“I wasn’t a victim of an action but rather of the response.” — Me

This one isn’t about memorabilia. It has a wrestling connection but I wouldn’t call it a wrestling post. It’s something a bit different and, probably, a tad controversial. I don’t do “trigger warnings” but if a little truth about an issue that’s gotten some traction on the net in the past week or so isn’t your thing, you may want to skip this one. I believe it’s a worthwhile read considering many of you collectors who would be reading this are into conventions and meet and greets.

This tale involves a Pittsburgh area convention known as Steel City Con. The show itself is not in the city of Pittsburgh but the nearby suburb of Monroeville. The show began in the late ‘80s as “The Pittsburgh Toy Show” so it’s always associated itself with the city even though it’s never technically been held there. To be fair, many residents of the surrounding suburbs will respond “Pittsburgh” when asked from where they come from, myself included. The town where I spent the majority of my childhood was even a tad further away from the city yet our mailing address was Pittsburgh. It’s one of those things that some find strange and others realize is no big deal.

I started attending the show, as the toy show, about twenty years ago. In fact up until about five or so years ago I referred to it strictly as “toy show” and everyone knew what I was talking about. The “Steel City Con” name came about around 15 years ago or so. I really don’t recall the exact time for the name change. As I just said it took me years and years before I ever personally called it that. For a few shows those in charge tried to float it as “Steel City Comic Con.” This created confusion as there weren’t too many tables with comics, but many of us realized what they were attempting to do. They were trying to become a Pittsburgh version of the famous San Diego Comic Con. Around that time is when the tone of the show really began to change.

When it was Pittsburgh Toy Show that’s exactly what it was: a very large toy show. Deals were insane if you went at the right times. For those of you who want a little wrestling memorabilia thrown in I’ll give you the best deal I ever found (and they were endless): an LJN Warlord figure for 75 cents. Of course there were the dealers who knew what their stuff was worth or wanted more than any educated consumer would pay for their wares, but just as I do at shows today I ignored those tables. Always go for the box UNDER the table. In fact, very, very few of the dealers at this particular show had a clue about wrestling items. While they had their vintage Star Wars and GI Joe items at full price, they’d often bring wrestling stuff along just to get rid of. It was a paradise.

At least as far back as I’d been going there were a few celebrity guest appearances added. I’m not sure exactly when it started but when I first attended we were still in the days of a $20 “combo.” Heck, Bruno Sammartino was standing there telling folks not to pay and that he’d sign for free outside. That’s our Bruno. But you also had names such as Dirk Benedict, Verne Troyer, Tiffany and Kenny “R2-D2” Baker. It was before meeting celebrities became the overpriced mess that it is now. As the show switched buildings and names, more celebrities began to be added. This is also when cosplay came into the picture.

The cosplayers, though I have nothing personally against the concept, were a major part of my personal detachment from the show. They weren’t supporting the toy vendors. Overpriced root beer and homemade soap? Sure. But cosplayers and myself had very different wants and interests. Because the show wanted to be San Diego Comic Con it was the cosplayers who were catered to. Every show I heard more and more displeasure from the toy vendors and then, suddenly, loads of them began disappearing. Suddenly I also no longer felt compelled to attend every show despite living nearby. Unless a certain celebrity that I really wanted to meet was attending I didn’t really feel the need to go. That was exacerbated with the outrageous costs being asked for autographs and photos. Even if there was a celebrity that I enjoyed it truly had to be an event for me or else I had little interest in spending the time and money.

Here’s where we do a bit of a time jump. We’ll get back to my own experiences after addressing the current state of the show and the controversy that spurned these remembrances to begin with. Around ten years ago (again, the time frame could be off a few years) the ownership of the show changed. The original founder, who always had a reputation of being difficult, sold to new owners who obviously had a huge vision. The guests became even bigger in name, cosplay became a featured event complete with contests and the toy finds became even fewer and far between. Suddenly “VIP Passes” were purchasable so that fans could “skip the lines” for certain guests. In short, the show became more of a cash grab than ever before. To the owners credit, I’m sure that more cash than ever was going into their pockets and that’s their one and only goal.

