By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist




If you’re looking for the first trading card of Seth Rollins, you won’t find it in a WWE product from Topps.

Rollins, then known as Tyler Black, was the 10th card released in the first series of Missouri Wrestling Revival (MWR) trading cards in 2010. At the time he was the reigning Ring of Honor World Champion, and had made appearances for independent wrestling promotions in Missouri.

Rollins and 99 other wrestling stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow made up the first series of MWR trading cards, which were released in phases from 2010 to 2013. To date, 97 cards have been released. The final three will be offered for sale during the first part of 2013.

Brian Kelley, who designed and produced each trading card, revealed exclusively to PWTorch.com that the subject of card number 100 will be Missouri wrestling legend Harley Race.

“I am thrilled to announce that we will be ending the MWR trading card set with the biggest star ever in the Midwest,” Kelley said. “So it was with great excitement when Mr. Race agreed to be a part of the MWR trading card set. It is a great honor to have one of my heroes and a main reason why I am a wrestling fan to end the first ever MWR trading card set.”

Race’s inclusion in the set coincides with his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on January 27. Race joins promoter Sam Muchnick and the legendary Lou Thesz as the only wrestlers inducted into this hall of fame.




Legends, stars, and more

The Missouri Wrestling Revival trading cards were first featured in PWTorch.com’s collectibles column in 2011. At that time, 49 cards had been released. Some of the cards utilize a full color photograph, while others feature the artwork of wrestling artists Rob Schamberger, Raven Johnson, and ICON ART.

The first series includes cards of legends like Larry Zbysko, Tony Atlas, Bob Giegel, Bruiser Brody, and Kevin Sullivan, among others. All of the wrestlers who are featured on cards in this set agreed to have their images and likenesses used by Missouri Wrestling Revival.

The card of Bruiser Brody, for example, features Schamberger’s artwork and text written by Larry Matysik, who wrote Brody’s biography.

“I would never have done the trading card of Brody … without his wife Barbara Goodish’s approval,” Kelley said. “I would not have felt right making money off of his name without her saying yes. Luckily, Matysik was able to put us in contact with each other, and the rest is history.”




Schamberger’s artwork is also featured on the card of Frank Gotch. Mike Chapman, who wrote two books on Gotch’s life and career, wrote the text for his card.

The first series also includes early cards of wrestlers who generated considerable buzz over the last couple years, including Rollins, Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, the Briscoe Brothers, El Generico, Michael Elgin, and Kenny King, who is pictured with All Night Express tag team partner Rhett Titus.

“We were thrilled when Black (Rollins) agreed to be a part of the set and through his support, the MWR site has had a boost,” Kelley said. “Though we know that Rollins at the time was a star destined to make it big enough that he didn’t need a MWR card, I hope that he would agree that the card with his name on it has given a positive rub back to the independent wrestling community.”

Also included are top stars and newcomers of the women’s independent wrestling scene, such as MsChif, Saraya Knight, Christina Von Eerie (TNA’s Toxxin), and Scarlett Bordeaux, among others.




A complete checklist of cards 1-97 can be found online at www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com. Cards can be purchased directly from the wrestlers at live events or through their social media accounts, or directly from Brian Kelley for $1.50 each, which includes shipping and handling; contact Kelley at flairmwr@yahoo.com for more information.

PWTorch.com Collectibles Specialist Michael Moore can be reached at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

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