Topps’ WWE 2012, slated for release September 5, features five Best in Class-themed insert sets, three Relic sub-issues, 28 autograph cards and multiple parallel issues.
Additional inserts for the product’s Hobby version include sketch cards by WWE personality Jerry “The King” Lawler, five dual autograph cards and printing plates used to manufacture the base set and Best in Class inserts. Topps guarantees two hits per Hobby box that includes one Shirt Relic along with a WrestleMania 28 Mat Relic or one autograph card.
The foil-stamped 90-card base set’s back narratives are written by WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, pro wrestling’s most prolific author.
The Best In Class chase sets consist of Classic Hall of Famers (35 cards, inserted 1 in 4 packs); Divas Class of 2012 (15, 1 in 4); World Class Events (10, 1 in 6); First Class Champions (20, 1 in 6); and Top Class Matches–C.M. Punk’s Picks (10, 1 in 6).
Within the Relics category, 30 cards comprise the Shirt issue and 25 cards make up WrestleMania 28 Mat Relics. A third collection, Divas Kiss Cards, include lipstick-impressed relics from 10 of WWE’s female superstars.
Three levels of parallel cards augment the Retail and Hobby WWE 2012 releases. The border colors and insert ratio seeding of the parallel configuration are Blue (1 in 6 packs); Gold (1 in 24); and Black (limited to 50 per card example). Platinum parallel cards, printed as unique 1 of 1 specimens, appear as a Hobby version exclusive. Parallel cards will mirror the base set. Shirt Relics and WrestleMania Mat Relics carry Black- and Platinum-bordered parallels.
Glad to see this series settling in as a yearly addition to the Topps releases. Topps should kip all the other WWE releases (Champions, Classic, etc.) and put their efforts into one great release per year… looking forward to this!!