This past weekend was the latest edition of the show which has always been held three times a year. As with all shows run by any promoter you’re going to announce your appearing names well in advance. Even if they end up cancelling, which many do for various reasons, you’re going to promote the Hell out of them every chance that you get. Again, it’s called promotion. Some of the Con’s most ardent supporters decided “never again” when, hours before the show, Steel City Con announced that actor Kevin Spacey would be attending on Sunday. If you don’t know why this is controversial I don’t need to repeat it here. A quick Google will do you. This made some convention goers feel “unsafe” and, traditionally, the show does not offer refunds at all. It was either attend or lose all of your money.

Personally I would not have cared either way as far as the appearance itself was concerned. Looking at the list of attending celebrities I’m going to single out Henry Winkler and Jimmy Hart. Why those two? Of the dozens who appeared those are just about the only two who I think may not have a single odious skeleton in their closet that would make someone not want to meet them. This is Hollywood. These are stars. I’ve said it so many times over the years. While I’m just as guilty as the next guy for wanting to meet many whose work I’ve admired, things go on among the famous that we simply need to put out of our heads in order to enjoy their work. It’s just how it is. It’s why I have a problem with certain wrestlers being singled out for things while others are ignored. It’s a popularity contest. Would anyone have scoffed at Kirk Douglas making a convention appearance? Of course not. If you’re asking what this means, maybe it’s better that you don’t know. If you do want to know, Google a certain child star who was married to Robert Wagner. Wagner who, for the record, did in fact appear at Steel City Con several years ago.

By all accounts the Spacey appearance went smoothly but controversy still reigned. The Con courageously disabled comments on social media, taking the blame as they always do. That’s sarcasm, of course. They’re masters of victim blaming. That leads us to what you’ve all been waiting for, my own story. I’m hardly calling myself a victim of an action but rather of the response.

I did not attend this latest show. It’s been a year since I’ve spent my time and money there. The last time was in order to meet a lifelong crush who passed just a few months later, Shannen Doherty. That meeting was great though I could tell that the show itself was descending more and more into what drove me away to begin with. But what truly soured me on the show happened several years earlier at one of the first ones held after the COVID virus. That’s a key factor here. I can’t remember who all I was attending for, but this story involves meeting John Bradshaw Layfield. Though he’d appeared at several events I’d attended over the years I had never taken the opportunity to meet him. This time I decided to do it and let me say in advance that my interaction with him was perfectly fine.

The line was a couple of people at best. I was with friends who I frequently attend shows with and as far as meeting people we have it down to a science. We should after decades of this stuff. If one is around they’ll snap your picture if you’re getting one. If two or more in the group are getting pictures we’ll often advise the attendee. That way we can rotate phones/cameras and the celebrity can stay standing and/or in “picture mode” and doesn’t have to switch between posing and signing. I couldn’t even begin to tell you the amount of celebrities and attendees who’ve appreciated this over the years. We don’t waste their time or energy. We make it easy. Honestly, we give them the time back to work with the overexcited fans who need to tell their life story. It happens and there is nothing wrong with it.

As I paid my fee and had in hand what I was getting signed, I handed my phone to a friend who was behind me. The attendee began to randomly look upset and I didn’t even have a chance to explain the system that I just outlined in the paragraph above. Why didn’t I have the chance? She grabbed my arm, dug into it, and forcefully pushed me to the side. Physical touch right as the show is coming back from a pandemic.Was I hurt? Not at all. I’m roughly six foot. The reason that she could move me is that I’m not going to fight an older woman much smaller than me. Putting her hands on me? That’s a bit of a different story but she did it so fast that I had zero time to react. She blindsided me for no particular reason. I met with JBL, got my stuff done and left the area. 

Remember that it wasn’t the action. I’m not pretending to be the victim of some massive physical assault. It was the fact that it was inappropriate, uncalled for, unprovoked and humiliating. Not to mention that it was unbelievably ill timed for anyone to be touching anyone else without permission considering the world climate at the time. But it gets worse.

