Top Pulls of 2019: #1

Here it is, the long-awaited top pull of 2019.  Precedent was set for this back in 2010, when an entire box was hailed as my top pull of the year.  Well, it happened again.  One box of cards was judged to be so righteous, so sincere, that it comprised the totality of the year's top spot.  Fittingly, I purchased this box at the 2019 NSCC in Chicago.  Let's see what the gods provided.

First of all, I should point out that the hobby box I bought, 2018 Topps WWE Legends, promises three autographs per box, and a minimum of one auto per mini-box (of which there are two).  I'll allow the scene to unfold so you can experience it "You Are There" CBS radio-style.

#IC-1 1-2-3 Kid / X-Pac Identity Crisis Gold Parallel (04/10)

While Sean Waltman was never one of my favorites, this is a tough low-numbered card to get.

Next up:
#A-BH Bret "Hit Man" Hart AUTO Bronze Parallel (30/99)

Last year a single bronze Bret autograph made the number two slot.  Still not exactly sure why he writes his name with a bunch of quotation marks (???) after but not before HITMAN.  Strange, but consistent.


Next:
#A-SI Sika AUTO (081/199)

Yeah, half of the Wild Samoans, and Roman Reigns's dad.  Just a base auto, but the only one of those in the box.

Next:
#A-BT Booker T AUTO Gold Parallel (09/10)

My goodness!  Really great, stylish signature, and another gold in the box.  King Booker, one of the best ever Kings of the Ring.

Up next, another auto.  If I remember correctly, I hit a fourth autograph in this product in the first box I bought earlier this year, so it was not a big surprise to get more than the guaranteed three.
#ASR-RS Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat AUTO Shirt Relic Blue Parallel (08/25)

Man, just one of the best, right from the era when I first started watching wrestling.  The man is a true legend, and his WrestleMania III match with the Macho Man is so iconic that all you have to do is say their names together and a fellow fan will know exactly what you are talking about.  "Savage/Steamboat."  There.  You did it.  You just gave me that nonchalant upward head nod guys do.

(And by the way, the guy has, like, a paragraph to write on every card sticker, and he does it just beautifully.  A technician in and out of the ring.)

So, yeah, I got four hits in the box.  Time to gather up the plastic that was on the box and all the wrappers and throw them away, and... WAIT A MINUTE.

There's another pack wedged in the box.  How did I not notice that when I took the packs out?  And it's thick, which is how it got stuck in there.  Let's see...

#HOF-JR Jake "The Snake" Roberts AUTO Hall of Fame Ring (46/99)

Jake the Snake.  Say that to a non-wrestling fan, and they'll still have some recollection of the man.  A true icon of the business.  Too bad a Topps lackey got a little careless with the Elmer's when affixing the little fake ring thingy, but it's still a nice card.

And there you have it, folks, the top pull of 2019.  Thanks for reading, I'm sending plenty of well wishes your way so that whenever you're opening packs of cards this year, you're having a good time!