tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33383121108477188142024-03-18T05:47:27.329-04:00J\/\/s Wrestling MemorabiliaThe Best in Pro Wrestling Collectibles--Past, Present, & FutureJ\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.comBlogger672125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-67447225366669858962023-12-28T19:00:00.017-05:002023-12-28T19:00:00.144-05:00Looking to the future…<p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another year has passed. The fifteenth active year of this blog to be exact, though the actual fifteenth anniversary itself isn’t <span dir="ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: initial; font-size: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; text-decoration: underline;">until 3/22/24</span>. I set a blog goal for myself this year that I actually surpassed. I wanted to go back to the weekly format and stick to it. Thanks to a few “extra” happenings I actually surpassed that. If you read any or all of those entries I truly and sincerely thank you. Every bit of feedback, whether it be in some private comment or even a social media “like,” means the world to me. It means that what I’ve done here has in some way entertained, informed or enlightened and that is what I’d always set out to do since day one.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn’t advertise this entry on any social media entities for a reason. It’s an entry that only needs to be read by the “diehards,” if any such readers exist for this blog. If you automatically come here on your own, then it’s information that you’d be interested in. If you don’t, you may come across it eventually or just wonder “hey, what happened to that guy?” In 2024 I’ve decided to “pull back” a bit. That’s both personally and in public forums such as this. A time for reevaluation on all fronts. I absolutely detest “I’ve had enough, I’m leaving” announcements that folks make on social media. No one cares and the people that respond as such are the only ones being truthful. Instead I’ll try to give you more of an “update.”</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The truth of the matter is that I’ve done everything that I’d set out to do, and probably more, with this blog. It got me some recognition in the early days, helped me realize my dream of writing for the magazines before they became all but extinct and gave me some recognition among other wrestling fans and collectors which is always nice. I can keep on doing what I’ve been doing, but it’s repetition. One can only take me talking about Dusty, The King and Bruno so many times.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I set out to give friendly and lighthearted looks at the topics that I covered. Sadly, that just doesn’t work anymore. The world has changed. Some pinpoint it all the way back to <span dir="ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: initial; font-size: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; text-decoration: underline;">9/11</span>. I think that I’d go a little beyond that, but it’s just a different place. The key to success in this day and age is being an asshole. There’s no way around it. I don’t know if I speak for every genre, but look at who’s making it big now covering what I cover or even those who cover the wrestling business in general. Assholes. Some with knowledge, some without. If they’re not an asshole then they speak in ridiculous slang or act like they’re edgy when, ultimately, they’re talking about toys or other items coming from a product that’s always, like it not, been aimed at children. Then there are those who’ve literally bought their way into your consciousness. They spent their money to get in, you, in turn, spent your money on them and they’ve literally insulted you and laughed in your face. You know exactly what I’m talking about and, unless you’re in denial, hopefully you’re feeling a bit of shame for letting yourself be used like that.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve never talked down to anyone that’s honored me with following my content. While I’ll admit to winning for a long time going by that belief, my successes have indeed stagnated. Add that to the fact that I’m a creative person who’s never had an outlet for creativity that’s truly been sustainable. That’s ultimately the great trick in being creative. I never made money on this. The reward was entertaining and enlightening you, which I mentioned above.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m sure that a few of you still get that from this blog, but it’s time for something else. I don’t know what that is. I don’t feel that the blog is completely ending. Again, I think that 2024 is a great time for reevaluation. I doubt that there will be fifty-five entries in this coming year. There may not even be five. There may be an entirely new format or maybe another project altogether. I’ll even be pulling back from most of the social media associated with the blog. That being said, I implore you to watch out for updates. If you enjoyed the run thus far and have stuck with me I can promise you that I’ll put even more of myself into whatever follows. The trick is figuring out what that is.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, thank you all for all of the support over the past decade and a half.</span></p><p class="yiv7148348594MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZM0D9YV_rGZ3EKHjJ94K7cZogOo6J1ECIhDt5qZyAOUulQMtkXHaDitbM5DAjzl8jrpQUhioZNxGXO8AycngHpu8dXGaZVoHG1qFgrXz2Mrd-5KCaSsHN_IbbEvelj-ZaROQ1Uj6HumHCGUYCsl5uSYxUbEne6t_rKNYhiDvY3o4XU7XpMANNgPo2RzF/s1957/IMG_9701.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1957" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZM0D9YV_rGZ3EKHjJ94K7cZogOo6J1ECIhDt5qZyAOUulQMtkXHaDitbM5DAjzl8jrpQUhioZNxGXO8AycngHpu8dXGaZVoHG1qFgrXz2Mrd-5KCaSsHN_IbbEvelj-ZaROQ1Uj6HumHCGUYCsl5uSYxUbEne6t_rKNYhiDvY3o4XU7XpMANNgPo2RzF/s320/IMG_9701.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-85006090414194398052023-12-21T19:00:00.059-05:002023-12-21T19:00:00.169-05:00Figure Of The Year 2023<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXYz1Y1bj7JBLATiN5naRkWP0t3gXq3ic1xuVzWPoBjIbxqID34-_8visiFafKQW7iqdHDWjriJ1AkeshI5PsZGGLYtgfF05oops7md0GyK7ZI387THCjf7qmD0ZeA4KmNDAX2vGAPNXVlROlMziv-TC3vz7psp9Xr9slr12psKXJiHzAMt4w84Apkuyt/s2221/IMG_9892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="1724" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXYz1Y1bj7JBLATiN5naRkWP0t3gXq3ic1xuVzWPoBjIbxqID34-_8visiFafKQW7iqdHDWjriJ1AkeshI5PsZGGLYtgfF05oops7md0GyK7ZI387THCjf7qmD0ZeA4KmNDAX2vGAPNXVlROlMziv-TC3vz7psp9Xr9slr12psKXJiHzAMt4w84Apkuyt/w158-h204/IMG_9892.jpeg" width="158" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time once again. What was the single best figure of 2023? Maybe I shouldn’t say single since, as far as this blog is concerned, there were two winners in 2022. There’s no denying that there are now more figures than ever to choose from since, for better or worse, there are now a multitude of manufacturers. Well, at least there are a handful of manufacturers and some kids playing dress up and trying to be manufacturers. Thinly veiled shade aside, more names than ever are immortalized in plastic and as long as they’re available to all it’s ultimately a better market. Let’s take a look at a few of the choices this year, some which were reviewed on this blog and some that weren’t.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk2ObLbOaRxcdIF_UToZcVoS9BblzeFE1QaH6tA7obNE6s00rowE8TOMZLj2HsrxfjDowGj01GA4S3Eifmd-759-EiZ_9wp6fe_kT5XOI6JSrzit3xqQEvF-Ee-jK9b9PQa0LzGvlynGE7CAWlm_NaeHrOKa5JO830IB2gTLZysUZgBgqdCNJPrT-3BSw/s1620/IMG_9870.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="792" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk2ObLbOaRxcdIF_UToZcVoS9BblzeFE1QaH6tA7obNE6s00rowE8TOMZLj2HsrxfjDowGj01GA4S3Eifmd-759-EiZ_9wp6fe_kT5XOI6JSrzit3xqQEvF-Ee-jK9b9PQa0LzGvlynGE7CAWlm_NaeHrOKa5JO830IB2gTLZysUZgBgqdCNJPrT-3BSw/w98-h201/IMG_9870.jpeg" width="98" /></a></div>You know him and you love him. Virgil was back in 2023 with a new figure from Mattel. This is only the second action figure of Virgil in his wrestling gear to be produced and just the fourth overall. For such a ubiquitous character in the glory days of the WWF it’s hard to believe, but at least he’s finally getting his due. I’m not sure why the choice was made to do this one as a Build-A-Figure as he would’ve been a hugely popular character in the Legends series, but there’s always room for that, too, just change it up to the look he had in the Hasbro figure. (George Foreman on Nutrisystem?) While we’re at it, why not a “Bodyguard Virgil” Retro figure?<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXCiFoU5pGw7pH6S3Zs41mb5nsTue3oLRZCNo8SOhkeC_S2Sso0cRNVC-_cva3pF7q2hRuB4DUWqGvK0hfibnL2RmgA3AR7udULEx3QVNSkaa4ancGRXpPo7TzwpfJtsTU4IlxinaYst1hW-osyC34G_hxrJn4mgbV_T5XECYNiqXXHtwa75FofKG-d0h/s945/IMG_9874.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="749" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXCiFoU5pGw7pH6S3Zs41mb5nsTue3oLRZCNo8SOhkeC_S2Sso0cRNVC-_cva3pF7q2hRuB4DUWqGvK0hfibnL2RmgA3AR7udULEx3QVNSkaa4ancGRXpPo7TzwpfJtsTU4IlxinaYst1hW-osyC34G_hxrJn4mgbV_T5XECYNiqXXHtwa75FofKG-d0h/w167-h211/IMG_9874.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div>Andre the Giant, as usual, saw a multitude of new releases but none stood out to me more than the suited version finally released in Mattel Elite Series 100. It’s a look that’s been ignored for decades and was finally done, complete with a variant. The big man was perfect for all of the “35<sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Anniversary of WrestleMania IV” celebrations that were held worldwide (you weren’t invited to one? Where were you?) and filled a gap in collections everywhere. My one gripe with the figure was that the huge “paw” hands that were used on about two Andre figures and a Big Show release several years ago were not included and seem to be forgotten by Mattel altogether.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRbFene1tHOEODMCQCFvPUhyphenhyphenyXU3XfTM8YjTJlR3GAUi22ZBiFXSALI7KO34NEoOjqkZFJeORdCJadwTap06Gcd9tGdnS3RlQ1ollwdwdzkWX9dYkCzTGfQrlMXtyTxGYRlvjoMzKghkChwK9cjh2JQzCX0Wh4jYvzUoXbXU_5BF4MNQ26Ux9Xsyvi-Om/s2048/IMG_9873.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1578" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRbFene1tHOEODMCQCFvPUhyphenhyphenyXU3XfTM8YjTJlR3GAUi22ZBiFXSALI7KO34NEoOjqkZFJeORdCJadwTap06Gcd9tGdnS3RlQ1ollwdwdzkWX9dYkCzTGfQrlMXtyTxGYRlvjoMzKghkChwK9cjh2JQzCX0Wh4jYvzUoXbXU_5BF4MNQ26Ux9Xsyvi-Om/w163-h211/IMG_9873.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div>Figures Toy Company added some absolutely great names to their Legends line with the first ever figures of Dr. Tom Prichard, Brad Armstrong and Mr. Hughes among others. Many collectors sleep on these offerings and will be sorry when they’re no longer available. It’s the one line that I would absolutely guarantee a monetary value raise for once they’re no longer in production. The company has also recently announced that going forward there will be a brand new body type for all future released figures. This could be a game changer with some of the unique names that only FTC is seemingly willing to make. As the kids say, “I’m here for it.”<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMd_7rJyC9CdeFpPMGEPUVKNZw7WYImzGC-mbfQTU0BoPxkhq7SVI2zt-lROs8SoDbhQd-lKtBMdXVyU9ywXFhFS8ZrHOvgpWMsn2xTZWlaCRN_pAUEs5RB3jnYrHQ14n-1qr_SzOF2hCeM7OJ4Ewk8l2x8B1tT4eZo9QrgrugscrSlj2R6_qB4LlOzxI/s1040/IMG_9877.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="811" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMd_7rJyC9CdeFpPMGEPUVKNZw7WYImzGC-mbfQTU0BoPxkhq7SVI2zt-lROs8SoDbhQd-lKtBMdXVyU9ywXFhFS8ZrHOvgpWMsn2xTZWlaCRN_pAUEs5RB3jnYrHQ14n-1qr_SzOF2hCeM7OJ4Ewk8l2x8B1tT4eZo9QrgrugscrSlj2R6_qB4LlOzxI/w147-h188/IMG_9877.jpeg" width="147" /></a></div>The Coliseum Collection gave us some nice possibilities with Ravishing Rick Rude and Jake “The Snake” Roberts as well as the Rowdy Roddy Piper and George “The Animal” Steele releases that you saw featured here last week. I honestly think that Steele could be my “First Runner-up” this year, if I had one, and I’ll reiterate a point that I made last week: availability is key. All of The Coliseum Collection releases are still available to order at press time. Remember, one of the factors in my choice of “Figure Of The Year” is availability. No one should be left in the cold buying what is nothing more than a children’s toy. Speaking of toys, George came with plenty including a turnbuckle and Mine!<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLJhxPingykwIu7tauRj-sbyat-uSS7BBs0BEqAK80pT-xm3KCPoDfHw6WSdefsCYbRC_jKn9mOQuyCPhcZrsOTtvUKylrYUdoGl3j18ChUrNdapUjJeRVRwwDfoNudgTTA50Rb473WPXH_ztKvcQu835EJSQFc3UODRGtJ-efky_CBAc08LSvUZFnDeL/s1169/IMG_9878.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1169" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLJhxPingykwIu7tauRj-sbyat-uSS7BBs0BEqAK80pT-xm3KCPoDfHw6WSdefsCYbRC_jKn9mOQuyCPhcZrsOTtvUKylrYUdoGl3j18ChUrNdapUjJeRVRwwDfoNudgTTA50Rb473WPXH_ztKvcQu835EJSQFc3UODRGtJ-efky_CBAc08LSvUZFnDeL/w183-h143/IMG_9878.jpeg" width="183" /></a></div>No one could talk “Figure Of The Year” without mentioning the first six PowerTown Wrestling releases. Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Verne Gagne, Kerry Von Erich, Lou Thesz and Magnum T.A. will forever be immortalized as the first figures in what will hopefully become one of the greatest lines of all-time. There were some hick-ups along the way and maybe a questionable marketing choice and tactic or two, but with the upcoming lineup announced I think we’re in for more FOTY possibilities in 2024. Let’s not forget their new “Remco” line, either! Dory Funk Jr, Wahoo McDaniel, Madusa, Junkyard Dog, Kamala and Jack Brisco will make up Ultras Series 2.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG3AWvL0WAVaDt0xtHCX2y1VUQrTt16nPzjcxkXxlJfZLOS7OTvBpq6V-_F2AWvDOvqStNIzdCl2YQvTFXrVGOyes6siOv-aJHUDlXjEOeerMrXWc8YFbWOviVOxqF5NVdfY_LDOa9hSSMLXwhZwUD69IjlndBzDYQWfr-8AgyRp1_Ak4XWJQlgzNEx6P/s1169/IMG_9871.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1169" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG3AWvL0WAVaDt0xtHCX2y1VUQrTt16nPzjcxkXxlJfZLOS7OTvBpq6V-_F2AWvDOvqStNIzdCl2YQvTFXrVGOyes6siOv-aJHUDlXjEOeerMrXWc8YFbWOviVOxqF5NVdfY_LDOa9hSSMLXwhZwUD69IjlndBzDYQWfr-8AgyRp1_Ak4XWJQlgzNEx6P/w171-h137/IMG_9871.jpeg" width="171" /></a></div>We can’t forget Mattel’s Mr. America, Gobbledy Gooker, Rhythm and Blues Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in both Elite and Retro formats as well as various entries from the Remco-styled WWE Superstars line. Perhaps the figures that could’ve caused another tie would have been Samu and Fatu. The Headshinkers were long overdo for a return to the action figure world. Nearly three decades, to be exact. While I got everything I needed from the releases I have to believe that some collectors didn’t end up with what I feel were the more desirable variants, The Samoan Swat Team versions. The boys had never before been done in this style as figures and it’s a shame to think that someone may not have been able to grab them. An honorable mention goes out to their manager, Paul E. Dangerously, who was released in the same series. It was “the mad scientist of wrestling’s” first figure in that look and name.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL00SJ0HWaKmLoyO6TcoLl0GgNGEr1O_Djp_Uhqr4uF9lS4ur2foQwtKgYZ9EW63ETznZtWu8F3Q1lKVdq-HpULsrWR8hTYSBEVKiCd51nFHjZB3_gYZI8eQEFkWN0AJ1YNZLm6yEX6xKNYXvY3_pm_NkDivE8yK0fL_0jwqMH7trfvVryp_3ioVBmuy0/s2048/IMG_9881.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1688" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL00SJ0HWaKmLoyO6TcoLl0GgNGEr1O_Djp_Uhqr4uF9lS4ur2foQwtKgYZ9EW63ETznZtWu8F3Q1lKVdq-HpULsrWR8hTYSBEVKiCd51nFHjZB3_gYZI8eQEFkWN0AJ1YNZLm6yEX6xKNYXvY3_pm_NkDivE8yK0fL_0jwqMH7trfvVryp_3ioVBmuy0/w197-h239/IMG_9881.jpeg" width="197" /></a></div>The winner? The 2023 Figure of The Year? From Junkshopdog it’s none other than Aja Kong. The Junkshopdog line should be familiar to anyone reading this. It’s a line based on the Japanese Popy wrestling figures of the early ‘80s. The fully licensed line has taken on names not only from the original era in which it replicates but also newer stars from around the world. You may recall their Bruiser Brody release reviewed right here on the blog several years ago. Recently the company was proud to announce that through a licensing deal with WWE they’re able to add Hulk Hogan to their lineup. This is especially fun since The Hulkster was indeed part of that original ine by Popy.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Un_Rv7OZLRzn8QcrPdc_7RPsjEUSv2BtvU894d8Qu-YniQqU3LnkiVtZ2su8CBpaOMdFdMWsrBb9CbCUG1Ieukz0XyPZpHQ3XMyp-RxNB5gZFFy6r-sYX2d1IyfIF2ewKTOtBKJT8VuGiViwYKvPkpTBYvEjJeuOrL_Zqj5R642_OKmy7agjwRQ6LV25/s773/IMG_9890.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="568" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Un_Rv7OZLRzn8QcrPdc_7RPsjEUSv2BtvU894d8Qu-YniQqU3LnkiVtZ2su8CBpaOMdFdMWsrBb9CbCUG1Ieukz0XyPZpHQ3XMyp-RxNB5gZFFy6r-sYX2d1IyfIF2ewKTOtBKJT8VuGiViwYKvPkpTBYvEjJeuOrL_Zqj5R642_OKmy7agjwRQ6LV25/w147-h199/IMG_9890.jpeg" width="147" /></a></div>Aja Kong has long been one of my favorites. Her appearance in the line follows the release of fellow women’s wrestling star Bull Nakano who is equally amazingly captured. While I’d still like modern articulated releases of both of these ladies, the ability that the company had to take their unique likenesses and translate them perfectly to the Sofubi figure style is amazing. Another huge plus is that these figures come to you in one-hundred percent “collector friendly packaging.” This is a term used for decades which means that you can remove the figure from the packaging without damaging a single thing. Mattel has adopted this with their Retro line, but I’m not as fond of it there. In that line it’s a poor late-in-the-game change that disrupts the flow of the collection itself. Junkshopdog has been doing it since their first release. Best of all, while the company has had some sellouts on limited editions, most of their figures are available to purchase directly from them. No need to play the scalper game here. No “Biggin’” is buying his next bag of Cheetos off of the hard work of these guys, that’s for sure.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwVVytAV7AH_a1m7Oi_gHkDxEeEZ4zlhWI4fcz5yHe8fYwvGkReflwliBPS-s3Iq7tHwFAReOnCMOBTqAcOZu-jIsqzuL2e5L64DN7B7Jz10etkJ8SZ9QNNU_txHjQtdCp2pxr7H-GAqkWm6lsmC8ciLtNO3TY8SeaaVmvX4D19TZGVZ5gJpMJAYoErY7/s1184/IMG_9879.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1170" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwVVytAV7AH_a1m7Oi_gHkDxEeEZ4zlhWI4fcz5yHe8fYwvGkReflwliBPS-s3Iq7tHwFAReOnCMOBTqAcOZu-jIsqzuL2e5L64DN7B7Jz10etkJ8SZ9QNNU_txHjQtdCp2pxr7H-GAqkWm6lsmC8ciLtNO3TY8SeaaVmvX4D19TZGVZ5gJpMJAYoErY7/w203-h206/IMG_9879.jpeg" width="203" /></a></div>I’m looking forward to what 2024 brings us as far as wrestling figures. In my opinion Mattel has had disappointing “preview” showings and, aside from Virgil, the often bright lights of the Build-A-Figure sets have been huge letdowns. They’re also completely becoming slaves to retailer exclusives. Jazwares has seemingly lost as much steam with their AEW line as the wrestling company itself has. Why pre-order any of the figures when most characters are going to be clearance out at $4.99 by the end of year? Maybe it’s the smaller companies such as Junkshopdog that we should be looking to. The issue there is that for every Junkshopdog, which has proven itself to be a legitimate contender for your money, there are five or ten other little boys pretending to be toymakers with varying results. Caveat emptor.<p></p><p class="yiv5455171745MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ll be back next week to “wrap it up…”</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-72989063188882722492023-12-14T19:00:00.037-05:002023-12-14T19:00:00.142-05:00The Mouths That Roared…And Chewed Turnbuckles <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CRAgOs0Hh5Ld8vOWqszDlVKR0VLS7GLr8Eyyp0gwoxzMO7I5egBx6rbUsI2ljX94p4z6buK2TJkdVspaZHRJzFormFt5qvNtfmGCwLTx39Pn6DEpGknMTIP_FOy0GfltmcSuMYQpiXmsoPYbmJ4wd0T9Ma_5VxYg9q5zKNqqVwH1eCJLzMmsamTUPkak/s1982/IMG_9473.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="1893" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CRAgOs0Hh5Ld8vOWqszDlVKR0VLS7GLr8Eyyp0gwoxzMO7I5egBx6rbUsI2ljX94p4z6buK2TJkdVspaZHRJzFormFt5qvNtfmGCwLTx39Pn6DEpGknMTIP_FOy0GfltmcSuMYQpiXmsoPYbmJ4wd0T9Ma_5VxYg9q5zKNqqVwH1eCJLzMmsamTUPkak/w176-h184/IMG_9473.jpeg" width="176" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I may complain a lot, but I do try to be fair about it and admit when that complaining is unfounded. Initially, I complained about The Coliseum Collection. I don’t recall how public my complaining was, but I definitely groused a bit. “Here we go again.” “More expensive remakes of figures that we already have.” “The SAME Jake The Snake that we just got in the Legends line?” Well, I was wrong. Between the figures themselves, the packaging and the overall presentation I’ve really taken to the line. That’s why I was actually sad that the latest entry, Rowdy Roddy Piper vs George “The Animal” Steele, was met with a delay. In a few ways, which we’ll get to, these were actually the most anticipated Coliseum Collection entries to date for me, personally. No, we’re not seeing never before made names here. That’s not what The Coliseum Collection is about. We’re seeing top quality modern representations of the characters that made up the beloved LJN Wrestling Superstars line. It’s a true testament to that line that both of “the biggies” (Mattel WWE and Jazwares AEW) are paying homage in their own way at the same time. Let’s see the latest that Mattel brings to the table…and to the turnbuckle!</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JZsW-aCaog1rpXltkZoKEiwMT-rxKoaSybg3XfoQhw7f1WXfxbmf0FZldUABQ0qTK1-bj6suW_96gcKUzlK1kZ0WXpYyPecEbZLgmZ11jOXJ9UrigMe4iRlzuMU74Hn57wfJ1xCQvGUoPp5u98PbsHOEgF1VsthYlgvHJPP-hl_0uR0Y5S4kU4898t4L/s3128/IMG_9474.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="2466" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JZsW-aCaog1rpXltkZoKEiwMT-rxKoaSybg3XfoQhw7f1WXfxbmf0FZldUABQ0qTK1-bj6suW_96gcKUzlK1kZ0WXpYyPecEbZLgmZ11jOXJ9UrigMe4iRlzuMU74Hn57wfJ1xCQvGUoPp5u98PbsHOEgF1VsthYlgvHJPP-hl_0uR0Y5S4kU4898t4L/w159-h202/IMG_9474.jpeg" width="159" /></a></div>For as many Piper figures as have been produced I still feel that the longer haired look has been better represented than the short hair style. As far as Mattel goes, the short haired look was long due an upgrade. We were given a taste several years ago with the absolutely great “boxing” Piper figure and, thankfully, the head sculpt from that set is included here, as well. Steele is returning to the Mattel lineup for the first time in years altogether. Both of his previous releases were the same base figure. It was a nice figure but the torso was just a tad too thin for the bulky brawler. I always said that for your shirtless George Steele needs you’d go with the Jakks Classic Superstars version. Since the first Mattel release had a shirt, he was your “go to” for pre-match Animal. Now we’re hopefully getting definitive versions of both.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIy0uo7JZ9HmPI27EQaEJeF4yvcGEPgO2mAGij0n6odEUna6q44M0vLae-o8FXRmDKmTl4lAXKRNXBQ5fdEKEzh2770HnfJz8WJjm3yXKrQ7mjRc84gZAjISIdBrdKMVmO0xpoeuPmqxTZntxFVkV4frlgVsxKVJgnRUyTWFn9w60sOWqDejAEj4x95vt/s3681/IMG_9468.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="3681" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIy0uo7JZ9HmPI27EQaEJeF4yvcGEPgO2mAGij0n6odEUna6q44M0vLae-o8FXRmDKmTl4lAXKRNXBQ5fdEKEzh2770HnfJz8WJjm3yXKrQ7mjRc84gZAjISIdBrdKMVmO0xpoeuPmqxTZntxFVkV4frlgVsxKVJgnRUyTWFn9w60sOWqDejAEj4x95vt/w180-h103/IMG_9468.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>The packaging on these is grand. There’s no other way to put it. The sturdy and immense outer box featuring spectacular art of these legends opens up to house individual carded versions of the figures in packaging directly paying homage to LJN Wrestling Superstars. It’s a fun touch that the figures are even posed inside of the boxes the way that the old LJN figures were sculpted. The accessories are housed in the boxes below each figure which is were the old LJN posters would’ve been packaged. The Coliseum Collection is certainly growing, as evidenced by the back of the cards! Though he was shown on the back of the debut Coliseum Collection set, the SDCC exclusive Ultimate Edition Sgt. Slaughter is no longer shown on the back. It’s up to you to decide if he’s part of The Coliseum Collection or not, just as it is with the Hasbro LJN-styled figure on which this Slaughter is based. We know that The Hitman and The Anvil will be joining this card back next year. It should be noted that, unlike that SDCC Slaughter, the packaging since has not been 100% “collector friendly.” While you can certainly return these figures to look exactly the way that they came, several of those useless plastic restraints hold them into their individual bubbles.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOID_x7IsfZo_DL9v80aWNHaqZ4E4FQMTsqqTTJJuY6m2wO2etQ7xIULNSP-qjRiOhwkROTu-66oZVdcYqYuSxDJLXgviYYRg9GbqZxw5fRZIKc_iBg213L5Qq6p8IaeKzHgR0zBWvoPR6OOw8v05AXdC8w7AehUw7a_Gn3VZNB5GccflsNP3e1vHy5pNQ/s3387/IMG_9469.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2585" data-original-width="3387" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOID_x7IsfZo_DL9v80aWNHaqZ4E4FQMTsqqTTJJuY6m2wO2etQ7xIULNSP-qjRiOhwkROTu-66oZVdcYqYuSxDJLXgviYYRg9GbqZxw5fRZIKc_iBg213L5Qq6p8IaeKzHgR0zBWvoPR6OOw8v05AXdC8w7AehUw7a_Gn3VZNB5GccflsNP3e1vHy5pNQ/w182-h138/IMG_9469.jpeg" width="182" /></a></div>You get plenty of accessories with these figures including a total of three heads for each and multiple hands. Piper has his shirt, microphone, belt and kilt while Steele includes his own shirt, turnbuckle and Mine. You don’t have to ask who Mine is, do you? Mine has long been a beloved (and pretty) face here on this blog and if you follow the blog on social media you just saw the real deal in an “ad” for this entry. Mattel was the first to bring Mine to the figure world (Jakks showed a bendy-styled prototype at a preview event, does ANYONE have that picture saved???) and it’s good to see him making his return here. The turnbuckle is from the Mattel New Generation Arena set but this one is cut at the top and includes removable “stuffing” for George to gnaw on. You’ll note the lack of red trim on Piper’s shirt and that is due to it being missing in the Piper LJN release. Prototypes of that figure showed the infamous Piper “panther face” shirt which will ultimately never be released. That shirt was white with no trim and LJN likely just replaced the panther with the “Hot Rod” logo thus bringing us what we got in the ‘80s and now on this tribute figure. Other figures in the Mattel line have had the on-screen Hot Rod shirt with trim included if you don’t already have it.