After 3 years...WWE Redemption!

I pulled a redemption card for Gran Metalik auto from 2021 Topps WWE Chrome back in October of 2021 and swiftly went to the website to redeem my auto. I knew I'd have to wait, but 3 years?! Of course during this time, Topps lost the WWE license to Panini. I honestly thought that I'd never receive anything, then I heard the news that the license would be reverting back to Topps in 2025. Well right before Thanksgiving, I got a "mystery" package from Topps and low and behold, they finally fulfilled my redemption. While it's not the greatest card, kudos to Topps for not just screwing me. There, a positive comment on the interwebs about Topps!

Box Break: 2021 Topps WWE Chrome

While cleaning up various folders on my laptop I ran across a few images I snapped upon opening my 2nd box of 2021 Topps WWE Chrome in the fall of 2021. I was happy with the contents of my first box, but I thought the contents of this box outperformed the previous box...take a look!

In addition to a nice selection of base cards, I pulled some good Refractors, low numbered parallels and a few inserts. My autos weren't that bad either.

I'm still not too sure how I feel about these image variation cards, but they are shiny so that is a plus!I forgot to scan the card individually, but I also pulled a numbered Orange parallel of the Seth Rollins image variation.

The Tommaso Ciampa red Refractor was numbered to just /5 while the Cesaro gold Refractor was numbered to /

Die-cut Chrome Refractor cards are so nice looking...I'm glad Topps did another set like this after 2020's Stone Cold die-cut themed set. Eventually I'll track down the missing cards to complete this insert set.

I like the idea behind the 5 Timers Club inserts and the design isn't bad either. These come in several different parallel colors that are numbered. I myself am chasing the R-Truth rainbow from this set and recently picked up the black parallel numbered 01/10!

I really like these Cruiserweight Greats inserts, but these seem to fall one per box. Sad that only one of the 3 wrestlers depicted on this card is still with the company as of this post.

At the time I was really happy with the Scarlett auto as I thought the WWE had big plans for her. Well that didn't quite work out, but it's still a nice auto. The other auto was the dreaded redemption...for a wrestler not even on the roster...Gran Metalik. With Topps losing the WWE license I redeemed this card as quick as a I could. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes and if I'll even get the card.

The 2021 Topps WWE products have been hit and miss, what with all the delays suffered and the news that Panini would be taking the card right reigns in early 2022. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see what Panini does with the brand. Nonetheless, Chrome was a strong release and one of the better 2021 WWE products in my opinion.

Box Break: 2021 Topps WWE Chrome (Hobby)

First off let me apologize for the lack luster photo quality...I ripped this box while working from home on the couch while I had WWE Crown Jewel playing in the background.

The much anticipated WWE Topps Chrome set is finally out and boy does it not disappoint. Back for it's second year, the hobby box configuration is 24 packs with 4 cards per pack. Refractors once again all 1:1 packs with on card autograph cards falling two per box.

The design is pretty simple overall. I'm glad Topps went with a "less is more" type approach...not that 2020's design was bad. Where I believe this set shines is the photo selection of the wrestlers. There were some really bad photos last year (see Peyton Royce for instance), however this year it's much better. 

The above images are a sample of the one per pack Refractors pulled from the box. While it's odd seeing cards of talent that are no longer with the promotion, I do like the overall checklist. Once again, wrestlers from the different brands, Raw, Smackdown and NXT are represented.

If you like to chase the rainbow the you'll be happy to hear that a smattering of colored Refractor parallels exist, such as this Aqua Refractor numbered to 150.

Image Variations make their return again and feature the Refractor finish. I actually pulled 4 of these variations, though the one of Erik (Viking Raiders) eluded my attention when I was ripping and sorting.

Cruiserweight Greats I read was a retail exclusive insert set, yet here I pulled an Angel Garza. I like the theme, but I hate that the set is 10 cards. When will card companies wise up and start making sets in odd numbers like 9 or 18 so they fit better into 9 pocket pages?!

5 Timers Club has a good theme in which it features wrestlers that have held a title 5 times or more. The back of the card features a small write up of the title/belt that was held on multiple occasions.

The In Your House die-cut inserts are probably my favorite. Parallels exist as well, though I wish the /99 Green version I pulled was the regular base version as I'm chasing the set and one colored card will trigger my OCD!

The main draw for most I imagine is the fact that two on card autos are guaranteed in each box. I happened to get two autos from the base set, but there are also autos of the 5 Timers Club. Like with most of the inserts, colored parallels exist. This Green parallel of Drew McIntyre is numbered 72/99. The base autos are numbered out of /199, with this Mustafa Ali being 163/199.

Topps has done a great job with this product. I hate that it was delayed as many times as it was, but delays are just something that we've all come to expect with the current landscape of the world what it is. Boxes are still hovering around $100/box which considering what Chrome baseball is going for, this is a steal! Like with last year, I hope to build both the base and Refractor sets. I uploaded my wants and needs to TCDB.com earlier today hoping to eventually find some trading partners.