adam Ryan, for hosting, and thank you to everyone checking out the one, the only, the biggest, the baddest wrestling card podcast on the Stacking Slabs Network booked to last.

Have a great Royal Rumble, everybody. Yes. Let's do it. Absolutely. Royal Rumble, baby.

Weekend. Alright. You guys have a have a great one. This is a lot of fun, Brett, and don't be a stranger. We hope you get you back on soon, especially if you keep getting weather like this.

Yes. Exactly. We'd love to have you back. Alright. Thanks, everyone.

See you next week. Deuces.