My cohorts, all witnesses as shocked as I was, advised me to talk to someone in charge about it. Who was around to hear me out? No one. More volunteers. Unpaid folks just as this woman was. This woman has a reputation of being a celebrity obsessed hanger-on who only volunteers to be “close” to the stars. Others are there because they enjoy helping keep order. This woman had zero skills for that, as was obvious. In a twist of irony I’ll give you one guess as to who appeared in photos as the attendee with Kevin Spacey. Food for thought? This woman, likely with zero life outside of this, felt the opportunity for a power trip.

I eventually took to their social media. We know that in this day and age most companies cringe at any sort of bad review on most social media platforms. To their credit someone involved with Steel City Con responded…and promptly blamed me. They said that they asked the volunteer and had other witnesses who backed her up. I was apparently causing an issue. She’s going to risk losing her time with the stars and admit that she was wrong? The witnesses with me didn’t count? I didn’t want money, I wanted an apology. I did get lots of sympathy from others who had, and I quote, been “gaslighted” by the Con in similar situations. I still have those messages in case they’re ever needed.

That was that. Again, just I’ve said twice, the action wasn’t the true crime, it was the response. Am I the fool for even going back a few times after that? Maybe. But that’s why that, even though I have no opinion either way about Kevin Spacey being a guest at the show, I’m enjoying every last bit of bad publicity that the show will get from it. Will it ultimately hurt them? No. The public is fickle. A large amount of loyal, cult-like followers regularly attack anyone who has anything but absolute praise for the show and its organizers. As I’ve shown here they’ve gotten away with similar injustices in the past and won’t ever give it up. Too much money to be made. It’s rich on all levels that they advertise respect and safety and tolerance and all of those lies, but would you expect any less? At least now there’s a public record of just one of the horrible ways that they’ve treated a paying customer over the years.

And one that they can’t shove under the rug nor erase.

The American Dream 2025

I’m admittedly biased, but I still feel that Dusty Rhodes is underrepresented in the figure world. It’s certainly a lot better than it was when all we had was the infamous polka dot Hasbro, but for a man as big as he was to the wrestling business I still feel we should be seeing him more often. I’ve always felt that he missed what should have been his figure debut, alongside Ric Flair, in the Remco AWA line. Remember that some stars such as Flair, who weren’t necessarily AWA regulars, did in fact make the line.

The increasingly laughable brain trust at Mattel have done something to remedy that and made an unusual set of wise moves in doing so. In their WWE Superstars line, a homage to that forty-year-old Remco collection, The American Dream has finally made his debut. Packed alongside his son Cody, The Dream debuts in the first two-pack for this particular line. Mattel, in a nearly unheard of move, also made it painless to get these figures. While the normal WWE Superstars line is a complete nightmare to locate due to being exclusive to Walmart, Mattel released this two-pack on their Mattel Creations website. A few button clicks and no anger or worries. It’s a great thing and Mattel would be wise to just throw every exclusive onto the site. I’m sure that they’ve lost many collector dollars with their constant need to frustrate loyal customers.

It should be noted that the biggest difference between this set and the regular WWE Superstars line is the packaging. This two-pack is done in the slide-out clamshell packaging. While there is tape, baggies and other materials that end up in the garbage involved, you can return the figures themselves to the bubble without much being noticed. Still, it won’t be “mint on card” so if you insist on having it both ways you do have to purchase two sets. I’ll also take this time to make a prediction. I think that we will see a single carded Dusty, most likely in polka dots, in the WWE Superstars line. I have zero inside info. I’m not a bootlicking influencer so why would I? Simply an educated guess.

But how does Dusty match up? Is it the Remco figure we’ve yearned four decades for? I can’t recall if I’ve ever reviewed any of the previous WWE Superstars figures here on the blog before. In the event that you’re unfamiliar, the body types are sort of a modern upgrade to the original Remco AWA figures. If you’re familiar with the Masters of the Universe retro figures you’ll have an inkling. They fit in with the originals but possess more articulation, swappable hands and other modern “amenities.” True to the original Remco offerings the WWE Superstars are big on removable soft goods outfits and some accessories. When you can find the line at retail you certainly don’t feel ripped off. Many of the figures such as Andre the Giant, Earthquake and Brutus Beefcake are even “two-figures-in-one” with a few accessory changes. 

