Figured Out: Hasbro style WWE figures return next year!

I have to admit it right now: I have been an action figure collector for years but never found the Hasbro WWF figures very impressive. The cartoony designs and super-limited articulation were everything I didn't want in toys of the early 90s. While I bought from several concurrent lines (mostly post-Sgt. Slaughter) G.I. Joe, my WWF fandom was pretty much limited to Saturday morning viewing.

I didn't actually start buying WWE figures until the last couple years. I eyed a few Jakks Pacific toys back in the day, but those didn't even intrigue me as much as the stellar production qualities of modern Mattel releases.

But I know a ton of fans still exist for the Hasbro figures, so the announcement that Mattel will give up on all their other weird variant WWE figures (suck as Slam City) to give old Hasbro fans exactly what they've clamored for makes a lot of sense. They showed off the first wave of figures at Comic Con in July.

Image credit: toynewsi.com

Toy News International got a very good shot of them there, but WWE.com was nice enough to post pictures of all the prototypes on the site. They include a better shot of Undertaker and the unseen Roman Reigns.

Honestly, Kevin Owens might convince me to change my mind on this line. We'll see when a price point is announced.

The figures drop sometime in the spring of next year.

Figured out: Shockmaster has an action figure

Maybe the coolest thing to come out of San Diego Comic Con this year was Mattel's exclusive release for the WWE line of action figures. Shockmaster got an action figure, complete with a packaged version of his debut bungle.

Image credit for this post: WWE.com. 

The figure comes complete with everything you need to create the famous debut, even if the glitter stormtrooper mask is slightly off model to keep any Hasbro toymakers from getting litigious.

Sadly, Shocky was only available at San Diego, so I expect him to go for major bucks on the secondary market soon.

Figured Out: Shinsuke Nakamura in plastic form

I have a love for action figures and statuettes. Always have, probably always will. Japan has a love for ultra detailed figures and statues of their own right. Last year, New Japan Pro Wrestling once again got in on the action as they debuted the Purokaku Heroes series with Kazuchika Okada.

Now NJPW has the second figure in that line coming soon, even though he won't be with New Japan for much longer. Just last night the announcement was made that he will debut for NXT against Sami Zayn at Takeover: Dallas, just before Wrestlemania.

The new Shinsuke Nakamura figure comes in his red leather attire that he's made famous as the King of Strong Style. And while like the Okada figure, he isn't poseable, he should look dominant when placed next door to the slightly shorter WWE figures.

While I am generally not one to shy away from import toys, Nakamura isn't going to come cheap. While available from Diamond Distribution (the guys that deliver to comic shops), his estimated retail is around $54. While I suspect a few hardcore fans might not be able to resist, he is well out of my price range.

Check with your local comics provider, if you're interested in ordering a Nakamura of your own.

Figured Out: The Ultimate Warrior

I collect wrestling toys now and then as I see figures that I want to add to my weird hodgepodge of coolness on the shelves behind my writing desk. I've got a wide array of heroes, villains, faces, heels and everything in between on display.

But in this first column focusing on wrestling toys, I am focusing on one of the best Ultimate Warrior toys I have found so far.

Now I am an Ultimate Warrior fan. I grew up on him and I still consider him a truly great wrestling character. Because of this, I waited to find the character I like best and it is based on this incarnation of the Warrior, direct from his Royal Rumble battle against the turncoat American hero Sgt. Slaughter.

Still from the 1991 Royal Rumble. Copyright WWE.com.

New Japan statues and figures heading to American shores

One of the things I love almost as much as pro wrestling is action figures, so it is with some happiness that New Japan statues and toys are on their way to American shores.

First up is a super-detailed line of PVC statues featuring detailed likenesses of New Japan wrestlers. The only announced and revealed figure so far is Kazuchika Okada, but the Rainmaker is absolutely gorgeous in his trademark pose. Now here's hoping that one Mr. Nakamura will follow soon after.

In figures with articulation news, New Japan also has a series of super-deformed mini-figures on the way. These guys were actually released a couple years back but are only making their way over here recently, probably due to New Japan’s rising international popularity.

Each figure stands about 2.5 inches in height with a whopping three points of articulation. But they come with accessories like half a wrestling ring, Tenzan’s mask and title belts. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan will never be this cute again, folks.

Like most import toys, these will cost you a penny to pick up but all look pretty awesome, so if you are collector inclined check them out at your favorite import toy store.