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldzcGbYCr79T82e0r0yW1uQIHH1I37BIclh4IfGgkYRj906HsEFiMWJEXLEXOz4Vvs8sqkRnq7vL45196xvOClg2TjqoLn0dCt1TMPRfw6Os1NSsNZCfC0Ddgcbr3Gf0Fr7wCqAmQlM4KXXe-InpJ2GcgP6eDM3zFywNE7ImCKxYOtfTdAxFIP6kpyaGv/s2965/IMG_9470.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2965" data-original-width="2233" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldzcGbYCr79T82e0r0yW1uQIHH1I37BIclh4IfGgkYRj906HsEFiMWJEXLEXOz4Vvs8sqkRnq7vL45196xvOClg2TjqoLn0dCt1TMPRfw6Os1NSsNZCfC0Ddgcbr3Gf0Fr7wCqAmQlM4KXXe-InpJ2GcgP6eDM3zFywNE7ImCKxYOtfTdAxFIP6kpyaGv/w158-h210/IMG_9470.jpeg" width="158" /></a></div>I like the array of heads and hands included. Since the two really aren’t far off in skin tone ultimately any hand here can be used on either figure. The hands that come attached to Steele in the package have only been released once before to my knowledge, with the NXT Cameron Grimes figure. For him they were used to grasp money. Here they’re perfect for George to clutch the turnbuckle. I love the new more pensive George Steele head sculpt, though I think we could’ve had our first no-tongue-showing head in the history of figures of “The Animal” had it been done a little different. Piper’s heads are great, too, especially the aforementioned one originally used in the boxing two-pack with Mr. T. This is exactly the face that you remember any time that Hot Rod was going off on a rant in Piper’s Pit.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zXfpB9BST1sRbcAel8ehsEI1olZnS9zNsiZ5rvuel3Ey-jOVcPR7NI7f04JcLJ2Yq74XC38Wr2TVQihDRQQCMCi3l_sHI5U-LUjR-JuLba533vZRovaoJlapaoa-7847V34nmgADjvjEK-D-YMRtfFagKcxelZLNau6J9Qp1mWvWhzNp6nzEE4A27p2K/s3060/IMG_9472.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="2518" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zXfpB9BST1sRbcAel8ehsEI1olZnS9zNsiZ5rvuel3Ey-jOVcPR7NI7f04JcLJ2Yq74XC38Wr2TVQihDRQQCMCi3l_sHI5U-LUjR-JuLba533vZRovaoJlapaoa-7847V34nmgADjvjEK-D-YMRtfFagKcxelZLNau6J9Qp1mWvWhzNp6nzEE4A27p2K/w163-h199/IMG_9472.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div>I think we have the perfect George Steele here. It’s absolutely everything you’d want in “The Animal” and the body type is exactly right this time around. Does it make the original Steele releases useless? Not in my book. That one can represent ‘60s-‘70s Steele when he was making Bruno’s life a nightmare. As far as ‘80s “boom era” Steele ready to chew turnbuckles<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span dir="ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; text-decoration: underline;">on Saturday Night</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">’s Main Event and/or attempt to rescue Elizabeth from “The Not-so-Macho Man,” this is your Animal. Piper is great, too, and fits right in with the inaugural WrestleMania figures that we’ve seen over the past few years such as Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. As with most Piper figures I think it’s a tad too muscular, but with most wrestling figures your eyes will just overlook it. Picture Roddy running his mouth as only he could and a few extra bulges really don’t make much of a difference.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI0eJVpgnQsItbXTs4eSH3ZOCuCSZxMd1nc4NugXePzEtvmglOwNjWpPm69R250K9LQCqmudOiiIxDVv2E9a0j4qDbz_mtKgVE4Ugw0Y6kwzzmqh1rHIj2XknAqoBPu26dstp7QnlLzFvvc_a2BwmA-Bv9-he51P7Mmce90TY34dPRLmocrqwL1Px4oeV/s3032/IMG_9471.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="2495" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI0eJVpgnQsItbXTs4eSH3ZOCuCSZxMd1nc4NugXePzEtvmglOwNjWpPm69R250K9LQCqmudOiiIxDVv2E9a0j4qDbz_mtKgVE4Ugw0Y6kwzzmqh1rHIj2XknAqoBPu26dstp7QnlLzFvvc_a2BwmA-Bv9-he51P7Mmce90TY34dPRLmocrqwL1Px4oeV/w173-h210/IMG_9471.jpeg" width="173" /></a></div>The Coliseum Collection has really become a highpoint of modern wrestling figure collecting for me. It isn’t so much the “Ultimate” body type. It’s the packaging presentation to the accessories to the availability. You know that with the latter I am a huge champion. Everyone should have a fair shot at getting everything introduced in a figure line. Even if it’s a short twenty-four hour window, in 2023 that’s enough time for anyone to pause and place an order on their phone. All three of the Coliseum Collection sets released thus far are available to purchase and that’s a great thing. If someone is just getting started with the line they should absolutely be able to go back from the beginning. With The Hart Foundation joining the ranks in 2024 it’s definitely a growing line. I would not even poo poo the idea of Mattel branching out to “What If’s” by including names who weren’t necessarily in the original Wrestling Superstars line but maybe could’ve been.<p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I also want a new Hillbilly Jim. Was there anyone more iconic in the original LJNs? Don’t go messin’ with my figure wants!</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-76201353702980796412023-12-07T19:00:00.035-05:002023-12-07T19:00:00.132-05:00The Underrated Living Legend<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8H5YiKGwzCaSueusftCcIL54n_z9D0e8Ulcp8G-cjwWRw6MXziwM7PvKi1U9FltCgYGwaVBEYI-ovlnNsg-fuQpeCl7RD3Rj57k6xNew9ys7m0UELPUnnilnona1b4gVKKGsf40M2Dq97zWM5xyMepK6VyTiJ1SLWwGZzZZtW8jGXP-PnBJWssxItSqL/s1022/IMG_9052.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="943" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8H5YiKGwzCaSueusftCcIL54n_z9D0e8Ulcp8G-cjwWRw6MXziwM7PvKi1U9FltCgYGwaVBEYI-ovlnNsg-fuQpeCl7RD3Rj57k6xNew9ys7m0UELPUnnilnona1b4gVKKGsf40M2Dq97zWM5xyMepK6VyTiJ1SLWwGZzZZtW8jGXP-PnBJWssxItSqL/w156-h169/IMG_9052.jpeg" width="156" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;">Not that long ago I made what some would consider to be a controversial statement to my friend. No, I didn’t endorse a political candidate (they’re all awful!). I didn’t denounce Taylor Swift (although I don’t quite get it). I didn’t even say that classic wrestling is better than modern wrestling (though if you think otherwise I doubt you’d have been reading this particular blog for fifteen years). The declaration that I made was that, in the realm of two wrestlers who were very similar in a lot of ways and were also contemporaries, I prefer Larry Zbyszko to Tully Blanchard.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqX77uj6A9d4XOIVwQnwRpE6cVWLBjvAgF5ZaF6cHZ8BwSbd-hb6SSt5_ncerotc1tsl0w4MALwrBsrEnL-RQsFVK3C8OogHWMt8xgUwlf7jZt17Exu9j7o5vPwbzbmxCLGgtdC5Kg5856-DENkfLJt1MW1A56TErTSGo2l9qnLMHrcffxDDQ7YV5hvIl/s765/IMG_9055.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="731" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqX77uj6A9d4XOIVwQnwRpE6cVWLBjvAgF5ZaF6cHZ8BwSbd-hb6SSt5_ncerotc1tsl0w4MALwrBsrEnL-RQsFVK3C8OogHWMt8xgUwlf7jZt17Exu9j7o5vPwbzbmxCLGgtdC5Kg5856-DENkfLJt1MW1A56TErTSGo2l9qnLMHrcffxDDQ7YV5hvIl/w175-h184/IMG_9055.jpeg" width="175" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t dislike Tully. Don’t take it that way at all. I’m a big fan! He should’ve had a longer run in his prime, but sadly his salad days and prime earning years collided. Still, even though they had little if any interaction despite being contemporaries, I think that Blanchard and Zbyszko are very similar in a lot of ways. Both had great careers but each left you wanting a bit more. Both had great singles runs but could tear it up in tag teams as well. Both were excellent tag team partners for “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, each with their own comparative style, in teams that could’ve gone on longer! Tully was a founding member of The Four Horseman. Larry was a pillar of The Dangerous Alliance. They do size up quite nicely.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlQ24gTy7qM_oCJiSOWXZ2fS0mRa9pZVipC9Ur-bhZd06jsPPrkZy16DZepWurHPaW43PpUeOY5QaX056u1_zhD-GXgk1U17LPwtfIh0A8CyWTOJDLdV4QQzrHbHAxoI0f1U9et_-_CgNq-Ss-m5Uib1f176QE2K-SrVVobZBkRqvBmrkdCUTnYWbPKc3/s904/IMG_9054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="834" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlQ24gTy7qM_oCJiSOWXZ2fS0mRa9pZVipC9Ur-bhZd06jsPPrkZy16DZepWurHPaW43PpUeOY5QaX056u1_zhD-GXgk1U17LPwtfIh0A8CyWTOJDLdV4QQzrHbHAxoI0f1U9et_-_CgNq-Ss-m5Uib1f176QE2K-SrVVobZBkRqvBmrkdCUTnYWbPKc3/w167-h181/IMG_9054.jpeg" width="167" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I will say that, in my opinion, Zbyszko is a tad underrated compared to Blanchard, especially when he had a comparatively longer career. “The Living Legend” celebrated his 72</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">nd</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">birthday earlier this week and was still making the occasionally in-ring appearance less than a decade ago. I’m sure that many, like myself, would’ve enjoyed a WWF run during the national expansion. In my opinion he would’ve fit right in and probably been upper-mid-card as far as roster status, but it wasn’t meant to be. It could be a lack of a run there, something that Tully did have, albeit briefly, that gives him less of an edge in comparing the two. Another advantage of Tully’s, being part of the aforementioned best-remembered supergroup or faction, is something that I would’ve enjoyed seeing Zbyszko part of as well.</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdP6co3Q5ouF35shL4A_2e0dOuNimLY2XsKBC8yDIxYR29Shyphenhyphen3aIyKO8ihTaTHfAWM1f3TwFWM7-J5B9wTWlOSORRrz6a39Tfvg4RtWwGHhoGjnkzchS3X4IYzsdXbXA35C7mHJPLLDUpZM1h2dMiu77p328ilhk2LO-DrtPNqwiXMSuG0yn4hCoYRBQP/s1096/IMG_9051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1096" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdP6co3Q5ouF35shL4A_2e0dOuNimLY2XsKBC8yDIxYR29Shyphenhyphen3aIyKO8ihTaTHfAWM1f3TwFWM7-J5B9wTWlOSORRrz6a39Tfvg4RtWwGHhoGjnkzchS3X4IYzsdXbXA35C7mHJPLLDUpZM1h2dMiu77p328ilhk2LO-DrtPNqwiXMSuG0yn4hCoYRBQP/w169-h136/IMG_9051.jpeg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">That being said, Larry Z made his own impact. He was definitely of the more recognizable faces in the dying days of the AWA. He had video tapes, action figures and plenty of magazine covers. He was a frequent coverboy for the WWWF programs of the ‘70s and later into the very early ‘80s once his famous feud with mentor Bruno Sammartino shocked wrestling fans in the northeast. His too-brief run with Jim Crockett Promotions in the late ‘80s, between stints with the AWA, landed him several trading cards in the famous Wonderama set, including with The Western States Heritage Championship belt. He once told me that he had been signed by Jakks to be part of the Legends of the Ring figure series (part of their TNA line) and that the figure would include that particular belt. It didn’t end up happening, but Larry did finally get his due with a modern figure in the Mattel line around the time that he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXBtPqcs0hsW9LbAfsDnuSE9VhsjLAzYw_eBwiWOjYmW_P9AGXfAdKwr4kzZCb-9JBI8NSSNcyHTC26IRtGPUvAgLYWKKEQjtQT4E8MHBWhiEXCkLdaNjxD0kSElLpFL-MIYyzA4C8fiz8XGllmRCZw_7FylyUlh2lbNALfURVdK-ZsUrtF6PmzF-OUiR/s498/IMG_9057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="453" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXBtPqcs0hsW9LbAfsDnuSE9VhsjLAzYw_eBwiWOjYmW_P9AGXfAdKwr4kzZCb-9JBI8NSSNcyHTC26IRtGPUvAgLYWKKEQjtQT4E8MHBWhiEXCkLdaNjxD0kSElLpFL-MIYyzA4C8fiz8XGllmRCZw_7FylyUlh2lbNALfURVdK-ZsUrtF6PmzF-OUiR/w159-h174/IMG_9057.jpeg" width="159" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Let’s not forget his several year stint as a WCW announcer, though he never seemed to have the top color commentator spot that he really deserved. With zero disrespect to Bobby Heenan, “The Brain” just wasn’t anything close to what he was in the WWF after he went to WCW. Zbyszko should’ve had the prime spot but, again, it just was not meant to be. The announcer position did lead to a few returns to the ring, but the thought of Larry being part of that great 1993 active WCW roster really brings some regret that it didn’t happen. Didn’t like the Paul Roma version of the Horsemen? Why not try Larry in there? Ultimately we did get that great feud with Lord Steven Regal, but I always felt underwhelmed when Larry feuded with “the new World odor.” Perhaps if Dusty had stepped into the ring during his brief nWo run we could’ve had an intriguing legends feud.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36DdxFz0O0R8Uyac63QUXmOjMzJEA7JiqmKOPhw2-YktLIMFhOT14W9Nc9T3iSG07v2FTV5wpxrBG1WLfAIZcr1k7sSkxD-NJx4NuCLPyVEaBMQm-xMeOeMLMXeMtHImuRhEprZ_rHmhCw2kgiRY79DXB6Kx5RX_PCaf_bCPXdXc4lgv9oG0kVi_s0LEI/s765/IMG_9056.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="765" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36DdxFz0O0R8Uyac63QUXmOjMzJEA7JiqmKOPhw2-YktLIMFhOT14W9Nc9T3iSG07v2FTV5wpxrBG1WLfAIZcr1k7sSkxD-NJx4NuCLPyVEaBMQm-xMeOeMLMXeMtHImuRhEprZ_rHmhCw2kgiRY79DXB6Kx5RX_PCaf_bCPXdXc4lgv9oG0kVi_s0LEI/w161-h144/IMG_9056.jpeg" width="161" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I enjoy seeing Larry at shows and conventions. He seems to be one who got out of the business with happiness and contentment. If he didn’t, he’s putting on an awfully good show. He doesn’t take it too seriously and is always up to talk to fans and reminisce about all of those GLORIOUS years. He truly is a star, that while underrated, made his mark in all of the biggest promotions of the day. He’s certainly memorable, still discussed to this day and best of all he lived to talk about and enjoy it. I don’t think that it gets more successful than that. Oh yeah, and like me, he’s a Pittsburgher! It doesn’t get much better than THAT, either!