Dusty includes a smattering of different hands, a removable soft goods shirt and the classic NWA Championship belt. I saw some complaints on how “basic” the belt was when the figure was revealed. That showed me that those commenters had no business even collecting the line. The belt is a homage to the belts included with the Remco line. The plates are printed onto a rubber strap. While the Remco belt was a sticker on plastic it’s the same concept. It works perfectly and I wish that Mattel had done this with previous belts in the WWE Superstars line. The shirt is the same design that was released with an Elite figure several years ago. Cody also has some additional hands, a soft goods shirt and his trademark weight belt.

Traditionally the Remco AWA figures were either “ripped” or “fat” bodied. We have one of each here. Dusty has his splotch which, though I’m not sure the Remco would’ve had it, is subtler than on the modern figures of The Dream and fits the bill. The faces on both are very good and better than Remco would’ve done however that’s been the case with all of the WWE Superstars figures. The upcoming Remco/PowerTown line is going for the same look. I will best describe it as being a “modern homage.” I guess the basic head look from 1985 just wouldn’t sell today…except to me.

There aren’t any action features or high-level detailing here and those aren’t what this line is about. They aren’t for everyone but they certainly have proven to be popular. I again applaud Mattel for making Dusty accessible to everyone as all of the figures should be. The price is a tad higher than I think most would line but, again, I’m going to throw ease and convenience into the cost. I will always pay a bit more (on a retail level, not to jobless Cheeto fingers hunting at stores instead of working a real job) to save time and frustration. Not enough people understand that time is so much more important than money. You can always make more money. There are endless opportunities. When you’re out of time there’s nothing else. Think about that.

I truly thought that the aforementioned Remco PowerTown line would be among the first reviews here on the blog in 2025, but perhaps that was some very wishful thinking. I’m still hoping to do an entry on those, too, but as you can see with this type of figure there isn’t all that much to review. While I’m personally all but done with giving Mattel and most of these other manufacturers my frustration, this time they did a good thing. It’s a set that I recommend for most any collection and, once again, one that’s easily accessible. 

The definition of “The American Dream” has meant a lot of things to a lot of people. In the sense of the American people, in 2025 “The American Dream” is being sick of rich people, sick of money-grubbing companies and (most importantly?) sick of wrestling toy manufacturers, wannabe manufacturers and their absolutely piss poor treatment of the hard-working consumer. At least this set, in some small way, helped ease up that last one a bit.

Until my next pre-order gets cancelled, that is.

Bruno Forever

It’s difficult to find an event these days that has what we used to refer to as “a true sense of community.” People are different now across the board. Because of the rotten side of social media folks are more likely to be trying to “get themselves over” as if they’re the main character of life rather than group together for a common cause. Like any region Greater Pittsburgh has its faults, but one of the areas in which it still excels is maintaining that true sense of community. I don’t think I’ve felt it as great in years as I did this past Saturday at “Bruno Forever.” In talking with other attendees and/or reading their post-event feelings, I wasn’t alone.

The event, under the Pros of Wrestling banner, was designed by promoter Dan Polinsky to celebrate the memory of “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino, recall the rich legacy of professional wrestling in Pittsburgh and to put on a great show for a worthy cause. The combination immediately drew eyes and interest. For one thing, wrestling events done in the name of a deceased legend, sadly, usually have zero true connection to the star. This one did. Sammartino’s son, Darryl, not only endorsed it but attended and took part in a question and answer session hosted by the legendary Bill Apter. The event was also a fundraiser for one of Sammartino’s favorite causes, The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

A highlight for many was a relatively rare appearance by all-time great and Bruno opponent Stan “The Lariat” Hansen. While I’ve come across him several times in my own travels, I could not think of a single time where Pittsburgh area fans would have had a chance to meet “The Lariat.” It was an amazing opportunity for the local wrestling fandom and, as always, Hansen did not disappoint. His legendary status as arguably the most successful American wrestling star in Japan and one of the roughest and toughest to ever lace up the boots hasn’t taken the humanity out of the man. He’s truly a joy to visit with.

