By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: Autographs from wrestling's biggest stars - and most attractive women - are generally the biggest sellers in the wrestling card hobby.

In most of the major sports, the trading card hobby is driven by rookies and prospects. Baseball collectors are always looking for the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. In football, a hot rookie class like the one from 2012 – which featured Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson, among others – excites diehard collectors and brings in casual fans.

But, wrestling card collectors are a little different. They like big stars and beautiful women.

In many ways, wrestling card trends and prices have more in common with non-sports cards than traditional sports cards. When Topps made cards from the first “Transformers” movie in 2007, collectors were much more interested in an autograph from Megan Fox than from Tyrese Gibson. And, the top selling non-sports cards are usually from the biggest stars: Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Harrison Ford, just to name a few.

This article tracks eBay sales of wrestling autographs from today’s top stars over the last 90 days. This list does not include retired acts or non-wrestlers (Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair) or part-timers who very rarely sign (Triple H, The Undertaker).

There are a variety of factors that influence the value of a wrestler’s signature: his or her spot on the card, how frequently he or she signs, how many different autograph cards have been made, serial numbering, inscriptions, and more.

The prices mentioned in this article reflect only single signature cards and do not include cards that feature autographs from multiple wrestlers. All completed eBay auctions from April 14 to June 13 (meaning the item had bids and met any reserves) are included in the pricing. Auctions that were not completed or best offer sales for which prices weren’t easily accessible are not included.




- A.J. Lee ($59.99). A.J. isn’t quite the draw she was last summer, but her autographs are still outselling just about every other full-time active wrestler in WWE and TNA. She has only signed two cards to date, which can be found in 2011 Topps WWE Classics and 2013 Topps WWE. The 2011 card is scarcer and more valuable, with one selling recently for $105.00.

- C.M. Punk ($42.50). Punk has been signing WWE cards for Topps since 2007, but it can still be difficult to find one for a reasonable price. There haven’t been many sales of Punk autographs over the last three months, but that’s probably not a reflection on his popularity.

Collectors and dealers are likely holding onto his cards, waiting for Punk to come back and get hot again. His 2012 Topps WWE Heritage Autograph is very difficult to find and a top seller because it was only included in retail packs and not hobby packs. One sold recently for $100.00.

- Ryback ($40.00). The former Skip Sheffield was shot to the top of the card in 2012 and even though his big match record leaves something to be desired, fans and collectors definitely perceive him as a main eventer. His first certified autograph was released earlier this year in 2013 Topps WWE and over the last three months, at least 38 copies of that card have sold at auction.

- John Cena ($38.00). Cena’s autograph doesn’t sell quite as high as it did a few years ago, but demand for his signature is pretty consistent. Part of the reason for the drop in price is an abundance of supply. Cena has been signing cards for Topps since 2005, and WWE has sold signed 8x10s and mini posters at live events and online for as low as $19.99.

Cena's 2005 Topps WWE Heritage autograph, released during his initial run as WWE champion, is still one of his most valuable autographs, usually selling for more than $100. It’s one of Cena’s few cards to feature an on-card signature instead of a signed sticker affixed to a card.

- Jeff Hardy ($37.50). Jeff Hardy’s cards got hot in 2008 and have held their value even as he plays second fiddle to Hulk Hogan on TNA television. Hardy signed a few WWE cards for Topps in 2007 and 2008, and has signed for several more TNA sets from TRISTAR over the last three years. His basic autographs usually sell in the $25-40 range, while low-numbered autographs or those featuring a signature and a cool piece of memorabilia can sell for $100-150.

- Mickie James ($35.00). A well-played heel turn has led to an increase in the Knockouts champion’s autographs after she was treated like an afterthought during much of her TNA run. Mickie’s Topps autographs were among the most valuable during her time as WWE’s top Diva, and her TNA cards from TRISTAR sell even higher. Low-numbered autograph cards can sometimes approach $100, while her older WWE autographs can usually be found for under $20.

- Randy Orton ($24.99). Orton may have signed for more Topps products than even John Cena ever since the trading card giant took over the WWE license in 2005. There were more completed auctions for Orton autos in the last 90 days (52) than any other wrestler. His 2013 Topps WWE Autograph is the easiest to find, usually for less than $25. Low numbered autograph/memorabilia parallels from 2010 Topps WWE Platinum are usually the highest selling Orton signatures.

- Daniel Bryan ($20.07). Bryan may be the hottest act in wrestling, but collectors haven’t taken to his cards the same way that football collectors fawn over a hot young quarterback. To date Bryan has only signed for two sets: 2011 Topps WWE Classics and 2013 Topps WWE. The 2011 card sells for slightly more ($30-40) than the 2013 card ($15-25).

- Dolph Ziggler ($19.99). Like Orton, Ziggler has signed cards for a variety of Topps products. In the last three months, as Ziggler captured the World Title and then went down with a concussion, there have been 43 completed auctions for Dolph’s sig. Some have sold as high as $34.99, while others have brought in less than $10.

- Sting ($80.50). While Sting’s age suggests he should be a part-timer like The Undertaker and Triple H, he has clearly been at the center of TNA storylines in 2013. Many long-time fans still have fond memories of the “Crow” Sting that battled the New World Order in 1997.

Sting's best card, from the 1998 Topps WCW/NWO set, features a big, bold, on-card autograph and a much younger-looking Sting, and usually sells for more than $200 when it pops up for sale. Sting has signed for every TRISTAR TNA set since 2008, so there are plenty more affordable autos out there.

- Brock Lesnar ($39.95). WWE’s big special attraction still hasn’t signed for a wrestling card set, but he has plenty of UFC autographs from Topps at virtually all price points. Over the last three months, Brock’s autographs have sold for as low as $16.28 and as high as $324.95. Because of his time as a top attraction in UFC, Lesnar appeals to a wider audience than any current pro wrestler, so there is more interest in his signature.

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

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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