The professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has reignited a partnership with the Fanatics-owned trading card and collectible brand, Topps.
The long-term collaboration is followed by the conclusion of WWE’s pact with Panini. The wrestling organization and Topps had been associated between 2005 and 2021.
As per the pact, along with standard trading cards, Topps will also offer signed cards and other valuable limited-edition collection for the ever-growing collection and resale market.
Following Fanatics’ takeover of Topps, the entity signed a long-term e-commerce and merchandising agreement with WWE.
Per a statement from Topps’ website, “As WWE reaches unprecedented heights, Topps celebrates the legacy with the return of WWE trading cards in 2025. These aren’t just cards—they’re your gateway to relive iconic moments, collect autographs from Superstars like Jey Uso, and own unique pieces of WWE history, such as ring mat relics.”
In 2023, on the grounds of breach of contract, WWE tried to conclude the Panini arrangement to kick off the Fanatics partnership early.
Panini had also filed a lawsuit accusing Fanatics of trying to monopolize the trading card market after venturing into the industry in 2021.
The antitrust suit Panini filed against Fanatics stated, “Panini was not given an opportunity to bid or otherwise compete for the licenses Fanatics acquired. Panini only learned about Fanatics’ exclusive agreements after they were consummated, through reading about them in the media.
“By combining long-term exclusive licenses for every major US professional sports league and their respective player associations, Fanatics positioned itself to drive Panini and other potential competitors out of the market, and erected barriers to entry blocking their return.”
A new era commences for TKO Group Holdings’ organization as Raw will be streaming on Netflix from Monday, January 6, 2025.
