By Michael Moore, PWTorch collectibles specialist

In A Sentence: Before jumping right into the wrestling card hobby, take some time to become familiar with it.

During the last few weeks, several Torch readers have written in with questions about how to start collecting wrestling cards.

“How do I know if an autograph is real?”
“How much is this wrestler’s autograph is worth?”
“What is a relic card?”

These are some of the most common questions that readers have asked. If you’re a wrestling fan who wants to start collecting cards but doesn’t know where to begin, the hobby can be somewhat intimidating – not to mention unnecessarily expensive.

Here are a few helpful tips to get you started.

Know the basics

Since 2005, Topps has been producing WWE cards. TRISTAR entered the game in 2008 with its first TNA release and has been producing them ever since. Both companies sell their cards in packs, typically with 3-8 cards per pack depending on the product, usually with 20-24 packs per box.

Most releases include base cards, inserts, parallel cards, memorabilia cards, and autographs.

Base cards are the normal cards in the set, and are typically numbered 1-100, or however many are in that particular set. These are the most common and least valuable of all wrestling cards, but there are certainly collectors of these cards as well. For the most part, wrestling fans don’t consider wrestlers to have rookie cards like the major sports collectors do.

Insert cards are not part of the regular set; they are numbered separately and usually have some sort of theme.

Parallel cards are those that are designed just like the base card, but have a distinctive feature, such as a special color foil or a rainbow finish. For example, Topps Platinum Refractors look just like the base cards, but are shiny and refract light, causing a rainbow appearance. TRISTAR produces parallel cards with different color foil; in some cases, golds are serial numbered to 50, reds to 10 and purples are serial numbered 1/1. There are also sometimes parallel cards of inserts, autographs and memorabilia cards.

Memorabilia cards, or relic cards, are usually thicker than base cards and contain a piece of an item worn or used by a specific wrestler. Topps almost exclusively uses pieces of t-shirts worn by WWE wrestlers. TRISTAR has been much more creative, including pieces of things like Sting’s baseball bat, Abyss’s mask, Velvet Sky’s shorts, and Ric Flair’s tie. Memorabilia cards that include a multicolor piece or a distinguishable design, such as the TNA logo, are worth more than plain colored memorabilia cards.

This card features a piece of a T-shirt worn by Sting, along with a piece of his trademark baseball bat.

Autograph cards contain a wrestler’s signature. Almost all of the TNA and WWE cards released since 2006 have a sticker attached that has been signed by the wrestler; very few trading cards produced after 2001 are hard signed, or signed right on the card. There are some notable exceptions; the 2005 Topps WWE Heritage autographs were all signed on the card and not on stickers.

Autographs are usually the most valuable of all trading cards. In most of its sets, TNA has also included inscriptions, which are autograph cards that also feature a nickname or catchphrase, in addition to the wrestler’s signature. For example, Samoa Joe has signed some cards “Samoan Submission Machine” and A.J. Styles has signed some “Phenomenal” or “Phenomenal 1.” Inscriptions usually sell for a higher price than plain autographs. Topps has yet to produce inscriptions of WWE wrestlers.

Wrestlers like A.J. Styles sometimes sign special cards with an inscription, such as this one signed "Phenomenal 1."

There are also autographed memorabilia cards, which include both a signature and a piece of an item worn or used by a wrestler.

The backs of all autograph cards feature a COA from the card company guaranteeing the authenticity of the signature. Some autograph cards also have logos on the front that say things like “Certified Topps Autograph.”

In most cases, Topps and TRISTAR produce hobby and retail versions of the same product. Hobby packs and boxes are sold at card stores and through hobby dealers; these are more expensive but contain better cards and more hits, or special cards like autographs and memorabilia cards.

For example, most TNA hobby boxes include one autograph, one serial numbered autograph, one serial numbered parallel card and one memorabilia card, and are sold for about $85 per box. The retail version of the same product usually sells for $2.99 per pack at places like Target and Walmart; there are usually 20-24 packs per retail box, with maybe one unnumbered autograph per box. Retail cards are generally worth less than hobby cards.

Be patient, and don’t overspend

If you’re looking to buy an autograph from a specific wrestler, do a little research. Your best bet is to look at completed listings on eBay and see what cards have sold for. You can also check trading card price guides, such as Beckett Sports Collector, but those prices tend to be on the high end, not to mention outdated and unreliable.

One reader was looking for an A.J. Styles autograph, and found a few sellers asking $30 for one. However, when looking at completed listings within the last 30 days, he found that many of the same cards had sold for around $10 or less.

Be patient. If you’re looking to buy an autograph of someone like Styles, wait until one pops up on auction, or at a reasonable fixed price. Some sellers list cards for outrageous fixed prices, preying on inexperienced collectors. Others list cards high but will accept best offers; in that case, make what you think is a fair offer.

If you’re looking to buy an inscription, autographed memorabilia card, or serial numbered autograph card, know that you’re going to have to spend more. If you just want a cheap autograph, your best bet is a plain autograph card that isn’t serial numbered.

Also be aware that if you’re looking for an autograph from a wrestler like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, or Triple H, you’re going to have to spend a lot of money. These wrestlers just don’t sign very often. If you find one you really like of one of these wrestlers, you may have to just pull the trigger and buy it for a high fixed price. Autographs from these wrestlers very rarely pop up on auction, and when the do, a bidding frenzy can sometimes ensue, which could lead to an even higher selling price.

Topps' refractors and Xfractors, like this one of The Undertaker from 2010 Topps WWE Platinum, are some of the most popular parallel cards.

Buy authentic autographs

If you’ve searched eBay for autographed cards before, you’ve seen plenty of signed cards being sold for just a few bucks. Keep in mind the old saying that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you have any question about the authenticity of the card, ask the seller. A quick scan of the back of the card should produce the only certificate of authenticity you’ll need.

Often sellers will list something as “guaranteed authentic” or “with proof.” In some cases, these sellers may have had a card signed by a wrestler, and may include a photo of a wrestler signing an item. While some of these sellers may be honest folks selling something they’ve had signed, there are plenty of con artists and scammers out there. Type in “Hulk Hogan autograph” and you’ll see several autographs that don’t look anything alike and are obviously fake.

Your best bet is always to buy something that has been certified authentic, either by the card company or by a company like PSA. If you’re going to spend the money, you might as well make sure you’re getting the real thing.

Buying an autograph of a deceased wrestler is much trickier. Some wrestlers, like Bam Bam Bigelow, Miss Elizabeth, and Umaga, have certified autographs available that were made before their deaths. But buying an autograph of someone like Andre the Giant can be much more difficult. In the last couple weeks, two different sellers have offered what they claim to be “authentic” autographs from Andre; the problem is the two look nothing alike.

This autograph of Umaga was released in 2006.

Before buying an autograph of a deceased wrestler, look around. Search eBay for active and completed listings that much feature a picture of that wrestler’s autograph. Do a Google search and see what images pop up. Kerry Von Erich, for example, had a very distinct signature. There are a few items being sold right now that feature a signature from Von Erich. The autograph on all of the items is consistent, so there’s a good chance that each one is real. If you buy an item and want to ensure its authenticity, you can send it in to a company like PSA, which will guarantee its authenticity for a fee, or let you know that what you’ve bought is a fake.

Collecting sports cards can be a fun hobby, but it can also be quite disheartening to find out you’ve overpaid or bought an item that’s a fake. Take the time to research what you’re buying, and familiarize yourself with your new hobby before you get too involved.

If you have questions about wrestling cards or collectibles, contact Michael Moore at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

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