Stacking Slabs

Seth “Freakin” Rollins.

Much of the conversation when it comes to all things WWE revolves around Roman Reigns. There’s no doubt about it. I’m a big Roman guy, but his story wouldn’t be what it is today without Rollins. The Shield storyline runs deep and I’m here for it.

Rollins arguably is the best in ring performer on the roster. When they let him take the governor off no one is better bell to bell. The sign of a great wrestler is not only their ability to perform in the ring, but also how they present themselves. Rollins can adapt. His character changes have been exciting over the course of the past several years.

Stacking ‘em. I love wrestling cards.

📸2020 Topps Chrome WWE Seth Rollins Red Refractor /5 PSA 10 Pop 1

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The Voice of Wrestling.

When I close my eyes and think about the sounds of pro wrestling the first voice that pops in my head is Good ‘Ole J.R. He’s been a part of the most legendary calls in professional wrestling, kicked cancers ass, and is still making it happen every Wednesday (and now Friday’s on TNT) on TBS.

Every week he puts out Grillin’ JR which is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to every week. So many stories. So many memories.

I love 2014 Chrome Golds and this one holds a special place in my PC…

Bah Gawd! 🤠

📸2014 Topps Chrome WWE Jim Ross Gold Refractor /50 PSA 9 Pop 1

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The Chase.

I’m a Finest gold simp. If I could only collect one parallel of one brand for the rest of my collecting career it would be Finest Gold Refractors. There’s just something about them that hits all the feels for me.

2006 Finest is my second favorite year behind 2002. It’s a significant year for me as a fan because it’s the year the Colts won Super Bowl 41. I’m in the process of trying to complete the Gold Manning Finest run and this was a glaring omission from my PC.

A couple weeks ago while driving home from family vacation I get a text from my brother . Luckily I had given up the wheel to my wife for a short stint to see his message. He sent me a link to a listing and I don’t ever think I’ve smashed BIN faster. Offers turned on. I didn’t care. I needed this and couldn’t risk it.

This is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favorite additions of this year and one that won’t soon leave the PC.

📸2006 Topps Finest Peyton Manning Gold Refractor /49 Pop 2 (3 higher)

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Oooooooooh yesssssss!

I freaking loved Paul Bearer. I remember being at Wrestlemania VIII and being terrified to hear the Undertaker’s gongs. His character literally scared the p**s out of me and Paul was a big reason why. I can’t imagine the presentation of the Undertaker character being as special if it wasn’t for Paul Bearer.

The Undertaker’s brother angle with the debut of Kane is one of the greatest stories ever told. The narrator of this story was Paul Bearer. He’s on my Mount Rushmore of managers and an absolute legend.

I was thrilled to get this one back in a gem. There will never be another Paul Bearer. ⚱️

📸2014 Topps Chrome WWE Paul Bearer Gold Refractor /50 PSA 10 Pop 1 NFS

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The True Gold and it’s little cousin.

There’s parallel intoxication throughout this Hobby that we love. Rainbow collectors rejoice! The volume of parallels in the Prizm product alone is enough to make your head spin. Try keeping track of FOTL, Retail, and. Choice to boot.

I try to keep it simple. I stick the gold and get out of the way. I’ve laughed in the face of the gold waves and every other psuedo-gold parallel that’s tried to trick my heart…not this time though.

I was struck by the Shimmer.

Maybe I haven’t been paying attention because I’ve had the Heisman on other Prizm parallels, but saw this Gold Shimmer pop and had to grab it. Days later I won the true gold jersey at auction and shimmied by way to this pairing.

I hope to god this doesn’t make me go down the Gold Shimmer rabbit hole, but if it does I’ll submit now.

Collecting…ain’t it something?

📸2021 Panini Prizm Matt Ryan Gold Prizm (jersey #) and Gold Shimmer /10
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The Superfractor run marches on.

When you start a player PC and sharing your passion around it you become a magnet for their great cards. I was still reeling from pulling down the 2010 and 2013 Finest Supers of Phil when this one popped up. It presented a unique opportunity to pair Supers of one of my favorite players in the same year across 2 of my favorite products and I jumped.

I love the look of 2010 Topps Chrome, but it’s one of my least owned years. It’s definitely not intentional. I’ve just struggled landing the right cards from this year…not this time.

Superfractors hit different. Thrilled to add this one to the Phil PC.

📸2010 Topps Chrome Philip Rivers Superfractor 1/1

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2006 Finest Gold X-Fractors.

This parallel has entered into Mount Rushmore territory for me as a collector. It’s the perfect combination of aesthetics and scarcity that has me mesmerized. After I got my Rivers I knew I needed to hunt for more PC players.

I’m a Finest simp. The product line speaks for itself and offers moments like the 06 Gold X-Fractor where I truly believe it can stand against any other card.

2006 is my favorite year in sports. The Colts won their SB, however, a soon to be HOF staple was no longer on the team. I never saw myself buying Edgerrin James Cardinals cards but here we are.

This one is a reminder of how powerful an undeniable parallel can be. I love it when the card speaks for itself and wedges it’s way into the PC.