</span><p></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-23622834406445737802023-11-30T19:00:00.069-05:002023-11-30T19:00:00.131-05:00The 1983 Era<p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6JnmTP-koIJcNGLl0sLog4-mntXrNKhS2x92ETCyw3jyg2yz2o13Yy5pkGAHNNn7n1Z6_0Z1byhR2z20bCpqoULQ-k41pcu18-G_OfFhr1K4ByvQ9vAQ8Z2fZbphA-et0u7ZM3b8yhY2Zi4stg97s9-t8KX_k5q7EXxK703VfbthH-H-NMw18We6Yhqu/s1169/IMG_8702.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1169" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6JnmTP-koIJcNGLl0sLog4-mntXrNKhS2x92ETCyw3jyg2yz2o13Yy5pkGAHNNn7n1Z6_0Z1byhR2z20bCpqoULQ-k41pcu18-G_OfFhr1K4ByvQ9vAQ8Z2fZbphA-et0u7ZM3b8yhY2Zi4stg97s9-t8KX_k5q7EXxK703VfbthH-H-NMw18We6Yhqu/w208-h191/IMG_8702.jpeg" width="208" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a great year! No, not 2023. I don’t know anyone who had a great 2023. Forty years ago, however, I bet the sentiment was a lot different. It was 1983. What was not to like? We were just coming out of that “the first few years of a decade are part of the previous decade” time period and we were going headfirst right into the ‘80s! But in between listening to “Thriller,” going to see “Return of the Jedi” and spending time with me in my first full-calendar year on earth (now you know how old I am), you needed some great wrestling reading. As was the norm in the ‘80s, Pro Wrestling Illustrated was your answer.</span><p></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo7o4ZsuVX0o4uPSx4okaGLTyJfrwgfUYqiwYhfcgLhybYSgmNt1QQsHhgnfsj2IsXiVlMoqW-GtYVt57_HkeVMhRoz4i8daJqTKw6mxyr_maATlaNt5_eoFci-x4FWOlQkwqSXRmdg68gD55pTLRVeHn_5gcY1YL_DmYu0p8DpmpjMyJkNeVsAj8wPWX/s1170/IMG_8713.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1170" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo7o4ZsuVX0o4uPSx4okaGLTyJfrwgfUYqiwYhfcgLhybYSgmNt1QQsHhgnfsj2IsXiVlMoqW-GtYVt57_HkeVMhRoz4i8daJqTKw6mxyr_maATlaNt5_eoFci-x4FWOlQkwqSXRmdg68gD55pTLRVeHn_5gcY1YL_DmYu0p8DpmpjMyJkNeVsAj8wPWX/w223-h150/IMG_8713.jpeg" width="223" /></a></div>Why 1983? A few reasons. First off, it was forty years ago. Not quite a half-century but a definite nice chunk of time regardless. Again, it’s just a smidge shorter than I’ve been alive. It’s a scary thought. Secondly, look at all the cool covers we got from PWI in ’83. We have a total of ten true blue Hall of Famers spread over twelve covers. A “Who’s Who” of wrestling and definitely some of the most recognizable visages ever to grace the squared circle. Not to mention that three of my top five all-time favorite wrestlers are here. Lastly is that one day, probably around a decade ago, I suddenly noticed something regarding these covers in my own collection.<p></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0C8Jv4IUvfZIerMbsDch31j4DZ3F7-yWje7l8hLqwCOOwkjZGmGOf60Vcp3_kPTDa5iCDrnvpe5K6wm03Wrj003ZIo6AgqnSWmUajjdw0MPP-t4Tc9cQy2ZhoR00TTqGc7xh67Lxsd2Z55EKhhCNBAqbxzm4MV0dA1QayFXntShOQij4d7cEu8C7lEDg/s1154/IMG_8714.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="990" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0C8Jv4IUvfZIerMbsDch31j4DZ3F7-yWje7l8hLqwCOOwkjZGmGOf60Vcp3_kPTDa5iCDrnvpe5K6wm03Wrj003ZIo6AgqnSWmUajjdw0MPP-t4Tc9cQy2ZhoR00TTqGc7xh67Lxsd2Z55EKhhCNBAqbxzm4MV0dA1QayFXntShOQij4d7cEu8C7lEDg/w178-h207/IMG_8714.jpeg" width="178" /></a></div>I’m honestly not sure if I’d just gotten one of them signed or was just enjoying my collection, but I noticed that I was very close to having a complete signed run of the 1983 PWI lineup. At the time all ten “cover boys” were still alive and I’m thinking that I was down to three autographs necessary in order to “complete the set.” Looking at them all my best guess is that two were February (Dusty Rhodes) and July (Rick Martel). I remember specifically getting the February issue signed in one of the final times that I saw “The Dream” and it’s been quite a long time since Martel has made an appearance. Since then I’ve thought about how, while it isn’t my favorite Martel magazine cover (he has two other PWI covers that are much better), I’m glad that I ended up getting this one signed for the sake of the lineup. While he has done a private signing or two in recent years, I have not personally run into him since I had the issue signed.<p></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8RR_g8uJgGfz609AqPNiyvUbA0_2cDRAlUfGfwc3uPRCcYD9cO6dwGUX_i9O7UXso-ls1VgTamWToG43XQnHJ8LU54jA6zZbG3xNWXyK_7fV4W_Bda5wFwfrCgvmmJhy89qEHVp58TTRQTx-gU2W1cmQXKyxwxHLvfDOHDO62yav2vOmopMVAQyhHa4k/s1154/IMG_8711.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="987" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8RR_g8uJgGfz609AqPNiyvUbA0_2cDRAlUfGfwc3uPRCcYD9cO6dwGUX_i9O7UXso-ls1VgTamWToG43XQnHJ8LU54jA6zZbG3xNWXyK_7fV4W_Bda5wFwfrCgvmmJhy89qEHVp58TTRQTx-gU2W1cmQXKyxwxHLvfDOHDO62yav2vOmopMVAQyhHa4k/w191-h223/IMG_8711.jpeg" width="191" /></a></div>I will always remember the last autograph needed for the set being Mil Mascaras on the April issue. While I’d met “The Man of 1,000 Masks” many times, for whatever reason this magazine never ended up signed. With an absolute plethora of covers from the ‘70s to choose from and loads of other merchandise, there are always plenty of autograph options when it comes to Mil. Somewhere around 2018 I finally ended up getting the issue signed and “completing the set,” as it were. I will also note that Mascaras has never been anything but gracious with me and I’ve always enjoyed my interactions with him. He’s actually a lot more personable than the self-proclaimed “world’s friendliest wrestler” who likes to complain about the match he had with Mil on TBS, but that’s another rant for another time.<p></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk5HUqsIyMl4dZFwYJfMEH8xef1uf6Qn7aFl5CCUGXxSABF_JKqp5IBmNFBg0I-H9mGYy0hCGDEgp2SLOUZPdQhxO-DBstothyphenhyphenYFQq6StB0EYm3XQ2Iyfgjp77bV51L8N4i2YQ2k_ZKO3coowkj2N59tTW9tPDfXynXaKLuQMVlt88brA1iFaOgqf1xbh/s1169/IMG_8712.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1169" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk5HUqsIyMl4dZFwYJfMEH8xef1uf6Qn7aFl5CCUGXxSABF_JKqp5IBmNFBg0I-H9mGYy0hCGDEgp2SLOUZPdQhxO-DBstothyphenhyphenYFQq6StB0EYm3XQ2Iyfgjp77bV51L8N4i2YQ2k_ZKO3coowkj2N59tTW9tPDfXynXaKLuQMVlt88brA1iFaOgqf1xbh/w239-h159/IMG_8712.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>In addition to the aforementioned three we’ve got another Rhodes cover as well as appearances by Ricky Steamboat, Bob Backlund, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Tommy Rich (twice), Rowdy Roddy Piper, Bruno Sammartino and Harley Race. We get great representation of both the WWF and the NWA as well as their respective championship belts at the time. Someone was obviously pretty fond of armbars as the move is shown in all three of the “action shot” covers featuring Rhodes, Martel and Rich, respectively. I wonder if this choice was made on purpose? I know most will agree that the studio shot covers are the ones that really stand out here. The only thing that could make the collection even better would be if the Jerry “The King” Lawler cover from the following year had been done here instead.<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv8223288246MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF-qX2WdEZ7_iLVdJ0PU75EsK6CXTdzH3Ufac9xArxeqRMgEjFIMD80UDOoCPhNdsrweQvoeGMmQGwhm0rAOjKv8oJ1eJB8onjjb2-CZ4-WREg2bUGmkeeDfEbpPCI04xorTF46anOdcAM_LQG0NHejkvqXshy1TBVjyw9DBaJoY4-l5-MCOtFrbi3T9L/s1149/IMG_8709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="988" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF-qX2WdEZ7_iLVdJ0PU75EsK6CXTdzH3Ufac9xArxeqRMgEjFIMD80UDOoCPhNdsrweQvoeGMmQGwhm0rAOjKv8oJ1eJB8onjjb2-CZ4-WREg2bUGmkeeDfEbpPCI04xorTF46anOdcAM_LQG0NHejkvqXshy1TBVjyw9DBaJoY4-l5-MCOtFrbi3T9L/w181-h211/IMG_8709.jpeg" width="181" /></a></div>The issues themselves are still plentiful but sadly it’s no longer possible to get the set autographed yourself. With the amount that all of these men signed I’m sure that there are other copies of each signed, but who knows how many. I’d venture to guess that the studio portrait covers are more likely to be out there signed with how nice they look autograph-adorned. I’m never usually a completist on anything myself as I prefer a bit of this and a bit of that, but once I saw how close I’d gotten with this set, how could I stop then? And hey, maybe I looked into the future a bit. Maybe I knew that 2023 just wasn’t going to be all that great and that we’d need a nice, pleasant fortieth anniversary to look back on. It worked.<p></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-47482012782065999242023-11-23T19:00:00.087-05:002023-11-23T19:00:00.142-05:00The Greatest Hits Of The Legends<p></p><p></p><p class="yiv8205356694MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H2u_w0_em4FHRYYik6aJeYbvo24qVSrCsg3Z3XeqdpT1HdyXgCQXTxTpWs50ySmLcMAEstBaWMfMBwAe6G0iBDElMzJ_Hhi9Oc8ivSBorGUIdqIe2KoxesSMhM3z5yyQq3vR2m69ftFyoorJLO4U3NIbvB25nE1TYuVc5jxzXV76d4vTVLziNJQTnUia/s2327/IMG_7951.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2327" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H2u_w0_em4FHRYYik6aJeYbvo24qVSrCsg3Z3XeqdpT1HdyXgCQXTxTpWs50ySmLcMAEstBaWMfMBwAe6G0iBDElMzJ_Hhi9Oc8ivSBorGUIdqIe2KoxesSMhM3z5yyQq3vR2m69ftFyoorJLO4U3NIbvB25nE1TYuVc5jxzXV76d4vTVLziNJQTnUia/w174-h151/IMG_7951.jpeg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Four true blue wrestling legends on Thanksgiving? Sounds like a winning Survivor Series team to me! Instead of once again talking about the past glories of wrestling on Thanksgiving night, I thought it’d be fun to look back at four Mattel WWE Legends figures that are suddenly new again. It’s the Mattel WWE Legends Greatest Hits series. Exclusive to your favorite bullseyed retailer, the set started hitting stores earlier this month. And what about that phantom fifth figure? He’s still on the back! Grab some bread, Dukes mayo and either white or dark meat. It’s time for your first turkey sandwich of the night and a look at some toys!</span><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhNvw8dxjxiyTtcO-qPO1IUZmIPFaGAE3aVPAcU6bp4T316phY2IbHcBlwones_C2IevCpNHl7dUw3KB7YUbKYd2aUn0Se1Uy0LqVJAI8vhYZ1ErjIy8QFAN_veTWMukw5QaXsJojTp9qqI4sD_U8HO8YdybQF61le5fLwWjcGTE8rtwyefP8tCL0787y/s4030/IMG_7952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="4030" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhNvw8dxjxiyTtcO-qPO1IUZmIPFaGAE3aVPAcU6bp4T316phY2IbHcBlwones_C2IevCpNHl7dUw3KB7YUbKYd2aUn0Se1Uy0LqVJAI8vhYZ1ErjIy8QFAN_veTWMukw5QaXsJojTp9qqI4sD_U8HO8YdybQF61le5fLwWjcGTE8rtwyefP8tCL0787y/w216-h125/IMG_7952.jpeg" width="216" /></a></div>While the initial Mattel WWE Greatest Hits line has already had several legends included, a retailer exclusive subset has now been introduced and is dedicated solely to the stars of yesteryear. The Greatest Hits concept itself brings previously released figures back to the line, almost always with some sort of upgrade. For the first set of Legends we’ve got The Ultimate Warrior, The Honky Tonk Man, Terry Funk and The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. The four are packaged in the Legends box design that we’re all quite familiar with. It will also likely be the last set to be in this particular box design as the next regular Legends set release is already known to be coming in brand new packaging. This set has been arriving to the stores in a “sidekick” (those cardboard displays that hang at the end of an aisle) featuring the same art as the individual boxes.</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">These four figures were originally released before three major design changes in the Mattel line: “True FX” facial scans, extra elbow jointing and removable hands. If you already have the four it’s up to you if picking up the new versions are worth the upgrade. Interestingly, Bruno Sammartino is still shown on the back of the box. The Living Legend was originally scheduled as the fifth figure in the series but was ultimately moved to a main line release in the Elite Series 110. Seeing as that this figure was, arguably, the best of the series, it may not be such a bad move. Bruno has only ever had one release in the Mattel line and that was a decade ago. This figure will seemingly have a greatly updated face thanks to the new technology and, for the first time as a figure anywhere, Bruno will be released in green trunks. It should be noted that while he remains on the packaging for this series, he was omitted from the store display art.</span><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmV_D4zSWhIgSiYcwIDVGp8jqEBj_17TudP_inqYy5ZE0xfNzB_Nr-iIkadC97MSfvy_MF-YYYnSP-dGHIMFaPHuB0F9PlFPJ6ELJvoLYykVVqLNSMWuuhCQ9Lt_vnl0BDruPYpg5FkpXLdeOdkXmyQHq1tlBegdJt_qonSigr3sJJRNyRbC3ooI_k7BQ/s1986/IMG_7947.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="1825" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmV_D4zSWhIgSiYcwIDVGp8jqEBj_17TudP_inqYy5ZE0xfNzB_Nr-iIkadC97MSfvy_MF-YYYnSP-dGHIMFaPHuB0F9PlFPJ6ELJvoLYykVVqLNSMWuuhCQ9Lt_vnl0BDruPYpg5FkpXLdeOdkXmyQHq1tlBegdJt_qonSigr3sJJRNyRbC3ooI_k7BQ/w171-h186/IMG_7947.jpeg" width="171" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">One of these figures is brand new to me, personally, and that would be Davey Boy Smith. This was the very first figure of the British Bulldog released by Mattel over a decade ago and, at the time, I simply wasn’t sold on the changeover from Jakks. I was basically buying figures such as Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage who Jakks hadn’t made or previously released characters with all-new looks from Mattel such as short-haired SummerSlam ’90 Rick Rude. For whatever reason, short-haired Hart Foundation Davey didn’t make my cut back then. Now he does. I’ll say that he isn’t quite bulky enough and maybe that put me off of the original release. We all remember how big Davey was at the time, albeit with tragic consequences. Still, I’m glad to finally get the figure and the soft goods Hart Foundation vest is great.