I only knew Bruiser Brody from the wrestling magazines, for a short stint in World Class on ESPN and then he was dead. As an adult thanks to YouTube I have had the privilege of watching his work and he was absolutely awesome. I am not sure how many I have but it is somewhere around 40 copies. Brody and Kerry Von Erich are either one or two of the wrestler I have the most cards of from the set.

This is a very strong copy of Harley Race.

Pedro Morales is so under rated as a performer. This guy was a huge star and a champion in New York.

I must disagree with you about Pedro. LOL. I realize that I only got to see him at the end of his career, but I always found him to be dreadfully dull. Probably the only guy who made me groan more when I saw him on his way to the ring for a match was Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko's stalling every match was just unwatchable.

He was very good in the early 70’s. There was a huge Puerto Rican population in New York and the fans at MSG went wild.

I put him in the category of a Dory Funk, or Jack Brisco in that they achieved great success in the wrestling business but very little fan fare for their collectibles.

This card is valuable but primary because it’s a Pop 1 so far.

Oh, I know how popular Pedro was in New York City among the Puerto Rican population and that the WWWF of the 1970s pandered to ethnicities. I still thought he was boring as hell by the early 1980s as Intercontinenal champion LOL.

Ivan Putski and Chief Jay Strongbow were two other guys who were incredibly over among fans of the era, but I was lukewarm about. :)

I never got to see any of the old action that you did and my introduction to Ivan Putski was on the cover of a WWF VHS at the video store on Curry Ford in Orlando as a kid. He was jacked and shredded and that is all I knew and it wasn't until many years later I learned who that person was. I have watched a little footage of him and from what I can tell his look was his skill.

From what I have read Strongbow was right at the top of the babyfaces and the crowd loved him but obviously he was getting up their in age and his ring work was suspect.

Both of these cards are tough.

Putski was so over to the extent that the crowd would explode when he would do something as simple as grabbing the ring mic and yell "Polish Power." It is amazing all the things fans know now because of the Internet and various wrestler books that I had no idea about when I was a kid. I have read multiple places about Putski being notorious for taking liberties with enhancement talent.

I have not seen much of Mighty Igor (and never really looked him up much on YouTube), but I frequently see people online write that they enjoyed Putski's gimmick so much more the first time around -- when Mighty Igor did it.

Bret Hart in particular was not too complimentary about Strongbow in his book. Hart talked about Strongbow being a humorless road agent at the time who would snitch out the wrestlers to Vince McMahon for the smallest of indiscretions. Jim Cornette is also pretty negative about Strongbow when his name comes up -- both as a worker and the Chief outside the ring.

I can't stand Bret Hart. He in my view has a wildly inflated view on his contributions to the business and level of true money drawing stardom.


One of the great things about old wrestling is it isn't politically correct. I bounce around on YouTube from wrestling clip to wrestling clip at times and came across the feud of Strongbow and Ernie Ladd from Georgia Championship Wrestling a few years ago and it is awesome!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlx7ejs6-Rw


I got really fortunate and bought some really nice raw examples and submitted three PSA 9's in one sub. Not one of them but have seven in total.


Edit: I couldn't remember how this cert came to be and I self submitted it August 25th 2010 in a 133 card sub that was shipped September 2nd!

Bret was certainly his own biggest fan in his book, but I thought the book was excellent. IMO, it is one of the best books by a wrestler out there. There were were so many revealing stories and insights into many different wrestlers. The absolute worst wrestling books are the ones that don't break kayfabe or insult the reader,

Hart wrote that it struck him many times that so many of the nicest, most decent guys in the locker room were heels in the ring and so many of the people that fans cheered for every night were really a-holes.

Hart wrote that just about the worst thing he ever saw in the business was the Ultimate Warrior blowing off a child from the Make-A-Wish foundation and leaving the arena without even acknowledging the kid. Hart wrote that no matter what other criticisms anyone may have with Hulk Hogan, Hogan was always amazing when it came to meeting a Mark-A-Wish child.

Hart also told some hilarious stories about Dynamite Kid (IIRC) taking a shit in Jerry Lawler's crown. Another story involved germophobe Dick Murdoch. The WWF was touring Mexico at the time and when the wrestlers walked into the locker room, someone had left behind a pair of soiled underwear. When Murdoch went to the ring for match, the other wrestlers took his underwear out of his wrestling bag and replaced it with the soiled pair. Murdoch came back to the locker room and was gagging when he found the pair of soiled underwear with his clothes.

Bret also talked about Rick McGraw doing more steroids than anyone he had ever seen. McGraw was a name from my youth, and he was just absolutely ripped, but he was too small for the time to ever get a meaningful push.

Hart talked about the cycle of drug dependency so many of the wrestlers of his era got into. Many guys were making more money than they could even dream of and were spending that money on cocaine and alcohol. So many of the wrestlers were also mixing cocaine and alcohol with painkillers (since there was so such thing as a disabled list) and sleeping pills.

Hart talked about tearing his rotator cuff, and the doctor telling him needed to take six months off. Vince McMahon told him not to worry about money because he would take care of Hart financially while he was out. Hart wrote the he received a check for (IIRC) either $200 or $300 from the WWF. Hart wrote that a couple hundred bucks didn't do squat when his mortgage at the time was $2,500 a month. So he was back wrestling with a torn rotator cuff in just a couple months.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_McGraw


Looks like McGraw died in 1985. I have seen a few of his matches but now it makes sense why I don't recall any after the mid 80's.

I love when the wrestlers tell the stories but it seems even when they break kayfabe some times it is total BS.

Some of the ribs I have read about over the years are just crazy.

I had kind of forgotten just how close together McGraw's match with Piper was to McGraw's death. In 1985, I was in sixth grade. I can confirm that the "Piper killed him" speculation was everywhere among fans at the time. ;)

I always liked Ricky Steamboat. Awesome wrestler and had a great physique.

