PRODUCT REVIEW

Post-WrestleMania 41 Gear Drop Review

Rating the latest WWE and AEW merch you actually want to spend money on.

Apr 24, 2026 Chris Watson

The Bottom Line

Skip the Cody belt and outdated Mania book, but WWE 2K26 and the Rollins Elite figure are solid pickups if you can ignore the microtransactions and price hikes.

7/10 Our Score
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Emptying the Wallet After Mania

Look, we all just survived WrestleMania 41 weekend in Vegas. Between the travel, the overpriced stadium beers, and watching Cody somehow survive the Bloodline again on Night 2, our bank accounts are hurting. But the wrestling merch machine never sleeps. We've got a fresh batch of gear hitting the shelves, from the new 2K26 drop to some questionable gym accessories.

I got my hands on the latest drops to see what's actually worth picking up before Backlash rolls around next month, and what belongs in the discount bin next to the old Retribution shirts.

WWE Elite Top Picks 2026 Seth Rollins Figure

If you're still collecting Elites, you already know the deal. This Seth Rollins Top Picks figure captures his 'Revolution' look, and the facial mapping is honestly scary good. It comes with his ridiculous entrance gear and interchangeable hands, which is great for posing.

The downside? Mattel keeps jacking up the price on these. At basically 25 bucks, it's a steeper ask than the basic line, and the packaging I got was already dinged up from shipping. If you're an in-box collector, buy it at retail. If you're cracking it open, it's a top-tier Rollins figure.

AEW Dynasty 2026 Wembley Event T-Shirt

I know, I know. Dynasty was in Kansas City this year, but AEW loves slapping Wembley on everything now. This 100% cotton tee is vibrant and officially licensed. Fans who want to rep AEW's international ambitions are going to eat this up.

But let's be real about wrestling shirts — they never fit right. This one runs uncomfortably tight in the shoulders. Plus, the graphic feels like it's going to crack if you even look at a warm wash cycle. Wash it cold and hang dry, or you'll be wearing a distressed vintage shirt by next week.

WWE 35 Years of WrestleMania Book

This is a hefty, premium hardcover that covers everything from WrestleMania 1 to 35. The photography is stunning, and it's packed with obscure trivia and match results. It's the ultimate coffee table book for when your non-wrestling friends come over and you want to force them to look at pictures of Bam Bam Bigelow.

The glaring issue is that it stops at 35. We just wrapped up 41, meaning you're missing the entire ThunderDome era, Cody's return, and the recent Bloodline cinema. It feels a bit dated already, and it's way too heavy to read in bed without risking a concussion.

Cody Rhodes Commemorative Weight Belt

You want to finish your story in the squat rack? Here you go. The American Nightmare belt features vibrant logos and reinforced stitching. It's an officially licensed impulse buy for anyone who gets hyped listening to Kingdom before hitting a PR.

However, do not mistake this for a serious powerlifting belt. It's much stiffer than a premium leather Inzer belt, and it's not rated for max-weight professional lifting. It's essentially a glorified costume piece that you can technically wear to LA Fitness. Expect some weird looks from the cardio section.

WWE 2K26 Standard Edition

We've been playing this non-stop since it dropped. The roster is massive with over 400 playable superstars, and the CM Punk showcase is the deepest mode they've done in years. They also finally nailed the physics for the Inferno match, which is chaotic fun.

But the monetization is getting out of hand. The game pushes the Ringside Pass battle pass aggressively. Every time you boot up, you're reminded of what you haven't bought yet. Also, if you're still on an older console, expect the frame rate to completely tank during an 8-man ladder match. It's a great game bogged down by modern gaming nonsense.

The Final Bell

If you only have the budget for one thing this month, grab WWE 2K26 if you're on a current-gen console, or the Seth Rollins figure if you're a collector. Skip the Cody belt unless you're explicitly doing a cosplay deadlift session. Save the rest of your cash for Backlash next month.

WWE Elite Top Picks 2026 Seth "Freakin" Rollins Action Figure

★★★★★ 4.8/5 (200 reviews)

Rollins is a perennial favorite, and this figure captures his 2026 'Revolution' look that fans have been clamoring for.

What's Good

  • + Advanced facial mapping technology
  • + Multiple sets of interchangeable hands
  • + Comes with entrance gear accessory

Watch Out

  • - Higher price than Basic series figures
  • - Packaging can be easily damaged in shipping

AEW Dynasty 2026 Wembley Event T-Shirt

★★★★★ 4.6/5 (85 reviews)

Fans who attended or watched the London show love owning a piece of history from AEW's biggest international stage.

What's Good

  • + 100% pre-shrunk cotton
  • + Vibrant event-specific graphics
  • + Official AEW licensed product

Watch Out

  • - Runs slightly small in the shoulders
  • - Graphic may fade after repeated hot washes

WWE 35 Years of WrestleMania by Brian Shields & Dean Miller

★★★★★ 4.8/5 (550 reviews)

Fans love flipping through the high-quality glossy photos and reliving the stats of every match from WrestleMania 1 to 35.

What's Good

  • + High-quality hardcover production
  • + Official match results and trivia
  • + Stunning behind-the-scenes photography

Watch Out

  • - Heavy and bulky for standard shelves
  • - Does not include the most recent 2020s Manias

Cody Rhodes Commemorative Weight Lifting Belt

★★★★★ 4.5/5 (21 reviews)

It's the perfect impulse buy for fans who want to finish their own story while hitting personal records in the weight room.

What's Good

  • + Vibrant American Nightmare logo
  • + Reinforced stitching for training
  • + Official WWE licensed merchandise

Watch Out

  • - Not intended for max-weight professional lifting
  • - Stiffer than premium leather alternatives

WWE 2K26 Standard Edition

★★★★ 4.3/5 (20 reviews)

Fans love the deep CM Punk Showcase and the new hardcore match types like Inferno and Dumpster matches.

What's Good

  • + 400+ playable superstars
  • + New Inferno match physics
  • + Deep CM Punk career showcase

Watch Out

  • - Heavy focus on Ringside Pass battle pass
  • - Occasional frame rate drops on older consoles

What People Are Saying

"My Dynasty shirt shrank two sizes after one wash. Absolute garbage quality on the blanks they use."

SuperkickParty99 on SquaredCircle

"The Inferno match physics in 2K26 are hilarious. I just threw Dom into the fire and the frame rate died, 10/10."

TribalChiefAcknowledge on WWEGames

"Imagine wearing the Cody belt to a real gym. You'd get laughed out of the squat rack."

IronMark on weightlifting

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the WWE 2K26 standard edition include the CM Punk showcase?
Yes, the CM Punk showcase is included in the base game, but you'll need the season pass for some of his alternate classic attires.
Can you actually use the Cody Rhodes belt for heavy lifting?
We don't recommend it. It's fine for light support or aesthetics, but it's not a substitute for a real, heavy-duty leather lifting belt.
Is the Seth Rollins Top Picks figure scaled correctly with older Mattel lines?
Yes, it perfectly matches the scale of the rest of the Mattel Elite and Ultimate Edition figures.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change. Last updated Apr 24, 2026.