COLLECTIBLES COLUMN 5 COUNT: CM Punk

After more than five years away from wrestling, CM Punk is finally making his return. Well, kind of. Punk is scheduled to be the featured guest at Starrcast III in Chicago.

Fans have been clamoring for Punk’s return ever since he left WWE after the 2014 Royal Rumble. He’s remained a favorite among ardent wrestling fans despite his self-imposed exile from the wrestling business. Punk’s action figures from Mattel are among the most valuable ever produced, especially one included in this article.

Here’s a list of five of Punk’s most popular collectibles.

1. 2004 Pacific TNA Trading Card #34. Punk’s first trading card wasn’t from WWE or even ROH. It was from a 2004 TNA product that was released when TNA was still putting on weekly pay-per-views and just before Pacific went belly up. This card wasn’t much of anything until 2011, when wrestling fans were trying to get their hands on all things Punk. It was suddenly labeled as Punk’s rookie card, and started selling in the $40-$50 range. The card has cooled down a little bit since then, but can be tough to find and usually sells for around $25. Full sets seem to be easier to find than single cards, and usually don’t cost more than $30.
2. Mattel WWE Ringside Collectibles Exclusive Straight Edge Society Action Figure. If you look at a list of the most valuable WWE action figures from Mattel, several of Punk’s figures are always near the top. This particular figure is the most sought after of the bunch. It was released in 2011 during the white hot “summer of Punk” and features Punk in his Straight Edge Society gear, including a removable mask. This figure regularly sells as high $275.
3. Best in the World T-shirt. In 2011 and 2012, Punk had the hottest wrestling T-shirt this side of Austin 3:16. It was a fairly simple white T-shirt with black trim and Punk’s logo of a hand grasping a lightning bolt on the front, with “Best in the World” on the back. Original T-shirts are currently selling in the $20-$30 range, while those sold only at the 2011 Money in the Bank show in Chicago still sell for more than $200. The Chicago shirts have “Chicago 7x17x11” on the back under the “Best in the World” text. Keep in mind that T-shirts are easily reproduced, so make sure you are buying an authentic shirt if you’re looking for one. Authentic shirts should have the “Authentic WWE Wear” tag stitched on the lower left of the shirt.
4. Funko Pop Vinyl Hot Topic Exclusive. If you were strolling through your local Hot Topic in 2013, you might have come across this exclusive figure with the big head and tiny body. If you didn’t pick one up then for $10, you’re probably kicking yourself now. This figure is one of the most prized WWE Pop Vinyl figures from Funko, regularly selling for $250-$300. The Hot Topic version has Punk in pink trunks with a yellow “Hot Topic Exclusive” sticker on the front of the box.
5. 2015 Upper Deck Contours Hockey High Profile Fans Autographed Relic Trading Card. Punk’s signed trading cards aren’t quite as expensive as one might think, thanks in part to an abundance of UFC autographs from Topps. But if you’re looking for a cool trading card, this is the one to pick up. The card pictures Punk in a white Chicago Blackhawks jersey, and features his autograph and a jumbo piece of a Punk-worn jersey. The basic version is numbered to 199 and sells for about $30. The premium card is much cooler: it is serial numbered to 25, and features a prime piece of jersey that includes a swatch of the Blackhawks logo or a number. Those cards are tougher to find, but if you’re patient, you can probably find one for under $100.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PRIOR COLUMN: COLLECTIBLES COLUMN 5 COUNT: Figures and Cards of Harley Race

PWTorch Collectibles Specialist Michael Moore can be reached at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MMoorewriter.