Category Archives: 2016

2016 Topps WWE Then Now Forever Hobby Box Break

This is a new release for Topps WWE. While it is labeled Topps WWE Then Now Forever, it is essentially a second series of the flagship release. It continues after the base set numbering with 101-200, as well as a few of the insert sets that began in other WWE releases during the year. The exception to that is the NXT Prospects set, numbering beginning at 1 again, and the various autographs and relics which are not numbered to begin with. The set features many of the same stars as the original release, but it has a mix of new superstars recently called up and others who were not in the company in time for the original release.

This box advertises 24 packs with 7 cards in each pack, including two hits. With the various parallels and inserts, you might get very close to a set, but not necessarily the whole way there.

This box contained:

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2016 Topps Update Jumbo Hobby Box Break

This release marks the end of the regular season, and features players changing teams, All Stars, and a number of rookies making their debut. It follows the normal pattern, so there aren’t really a lot of surprises. You see some manufactured relics, some All Star relics, and various autographs. There are also the usual number of parallels. The biggest surprise to me is the size of the set. After years of a 330 card set, Topps started changing it the last few years. This year, the set has shrunk to a total of 300 base cards.

The jumbo box contains 10 packs of 50 cards each, while advertising 1 Autograph and 2 Relic cards per box.

This box contained:

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2016 Topps Star Wars Rogue One: Mission Briefing Hobby Box Break

When Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise, there was a lot of uncertainty over what that would mean. Yes, they had done amazing things with the Marvel properties, but Star Wars always felt different. After 2015’s The Force Awakens, a lot of the fears seem put to rest. Now, a new stand alone movie is on the horizon, Rogue One, and the marketing machine is being cranked up again.

This release us a lot like the Journey to The Force Awakens from 2015. It acts as a bit of a teaser for the movie, a few months ahead of time. It contains a base set with a heritage feel and the design of the 1983 Return of the Jedi Series 1 cards, while combining many of the A New Hope era properties, including the Rebels cartoon. You also get many insert sets matching the previous release, although they are not a continuation of those sets. It’s a nice set, but it’s not really focused on Rogue One, like future releases will be.

The Hobby Box advertises 24 packs of 8 cards, including 2 hits per box. You also see quite a few parallels, including a blue which makes the base set look like Return of the Jedi Series 2. You see a lot of familiar faces, with just a few new ones mixed in.

This box contains:

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2016 Topps Heritage High Number Hobby Box

Once again, this release comes along as essentially an update set for the Heritage cards released earlier in the year. They’re packed out in packs, rather than limited edition boxed sets. They are able to feature some roster updates, although many of those are for off season signings, since the base Heritage release is so early in the year. It does contain the first Heritage cards for many of the rookies debuting during the season.

There really aren’t any big surprises, although it does make for a nice finish for the Heritage line. The base set is numbered 501-700, with 701-725 SPs. You get an assortment of possible color changes, action photos, errors, and throwback jerseys. The hobby box contains 24 packs of 9 cards, and advertises one autograph or relic per box.

This box contained:

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2016 Topps Heritage WWE Hobby Box Break

I could start to like these WWE Heritage releases. For 2015, The Heritage release was using the 1985 style baseball release. This trend continues on to 2016, as this Topps trading card set uses the style from the 1986 baseball release. It differs from the yearly baseball Heritage set as it is targeting 30 years ago, rather than 50. That’s interesting when the flagship sets for WWE and Baseball use the same current style for the main yearly release.

This set draws heavily from the 1986 Topps baseball set, for the base card design, as well as insert sets featuring NWO and WCW All Star Cards, Record Breaks, Turn Back the Clock card, and an All Star inspired patch card. The set itself features stars from the WWF years, WCW, NWO, WWE, and up through NXT. The base set contains 110 cards, but the various inserts are very collectable as well. The hobby box advertises 24 packs of 9 cards, including 2 hits per box.

This box contained:

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