This year, the WWE releases have been few and far between so far, but it’s nice to get the NXT entry. I’m still not a fan of the format where the base cards are matches or other events, rather than wrestler cards, though. An insert set called “We Are NXT” fills the need for roster cards, however. This is a pretty basic release, but still nice to see.
A box features 18 packs, with 7 cards per pack. The configuration ensures you will not get a full base set with one box, however. Each box advertises two autographs, as well.
Production for Wave 3 is up slightly from Wave 2, to 12,425 packs. Old Mill backs return to replace American Beauty, while Polar Bear backs makes their first appearance this year, in place of Sovereign. This series has some rookie appearances from Casey Mize and Cristian Pache, along with veteran presence from Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber.
The box contains a single pack of ten cards, which includes eight base cards and two parallels or possible autograph.
Stadium Club is always a collector favorite, and this year is no different. You just can’t beat the quality and selection of photos in this product. It features a combination of current stars, rookies, as well as star from yesteryear. The full bleed photos stand out from other releases, along with the gloss finish.
A box comes with 16 packs of 8 cards each. It advertises 2 autograph cards per box. There will also be a number of parallels and inserts, as well.
This is an interesting release, as it was delayed greatly from the original target date over the summer to December 30, just barely making it out during 2020. It took a bumpy route toward the end, too. A few weeks before release, Topps canceled the previous configuration, and opened up a new round of orders, for the final configuration.
When the release was first announced, it was going to be boxes of 24 packs with 7 cards per pack, as it has been in years past. This year, that was changed only a few weeks before release. While hobby boxes remained at the same price point with two autographs per box, they now included only 2 packs with 25 cards per pack. While it is nice not having as many packs to open, it feels like a lot of content is missing with so few cards in a box.
This release has long been delayed because of the pandemic. It was originally scheduled for July, I think, but many things from that period ended up being moved to later in the year. The end result of this delay is that a few of the people released back in April still find themselves in this release. It’s not that big a deal, but they do stand out a bit because of that.
This marks the return of this release after a five year hiatus. It hits a little bit different this year, as there wasn’t a planned “flagship” wrestling release to begin with. It doesn’t follow the previous format of using the baseball design for the cards this time. The design feels a little bit like Stadium Club to me, without the full bleed images.
