Grappling the rookie card issue in wrestling
We don’t denote Rookie Cards in wrestling — but there are early cards of several stars that seem to generate more demand just like RCs do.
Is it time to examine this niche portion of the hobby a bit closer? After all, there are literally millions of people who watch wrestling several TV shows on a weekly basis and there are two companies are making wrestling cards these days — and that’s more than can be said for a few of the “major” sports.
While ultimately the purchasers of cards are the ones that dictate what’s popular and the cards’ values, cataloging and organizing the information for them isn’t so easy — and in wrestling the RC issue is tough.
For example, Hulk Hogan has a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars card — it’s accepted that this was the first standard card set produced in the 1980s, but it wasn’t widely distributed so wouldn’t have a RC designation using the standard Beckett practices. (The sets were sold via mail-order through magazine ads if I remember correctly.)
His 1985 Topps WWF card (above) is his first release for World Wrestling Entertainment — where he became a household name. It’s also the first wrestling card of his that would qualify as an RC given its widespread distrubution.
While it’s a key card, in my mind the 1982 card is his RC. The 1982 card is more valuable — largely because it’s tougher to find.
And then there’s the whole notion of gimmicks/characters. Hogan doesn’t have this problem with his cards — but what about guys who change their characters and become immensely popular during one stretch but not others? Or what about a guy like Mick Foley (top), who has been popular with several gimmicks through his career?
Steve Austin for example …
Would you want his first WCW card (1995 WCW Main Event), where he’s listed as “Stunning” Steve Austin or would you want the first “Stone Cold” version (1998 WWF Superstarz from Comic Images)?
There’s no doubt which one of the two more typical collectors would be interested in. Meanwhile, advanced wrestling collectors might put more stock in the earlier card. I just don’t know.
So, what would be your definition of a RC for wrestling?
Chris Olds has collected sports cards and memorabilia since 1987. Before coming to Beckett Media, he wrote about the hobby for the Orlando Sentinel on his blog, SportsStuff, and for the San Antonio Express-News and The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News. Do you have a comment, question or idea? Send e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com.
I think you take the company, say WWE, and see the sets they’ve made from 1985 on. When jake the snake pops up in 86 or 87, thats his rookie card. Hogan started in the late 70s, so that one from 82 would not be a rc, but his first card. his 85 wwf card is a rookie because it was his first year. its easier for newer stars like the hardys or john cena, because they were never in another league before showing up on tv. their rookie cards are actually that.
I like your logic, but the comment about not RC, but first card, doesn’t apply that easily. Many athletes in the past did not have cards in their first seasons — sometimes it took 2-3 years before they had cards in, say, football but those are still considered RCs because they are the first issued.