As Panini waves goodbye to its WWE card licensing agreement, the release of the 2024 National Treasures WWE set has created a stir among collectors. This collection, known for its high prestige in the sports card world, has fallen short of expectations, sparking disappointment among wrestling card enthusiasts.
The National Treasures brand is synonymous with luxury in basketball and football, boasting on-card autographs and chunky game-used memorabilia. However, the WWE edition seems to have missed the mark, with early breaks of the First Off the Line (FOTL) boxes revealing sticker autographs and relics lacking clear ties to any specific matches or events. This departure from the usual authenticity associated with National Treasures has left collectors questioning the product’s value.
During transitions in licensing agreements, it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to prioritize clearing existing inventory over maintaining premium features. Wrestling card expert Adam Gellman noted on the WaxPackHero Sports Card Minute podcast that this pattern has been observed in similar situations before, setting the stage for the lukewarm reception of the 2024 National Treasures WWE set.
Feedback from collectors has been split into two camps: those with high expectations who are left unsatisfied by the product’s compromises, and those with tempered expectations who appreciate its aesthetics as a fitting farewell to Panini’s WWE card era. The delayed full hobby release further complicates the situation, as speculation mounts over whether standard boxes will offer improvements or follow the trend set by the FOTL breaks.
As Panini bids farewell to the WWE trading card scene, the 2024 National Treasures WWE release may not provide the grand finale collectors had hoped for. Instead, it serves as a reflection of a brand navigating the end of a licensing agreement, with collectors divided on its quality as a send-off product. The market’s response to the upcoming hobby release will determine whether these final WWE cards from Panini can redeem themselves or if they will be remembered as a footnote in the brand’s illustrious history. For now, collectors are left with a visually appealing product that falls short of the usual National Treasures standard.