Got to meet him probably six years ago and he was really cool. This card is very tough. I have a single listed on eBay and it is intersting that it has 18 watchers.

Man the prices of raw Wrestling All Stars have been incredibly strong of late. I honestly don't even know how to price them when I get inquiries directly from people. Very exciting to see and I sure hope it continues!

It is hit or miss on raw cards. Top stars are doing very well. Some cards are just a play on hoping for top condition for grading.

If there is an upswing in pricing, it is most likely because sealed/unopened sets are getting very scarce to come by.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...LH_TitleDesc=0

I have been getting interest from some collectors for raw cards to get signed.

The guys that are still alive and doing the conventions are getting increased interest.

The Jerry Lawler card has been off the charts. A PSA 6 just went for $77. A Kerry Von Erich PSA 8 went for $227.50. Big prices for these too.

One of the primary reasons I buy multiples of cards that I already have in the same grade is to make sure I have the best eye appeal I can find. This card is beautiful. My first copy in a PSA 9 was the last time I upgraded my 1982 Wrestling All Stars Series A set and that was just over a year and a half ago. I will need to study both and see which I like better for inclusion in my #1 set but very pleased none the less with this copy.

New holder could be the tiebreaker if they are equal

Hulkamania is running wild in Orlando brother!!!

I was pleasantly surprised when I realized I had two more than I thought!

Edit: Figured out the pics from the phone are loading at half the size so PC from now on.

Running Wild with all those Hulks!

Those are some nice looking cards BROTHER!

I picked up this Dick Murdoch in November of last year. Finally getting around to scanning it. It is very strong example.

Murdoch back
 

Back scan

I decided to test the market and found myself faced with a legit offer. I chose to let it go after a lot deliberation.

One of the higher priced sales ever in wrestling cards at $5,001.

I am going to miss the Bruiser but he is landing in a good home.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Wrestl...IAAOSwtRBbjIme

Highest priced wrestling card that has writing on it?

I know of an signed Andre sale that was higher.

I just got these recently back from PSA. Always a great thrill to be on the submission side on high grade cards.

Iron Sheik PSA 10

Bobo Brazil PSA 10

This was fun.

If you have a minute check out the interview on the Fat Packs Podcast.



https://soundcloud.com/fatpackspodcast

I just got in the mail today a fresh 1982 Wrestling All Stars Series B pack and ripped it right open.

It is standard to have some corner issues on some of the cards but overall a great pack with strong overall centering.

This Ricky Steamboat has virtually no black smudge along the bottom and is extremely nice.

I have the only PSA 9 of the Chief Jay Strongbow and this one may give it a run for its money.

It is so hard to find an Orndorff this well centered and sharp.

This is a very strong Killer Kahn and so far only one PSA 9.


There are 16 of the 36 that went into my review stack so there are definitely a few others that will be going to PSA.

Wow great stuff! Been looking for a reasonably priced hogan forever but almost next tom impossible!

Thanks for checking them out!


Good luck on your Hogan search.

Here are the rest from the pack that are gradable.

Joyce Grable

Mr. Wrestling II

Col Buck Robley

Tito Santana

Sergeant Slaughter

Greg Valentine

I just got this Andre today in the mail. Very pleased with it.

Definitely not what I was hoping for both on grades and time. I had a bad feeling about this sub after it was taking so long that a let down was coming and it came. Oh well I guess on the bright side I didn't make two of my Pop 1's Pop 2's.

Total Items: 15
Date Received: 11/21/2018
Date Shipped: 1/16/2019
Tracking Number: 9210890163776903289943
Order Status: Processing

1 1 42202719 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 4 Greg Gagne Card
2 1 42202720 NEAR MINT 7 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 6 Jay Strongbow Card
3 1 42202721 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 9 Brad Rheingans Card
4 1 42202722 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 10 Killer Khan Card
5 1 42202723 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 11 Ricky Steamboat Card
6 1 42202724 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 12 Paul Orndorff Card
7 1 42202725 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 13 Tito Santana Card
8 1 42202726 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 14 Sergeant Slaughter Card
9 1 42202727 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 22 Jimmy Valiant Card
10 1 42202728 MINT 9 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 25 the Iron Sheik Card
11 1 42202729 MINT 9 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 26 Mr. Wrestling II Card
12 1 42202730 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 27 Col. Buck Robley Card
13 1 42202731 NEAR MINT 7 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 30 Dino Bravo Card
14 1 42202732 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 33 Greg Valentine Card
15 1 42202733 GEM MINT 10 1982 Wrestling All-Stars-Series B 34 Joyce Grable Card

I got my cards back in the mail today and scanned this one. Joyce Grable was a female wrestling pioneer. This is a Pop 8 and I have self subbed two.

This is going to be a fun auction to follow. Very curious to see how it does. It has been a while since one of the PSA 10 Flair's has come for sale.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Wrestl....c100277.m3477

I have been active on Twitter over the past few months and have found out some interesting information.

Famed wrestling photographer George Napolatino took a good number of the photographs used for the cards of the wrestlers who wrestled in the North East or made big appearances there.

I tweeted a photo of his card to Dutch Mantel and he ended up contacting me and we discussed his card and he never was paid for it or even knew it existed for awhile. He isn't happy that he never gave consent or got any cash. He also is hip to collectors getting the cards signed and will no longer sign them at his regular fee.

There is a lot of great wrestling content on Twitter so it is pretty cool to participate.

David - that was a strong price for the Flair. At least to someone that doesn't specialize in this stuff like me.

Curious to know your thoughts on the final price of it.

The consignor had $2,525 in it.

Long term I think the buyer wins.