As a child of the ’80s, I became a fan of wrestling in my teens, right around when I understood it was reality-adjacent, which made it much more entertaining to me! But as a card collector, especially one who loves cards from the ’80s, I never really wanted to muddle my collection with non-major sports cards. What a dummy! What are the most popular 1985 Topps wrestling cards? This was a fantastic set, and I’ve only recently learned to respect them. What a jabroni!
The 1980s was a golden age for professional wrestling, and Topps was there to capture it all on card. With a roster of legendary names like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Ric Flair, Topps wrestling cards were a must-have for any fan of the sport.
The 1985 Topps WWF Pro Wrestling Stars were the first licensed by WWF, which was the World Wrestling Federation, the predecessor to what we know as WWE now. You can find the full set checklist here at CardboardConnection.com.
This was the year everything started coming together for the WWF, as it was riding the heels of success on the USA Network, with superstar heroes and villains on every single week. It was just a couple years earlier that Hulk Hogan broke out as Thunder Lips in the ’80s classic “Rocky III,” so the WWF rode him to even more success for the next decade or so.
I used to watch the WWF Superstars cartoon! Breakout pop singing star Cyndi Lauper was a major character in the wresting world at this point, with Captain Lou Albano! It was a crazy time period, where reality and fantasy mixed in pop culture, and 13-year-old boys were loving life!
6 Most Valuable 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards
Here are some of the most popular 1985 Topps wrestling cards, based on dollar value of recent sales.
1. Hulk Hogan – 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards #1 – PSA 8 $125
The most iconic wrestling card of all time, Hulk Hogan’s rookie card is a must-have for any collector. With his trademark smile and flexing muscles, Hogan is the perfect representation of the 1980s wrestling boom.
This was the first card of the set, and it’s the same photo as Card No. 16, but this first card has a yellow background.
2. Andre the Giant – 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards #2 – PSA 8 $120
Considered “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” Andre the Giant was a towering presence in both the ring and on the card. His card is a reminder of his incredible size and strength.
And really, any child of the ’80s is familiar with Andre’s role as Fezzik in “The Princess Bride.” He was one of the highlights of a film filled with highlights!
“It’s not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don’t even exercise.”
3. Hulk Hogan – 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards #16 – PSA 8 $80
This is the blue background card of the Hulkster, which I’m a much bigger fan of for some reason. There’s something about his blonde hair with the blue backdrop that just pops better.
4. Jesse “The Body” Ventura – 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards #11 – PSA 8 $60
Ventura’s career started in wrestling in the ’70s, and while he did wrestle through the mid-’80s, I really got to know him more from his time in the broadcasting booth, when he became one of the best wrestling color men in the game. He was a heel in the ring, and he continued that in the booth.
For football fans, Ventura would go on to be one of the color analysts of the failed XFL football league in the early 2000s.
This guy had many, many careers, from U.S. soldier, to pro wrestler, to wrestling announcer, to football announcer, to Governor of the state of Minnesota!
5. Roddy Piper Card #7 – PSA 8 $45
The Rowdy One, Roddy Piper was one of the most popular and controversial wrestlers of the 1980s. His card is a reminder of his fiery personality and undeniable charisma. He was a weak action actor later on, though, following the path of Jesse Ventura, who was in “Predator.”
6. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka Card #6 – PSA 8 $25
The high-flying Superfly, Jimmy Snuka was considered one of the most exciting wrestlers of the 1980s. His card is a reminder of his death-defying moves and acrobatic style. I was never a huge fan of Superfly, but people loved this guy. I think I came in late on his career and just could never get into him.
These are just a few of the most popular Topps wrestling cards from the 1980s. One of my all-time favorite wrestlers to watch was The Iron Sheik, Card #2, but it’s just not as popular as these other cards from the 1985 Topps Wrestling Cards set. If you’re a fan of the sport, be sure to add these cards to your collection. They’re a great way to remember the golden age of wrestling!
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