WWE has plenty from their many licenses of toys, games, and trading cards. Every WWE fan knows that November is when the latest version of Smackdown vs Raw hits for the various game consoles. While new and exciting features seem to diminish each year (paralleling the wrestling product itself...?) sales don't seem to follow suit. For those who are tired of the Smackdown vs Raw game play, a new game entitled WWE All-Stars is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2011. This game is slated to have arcade-style game play with a fighting game feel.
Mattel is expected to have a slew of new products just in time for the holidays in the form of action figures and other WWE toys. Legends, single figures, and two-packs will all be available in time for holiday gift-giving. The long awaited first figure of Sheamus will be released as will Toys R Us exclusive Legends two-packs including The Rockers and Kerry & Kevin Von Erich. All of these will be eclipsed in early 2011 when Mattel releases the first figure of Randy "Macho Man" Savage in over a decade.
Topps will be upping the ante as well with their latest offering. While details are sketchy, it is rumored that the next Topps WWE card series will include randomly inserted autographed cards from both Triple H and The Undertaker. Both of these stars signatures have been absent from trading card sets for years. Expect to see these available at the end of this year or early 2011.
The once dominate wrestling figure producer Jakks has much promised product that has seen little appearance in stores. Their TNA figure and toy line is just beginning to roll out with lines of single and two-packs as well as a six-sided ring. Many collectors are clamoring for the Jakks Legends of the Ring line. As has been previously documented here, Series 1 contains Sting, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett, and Kurt Angle. Recently prototypes of Series 2 were unveiled including Andre the Giant, Terry Taylor, Jim Cornette, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, and AJ Styles. Styles, Hardy, and Joe are clad in their earlier TNA attire while Andre, Taylor, and Cornette are true classics. This is Taylor's first figure and Cornette's second. The Cornette figure will look great posed next to the WWE Classic Superstars Midnight Express figures.
It should also be noted that a new figure of former WWF star Dan "The Beast" Severn has recently been released in the Jakks UFC action figure line. This figure, similar to the previous releases of Brock Lesnar, should have much crossover interest into the realm of wrestling collectibles.
Tristar has once again released another stellar set of TNA trading cards. The latest set, TNA Icons, is another heaping helping of autograph and memorabilia cards as well as parallels and
numbered cards of all kinds. The release itself is also numbered and limited like the last few Tristar TNA releases, so once again the best bet in locating the cards may be by purchasing "Blaster Boxes" at stores such as Target and Wal Mart.Many stars, such as Tommy Dreamer, make their TNA card debut in this set, and there are even cards featuring the recent feud between Ric Flair and Jay Lethal. Much to the chagrin of some collectors, the boxes and packs feature the likenesses of Hogan, Flair, and Sting as opposed to the younger talent. Good or bad, these are still the names and images that sell, therefore they are continually used on products.
This is just a quick overview of some of the upcoming items from the two biggest wrestling promotions. As more are announced they will be featured right here. You can also now follow the blog on Twitter at:
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Next time...cue up "The Chase"...look out for the "Veg-o-Matic"...and get ready for a big dose of southern style action. It's a look back at Jim Cornette, the Midnight Express, and how they revolutionized tag team wrestling. Put down that tennis racket!
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