As we look at the last month since release, the first Panini WWE set is insanely top heavy. Much like most of the other versions of the product in the NBA and NFL, the major hits in WWE are getting values on the secondary market usually reserved for the four major sports. Multiple giant sales have broken modern records, and that should not be surprising.

When it comes to the Rock, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Roman Reigns, there are a number of superstars that have the potential to occupy the top tier of values for this product. The main question I have is around the top of the mountain. As people continue to rip, and more of the bigger product hits are found, will there eventually be a six figure card that comes from this set?

Before you laugh at my thinking here, lets walk through some of the points as to why its possible. First, the Rock’s Gold Prizm /10 cards (so far) have all sold over $20k. Shawn Michaels Prizm Black 1/1 has had a reported sale from the seller at $28k. Bret Hart’s Prizm 1/1 Black was reportedly sold at $20k. All of these cards were sold raw. Given these examples, there are a few cards already that should sell for more than these, especially if they are 1/1 copies of the top tier subjects.

Right now, in my opinion, the Rock’s 1/1 Prizm Black is the top modern wrestling card there is. I think it will go for more than the 2014 Topps Chrome Superfractor and the 2015 Topps Chrome Superfractor, but those two cards are close in value to make this an even more interesting comparison. We also know that the Rock’s Prizm card is likely still out there, I think its unlikely that the others arent in someone’s personal collection or lost to the ages.

Given the other sales, its definitely possible to me that with the right circumstances and the right buyer, the 1/1 Prizm Black is a six figure card. Here is how I get there. First, it has to be a PSA 10, which is a pretty big stretch considering quality issues with the product. There are a lot of blemishes, scratches and dents we have seen on Prizm cards, and this one could have all those too. Given that a Lewis Hamilton superfractor recently sold at 900k at PSA 7, a top grade isnt required, but its important.

Secondly, I think the buyer and seller need to go through very visible channels – likely outside of eBay. The Rock has already had record sales through major auction houses, and I think that if this card is graded and sent to a place like Goldin Auctions, PWCC or Heritage Auctions, there are more premium buyers that can see it and bid on it. There are also situations in the past where a buyer wants to set up the market with a sale that sets a precedent. We saw cards from both MLB and NBA set records because a buyer saw potential in the market. Right now, the WWE market is still one of the most inexpensive to change. I mentioned on a few podcasts that it wouldnt take much to tip a few dominoes. This card could do it all at once, and the right buyer might recognize that fact.

In terms of other factors, there are quite a few that could contribute to this card’s value skyrocketing in value. One is the Rock coming back to WWE to face Roman Reigns, which has been a rumored main event for Wrestlemania 39. Since 2019, the Rock has not been to a WWE event, after appearing at the first Smackdown on Fox. Because he is one of the most in demand movie stars in the world, his ability to work the required build to a match like that is pretty hard to manage. If he comes back and the match is on, both stars could see gigantic attention and even more increase in value across the board.

Another factor is time. This might be the most important part of all of this post, because time will do two things. It will get people wondering where the card is, and it will give the market time to mature a bit. Right now, we are seeing hobby box prices fall, and bulk singles trying to climb above a low floor. With the typical Prizm bounce back already starting, its possible that time could give more opportunity for a larger price as people see more public sales increasing.

Lastly, is the other big cards having big public sales. Hulk Hogan and Roman Reigns both have 1/1 Black Base cards I expect to sell for record prices. We have already seen the Stone Cold Steve Austin Black 1/1 Surface. If those cards are pulled and sold in a public setting with gigantic numbers, it will help prop up the sale of the Rock’s big card. If his card is pulled and sold ahead of other product hits, it might take a resale or two for it to get to six figures.

When reviewing the outline here, there are a lot of things that need to go right for the Rock and wrestling cards to achieve the heights that I am hoping it reaches. It might take more than time to get this card to its highest potential value. With the hobby on a downturn leading into the NFL season, still hampered by product delays, grading backlogs and scandals across the nation, non-WWE related things might prevent long term growth in Prizm’s biggest hits. I want to see it get there, especially with the buzz that was generated when his Bumblebee Tuna Miami Hurricanes card sold in the high five figures back 2020 and 2021. The Rock is the biggest star to come out of WWE, and one of the most recognizable names in the world. I hope this is the starting line for a marathon of fun with wrestling cards, and we all know marathons take a long time to finish. This finish could be a big one.