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRfWFH2w5UFz2uX7-mah-xlcki-fPtsD8iZ_QAClKRDbWA9N9seYextIisAdODfM8vjVteoaLTljqWGqxoEPfxX6YdnA03PSUpfyr7Fhn_w_HBC7YV11p2erkRSbqwlW0w2Wbrhqzxb4uWFZZ-O1KGOSguwnc-Yt1UIxRmQDgvtGY4rG5zhZTYw964DCd/s2327/IMG_7949.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="2174" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRfWFH2w5UFz2uX7-mah-xlcki-fPtsD8iZ_QAClKRDbWA9N9seYextIisAdODfM8vjVteoaLTljqWGqxoEPfxX6YdnA03PSUpfyr7Fhn_w_HBC7YV11p2erkRSbqwlW0w2Wbrhqzxb4uWFZZ-O1KGOSguwnc-Yt1UIxRmQDgvtGY4rG5zhZTYw964DCd/w181-h194/IMG_7949.jpeg" width="181" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The Ultimate Warrior is always a favorite and a hot seller. This look has been done several times but the Elite version here was first available in a Flashback series that I reviewed here on the blog so many years ago. Included are the Macho King’s “breakaway” scepter (the plastic-y Royal Rumble ’91 version that was used to cost the Warrior the title while he was wearing this attire) and the WWF “winged eagle” championship belt on the never-before-released pinkish-purple strap. The inclusion of a “new” belt should cause this figure to be popular alone. While I have tons of fists from other figures, as I’m sure you do as well, I really feel a set should’ve been included here. The Warrior’s fists were always flying.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1Wza5DyDwIaBwfhBOeJWraM7H0CaomMuGQ4xyXbj-nDE8eGnc43Z10FpQUc0mM7yq6-CXNKJ57HCD-ing44d2Syrn6FNSibsFOecdNvyP79UJ13L0qKSKP5pyDFyl1EkunsCt83lLIkwCVfz7wXbt7Y61l9Z7s22p3yi9ZNPfkkFkpR_T0EVoOxVV3HD/s2569/IMG_7950.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2403" data-original-width="2569" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1Wza5DyDwIaBwfhBOeJWraM7H0CaomMuGQ4xyXbj-nDE8eGnc43Z10FpQUc0mM7yq6-CXNKJ57HCD-ing44d2Syrn6FNSibsFOecdNvyP79UJ13L0qKSKP5pyDFyl1EkunsCt83lLIkwCVfz7wXbt7Y61l9Z7s22p3yi9ZNPfkkFkpR_T0EVoOxVV3HD/w193-h180/IMG_7950.jpeg" width="193" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The Honky Tonk Man in his blue jumpsuit was a welcomed addition to this set by many. Not only is it an iconic look, but the original release has deteriorated in the eyes of many. This blue jumpsuit with The Honky Tonk Man caricature was originally included in the Retrofest line a few years ago which is best remembered for being packaged in cool arcade game cabinet-styled boxes. What the line is infamous for is that the blue jumpsuit has faded to a light purple for many collectors. Hopefully a different dye/material/whatever was used to prevent this for this re-release. The face is sort of neutral here and I wouldn’t say that it really looks EXACTLY like ol’ HTM, but it’s not someone completely different, either.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6TrO7ou5AqbrrGQJw-7DrlYlA227Z3A8VOqQS7D7iBovaudTAeCJ_dR6wCB0Ofuqjy8vhk4GZC3Avy3ZnozZGAH0al7muENWEcT4BHauENYqqdp1V9mnufuZxaHuRGfG6A3HZig5DceF5lMM__TuHpLpD_npdhxdcBQh2wm7u_B74GeneHv7Jz4w9A8H/s2070/IMG_7948.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="1976" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6TrO7ou5AqbrrGQJw-7DrlYlA227Z3A8VOqQS7D7iBovaudTAeCJ_dR6wCB0Ofuqjy8vhk4GZC3Avy3ZnozZGAH0al7muENWEcT4BHauENYqqdp1V9mnufuZxaHuRGfG6A3HZig5DceF5lMM__TuHpLpD_npdhxdcBQh2wm7u_B74GeneHv7Jz4w9A8H/w206-h216/IMG_7948.jpeg" width="206" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">For a few reasons, the star of this set for me is The Funker. We may have just lost him, but we all knew that he’d live on. This version of Funk relives his reign as ECW Champion. The face looks pretty much identical to the original but it’s two other features that I enjoy. The first is the inclusion of taped fists. You know you’ve seen countless photos of The Funker posing with those legendary and lethal taped fists. The other feature, which is included with all of these figures, is that the head is removable. Because of this you can take one of the heads from the Terry Funk figure out of The Coliseum Collection and attach it to this body. While the tights are a tad more colorful here, this “mix” is very close to an ’89-era Funk look. I can feel the figure photography already.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">This is a solid set. It would have been even better with Bruno, but at least we are eventually getting him. I predict good sales, too, as it’s hitting just as the holiday buying season is kicking in. That’s not to say that these guys will evade clearance completely, but you just don’t know. Grandma Mabel Bertha Ethel remembers these names and is sure that her grandson, Hunter Axel Liam, is going to want these under his tree. It’s also hard to say if stores will be getting shipments beyond what comes included in the sidekick display. Whatever the case may be, it’s a nice lineup to kick off the Legends Greatest Hits. Now go! Get outta here! Grab another sandwich or make your first leftover plate. Why not fire up a classic Survivor Series? To make it simple for you, I’ll suggest 1989. You know you want to hear Vince yelling the names.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 14.666667px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Gobble, gobble.”—Gorilla Monsoon</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQAhYk8kFBRm3sYxULUg10MTbT-fiQD_2Gm3GDRcUZ81_wNKIK5-EFGfrAZa0bkKfPmM8aoY4FO5MDtkJxK-bqFNz8O39G73eKgTpgA1Z8F9p_TXAirZtsFKZrYJfZlFVC66AgGs8RR-ddRZI2r5-kCAU6_i6usAlayxtlyRsdL7R4VGxrwatJV87OKbY/s2459/IMG_7946.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="2459" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQAhYk8kFBRm3sYxULUg10MTbT-fiQD_2Gm3GDRcUZ81_wNKIK5-EFGfrAZa0bkKfPmM8aoY4FO5MDtkJxK-bqFNz8O39G73eKgTpgA1Z8F9p_TXAirZtsFKZrYJfZlFVC66AgGs8RR-ddRZI2r5-kCAU6_i6usAlayxtlyRsdL7R4VGxrwatJV87OKbY/w243-h226/IMG_7946.jpeg" width="243" /></a></span></span></div></div>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-5671405364828787682023-11-16T19:00:00.034-05:002023-11-16T19:27:45.569-05:00Wrestling MarketWatch: Back To The ‘80s!<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOLDW-vJgVT0X_eYKDa08g7MmeXmOeFSTJw2DIPnX8BSn2ACtmi5LxZkFT4mvEib8SDzFAPJzi2_NN1cbj5ibSaU2ZPg1cuaPuzDlWdWliu-VcPXiJDNuNYj6rkVibzQoiyV5xjL9JTN07odGnclTDo7u0kONsSLa4Yw0fhf2QvssNZuVpLvBTjK_I_dj/s1997/IMG_7824.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="1469" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOLDW-vJgVT0X_eYKDa08g7MmeXmOeFSTJw2DIPnX8BSn2ACtmi5LxZkFT4mvEib8SDzFAPJzi2_NN1cbj5ibSaU2ZPg1cuaPuzDlWdWliu-VcPXiJDNuNYj6rkVibzQoiyV5xjL9JTN07odGnclTDo7u0kONsSLa4Yw0fhf2QvssNZuVpLvBTjK_I_dj/w179-h244/IMG_7824.jpeg" width="179" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;">I remember my early days of going to toy shows. You know, that great time before every single event labeled itself a “con.” When you could pull a loose “black card” LJN from a 75 cent box. The good old days, as it were. Anyway, I’d often see the same guy in those peaceful morning shopping moments. Physically he wasn’t always the same person, though sometimes he was. It was more of his style, if you can call it that. It was men in their 60s or 70s. Always hunting items from old sci-fi entities like “Forbidden Planet” and discussing the nuances of “Robbie the Robot.” Loudly, for everyone to hear. Always slicked back silver hair, drenched in a half bottle of Aqua Velva and, sadly, just the picture of loneliness from top to bottom. I didn’t pity these men. I guess, in my mind, I sort of applauded them for putting themselves out there and thinking nothing of it. Those types don’t show up much anymore. They’re either, sadly, gone, or are just no longer interested. Have us fans of ‘80s entertainment and pop culture replaced them? In a sense, I guess. But I’m not lonely, I don’t use Aqua Velva and I cannot stand hair product. I guess I have those three things going for me.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">In any case, this blog is certainly a place where we celebrate those who love the past, so this time in MarketWatch we’re goin’ “Back to the ‘80s!” It’s been a year since we last tackled the topic in MarketWatch and we’ll even check in on an item that we looked at back then, too. Did the price go up? Did the price go down? My lips are sealed. Well, until we look at that item, that is. As always, prices listed are for non-autographed examples unless noted.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL24vWQp_7NIUQ7bKOB1MVlMOFfCuXtmoy9nMwvCQEPE0d-4sORbxbxNXV8G0K8HZEu-zPctrbzFrmjFc_t516c6PdXnPizezVzXU_cAwbetrSbSnf9bAFUSwNwx3W5JXRXyz_hC_YixzkhpqaeaxSxJ3UEpvkB7B48HYKBb6AaIMutAMpApX8JaxiFmHT/s1272/IMG_7736.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1057" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL24vWQp_7NIUQ7bKOB1MVlMOFfCuXtmoy9nMwvCQEPE0d-4sORbxbxNXV8G0K8HZEu-zPctrbzFrmjFc_t516c6PdXnPizezVzXU_cAwbetrSbSnf9bAFUSwNwx3W5JXRXyz_hC_YixzkhpqaeaxSxJ3UEpvkB7B48HYKBb6AaIMutAMpApX8JaxiFmHT/w166-h200/IMG_7736.jpeg" width="166" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">*You might say that the ‘80s were beyond the heyday of Bob Roop, but he was still tearing up rings in Florida and Kentucky among other places. Long known for his legitimate wrestling skills (find the film of him “stretching” wrestling hopefuls under the watch of Eddie Graham), Roop is an excellent story teller as well if you engage him on social media or have the chance to meet him at an event. He’s particularly proud of his tours of Japan and has quite the memory of his career. He was included in one of the coveted Wrestling All-Stars trading card sets that have gotten a lot of attention over the past decade. His card has been recently selling at auction for an average of $40.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFfX0gZtQAOU648REXupJTZ-oc0eZR5G9QFHTr2KClaXonjTuwI3ndk7KgorTx74CIBTpyouTfI7DxL8kxkD_kZOcXTJZJIUo9LJfn7sN6jtvOZrGaoSkyCKHryAuMsHb9TQ3UV1eCZt3vxpOJ-NeFn0GgYxXvrpVKlvCcS9PTMEVNh6ktuXpmpfGcEO/s2048/IMG_7739.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1738" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFfX0gZtQAOU648REXupJTZ-oc0eZR5G9QFHTr2KClaXonjTuwI3ndk7KgorTx74CIBTpyouTfI7DxL8kxkD_kZOcXTJZJIUo9LJfn7sN6jtvOZrGaoSkyCKHryAuMsHb9TQ3UV1eCZt3vxpOJ-NeFn0GgYxXvrpVKlvCcS9PTMEVNh6ktuXpmpfGcEO/w180-h212/IMG_7739.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">*One man who definitely had his best moments in the 1980s, despite starting the decade prior, was Don Muraco. The Magnificent One was a headliner virtually everywhere he went and owes his immortality to being a memorable face during the early WWF “expansion” years. While he ended his WWF career as a babyface in late 1988, Muraco was a pure heel. His antics with Mr. Fuji are the stuff of legend but I still think that eating a sandwich while demolishing a hapless enhancement talent sums up Magnificent Muraco just perfectly. He didn’t have too many magazine covers, oddly enough, but the May 1983 issue of Sports Review Wrestling, featuring Muraco with the classic WWF Intercontinental Belt, has long been considered a favorite by many. The issue recently sold for the very attractive price of just $12.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj923alleqL8b5wmwJxuDBXutBDi-7gOzMSHOnQ-BxtX_xH9HFJY3gc6uZKj0jNZ5vfolRnAaWgc27ZeOzOBo2eWQNao0IlSQLMRtur9czTHh1_sSnODXdB6pWB9upjW5uqinZNRfzREg6IqvG47mktqaHKfjWMYmZKJhQzdnf-Cav7-mGF6Ckk0mAmb5/s891/IMG_7741.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="891" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj923alleqL8b5wmwJxuDBXutBDi-7gOzMSHOnQ-BxtX_xH9HFJY3gc6uZKj0jNZ5vfolRnAaWgc27ZeOzOBo2eWQNao0IlSQLMRtur9czTHh1_sSnODXdB6pWB9upjW5uqinZNRfzREg6IqvG47mktqaHKfjWMYmZKJhQzdnf-Cav7-mGF6Ckk0mAmb5/w199-h148/IMG_7741.jpeg" width="199" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">*Back in the ‘80s you had VHS, BETA and Laserdisc to preserve wrestling viewing for the future. Amazingly, the lesser of the three as far as quality, VHS, ultimately won out and would reign supreme until the late ‘90s. In the past nearly fifteen years of this blog we’ve talked about the Coliseum Video WWF Laserdisc collection a few times. There are only four titles and it’s a really fun set to have. The large covers/sleeves offer that same feel that records do. It’s why digital media will never truly replace physical for a lot of people. It’s sort of interesting that, when the autograph business (and if you don’t think it’s a business, check out the prices) is at a record high, some of the best items to be signed are on the downturn as far as being produced – that, again, being physical media. You can’t get the movie star to sign a digital copy of their latest film. Regardless, we have all the classic stuff and that’s what we’re celebrating here. The Laserdisc of the first WrestleMania recently sold for $75.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCuymBvBPhQt5hK5rNBCRskGtlM6kSJkkm_lCXiINtRuLq-YoNZDYuwxs3tkgww_agJdrdFM_SZN3Ch-LPEJCFSaRGVuHCkpW1SML25YxWciPJvEE6LEc4g43ygAhoKT2wTi1RgG6YrpN9p8kSFsFAvL3UnyqYbH4g45Qpv3aVlUYdAKi-07kt4dF8BS3/s900/IMG_7743.