By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: The WCW/NWO trading cards produced by Topps in 1998 and 1999 feature the deepest autograph checklist of any wrestling trading card product.

During its peak years, World Championship Wrestling had undoubtedly the deepest roster in wrestling history. Nowhere is that more evident than in the classic Topps/NWO trading card sets that were released in 1998 and 1999. These two sets combined offer more than 75 certified autographs, including some of the biggest names in the history of WCW, the WWF, the AWA, the NWA, and Mexico.

Autograph cards were inserted 1 in every 40 hobby packs. They were an instant hit when they came out and are still incredibly popular with collectors today. This set still boasts the only certified autographed trading cards of several top stars of the last 30 years, including Eddie Guerrero, Miss Elizabth, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Curt Hennig. Some of the top cards in the set sell for several hundred dollars.

Stars of the WWF

Before WCW became the uber cool company that presented big stars and exciting cruiserweights, many fans looked at the promotion as a lame imitation of the 1980s WWF. Eric Bischoff gobbled up many of the WWF’s top stars of the 1980s and 1990s, which can be seen in this set. In addition to big names like Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Elizabeth, Bischoff also signed mid-card talent like Curt Hennig, Brutus Beefcake, and Haku, along with lower tier wrestlers like Virgil, Adam Bomb, and Crush, all of whom are included in this set.

Autographs of Hart, Savage and Elizabeth usually sell for around $300 each. Hennig usually sells in the $200-250 range, and even Vincent (Virgil) usually fetches $50-75.




Homegrown Heroes

A big part of WCW’s roster during the Monday Night Wars was talent from Jim Crockett Promotions/NWA in the 1980s and WCW in the early 1990s. This set features autographs from NWA stars like Arn Anderson and Tony Schiavone, along with early-'90s WCW stars like Sting and Rick Steiner.

WCW wasn’t all about nostalgia, though. Many stars peaked during WCW’s best years from 1996 to 1998, including Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, and Bill Goldberg. Many of those stars have since signed for other sets, but their Topps WCW/NWO autographs still command considerably more.

For example, Sting has signed thousands of TNA cards since 2008, some of which can be found for as low as $25. But his Topps autograph has held much of its value, selling for around $200 on the rare occasion that it is offered for sale.

International Superstars

WCW also boasted some of the most exciting action from stars from Mexico and Japan, many of whom can be found in this set. Konnan, Ultimo Dragon, and others are among the top international stars who signed cards.

Many of the luchadores included in this set are still top stars in Mexico today. La Parka (L.A. Park), Silver King, Damian, and Psychosis are still major players in Mexico’s AAA promotion.




Future Stars

In 1998 and 1999, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit were highly-regarded mid-carders in WCW. Within just a couple years, they would all become much bigger stars in the WWF. Jericho’s autograph from this set is very tough to find, so it’s difficult to put a price on it.
Benoit’s autograph is also tough to find, but there are some available online. It typically sells in the $200-300 range. Benoit also signed a couple of Topps WWE products in the mid-2000s that are considerably more affordable.




Guerrero never signed another certified autographed trading card, although he did sign some plaques for WWE. His autograph is one of the most valuable in this set, usually selling in the same range as Benoit.

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

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