Impact Wrestling, a well-known professional wrestling promotion, has decided to enter the world of NFTs. The first-ever Impact collection will have Santino Marella as the first featured wrestler in June, followed by Mickie James later in the summer.
Each limited edition Santino NFT will be available in only 100 copies, and each purchase grants access to an exclusive Discord channel. Owners will also have the chance to win a personal phone call from Santino via Discord, participate in a community chat with the wrestler and receive an exclusive signed photo.
Impact president Scott D’Amore expressed the company’s enthusiasm for entering the NFT industry, saying, “The NFT opportunities are endless and we are certain that our loyal fans will be thrilled with the IMPACT NFTs.”
In collaboration with media agency Rumble Gaming and its partner SHOPX, Impact is committed to ensuring the success of this NFT initiative while fostering a sense of community among fans.
Rumble Gaming CEO Adam Ivers emphasized the intention to provide fans with direct interaction opportunities, saying, “We felt this was an ideal time to help elevate IMPACT into the metaverse and unlock new ways for fans to connect with the brand.”
The NFT market has experienced substantial growth, with trading volume soaring from $82 million in 2020 to over $17 billion in 2021, marking a staggering increase of 21,000 percent.
Impact’s decision to enter this expanding space aligns with the broader trend of industries recognizing the potential of NFTs in engaging audiences and offering unique digital experiences.
To discuss the launch of its NFTs, Impact plans to host a Twitter Spaces event where fans and enthusiasts can learn more about these exclusive collectibles. The promotion also plans to release additional NFTs throughout the remainder of 2023.
NFTs in wrestling world
Impact is not the only one to jump into the world of NFTs. From renowned actors to pro wrestlers, many have embraced the trend of minting their NFTs, allowing fans to invest in exclusive digital merchandise.
Another prominent wrestling franchise that has embraced NFTs is WWE. Known for maximizing the value of its brands and athletes, WWE ventured into the NFT market in 2021 by releasing John Cena-themed NFTs ahead of SummerSlam.
The auction offered not only a one-of-a-kind NFT but also the chance to win VIP packages for WrestleMania. However, the auction did not go as expected, with less than half of the NFTs sold.
In contrast, an NFT campaign featuring the Undertaker witnessed an immediate sell-out, raising questions about Cena’s popularity in the NFT space.
Stars from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have also dabbled in NFTs. Prominent AEW wrestler Paul Wight recently joined an NFT drop but with a unique twist. Wight’s NFT will be part of a science fiction drama series, GenZeroes, which spans ten episodes.
Buyers of GenZeroes NFTs will gain access to the series, featuring renowned entertainers such as Richard Harmon, Kandsye McClure and Aleks Paunovic. This innovative approach expands the reach of NFTs beyond wrestling enthusiasts, tapping into a broader audience.