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="900" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCuymBvBPhQt5hK5rNBCRskGtlM6kSJkkm_lCXiINtRuLq-YoNZDYuwxs3tkgww_agJdrdFM_SZN3Ch-LPEJCFSaRGVuHCkpW1SML25YxWciPJvEE6LEc4g43ygAhoKT2wTi1RgG6YrpN9p8kSFsFAvL3UnyqYbH4g45Qpv3aVlUYdAKi-07kt4dF8BS3/w180-h179/IMG_7743.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">*One man who was a star in the ‘80s, but also the ‘70s and every decade since is Jerry “The King” Lawler. Whether it be as the absolute King of Memphis Wrestling, the cowardly heel wrestling/announcer in the WWF or as one of the most recognizable true legends of wrestling, The King reigns supreme no matter what he does. He even released music as you’ve no doubt seen on this very blog before. He likes to joke that his albums weren’t released, they escaped, but we know that The King has the talent for anything that he does. Though there was some sort of reprinting of his albums in recent years, nothing beats the originals. A copy of Jerry Lawler & The Nunnery Brothers Band recently sold for $40. Memphis music never sounded better. Well…</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdSWMwJ4iH0c4BGoumZ7Moahm9hCmeIlM0z_uZiwZSFRJ9NiBhj2QdojVzA5-BWrb5grSvK4U-hlK3gCDLLmeeQ04pf8IJEJETNlLFpQe4DZMULy4fOwXs0GujTErho9Q96VbTyYVKH-Ccy2MVDBklP6mzt6Rm6JH8635lAUeiAQenDHS9HgktniibdIZ/s937/IMG_7742.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="937" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdSWMwJ4iH0c4BGoumZ7Moahm9hCmeIlM0z_uZiwZSFRJ9NiBhj2QdojVzA5-BWrb5grSvK4U-hlK3gCDLLmeeQ04pf8IJEJETNlLFpQe4DZMULy4fOwXs0GujTErho9Q96VbTyYVKH-Ccy2MVDBklP6mzt6Rm6JH8635lAUeiAQenDHS9HgktniibdIZ/w201-h148/IMG_7742.jpeg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">*Ah yes, the item we looked at one year ago! Who was bigger than The Hulk and The Hillbilly? Hillbilly Jim gets a lot of meaningless criticism from those who don’t realize that wrestling is a show. There’s a reason why he’s so remembered. He’s a mountain of a man, had a great character and a load of charisma. Don’t tell me “oh, but Jim Crockett wouldn’t have had him.” No, they had Hepatitis-plagued Boogie Woogie Man and crowds of 1,000 while Hillbilly Jim was “stinking up the joint” to electric audiences of 20,000. You know I’m kidding. You all know that I love JCP as much as anyone else. I’m just pointing out how silly it is to say one was better than the other. Anyway, I’m feeling as if the prices that surged in 2020 on most collectibles are finally coming down. They have to…who has any money? One year ago the LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Hulk and Hillbilly tag set sold for $600. It’s now averaging half of that at $300.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">And there you have another trip back to the ‘80s and maybe even a little social and wrestling commentary thrown in. Are us ‘80s fans REALLY replacing the previous nostalgia hunters? Eh. I think that some of us know how to keep it on a better level. Even still, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to be like them after all. What were they doing? Being themselves. If we had more people who weren’t afraid to be themselves perhaps the world would look a bit less clownish that it currently does. There you go. Some food for thought and reflection, as well.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Who says that you don’t get it all in the wrestling memorabilia blog?</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-63651869424536770602023-11-09T19:00:00.048-05:002023-11-09T19:00:00.143-05:00Do YOU Have What It Takes To Make It In The Universal Wrestling Federation?<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50RiCHnXgGtGO83xgW8jdqJw8W7wQLlwqlD2ViFWdDtERawfXoGCn5x4cN3_JGZRSn701ZpRl9JGnnJtF1Y5jM6wNC0FRcB0NyqPvX967daG0-cTdFCFGZGIui_9y0NxU4ew4PQDELZQYHnQ5GSGsIrBoOZR9jRfe2_aR3MoZKWRtzrFA29h0ME9bpZh7/s4032/IMG_7413.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50RiCHnXgGtGO83xgW8jdqJw8W7wQLlwqlD2ViFWdDtERawfXoGCn5x4cN3_JGZRSn701ZpRl9JGnnJtF1Y5jM6wNC0FRcB0NyqPvX967daG0-cTdFCFGZGIui_9y0NxU4ew4PQDELZQYHnQ5GSGsIrBoOZR9jRfe2_aR3MoZKWRtzrFA29h0ME9bpZh7/w196-h147/IMG_7413.jpeg" width="196" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t like to discuss “grails.” I really don’t even like to have them. You have what you have and whatever is meant to find its way to you ultimately will. If you do have collecting grails, don’t broadcast them. People can and will see dollar signs. Never put yourself in that position. Lastly, be happy with what you’ve got. I see too many people who I deem “accumulators” rather than collectors. Accumulators just sort of suck things in, look at them once, brag to deaf ears, and then cast them aside. There’s no appreciation. I’m not saying that you need to have a museum in your home, Lord knows I don’t, but if there’s something in your collection that you don’t ever think about, do you really need it? Food for thought. That being said, if there’s something that I’ve been after for a period of time that, in a way, could be considered a grail for me, it’s part of what we’re looking at right here.</span></div></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0vQD16u4U00hBQDtQWPPHYznDcvqTeIet0Ajkqe1hPR2v-ZtbNEQmSy9s3ch6JyCYCrq8kRasYdnDr7CsAhD8rXTJZzvlO5VqHOWZymEj1on5nbbxTMYKMuns2-O_vEKNJV4qEgSRvaxSiC2yzrPZPHRUwDngLkaW-nGJgeRdnN6oOUITBhLzahkybz/s4032/IMG_7414.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0vQD16u4U00hBQDtQWPPHYznDcvqTeIet0Ajkqe1hPR2v-ZtbNEQmSy9s3ch6JyCYCrq8kRasYdnDr7CsAhD8rXTJZzvlO5VqHOWZymEj1on5nbbxTMYKMuns2-O_vEKNJV4qEgSRvaxSiC2yzrPZPHRUwDngLkaW-nGJgeRdnN6oOUITBhLzahkybz/w150-h199/IMG_7414.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Looking back as we see it now it’s hard to think that Bill Watts’ UWF would have had a training center. It’s even harder to believe that he would’ve had a full color, well-designed piece of promotional material produced for it. He did. I first found out about this brochure of sorts about two or three years ago. Someone offered one at auction for a very low price. I was the only bidder. A few days later the seller told me that he had lost the item. I was never sold on that claim. To this day I think that someone else made him an offer that he couldn’t refuse. The ultimate low. Regardless, I kept my eyes open. Not only was I able to get one for around three bucks more, but this one seems to be complete with four additional items. Normally I’d say that the brochure is the centerpiece, but I’m a sucker for official envelopes from wrestling promotions.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIMqEHiKsYY3ruN_Og6UIht3H88wdoNYtTfgJCmGCdeOTur7kQToBQ3pcySRHDMFnoyIzgnptvWuFAd3bDcGu_hKJ6sRkRIEcVHiCPueEeEZATZAEHrtnh2XMhpu64tVJMZ5njn_6d7wjF3zawm8VevVargeSwO8MBlge_cOWC-bMkeQ7GfwIZMUgYE5R/s2888/IMG_7412.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2888" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIMqEHiKsYY3ruN_Og6UIht3H88wdoNYtTfgJCmGCdeOTur7kQToBQ3pcySRHDMFnoyIzgnptvWuFAd3bDcGu_hKJ6sRkRIEcVHiCPueEeEZATZAEHrtnh2XMhpu64tVJMZ5njn_6d7wjF3zawm8VevVargeSwO8MBlge_cOWC-bMkeQ7GfwIZMUgYE5R/w170-h119/IMG_7412.jpeg" width="170" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Emblazoned on that large envelope is the familiar Universal Wrestling Federation logo. Post mark? May 1987. Someone, presumably the wrestling hopeful who was the original recipient of this package, wrote addresses for the World Wrestling Federation and Joe Pedicino’s Pro Wrestling This Week television show right on the front. He definitely had his bases covered. Speaking of covered, I blocked out the name in photos but I can assure you that the original addressee is no one that we’re familiar with. Per the envelope The UWF Training Center was based in Dallas, Texas. Materials inside indicate that Ken Mantell was the trainer. Aside from print ads which were advertising sending away for this particular kit, there isn’t any info out there about the training center besides what you will see here.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ombCgj11NO7wj2XOzYnQk5-6mhzo95Y3HeQqlfb4AMFw-5gr0YA1c4YyyCquNOd-e1uT2Mqpz21nqiq3gPQckSECp1LTO7WZz87mpWajysDYwDLNMd5fBD6PTn2CFsnxTvJydW-DQDqT40oaT8UYsHqibv31A9rbCMqvls4vAGsqECTi948-DRTL4X0Z/s3089/IMG_7415.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3089" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ombCgj11NO7wj2XOzYnQk5-6mhzo95Y3HeQqlfb4AMFw-5gr0YA1c4YyyCquNOd-e1uT2Mqpz21nqiq3gPQckSECp1LTO7WZz87mpWajysDYwDLNMd5fBD6PTn2CFsnxTvJydW-DQDqT40oaT8UYsHqibv31A9rbCMqvls4vAGsqECTi948-DRTL4X0Z/w187-h121/IMG_7415.jpeg" width="187" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The brochure itself is the size of a wrestling program and is really well produced. The cover, which opens in the center, is full of photos and “quotes” from UWF talent such as Dr. Death Steve Williams, Missy Hyatt, Michael P.S. Hayes, Skandor Akbar, Iceman King Parsons and, my favorite, the lovely Sunshine. Next to Missy there’s even a youngster who I think, 36 years later, is just about to wrap up his career. Some fella with a painted face named Sting. Inside we get an overview of what the UWF Training Center can offer you. Yes, you, the next possible star wrestler, manager, valet, referee or announcer. The “Manager of the Future” photo with the cut out face (leaving room for YOU!) is definitely Bruce Prichard. The thing doesn’t really break kayfabe, but it’s still surprising to see such material come from a Bill Watts endeavor.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0yYEi_HNWkPGzfsV2k06PwShUwelMoUoNeVodutd3faOjDz08-Jx6t7SO-IWD1pRELqCxyBfVeXRknCqFiTeBGH-v47aEz_4FgA_WWD3GEwSO3HH-MjTo2iqE6zWG330hC_dsaw6xBLwWSjwyYYum8fKMJGovB-JbqesiYSnwOyvzMg5T5bDFFKtRVrA/s4032/IMG_7416.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0yYEi_HNWkPGzfsV2k06PwShUwelMoUoNeVodutd3faOjDz08-Jx6t7SO-IWD1pRELqCxyBfVeXRknCqFiTeBGH-v47aEz_4FgA_WWD3GEwSO3HH-MjTo2iqE6zWG330hC_dsaw6xBLwWSjwyYYum8fKMJGovB-JbqesiYSnwOyvzMg5T5bDFFKtRVrA/w147-h195/IMG_7416.jpeg" width="147" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">$2500.00 (not including room and board) were your total training expenses. Were you up for that challenge? Did you have what it took to make it in the UWF? Well, before this information kit was even postmarked the company had already been sold to Jim Crockett Promotions. I wonder if anything surrounding this training center even got off of the ground? Perhaps it became something else? Three additional bulletins that were included indicate that a new UWF television program was in the works, to debut in June, which would highlight all the young hopefuls of the training center. While I’m sure such a show wouldn’t have broken kayfabe in the style of Tough Enough, it’s intriguing to think just what it may have looked like.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkTFEWWGxo-R1jZtstpWZSckbuZ1E0QK4kWWeS43nvXQbQqWIMJp07IQ9pxmOF-XhCF1tTLoJy3rnEgB6AcWXZZ7iUBDPgW4CqfhW7NVRM6AKKeHvQEIwAPL5H9zcqQ29woU6Xb4bF8RRa-xoZ0V2kafUwH62MMLoVHZ2shgX16wWnEaH2ixSKc6Zp2ch/s4032/IMG_7417.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkTFEWWGxo-R1jZtstpWZSckbuZ1E0QK4kWWeS43nvXQbQqWIMJp07IQ9pxmOF-XhCF1tTLoJy3rnEgB6AcWXZZ7iUBDPgW4CqfhW7NVRM6AKKeHvQEIwAPL5H9zcqQ29woU6Xb4bF8RRa-xoZ0V2kafUwH62MMLoVHZ2shgX16wWnEaH2ixSKc6Zp2ch/w205-h154/IMG_7417.jpeg" width="205" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">What made this so appealing to me? Promotional items from wrestling have always been intriguing. Despite it being 1987, the wrestling world was still very “wild west” as far as ideas and what made it and what didn’t. Even WWF promotional items from that time are largely uncatalogued outside of what you see in this blog. Unlike other sports which were very organized by that point, wrestling was basically a band of untethered idea men. Types of people who have a lot concepts and grandiose notions floating around in their heads, but ultimately only the ones that “hit big” are remembered. Obviously, this is not one of those. Long before the WCW Power Plant, the WWE Performance Center and even Ohio Valley Wrestling, there was about to be the UWF Training Center. I guess if we can be thankful for anything it’s that it wasn’t Herb Abrams’ UWF trying to train folks.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">“Herbie cookie break at 3! Bring your spoon.”</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-81063406350218923232023-11-02T19:00:00.038-04:002023-11-02T19:00:00.251-04:00World Getting You Down? Escape To A Different One…<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOg5ujx4wXpfxLjvaSGGnteGr_1ywsr2j-H6FhcXqFFwEJemDKpMzRSVXUSFXIKQOccjRKqYtoOK-fJbmMJ-d_kx81hnAr6kXG2DrKf_nkMsdsSNmdvmxiY8gY9OANL-139hWchM9yDBYF34t1PjP4z5_LELTYwDYYzuq0t3dXYjwuUfZNzDy32iBAL43/s1415/IMG_7149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1169" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOg5ujx4wXpfxLjvaSGGnteGr_1ywsr2j-H6FhcXqFFwEJemDKpMzRSVXUSFXIKQOccjRKqYtoOK-fJbmMJ-d_kx81hnAr6kXG2DrKf_nkMsdsSNmdvmxiY8gY9OANL-139hWchM9yDBYF34t1PjP4z5_LELTYwDYYzuq0t3dXYjwuUfZNzDy32iBAL43/w145-h176/IMG_7149.jpeg" width="145" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;">Ah, finally we’ve hit November! My favorite time of the year is upon us. I’ve never been a big Halloween guy. It’s ok, but get me to the week of Thanksgiving until Christmas Day and just put me in a never ending cycle of that thirty-odd-day span. Take a few days out for birthday depression (getting old…) and it would be utopia. “These are a few of my favorite things,” as it were. You know what else is one of my favorite things? Figure photography. It truly brings me happiness and I know that I’m not the only one. While I love wrestling memorabilia collecting as a whole, I think that there’s just something special about the art (oh yes, it’s art) of creating and/or recreating the moments we either loved or would like to have happened.