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Latest Topps set hits the squared circle
Chrome helps Heritage II shine
By
JON WALDMAN -- SLAM! Wrestling
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  The Iron Sheik's Turkey Red X-Fractor card is one of the highlights in Heritage II Chrome |
In 2006, WWE and Topps made a big impact in the trading card market. That trend
looks to continue into 2007, if Heritage Chrome II can be held as a sample of
what's to come.
Like the previous series, Heritage II Chrome takes the Heritage II line to
new levels with a thicker stock and intense graphical enhancements. The cards
have a thick ultraviolet coating that gives each piece a slick look, one that
you can't help but stare at.
Part of the excitement over the set can be attributed to the introduction of
a few first-time cards. Due to roster moves in the Fed, some of the wrestlers,
such as Kurt Angle, had to be pulled from the new set's checklist. In creating
the new set, Topps made some absolutely superb selections, especially when it
comes to focusing in on ECW's best. Among the wrestlers making their cardboard
debut are Sabu and CM Punk, which will definitely draw in new collectors from
the old ECW as well as indie chasers.
Perhaps the most intriguing additions are the McMahon family. Vince, Linda,
Stephanie and Shane are all included in the set, which, if you really think
about it, is a great decision by Topps, given the involvement each has had on
WWE TV.
The last addition to the base set is a move by Topps to take the Turkey Red
insert set from the first series and move it to the second series base set.
Not only does this give collectors the opportunity to see these very popular
cards in a new light, but also gives them increased odds at pulling one. Props
must also be given for changing up the photography.
Also included in packs and boxes of Heritage Chrome II are Refractor, X-Fractor
and Superfractor cards. These parallels, which come out around six per box,
give the chrome cards a rainbow finish and enhance the look of each card. The
pulls are at a decent enough rate that you won't have to spend too much to get
one.
Of course, the biggest chase for collectors will be the autographs and event-used
mat cards. Each has its own distribution line, with the autos coming out of
hobby packs and the mat cards in retail boxes. This time around, Topps not only
included the hottest Divas (including our second Mickie James auto), but also
a few of the ECW originals like the aforementioned Sabu. This was a great move
by the company, ensuring that no collector would go home unhappy.
The event-used mat cards, unfortunately, may be overlooked due to their retail-only
streaming, but in hobby terms that's not a bad thing. After all, if a card isn't
as plentiful on the secondary market and there is a demand for it, the value
will only increase.
Once again, props go out to Topps for creating a beautiful set that
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Another hot collectible from the Fed: WWE PPV Series 14 Wrestling Figure of Umaga
Jon Waldman can be heard every Sunday on XM's Hockey Hour, at 2:00pm on Channel 204.