📸2006 Topps Finest Edgerrin James Gold X-Fractor /10

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The PC RC.

One of my favorite parts about starting a new player PC is understanding their rookie stack. There’s many benefits to collecting a player that came into the league in 2008. You’ve got a wide lineage of products to pick from. I love a good gold refractor to kick off the collection. The problem? 2008 is a weird year for products like Topps Chrome. Gold Refractors are out of /199 and readily available. These aren’t bad cards and I’ll likely add one eventually to my PC. It just loses a little luster when I can buy it at any time.

The Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor has been my chase. I love the image. I love the print run. Also, as a sicko I like how’s it’s been a pain in the ass for me to get. When this one finally came up for auction I wasn’t going to lose it and glad it’s finally landed it my PC.

It will get sent away for grading soon. Until then I’m going to enjoy it. Happy Friday.

📸2008 Bowman Chrome Matt Ryan Gold Refractor Rookie /50

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When you are making a run you just can’t stop.

My attempt to compete the Philip Rivers Finest Gold Refractor run has been one of the most satisfying collecting endeavors that I’ve taken on. I’ve been working in reverse 08-15 complete. This one was next.

I recently picked up the 07 Gold Peyton from Finest and fell in love. While it doesn’t scream gold it’s simplicity and design is appreciated. I had to not only add this one to the run but also makes a nice pairing with 18. Big thanks to for the easy deal.

📸2007 Finest Philip Rivers Gold Refractor /50 PSA 10 Pop 2

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Early Manning Golds.

This guy is one I’ve been chasing for a while. They don’t pop up too often and I’ve never seen a completely centered copy. This is the highest grade in the population and I know my man .e.trader has one of the other copy.

I’ve been on record saying that if it’s Gold, he’s in a Colts jersey, and it’s early career I’m jumping on it. There’s nothing more important to me than the continued evolution of my Manning PC. Glad to add this one to the mix.

📸2001 Bowman Chrome Peyton Manning Gold Refractor /99 PSA 8 Pop 3 none higher.

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Finally The Rock has come back to this page…

There’s nothing more than maintaining relationships with sellers that I’ve bought from on eBay. They know what I like and hit me up when they have stuff they think I’m interested available.

Also, there’s nothing more that I enjoy than adding pieces to my collection that you just don’t see.

Here’s a couple of SSP’s of the Great One from 2016 Undisputed. I bought both of them raw and almost lost my s**t when these thick bois came back with a double gem.

I bought the Gold (/10) first and the seller presented me with the Purple (/5)…sure I’ll have another.

If you smell what The Rock is cookin’ 🤨

📸2016 Topps WWE Undisputed The Rock Gold /10 & Purple & /5 Double Pop 1 Double NFS

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Colts Gold Finest QB run.

2012 is the first year that I can create continuity across all of the QBs that I collect. It’s the year 18 headed to Denver and Luck took over in Indy. Falcons were regular season world beaters under Matty Ice and Phil was slangin it.

I’d rank 2012 number 3 on my favorite years of Finest. I’m a sucker for the design and the way the gold pops!

Thank you to for helping me end my run with the Ryan. Got to love the build!

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This one changed me.

There’s no greater honor than being “Dada”. Happy Father’s Day to all the collecting Dad’s that make our Hobby go!

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Because snagging 2 Supers in a week is more fun than 1.

This Hobby can’t really be explained sometimes. My motto is always if you keep a constant flow of activity things just happen. I was thrilled to take down this one as I embark on a mission to have a one of a kind Philip Rivers PC.

This has been a collecting journey that I’m enjoying more than I think I should. All I can say is be careful out there dipping your toe. It might end up being a wild ride.

📸2013 Finest Philip Rivers Superfractor 1/1

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Chris Jericho man.

Too much to say about him and not enough space to say it. I’ll keep it simple. There’s nothing more that I appreciate more about a performer than his ability to adapt. Jericho is the GOAT at reinventing himself. Countless characters, a myriad of catchphrases, and they all span across multiple eras.

When I think about the most important professional wrestlers (sports entertainers😉) in my lifetime Jericho is on the list. I saw my man post a Jericho this morning and wanted to follow suit with a premier Jericho piece in my PC courtesy of him.

Hair vs. Hair tonight on Dynamite…

He’s a Wizard. 🧙‍♂️🪄☄️

📸2019 Topps Transcendent WWE Chris Jericho Black Auto /5 PSA 9 Pop 1

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When I heard that Panini was taking over the WWE the first cards that I began to imagine were Gold Prizms and Galactics. I knew Gold Prizms were right around the corner, but didn’t know where Revolution fell into their plans. I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of my favorite parallels would be arriving next. I knew I needed to get involved.

When these first started hitting I knew I wanted a AJ Styles out of the gates. I’ve been having a blast building out my Styles PC and this one doesn’t disappoint. Galactic truthers argue that this parallel is one or a kind with an aesthetic that keeps collectors coming back for more. This won’t be my last.

Galactics are truly phenomenal. 🧑🏻‍🚀
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