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_ogaWkDKbWetM2ruxBnNh3dwNNukPuc43dmYtjieKA_bfuVEMNjM9jwMTyCnqP2D67Xs5Eb0xIqVIiK9s_LxxK0B9uxY5JbvodVcYUTlIblkfnIhAss5embW_ONpITYsv07mjgEixaPvztlNWz3zqPZSZFhIfiEj01NqVBYfXVHd_eT0XbXKRSWIZu3y/s1436/IMG_7152.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1169" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_ogaWkDKbWetM2ruxBnNh3dwNNukPuc43dmYtjieKA_bfuVEMNjM9jwMTyCnqP2D67Xs5Eb0xIqVIiK9s_LxxK0B9uxY5JbvodVcYUTlIblkfnIhAss5embW_ONpITYsv07mjgEixaPvztlNWz3zqPZSZFhIfiEj01NqVBYfXVHd_eT0XbXKRSWIZu3y/w174-h213/IMG_7152.jpeg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">As I said a number of years ago on this blog, action figure photography is the adult way of playing with your toys. Best of all, you’re creating something that you can share. While there are a few ways to share that content, Instagram certainly seems to be the chosen method. I have a certain love for the Instagram account <a href="https://instagram.com/the_figure_arena?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==">The_Figure_Arena</a> (I wonder why…) and I’m thankful for everyone who has followed. That being said, I’d love to see a platform solely for figure/toy photography of all genres. There are certainly enough fans out there who partake. Instagram started out as a great thing, but now they can delete you at the drop of a hat. Meanwhile, teenagers being disgusting get a pass, but that’s the way of the world. Get off my lawn.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHWHv2JbkmUSVjqyWkTrDXAVpzTpJ3YkxqFzg5ycQQY4yrIr8VaEDNVfF9QJuNdrdagR3gPAmz30fc1r8WvpgZ9gAe3Ow_jAyT8lSgVlApIqDzATaL_s0FU-9ajik3XIuWyv3X8VD4ESbGpKBWQb-Lkw8CGGHvn6xpaxghHpqRGosi0SBWY-9z9ULQcFK/s1169/IMG_7151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1169" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHWHv2JbkmUSVjqyWkTrDXAVpzTpJ3YkxqFzg5ycQQY4yrIr8VaEDNVfF9QJuNdrdagR3gPAmz30fc1r8WvpgZ9gAe3Ow_jAyT8lSgVlApIqDzATaL_s0FU-9ajik3XIuWyv3X8VD4ESbGpKBWQb-Lkw8CGGHvn6xpaxghHpqRGosi0SBWY-9z9ULQcFK/w189-h178/IMG_7151.jpeg" width="189" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I think the real key is getting the most out of it with very little. What do I photograph with? My iPhone. Lighting? I was using battery operated desk lamps that cost around $5. While I still have one of those, there’s a great three pack of quarter-sized LED switch lights on everyone’s favorite A-Z online retailer that also costs around $5. How about that fog? A humidifier. It’s really smoke and mirrors at its finest, just like how the best movie special effects are done. Admittedly, the backgrounds that I use are costly. They’re nice, but overpriced. I just like the simplicity of not having to create my own. They’re easy enough to find in a search. I won’t plug the company as they’ve never been receptive to me in any form of social media. I guess my photography isn’t good enough for them. Hey, I like it!</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVerWYpb-osRX4y_UKYCkYE_BofjvjinUUD3Tc2svKhqbiFrXbSSGlQTbfUUhSbfu0EnUZQMn-vokCIv0hvR2cdhZbZjT-CvojRFNIBljA_-O9J3IoxXWJQNiirjsniNziyTjJjGmEqwhjeE1xx8QXDlenU5raqhBUaoijudHGGtbFktlkWzx34YJrRYR/s1170/IMG_7154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1170" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVerWYpb-osRX4y_UKYCkYE_BofjvjinUUD3Tc2svKhqbiFrXbSSGlQTbfUUhSbfu0EnUZQMn-vokCIv0hvR2cdhZbZjT-CvojRFNIBljA_-O9J3IoxXWJQNiirjsniNziyTjJjGmEqwhjeE1xx8QXDlenU5raqhBUaoijudHGGtbFktlkWzx34YJrRYR/w192-h169/IMG_7154.jpeg" width="192" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t need to tell you where to get the figures. Photograph whichever ones you want! If you’re reading this you probably already have a ton. While the modern day Mattel figures of the world may make the most realistic photos, the classic Hasbro line or any of the “Retro” sets that have been spawned since can be just as charming and appealing to look at. Honestly, one of the best pieces that can be used for figure photography is still the Mattel WWE New Generation entrance. I dare you to even try and take a “bad” pic with that thing in the mix. Sure, it’s not useful when trying to capture other eras, but I’ve seen people do real well by stretching it a bit. I’d never say no to seeing Dusty dance out under the neon!</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFioOxA0FvHdBTOL7CseridRrXNPsQcwR0ZVVhFegA_i3CWDxKrsbm-3hKnGHAbxVRs5BibC3-bOGqAdmrFiUwXUj1n6VpcB9epnOsVIdZ7wZQ0Q6sOE69RvvQty3nbHMAfqmlnUCHVt3WhOxvfKeFVERZSbQzNVg8nnaxWT75ErOuGdmnSpGbjt5mfxg/s1206/IMG_7150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1170" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFioOxA0FvHdBTOL7CseridRrXNPsQcwR0ZVVhFegA_i3CWDxKrsbm-3hKnGHAbxVRs5BibC3-bOGqAdmrFiUwXUj1n6VpcB9epnOsVIdZ7wZQ0Q6sOE69RvvQty3nbHMAfqmlnUCHVt3WhOxvfKeFVERZSbQzNVg8nnaxWT75ErOuGdmnSpGbjt5mfxg/w170-h175/IMG_7150.jpeg" width="170" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">To be perfectly honest it doesn’t take any real photography talent, either. I took a photography course or two in college, but I really don’t remember anything from it. I’ve gotten better by trial and error. “This lighting looks better for this era.” “What would it have looked like had these two had a match back in ’87?” “I could put this shirt on this figure and it makes it fit in with these figures.” I’m sure that I’m not the only one who hears these lines in their head. A sharp eye, an odd angle or two and twenty outtakes that will never see the light of day. After all that, you’ll have your shot. The best part? Thanks to digital those outtakes don’t cost you a cent anymore.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevJnvmpZGedgFOPmcgwf-1GvQgS7Ovd4yIIzi61VFhVRyTC8oHBa2761Hitsg0D3Jwm5a-IOJhoSkSwOR8K8XgH5xLJd1ocEBwvrUzU9hzZ692Ad-8-wxw8ivmppZsATpcv3Y_Fr4Zu-pskpvYuz6g_rR6-0wAxDKtE77fM4mlvPcr0Fh3GMbfZU-8Oir/s1446/IMG_7153.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1169" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevJnvmpZGedgFOPmcgwf-1GvQgS7Ovd4yIIzi61VFhVRyTC8oHBa2761Hitsg0D3Jwm5a-IOJhoSkSwOR8K8XgH5xLJd1ocEBwvrUzU9hzZ692Ad-8-wxw8ivmppZsATpcv3Y_Fr4Zu-pskpvYuz6g_rR6-0wAxDKtE77fM4mlvPcr0Fh3GMbfZU-8Oir/w189-h234/IMG_7153.jpeg" width="189" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">It’s a fun and cost-effective hobby. Nearly everyone has a smartphone. Some cheap lights as I’d said above. You can grab a basic ring for about $20. And as we all know, most modern figures go on clearance. This world is way too miserable and serious for us to take ourselves too seriously. My response? Let’s play with some toys. Speaking of playing with toys, I’m going to get preachy for a moment but it’s all in the name of goodwill at this time of year. If you have an Ollie’s nearby, why not grab some of the TONS of action figures that they’ve gotten in and make up a bag for Toys For Tots? It won’t break your bank and there are literally dozens of figures at most of their locations from which to choose from. It absolutely warms my heart to think of a child, not expecting a thing, getting a figure of Rey Mysterio or Grogu. It’s a small gesture that fits right in with the topic at hand. Grab yourself a new fig, grab three for the Tots.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Let’s get the Holiday mood going early here with fun and giving. The world needs it.</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-51718555781734200742023-10-26T19:00:00.025-04:002023-10-26T19:00:00.143-04:00The Hulkster & The Hot Rod Still Settling The Score<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIIhewQ_OiBevXrZvlNG71NmOVyL6yOxGwAzh1KKcDswx2SyFwBoHm1V-Z8A9HQozWZ8iOp4ALiQjilJDvE1k2fnFwQ8Dhc4YKmokvtZ4Ysdm0IScnFjm7UUe9GTnf42GYxFmasT9-buh7vlRFC6G6Mm3w66CMugIzg18CrEtiJrjx2pAJRQeC1RWxDHi/s2498/IMG_6332.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="2498" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIIhewQ_OiBevXrZvlNG71NmOVyL6yOxGwAzh1KKcDswx2SyFwBoHm1V-Z8A9HQozWZ8iOp4ALiQjilJDvE1k2fnFwQ8Dhc4YKmokvtZ4Ysdm0IScnFjm7UUe9GTnf42GYxFmasT9-buh7vlRFC6G6Mm3w66CMugIzg18CrEtiJrjx2pAJRQeC1RWxDHi/w176-h152/IMG_6332.jpeg" width="176" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The Mattel WWE Superstars line. Talk about mixed emotions. A great line created to emulate the classic Remco AWA figures. Thanks to exclusivity to everyone’s favorite Arkansas-based retailer it’s also proven to be a distribution nightmare. While nearly every figure thus far has seemingly become easy enough to acquire, eventually, store exclusives have cemented themselves as an absolute thorn in the side of collectors. The official line from Mattel is that without retailers wanting exclusives it’s likely that certain figures and series would never get produced. Well, if they’re not easily accessible what’s the point in making them in the first place.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmveuFbRPtZIrV5mBd5gPgL4WrFEvAvKc1KtMkmdhCRGX17VmKPBBqFtdvraUhyO1Wr0RSOAv3g6lQc_Qq0DtoP_bY66Bt7WAlJvKM2pUgKbLGsXOiWWbDSjU9vQmeM3cyClF9rcHsoQTSZXgDjmy72y-_rYwYNe4qG3bnrOEo7LkbjJ9_GeekYeE4hud/s1938/IMG_6329.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="1838" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmveuFbRPtZIrV5mBd5gPgL4WrFEvAvKc1KtMkmdhCRGX17VmKPBBqFtdvraUhyO1Wr0RSOAv3g6lQc_Qq0DtoP_bY66Bt7WAlJvKM2pUgKbLGsXOiWWbDSjU9vQmeM3cyClF9rcHsoQTSZXgDjmy72y-_rYwYNe4qG3bnrOEo7LkbjJ9_GeekYeE4hud/w166-h175/IMG_6329.jpeg" width="166" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The latest few series of the WWE Superstars line, while sort of fluid if going by the back of the packaging, took the distribution issues to new levels. Most, if not all, collectors had pre-orders on the figures which were eventually cancelled. For Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper, seemingly released in conjunction, the idiocy went even further. Weeks after cancellation notices were sent the two figures began showing up on doorsteps, often without even a shipping notice. Many collectors even received a “price adjustment” on one of the figures. The cost? $0.00. Don’t ask me what they’re doing. They don’t even know!</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9qu1qwnUhBOzJKspajhTwnj-8OrumyXYaGrglPC7HF0gWPKejxw4TzxQNBmTUbwkZCAcMpcMoiDHQS0HhA23O2788ZcsLWL2pHbPN2Qbd8xMIOQaJpKcpXu6ex65nsean_U7SOv-lZsmkbWnRAgIQuBBOHtFP03wpNNRA_YGt6qJWjieqzOSnBmqam32/s2339/IMG_6327.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="2339" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9qu1qwnUhBOzJKspajhTwnj-8OrumyXYaGrglPC7HF0gWPKejxw4TzxQNBmTUbwkZCAcMpcMoiDHQS0HhA23O2788ZcsLWL2pHbPN2Qbd8xMIOQaJpKcpXu6ex65nsean_U7SOv-lZsmkbWnRAgIQuBBOHtFP03wpNNRA_YGt6qJWjieqzOSnBmqam32/w216-h181/IMG_6327.jpeg" width="216" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Continuing with the packaging as it’s been since the beginning of the line, the card backs are what could best be described as a mashup between the LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars line and the aforementioned Remco AWA line, specifically the final, single-carded series titled “Mat Mania.” The cards are colorful, though the thin cardboard used often makes it difficult to find examples in good shape. Amazingly you’ll often find cards that are “unpunched.” Even more amazing is when they’re shipped to you both unpunched and in good shape. The back of the card features Remco-esque drawings of the figures and some wrestler specific quotes which are mostly correct, though I’ve seen some creative liberties taken.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7DbosB8K33mO2ifDWzUbApvpWTdruERGwFve5yvv1wsyDk8Q2mXRYJob0M_tW6WIa9Z3-LHed0695Pe_8z69MT-h7zpjv4Aafq_Gmdt-q2gwZQAhqo3DCLC-nHivUYt_IXX41L3TNxz6VQOManZgjQtt209ZsP-kJm1nemxQnc-T3Ad1FBpHjlEllJIn/s3107/IMG_6330.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3107" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7DbosB8K33mO2ifDWzUbApvpWTdruERGwFve5yvv1wsyDk8Q2mXRYJob0M_tW6WIa9Z3-LHed0695Pe_8z69MT-h7zpjv4Aafq_Gmdt-q2gwZQAhqo3DCLC-nHivUYt_IXX41L3TNxz6VQOManZgjQtt209ZsP-kJm1nemxQnc-T3Ad1FBpHjlEllJIn/w242-h155/IMG_6330.jpeg" width="242" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The first “chase” of the line is in this series. The Hulkster comes in the standard red and yellow or, as a chase, in blue and white. When this element was first announced it was feared that, due to the figure coming clad in his red jumpsuit, it would be impossible to tell which version you had without opening. Due to the boots being different colors you can tell via the side of the bubble. In a line where virtually every figure is a “chase” due to the double ineptness of the manufacturer and the retailer there is simply no room for chase variants. Ultimately, it’s the manufacturer costing themselves money. If you equally distribute the figure In both looks most collectors will buy both. Stupidity reigns.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2INkZjdqZJIbvzFnQyqG_rG_o-Rg4DovWz6ljQ21sXbFVtYtasfsQk2rFaJn8KLzeS3h4cd5aFv_5OtVuT5lS_rPeSj9Ryf8mWJikAwcf0wKOxI2StKoCN6t-RpyHPCiOd8UMFk7Xrr7tXSyzIhpYGZiQqBygbE6mhgeWbjv8LxOdtWzsXt_nEkxvn4Jv/s2504/IMG_6328.