Italian trading card and collectibles company Panini has unveiled a series of 100 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstars in a digital Donruss Elite card set on the Panini Blockchain. The lineup includes notable figures like John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, Finn Bálor, and others.
Buyers of digital packs can virtually open them to reveal limited-edition digital assets. Additionally, participants will have the chance to engage in collector events and contests, with opportunities for exclusive cards through collection challenges and digital crafting events.
Get ready for the WWE debut on #PaniniBlockchain!
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) February 14, 2024
Wednesday, Feb 14 at 10am CT, Panini #DonrussElite WWE packs will be available on Panini Blockchain and feature the debuts of more than 100 legendary and current Superstars!
More info: https://t.co/x0AyqICbeX#WhoDoYouCollect pic.twitter.com/EhnHSMTyAB
WWE NFTs
This initiative follows WWE’s previous attempt with NFTs, where a series featuring John Cena struggled to gain traction, selling only a few dozen mid-tier offerings. Despite WWE’s earlier slow sales on its NFT marketplace, “Moonsault,” running on Eluv.io’s Content Fabric blockchain in 2023, Panini and WWE are optimistic about the success of the new Donruss Elite blockchain cards.
WWE’s foray into digital collectibles aligns with the broader trend in the wrestling world, where competitors like All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact! Wrestling launched their own NFTs in 2023. Panini’s senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations, Jason Howarth, expressed confidence in the venture, citing WWE’s “rabid audience and deep history” as fitting the expectations of the blockchain collectible community.
As the wrestling industry continues to explore the digital collectibles space, the performance of Panini’s Donruss Elite blockchain cards will be closely watched, with hopes for a more successful outcome compared to WWE’s previous NFT endeavors.
The blend of iconic WWE Superstars and blockchain technology aims to captivate fans and collectors, potentially bringing championship success to both Panini and WWE in the evolving landscape of digital collectibles.