2010 TRISTAR TNA Icons

[DunkingDurant35]

2010 TRISTAR TNA Icons

Special thanks to TRISTAR for this 2010 TRISTAR TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Icons wrestling review box.

As a kid growing up in the early nineties, I was a big pro wrestling fan. Back then, the WWF and WCW were the two main pro wrestling leagues. Times have changed in the last two decades, though: the WWF is now the WWE, and the WCW is no more. 2001-2002 was a pivotal time for the main wrestling leagues as it marked the time of the WWF's name change, the WCW's demise, and the establishment of TNA wrestling to make up for WCW's loss. Several legendary names are signed up with TNA now, including the incomparable Hulk Hogan as well as Ric Flair and Sting. TRISTAR has done well to incorporate autographs and memorabilia cards of these legends and other wrestlers in their new 2010 TNA Icons product.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:
Each box contains ONE Memorabilia card, TWO Autograph cards, and ONE Serially-Numbered Parallel card.

Set Features Quick Breakdown;

Each sealed box contains 20 packs of 6 cards each in a 100 card set composed of 9 different subsets (Icons; Signature Moves; Red, Yellow, Write; Sugar & Spice; Icons: The Next Generation; By The Numbers; A Piece Of History; Countdown To Lockdown Book Preview; Sound Off). >>> Each box contains ONE Memorabilia card, TWO Autograph cards, and ONE Serially-Numbered Parallel card. Memorabilia cards: #`d to 199, #`d to 50, #`d to 25, and #`d to 1. Autograph cards: #`d to 50, #`d to 25, #`d to 5, and #`d to 1. Parallel cards: #`d to 25, #`d to 5, and #`d to 1.

Here's what we pulled in our box of 2010 TRISTAR TNA Icons.

Base and Parallel Cards;

The base set consists of 100 cards divided into 9 subsets (Icons; Signature Moves; Red, Yellow, Write; Sugar & Spice; Icons: The Next Generation; By The Numbers; A Piece Of History; Countdown To Lockdown Book Preview; Sound Off). I really like the idea of dividing the base set into subsets rather than having a bunch of separate insert sets because it keeps the product simple to collect while breathing new variety into the standard base set. Keeping the parallels low-numbered was also a great idea. I hope more companies take note of TRISTAR's approach and cut down on the inserts and parallels.

As for the design, the card fronts all follow the same basic design to avoid visual confusion: at the top is the set/subset name over a gold stone background and at the bottom is the name of the wrestler over the same background. Neither the top nor bottom takes up too much space, giving a large middle for an action shot. The card backs differ depending on the subset theme: for example, By the Numbers gives a special number for the wrestlers and explains the importance of it in their careers (Hulk Hogan's is his birthday, Ric Flair's is 2 - the number of state private school wrestling championships he won in Minnesota, etc.) while Red, Yellow, Write includes commentary by Hulk Hogan on a given wrestler.

Parallels can be identified apart from the base set through a foil stamp on the front (our Jeff Jarrett /25 parallel has a 2010 stamp on the front) and the serial number on the card back.

Relic Cards;

There are several memorabilia/relic sets, and all of them are serially numbered to 199, 50, 25, or 1. We pulled a Hulk Hogan bandana piece /199. This particular relic set is interesting because the memorabilia pieces are cut into each letter of Hogan's name (ours is his first letter "H").

Autograph Cards;

As with the memorabilia/relic sets, there are several autograph sets with each serially numbered to different numbers. We pulled autographs of AJ Styles and Abyss from the "Iconigraph" and "Next Generation" sets, respectively. While both are sticker autographs, the designs of each are clean and to-the-point.

Final Thoughts on 2010 TRISTAR TNA Icons;

I think this is a good product for longtime wrestling fans as it honors the legends and gives fans a chance at getting autographs and gear of their all-time favorite wrestlers. I also like how they keep things pretty simple and straightforward, avoiding the insert and parallel clutter so many sets today have: the inserts are all strictly memorabilia or autograph sets and the parallels are kept to a reasonable minimum.

Here's how I would rate this product;

• Value = 4
• Innovation = 4
• Fun and Experience = 5
• Rebuy Value = 3

I rate this product a solid "B" for TRISTAR.

NPN Information;

There is no NPN for this product.

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Cards from this break will be used in contests.

[DunkingDurant35]

Here's our first contest relating to some of our pulls from this product!

[chiliwilly]

Nice review...that Hogan looks sweet.

[cdahlk2001]

awsome box! love the autos and GU!! nice photos!

[risanjax]

The next thing to a Hulkamania autograph is a Hulkamania used card. The autograph inscriptions are an added treat. Thanks for the review.

[Showdown]

Great cards and a great look. The guitar over the head is perfect. Tristar did a great job with these.

[dirtydistance]

nice set. great choice for the wrestling collector

[kingofkings487]

awesome break great lookin cards

[HockeyMom2009]

Those cards are really a lot of fun!!! The Hulk Hogan card is very, very nice!!

[jerryd]

Nice cards, the Hogan is nice, but the AJ auto is NICER IMO!! Would have been better with a "big Sexy" Kevin Nash auto, but very nice cards nonetheless.