Topps WWE Collecting Guide
Why I’m starting my 2025 Topps WWE Chrome Collection
The ’80s Golden Age turned wrestling into a worldwide sensation. We had never seen anything like Hulkamania or Ric Flair before. And now we’re entering a new Golden Age of wrestling, thanks, in part, to a partnership with Netflix. The streaming juggernaut and WWE have officially tag-teamed up for Monday Night Raw. I believe the powerhouse partnership will bring incredible opportunities for new WWE collectors. Myself being one of them. (By the way, 2025 Topps WWE Chrome just dropped, so it feels like it’s time to channel my inner heel.)
I reached out to WWE super-collector Adam Gellman (aka @WWEGellman) for help. Consider him the GOAT of wrestling cards. Seriously, the dude claims he was born in a Minneapolis hospital, but legend has it he kicked out at two in the middle of the ring at birth. Big shout out and thank you to him for the education. He officially convinced me to jump into the ring of WWE cards. They are about to explode, and here’s why.
The Netflix Effect
Topps has the WWE licensing rights again, and the timing couldn’t be better for both Topps and collectors. The biggest one is the WWE and Netflix partnership. On its premiere night alone, Monday Night Raw garnered five million global views. A platform like Netflix can bring unparalleled exposure power to a person or brand. In the first week alone, I gained 30,000 followers from being on a Netflix series.
“If we think about wrestling cards and their growth, we haven’t even finished the bottom of the second inning,” Gellman said. He predicts Monday Night Raw has the potential to get more eyeballs on wrestling than Netflix’s Drive to Survive got for Formula 1.
It’s important to note that even before the Netflix deal, the WWE positioned itself as the leader in digital engagement within the sports industry across all social media platforms. Imagine how high it will climb now.
How to Collect: You Smell What Topps is Cooking?
In January, Topps announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would have autos for the first time in 27 years. The Rock isn’t just famous. He’s an icon. I would bet most people don’t even think about wrestling when they see him. The idea that I can crack open a box of 2025 Topps WWE Chrome that’s sitting on my desk right now and pull a card of his that The Hobby has seen in almost three decades is wild!
How to Collect: The Women’s Movement
Let’s face it. Women kick butt in all aspects of life, but how nice is it to see them physically doing it in the ring? They aren’t just “Divas” anymore, but headliners breaking down barriers. A lot of people prefer watching women’s events to men’s events, and some collectors prefer to collect only female wrestlers. For example, Gellman has a slight Becky Lynch obsession and only collects her cards. It’s the greatest Becky Lynch collection in the world.
Gellman’s Collecting Tips and Tricks for Topps WWE
Gellman’s biggest piece of advice is to get involved in the community, especially on platforms like Fanatics Live, where most WWE wax will be ripped in mass. The Hobby can sometimes feel ” cliquey, ” but the wrestling community welcomes newcomers.
“The wrestling community is small, so get on the social platforms, get to know breakers, and build relationships,” Gellman said. “It’s a huge aspect of wrestling cards that allows you to access a lot of the more desirable cards.”
Because most wrestling collectors aren’t in it for the money, they like to hold onto their cards longer than collectors of other sports. This makes buying singles or making trades difficult, which I think is the perfect excuse to start buying into wrestling breaks.
“You can start at the lowest level and still have a ton of fun because everybody is in these products,” Gellman said. “There’s a focus on spreading the wealth more in WWE than other leagues.”
Well, you heard the man. Go get ‘em, folks! Happy chasing and Feel the Pop!