I also have to mention the vendors at the show as I was honored to be one of them. I don’t bring “the table” out too often, but when I do I always have a good time. Other vendors included wrestling journalist and author Greg Oliver and Bob Michelucci. If you’re a true long time reader of this blog the latter name may ring a bell. Michelucci was the co-author of Bruno’s original autobiography and was the force behind the now coveted Wrestling Legends trading card set released in 1991 which contains autograph cards of greats such as Buddy Rogers and Lou Thesz. In the early days of the blog I was honored to work with Michelucci’s partner in those ventures, Tim Ferrante, to bring a behind the scenes look at the creations of both the cards and the book. It was great being vendor neighbors with both Mr. Michelucci and Mr. Oliver.

A full night of wrestling followed all of these other festivities complete with the crowning of the first ever Bruno Sammartino Heritage Champion. It was a night with something for everyone and, maybe most importantly, for all ages. When you put out a product that is not only suitable for everyone but can also capture the attention of anyone who’s watching it, you definitely have a recipe for success. The immense crowd at the show seemed to agree. I don’t think I saw a single person leave before the last bell.

I’m not sure how many in attendance realized, but the event was held just minutes from Bruno’s long time residence. You could feel his aura. I often say that he was the only true role model ever in the professional wrestling business. While there have been other real life good guys, Bruno was just different. He was a good person who found success in a business that, more often than it should, harbors some less-than-good people. He provided for his family, made a steady home and, while having faults like all the rest of us, WAS indeed someone that kids could look up to. Many of the children in the crowd at the show were probably learning of him for the first time. For if any of his values were in some way passed along to them, well, I can’t think of any better tribute.

Everything seems to indicate that “Bruno Forever” may be just the start of something wonderful as opposed to a once-in-a-lifetime deal. There’s already talk of another, possibly at this time next year. I, for one, would be thrilled to be a small part of it yet again. It was a great cause. It was professional wrestling. It was, indeed, community. I saw all three combine to form one thing. I take that back. I saw all three combine to several hundred things.

Nonstop smiles.

Mattel Declares For The Royal Rumble

Do they really do that? My joke in that title, that is. My modern viewing has been limited to putting the Rumble and parts of Mania on my iPad while I watch entertaining stuff on the real tv, but all I ever see in headlines is that such-and-such “declared” for the Royal Rumble. Do they come out and say “Well, I declare!”? It just seems so absurd to me.

So, anyway, Mattel has decided to attempt to make some thirty-plus-year-old dreams come true in their latest venture into the retro wrestling figure universe. A Hasbro-sized Royal Rumble ring? Brother Love? Sherri and Liz? All here. Shortly after I took it I texted several folks the “glamour shot” of the entire set that you see above. As a kid I truly had dreams of finding a lot of those items in stores. The Brother Love card back, in particular, is exactly how I’d always envisioned it using the same image. If we look at that picture and not much further, it truly is a dream come true. It’s also a company banking on nostalgia. I have no problem with that if it’s done right. Was it? Well, some of it.

Both sets are available at Mattel Creations. Brother Love and the ring clock in at $40 while the four-pack of Hulk Hogan as Rip, Zeus, Miss Elizabeth and Sensational Queen Sherri is priced at $60. There’s also a bundle option that saves you. Priced at $100 the bundle saves you from having to click twice to add both items to your cart. Yeah, that’s all that it saves you. Not even $5. I’ll tell you a pretty likely way to save more, if you don’t feel the need to jump the gun as I did, at the end of the entry. Are the bootlicker reviewers who are all the rage giving you tips like that? Of course they aren’t. That’s why their “influencing” is coveted by the companies and my true reviews are ignored in this day and age. Ah well, I had my moment. All of fifteen minutes.

