Hot Rod

A while back I sent a handful of WWE Heritage IV commons down to southern California Oregon to help Rod from Padrographs. I was happy to help him on his way to his set. A couple weeks back (yes, I'm waaaaay behind in my book keeping) I received a most shocking and amazing package in return.

Here's some highlights:

PONCH!

Other American Celebrity inserts from the awesome Topps American Heritage set:

Jesse Ventura

Michael Phelps

Charlie Sheen in embossed cartoon form!

Plus an ENTIRE set of Three Musketeers cards from SkyBox. While I'm on the topic of sets, there was also:

A complete set of Weird Wheels (circa 1980 from Topps), which is instantly one of my all-time favorite sets.

I know, I know, I am already spoiled. But that's not it. We've also got a 12-card set from Dark Horse featuring legendary comic writer John Byrne's Next Men.

Then we move onto an assortment of Heroes singles, which included perhaps the most unattractive shots of an attractive lady:

Speaking of pretty ladies, here's some Diva ink, Layla style:

Not only that, but there was also an event-used mat card featuring PAUL BURCHILL and some tattooed guy named Batista.

But wait, that's still not all. Take this all you Allen & Ginter lovers:

That's more than half of the Allen & Ginter Superstars minis from WWE Heritage IV, which are actually pretty tough to come by as they're only in retail packs.

This package just goes to show again that there's some great, great folks out there with tremendous generosity. Thanks VERY MUCH, Rod!

Add Another Name to the List of Wrestlers Dying Way Too Young

Andrew "Test" Martin may never have been that big of a star in the WWE, but he was involved in a couple of big storylines. He was slated to be the original Mr. Stephanie McMahon before HHH took her to a drive-in in Vegas. He was with Trish Stratus at the start of her career as she managed Test and Prince Albert to form the tag team "T & A." Then there was the pairing with Stacy Keibler in which his fans were labelled "Test-icles." Classic stuff. Okay, maybe not.

Test was given his walking papers from the WWE a couple of years ago. He had a history of drug problems. Since then he bounced around different promotions but failed to make it back to the spotlight of the WWE.

It's been a while since the premature death of a wrestler. That's an especially sad statement when "a while" means about a year. With Test's passing, he joins the sad ranks that include Curt Hennig, Eddie Guerrero, "Ravishing" Rick Rude and many others.

Martin wasn't even 34 years of age.

eTopps to Offer WWE Cards

Topps is poised to offer its first WWE wrestling cards through its online eTopps site. Between March 19 and March 26 the website will offer six cards. All four of the main event superstars for Wrestlemania 23 are present: John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Batista and the Undertaker. Legends "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and The Rock will also be offered.

Collectors who buy and are allocated all six cards will also receive a free exclusive autographed card from Torrie Wilson.