WWE acquires digital Donors Elite cards on the Panini blockchain
Panini, the Italian trading card, comics and collectibles company, has announced the launch of a series of 100 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstars in a digital Donorus Elite card hosted on the Panini Blockchain.
The lineup includes some of the most recognizable WWE Superstars including John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Lyra Valkyria, the Undertaker, Chyna, Chelsea Green, and Keana James.
Get ready for the WWE debut on the #PaniniBlockchain!
On Wednesday, February 14th at 10pm CT, the Panini #DonrussElite WWE Packs will be available on the Panini Blockchain and will feature the debut of over 100 popular and current Superstars.
More info: pic.twitter.com/EhnHSMTyAB
— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) February 14, 2024
According to a press release from Panini and WWE, those who purchase the digital packs will be able to redeem limited digital assets with additional opportunities to participate in collectible events and tournaments.
“In addition, collectors can participate in exciting collecting challenges to win cards not available in packs and digital crafts, where collectors can turn common cards into numbered special cards.”
WWE NFTs
This isn't the first time WWE has made it to digital gatherings. The company has dabbled in NFTs for the past few years. As reported by Cointelegraph in 2021, WWE and John Cena released a series of NFTs featuring the famous wrestler/actor.
Today is Friday
Just in time for #SummerSlam , @WWE drops an exclusive 1-of-1 @JohnCena Platinum NFT!
Join the 24-hour auction this Friday at 8pm. Go for more details. pic.twitter.com/xT6J0l90RG
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2021
Unfortunately for Cena and WWE, those NFTs bombed, selling for a few dozen mid-level sacrifices.
RELATED: John Cena calls his own NFT sales a ‘disastrous failure'
Digital collectors
The wrestling world has embraced NFTs and digital collectibles in the past year. While WWE remains the most popular “sports entertainment” company in the world, its closest competitors in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact! Wrestling both launched their own NFT in 2023.
WWE also has its own NFT marketplace running on Eluv.io's Content Fabric blockchain called “Moonsault”. However, sales are expected to slow in 2023.
Panini and WWE are looking to improve the performance of their newly launched Donorus Elite block chain cards.
Jason Howarth, Panini's senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations, said in a statement that WWE's “rabid audience and deep history” aligns with the community's expectations of blockchain. Whether or not this translates into championship gold for the two companies remains to be seen.