Let’s take a look Brucie and the ring first. These are the items that mostly came out as closely as I imagined them had they existed in the Hasbro line. The ring is another reuse of the standard Mattel retro ring, but you know what you’re getting into here. Like last year’s WrestleMania ring release you can choose which sticker is in the middle of the mat the WWF logo (without the F, of course) or the Royal Rumble logo. Of course you’re choosing the latter. Unlike with the Mania ring, I don’t really understand the inclusion of the basic logo sticker. Because of the color the ring stands out and will like great with a “Rumble” going on, but there was a major change here from previous retro ring releases. The ropes are the “gummy” rubbery style that I last remember being included with the Mattel War Games set. They can, and will, snap. They’re absolutely terrible. If you’re going to display this thing for any amount of time I would recommend going to eBay and finding one of the various sellers who produce “replica” ring ropes for a retro ring. Not only do they look and feel better, but they won’t snap.

Brother Love himself, like the ring, is pretty much how we all imagined. The microphone (we’ve all seen plenty of jokes about its shape since its original release) and The Book of Love are reused from the Mattel Legends figure. Brucie boy doesn’t stand too well with the book in hand which is why he’s picture here without it. I was able to get him to stand elsewhere with it, so your mileage may vary. I’d read some early complaints about the face being too red. He looks fine to me but I will say with the way that I tint my photography it may appear darker here than it actually is.

Going into the four pack you have to start with the champ. This time we get Hulk Hogan as Rip from “No Holds Barred.” It’s pretty much a repaint of the earlier red and yellow Hulkster retro, but I think that it looks great. Would No Holds Barred figures have been at the top of my list? Not necessarily, but in my view they’re the best figures to be released from the movie as this is how I would’ve envisioned them. We finally have a retro stylized belt to go onto the belt holders that have been on every ring. I never liked using the modern belts with the retros as Mattel seemed to earlier suggest. I’m hoping to see this one reused and remolded in different colors and for other classic belts to be given the same treatment.

Zeus is by far the worst item in this “bundle,” largely because of his height. Because of the mold used he looks tiny (Lister?) compared to Hogan. He’s supposed to be imposing. A completely different mold should have been used for him. It’s honestly a waste of a slot with this decision being made. All-in-all, if they wanted to keep to the ’89 theme and aren’t able to use Savage, I’d have been fine with a Hulk Rules era Hogan and a new Beefcake to join Liz and Sherri. It even baffles me, but despite being a No Holds Barred collector (owning many rare promotional materials and even a screen used prop), it’s never been one of my favorite movies. I like the memorabilia due to the connection with the golden era.

The Sensational Queen is next and this is the second retro of Sherri in this gimmick that’s been released in the past several months. One of the boutique retro wrestling figure producers released their own version which is in more of a statuesque design. Honestly, there’s room for both in my view. There’s never been any talk of intentions by Hasbro to release anything but wrestlers in their original line. We haven’t even ever seen design concepts. That being said, we have no idea what Hasbro females, managers and announcers would have looked like. Therefore, any produced today to reflect what they could’ve looked like can’t be wrong. This version, complete with what would’ve been a “Real Wrestling Action,” is definitely the “wrestler” version of Queen Sherri.

Devoid of any previous retro releases from any company I would have to say that Miss Elizabeth was the most anticipated from this set. The likeness is great and I wouldn’t mind seeing it on a new full sized figure. The hair is spot on and I think that the facial likeness is close to how Hasbro would’ve captured her. For non-wrestler Liz the stance is odd, but who’s to say that Hasbro wouldn’t have done the same? The stance hurts the skirt and, honestly, it looks like she’s taking a squat. Still, I think we all have to agree that this is probably what Hasbro would’ve given us.

For me, buying this “bundle” was worth pulling the trigger on. There are items that I wanted and, while I was fairly certain that nothing would immediately sell out, I didn’t want to wait. My feelings on the previous retro set were different. The only figure that I wanted out of that one was Alundra Blayze. I waited and ended up getting that entire set off of Amazon for $40. I’ve also waited on the nWo and DX retro sets and ended up getting them on Black Friday sales. The advice I promised earlier? I highly doubt you’ll miss out if you wait for these. Mattel, as of yet, seems to have no intention of limiting their exclusives as they used to. They know where the money is at for them and it certainly isn’t in making a limited product for scalpers to scoop up.

Now where else do you get advice like that? From a kowtowing “influencer?” I think not. I thank all ten of you who read this, you loyal readers, you.