2016 Topps WWE focuses on wrestling’s past, present and future
By Ryan Cracknell | Hobby Editor
Most sports and trading card lines have their version of a flagship release. These usually have a comprehensive checklist, plenty of extras and are more affordable than a lot of other releases. 2016 Topps WWE fits that definition.
Focusing on the current roster of WWE and NXT stars as well as several WWE Legends, there’s lots happening in the product. Some of it will seem familiar while others parts are either new or heavily revamped.
Sticking with a configuration that’s been used in the past, 2016 Topps WWE hobby boxes come with two autographs, memorabilia cards or manufactured relics.
See also: 2016 Topps WWE Checklist
Base Set
The 2016 Topps WWE base set checklist has 100 cards. Besides Superstars and Divas, there are many names that have been seen in the ring — or in a WWE set — for some time. Several new Legends have been added to the mix compared to the last few years including Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Andre the Giant, Miss Elizabeth, Tatsumi Fujinami, Stevie Ray, Sensational Sherri and “Superstar” Billy Graham.
The design is similar to the one used for 2016 Topps Baseball. Largely full-bleed, it emphasizes photography.
Parallels aren’t just colors anymore. They take on a championship theme. These include Tag Team Championship Bronze (1:2 packs), hobby-only Divas Championship Silver (1:24), Intercontinental Championship Silver (/10) and WWE World Heavyweight Championship Red (1/1).
Base cards along with inserts, autographs and relics have Printing Plates as well.
Inserts
WWE Perspectives is a new insert that look at Superstars from both a face (hero) and heel (villain) point of view. Each hobby pack has one WWE Perspectives cards.
2016 Topps WWE marks the second of four planned releases to include The Rock Tribute cards. The first cards kicked off in 2016 Topps WWE Road to Wrestlemania.
Also landing one per pack are NXT Prospect cards. Asuka, Apollo Crews, Dana Brooe, Nia Jax and Mojo Rawley are among those appearing on some of their first WWE cards.
Autographs and Memorabilia Cards
If you’re busting a 2016 Topps WWE hobby box, you’re going to find two hits or hit-style inserts.
Autographs adopt a design that’s almost identical to the base set. Signers are a mix of those currently appearing on Raw, Smackdown and NXT as well as past stars. Standard for the flagship release, autographs use stickers.
In addition to base versions, there are a couple of parallels including hobby-exclusive Divas Silver.
A limited number of Triple Autographs are also randomly inserted.
Relics come in a few different but similar styles. Shirt Relics use pieces of gear worn by wrestlers. There are also mat relics from 2015 SummerSlam and NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.
Like autographs, relics have several parallels of varying rarity.
Divas Kiss cards come with a lip imprint. Autographed versions can also be found.
Perspectives Medallions come with manufactured coin-like pieces. The medallions have either an Authority or Anti-Authority logo engraved in them to expand off the WWE Perspectives insert set.
Get a fully sortable 2016 Topps WWE checklist and price guide access.
2016 Topps WWE at a glance:
Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Boxes per case: 8
Set size: 100 cards
Release date: May 4, 2016
What to expect in a hobby box:
- Autographs, Relics or Manufactured Relics – 2 Total
- The Rock Tribute Inserts – 4
- NXT Inserts – 24
- WWE Perspectives Inserts – 24
- Divas Silver Parallels – 1
- Tag Team Bronze Parallels – 12
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