1991 WWF Playing Cards
In 1991, the number of wrestling trading card sets was beginning to explode.
The WWF deck of US Playing Cards was one of the releases trying to capitalize on the popularity of both the sport and trading cards. However, this set does not carry the same level of interest and popularity as the Impel WCW set or the Classic WWF set. Even the European released Merlin sets seem to be more sought after than the brightly colored playing cards.
The design of the 56 card set set fits right into the 90s era popularity of neon and squiggles. The same image of 14 different wrestlers are each featured on the four different suits. Alternating pink, purple, green, and blue backgrounds correspond with a different suit. The wrestler’s name and logo are found at the bottom of the card and bring back some great memories of watching these superstars on Saturday mornings.
Check out Zhan Mourning’s review below!
Let’s spend a few minutes talking about the checklist.
While there are only 14 different wrestlers in the deck, the names are some of the biggest of the era. The Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Miss Elizabeth, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Macho Man, are just a few of the characters included. I’ve put images of every card in the photo checklist below!
My factory sealed deck came sealed in plastic with a cardboard back.
The Undertaker is probably the most discussion worthy card of the set. Why you ask? Because this is arguably the most overlooked “rookie card” of the Undertaker. The 1991 Classic is typically referred to as the “true rookie” of the Undertaker, and his cards in the European Merlin set continue to gain in popularity. The playing card version doesn’t meet the “Beckett” definition of a rookie card since it wasn’t pack issued, but it is still from the first year of Undertaker cards and is still considered a rookie card by many collectors.
This set continues to grow on me. I picked up a lightly used copy to be able to flip through in my wrestling binder, but I also went and bought a copy which is still factory sealed in it’s original blister pack packaging. Other sealed versions skip the cardboard backing and have the plastic hanger tag affixed directly on the cellophane wrapped deck. You can see what versions are available today by clicking on this eBay link.
While not exactly rare, clean versions of the set are becoming a bit more limited and sealed copies are getting harder to find and come at an increasing cost. If you prefer graded cards, your choices may be somewhat limited depending on which grade and company you prefer. There aren’t a ton of copies available yet, but that doesn’t surprise me too much. The interest in wrestling cards and this set didn’t come until after the big hobby boom of 2020 and 2021. I’d expect to see the population counts of these cards rise in the coming years.
What do you think of these cards? They bring back all the early 90’s feels for me and I love them. They fit perfectly into my 80’s and 90’s collection of oddball cards. From the 1986 Carnation set, to 1988 Hostess Stickers, to Canadian 1991 Swanson cards, I love oddball wrestling cards.
Let me know what you think in the comments!