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="2406" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2INkZjdqZJIbvzFnQyqG_rG_o-Rg4DovWz6ljQ21sXbFVtYtasfsQk2rFaJn8KLzeS3h4cd5aFv_5OtVuT5lS_rPeSj9Ryf8mWJikAwcf0wKOxI2StKoCN6t-RpyHPCiOd8UMFk7Xrr7tXSyzIhpYGZiQqBygbE6mhgeWbjv8LxOdtWzsXt_nEkxvn4Jv/w166-h173/IMG_6328.jpeg" width="166" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">In any case, I’m very pleased with how both of these figures came out. I’d go as far as to say that it’s one of Mattel’s best Piper efforts thus far. He actually very much reminds me of his look on Hulk Hogan’s Rock n’ Wrestling cartoon. The kilt is soft rubber while the shirt is cloth. A modern looking microphone is included. The Hulkster has his aforementioned jumpsuit which is in two pieces, headband, weight belt and crucifix. Both figures also include several interchangeable hands. One of my peeves with the line is that it has zero focus as far as era, but they have done a nice supply of mid-80’s names recently with these two, Mr. T, Captain Lou Albano and an upcoming Andre the Giant, the latter featuring two looks in one as several of the figures do.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhfOid2VIbbSIq-RAq0CKWRdYOoF1TgiMTYAgrGaUvrpZxPb-XH_791OyF6vFGmLllr5Q2XjrPOyAoBEKkVqN9AXHyUf6xhwBz6UrG2dLjME9IA9hzKmggnNjeLFsk76Hhp8d-zlKgIKL-Q8lGQtAQ0-Bym48bJFaIrwzazl_8n0tPPQ6bMuIBISrntrM/s2312/IMG_6331.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2238" data-original-width="2312" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhfOid2VIbbSIq-RAq0CKWRdYOoF1TgiMTYAgrGaUvrpZxPb-XH_791OyF6vFGmLllr5Q2XjrPOyAoBEKkVqN9AXHyUf6xhwBz6UrG2dLjME9IA9hzKmggnNjeLFsk76Hhp8d-zlKgIKL-Q8lGQtAQ0-Bym48bJFaIrwzazl_8n0tPPQ6bMuIBISrntrM/w174-h168/IMG_6331.jpeg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">You’re really just going to have to luck out with these, although as I’d stated earlier most if not all eventually became easy to purchase. Some even went on clearance. Upcoming names in the line include the previously mentioned Andre as well as another Hogan (and chase…ugh), Doink the Clown, Davey Boy Smith and Kane. I really wish that they’d stay out of post-1995 with these, but The Big Red Machine isn’t the first and won’t be the last, I’m sure. With a lineup that already includes Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Ted DiBiase, The Honky Tonk Man, The Natural Disasters, Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude, I guess I don’t have too much to complain about.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">How about Dusty, Lawler, Harley and The Funker? I mean, I can always request rather than complain…</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-43565078113318972782023-10-19T19:00:00.044-04:002023-10-19T19:00:00.141-04:00Collector Rage In The Cage!<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWrVEvUFEHYiCWfcD8LQOcn4Oe2Dc153OdZjzUUBURxfwk0HPmp9792NIEpkk-w7us1mr35qFB_P0RGkdVUaydKaaX8eRF7SLh_-IS8wxQbdXqF9HirAt7L8jQ1f4KIufqxkw58Nf3Jlr67Kt91p9hWqUn5xu7cirY3nhoS2Sx7ocphvrA6osBYWP76E-/s4032/IMG_5812.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWrVEvUFEHYiCWfcD8LQOcn4Oe2Dc153OdZjzUUBURxfwk0HPmp9792NIEpkk-w7us1mr35qFB_P0RGkdVUaydKaaX8eRF7SLh_-IS8wxQbdXqF9HirAt7L8jQ1f4KIufqxkw58Nf3Jlr67Kt91p9hWqUn5xu7cirY3nhoS2Sx7ocphvrA6osBYWP76E-/w180-h135/IMG_5812.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>Ah, playsets! The centerpieces of action figure collecting. Back in the day, an action figure line just wasn’t serious without them. Most wrestling figure lines have had them in the form of rings, but they seemed to die off more and more for other genres as the ‘90s progressed. Now, with pretty much anything action figure related seeing a resurgence, playsets are back. Not only have they returned, but for most lines they’re more expensive than ever! Want the archway where Jabba the Hutt sat his slimy self? That’ll be nearly $300, please! Thankfully, wrestling is for kids (and if you think any different, you’re crazy) and some of the playsets are staying just for them. Our favorite (heh…) red bullseyed retailer is back with an exclusive one that’s sure to excite you and the kids alike. It’s the WWE Legends Classic Cage playset! Let’s open the box and have a look.</span></div><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq_UVlvSFKikDlBaYeyHpdm6GtYfLHKKM5ixMPP7sAM-3wJPRUqmGXMyQdSYYBKbLHNrZPsNyY_WOntdDe1BhASRNrsucewXOJeF88XG7twTUesujEUmry3-rCsn3KVTR4GFhzF4GNpRSBYfLXXLUDxUagfSsRwCUA00PEfvSYKrMi55j1FB1vWkaDlSc/s3024/IMG_5816.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="3024" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq_UVlvSFKikDlBaYeyHpdm6GtYfLHKKM5ixMPP7sAM-3wJPRUqmGXMyQdSYYBKbLHNrZPsNyY_WOntdDe1BhASRNrsucewXOJeF88XG7twTUesujEUmry3-rCsn3KVTR4GFhzF4GNpRSBYfLXXLUDxUagfSsRwCUA00PEfvSYKrMi55j1FB1vWkaDlSc/w173-h139/IMG_5816.jpeg" width="173" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Again, just like all of the rings that you find in brick and mortar stores these days, this is for kids. This isn’t meant for replicating an exact ring or the look of one. That being said, I have yet to see a scale ring over the past two decades that looked “right” to me. They always appear to be just a tad too big. Yes, television distorts the actual ring size, but there needs to be a balance between actual size and perception that’s then transferred to the toy itself. I had high hopes for The New Generation ring to finally solve this issue, but that thing is just a tad too big as well, among other issues. Here, for forty bucks, you get the classic blue ring and the classic blue bar cage, complete with opening door.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFxinhvMLh2RRbSHm6VWuzy1SzyLw5rL0wYobPGNhyVyzQxI_8CutKcdcHvHdic2DCO1ZXmVyvlN8bIwFPgK21MwuqgqJGuQSIk8Jgh1B0JdGKZ1qsZI0ntq2Kr6xzS9BMw4AJ0GlUPMpKuU-sXp8g8lse8x12434sH-ZsA04aLuki79ZPHZgCm1tS0nv/s2944/IMG_5814.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="2944" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFxinhvMLh2RRbSHm6VWuzy1SzyLw5rL0wYobPGNhyVyzQxI_8CutKcdcHvHdic2DCO1ZXmVyvlN8bIwFPgK21MwuqgqJGuQSIk8Jgh1B0JdGKZ1qsZI0ntq2Kr6xzS9BMw4AJ0GlUPMpKuU-sXp8g8lse8x12434sH-ZsA04aLuki79ZPHZgCm1tS0nv/w194-h175/IMG_5814.jpeg" width="194" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">This isn’t the first time that Mattel has released this set. The same retailer had it as an exclusive several years ago when they had the WWE Hall of Fame Elite figure line and the set was released under that banner. I didn’t purchase it so I can’t tell you if the cage utilizes the same tooling although I would imagine that it’s the same. I can tell you that the ring will be different. This ring, or at least the posts, are the more updated style with somewhat more realistic looking molded turnbuckles and pegs to, theoretically, pose your figures as they’re coming off of the posts. The original blue ring that was released under the Hall of Fame labeling was also a K-Mart exclusive as the Tribute To The Troops ring around a decade ago.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7vPFlM34-N7YFOFS0BBkG2VMy2shITibhWw2kgsA9sZVxDMYFcqUyEXZyVcQz2cG8yaKmlYTdka48G5HCgWIl6UPTXJz1i6oZL1pHaO3gJD0Kjknju3I46jmTekKspw-dUo0Gp4kR8vtnTb2pMu7InnhuY31-v9L6lC1GyMKPyazUlhFc8-dvv7Y0Up_/s4032/IMG_5817.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7vPFlM34-N7YFOFS0BBkG2VMy2shITibhWw2kgsA9sZVxDMYFcqUyEXZyVcQz2cG8yaKmlYTdka48G5HCgWIl6UPTXJz1i6oZL1pHaO3gJD0Kjknju3I46jmTekKspw-dUo0Gp4kR8vtnTb2pMu7InnhuY31-v9L6lC1GyMKPyazUlhFc8-dvv7Y0Up_/w137-h182/IMG_5817.jpeg" width="137" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Seeing as that it is, in fact, a kids toy, it’s fairly easy to assemble. The ropes are all permanently attached to one of the posts and easily slip onto the others. I always recommended unattaching them for storage as they can and will stretch and/or break. It happens. The cage is attached with eight clips (two on each post) that are removable when you want to utilize just the ring. I had an issue with the very last bottom clip connecting. It was barely noticeable and the cage stayed on perfectly fine, I just didn’t feel like fixing it. I’m sure that had I used a bit more time I could’ve straightened it, but again, I didn’t feel the waste of time was necessary. Also, I rarely apply the stickers on these things but I did throw them on the turnbuckles this time. I, personally, despise the center mat stickers, though a kid would probably want it on there. I always save it, still attached to the sticker sheet.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB5Pa4Qs-3LfHvXLdO65zp351sE119ObC57seE8ooG8Q_f5i_FAjbrGyb4w-9JmiU03-7C2yoR_EU_voyO9z1g80bI4VFIuMPLIWqyWo5GBQ8MrVxFYVliAw2AD84yjVZwNw7RIOqzSIWU8W4XwIWiDfOLM_iqkT3G12waE6ykNlUISsBD35mr0sRxdws/s3686/IMG_5813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3686" data-original-width="2814" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB5Pa4Qs-3LfHvXLdO65zp351sE119ObC57seE8ooG8Q_f5i_FAjbrGyb4w-9JmiU03-7C2yoR_EU_voyO9z1g80bI4VFIuMPLIWqyWo5GBQ8MrVxFYVliAw2AD84yjVZwNw7RIOqzSIWU8W4XwIWiDfOLM_iqkT3G12waE6ykNlUISsBD35mr0sRxdws/w130-h170/IMG_5813.jpeg" width="130" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">It's a nice cage. It looks to be the right height. Jakks did a similar playset many years ago and the blue bar cage was just way too high. They did a “real scale” version, too, but not only did my above gripe about those types of rings fully apply, but the thing was an absolute pain in the neck to assemble. Seeing as that Jazwares grew out of that company, it isn’t surprising that their AEW scale rings prove that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Back to the set at hand, my only true gripe is that there’s a fairly wide gap between the ring apron and the cage when it’s applied. This isn’t going to bother a kid, but I don’t remember this with other Mattel “basic” rings and cages. No figure is fitting through it or anything like that, but I like when the cage looks as if it’s resting on the ring apron.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhMiH1fa35F_AiWThyeQ5i5wJA8cUVGoTTqasgK0Om_bC6q3ye3kHb6TNwpB5Ob6gEw5ZsiCLJyaR0jKEPDR7Sz3SNe51Ah8hx6H6hNYS30i9fAzAqJ4FlqFYhpcbnXDHKCro9-ef9FDWNr8Tm4JKVtABTuMZ3wDyX7uweNAbfzEm07ebXVXVPOBa10Jl/s4032/IMG_5815.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhMiH1fa35F_AiWThyeQ5i5wJA8cUVGoTTqasgK0Om_bC6q3ye3kHb6TNwpB5Ob6gEw5ZsiCLJyaR0jKEPDR7Sz3SNe51Ah8hx6H6hNYS30i9fAzAqJ4FlqFYhpcbnXDHKCro9-ef9FDWNr8Tm4JKVtABTuMZ3wDyX7uweNAbfzEm07ebXVXVPOBa10Jl/w185-h138/IMG_5815.jpeg" width="185" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Hopefully the attached photos give you an example of just what kind of magic you can do with a $40 kids playset. If you’re into figure photography it’s a heckuva bargain. Even if you just want to display, it works for that, too, especially compared to a real scale ring. I like the “slamming” sound that Mattel’s spring mechanism gives. Oh? You’re afraid of chipping the paint on your figures? Get off my blog. Kidding. Kinda. Anyway, if you’re going for 100% realism chances are that this won’t satisfy you. If you’re looking for a ring and cage playset in the vein of classic toys that you can have a little fun with, this is for you. Works great with the WWE Superstars line, too, as you'll see here on the blog next week! And come on, this is the blue bar cage! Get out your Hulk, get out your Bundy, get out your Ricky Schroeder and let’s have some Mania 2!</span><p></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-48742108982332834402023-10-12T19:00:00.021-04:002023-10-12T19:00:00.135-04:00Wrestling MarketWatch: Hype Then. Hype Now. Hype Forever.<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeklPCARv4emhJd3_L-WTuu1PFhXD3XA34dq1ecYkAXpCVGp5nVdyuXQrsHp55YuYhfvKDTVw0yHKtf4854ywLWtt8Rmg2mlulrRv5uKWTfK6Jg6EFfT10N3ccUk5_2RY8cDW5S8UQCbQxz7jh-Lmz6X367JfMGKYhoJVy3coqmlTkic5DBI7ej2l34Vd/s2048/IMG_5504.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2048" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeklPCARv4emhJd3_L-WTuu1PFhXD3XA34dq1ecYkAXpCVGp5nVdyuXQrsHp55YuYhfvKDTVw0yHKtf4854ywLWtt8Rmg2mlulrRv5uKWTfK6Jg6EFfT10N3ccUk5_2RY8cDW5S8UQCbQxz7jh-Lmz6X367JfMGKYhoJVy3coqmlTkic5DBI7ej2l34Vd/w180-h130/IMG_5504.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">“Then. Now. Forever.” Is more than just the name of the figure set we looked at here last week. It’s more than just the company motto, too. It’s hype and that’s definitely something that WWE was built on. Sure, it’s good business, but to their credit the company has always known how to do it well. Ever since the famous WWF logo debuted they’ve plastered it on absolutely everything – and it’s worked! Heck, look closely at the picture to the left. At one point they were printing card lineups on envelopes! </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I can’t count the number of times that I’ve referenced the WWF marketing machine over the years here in the blog, especially since merchandise is the name of the game. In this latest edition of Wrestling MarketWatch we’re looking at several items that reflect the never ending push of the brand, concepts and top stars of the WWF as we knew it.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlFwsULGEPzxyDPDHpWregSAEqo5YelhhZvW8uVkQ6KsYp6m7k54rX2__EslthjHf8exYbopUh9gjr5CvoFw4hEO3FCXJwFVYyHo48j87kCnF_tnS_1SGoAAsaOXxCD1vupk1CVAKAfX81fZc_2NNWyZuzWA9iTytRkGlHBAbvGrhjh2TMpR433FLrN1/s1265/IMG_5497.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1265" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlFwsULGEPzxyDPDHpWregSAEqo5YelhhZvW8uVkQ6KsYp6m7k54rX2__EslthjHf8exYbopUh9gjr5CvoFw4hEO3FCXJwFVYyHo48j87kCnF_tnS_1SGoAAsaOXxCD1vupk1CVAKAfX81fZc_2NNWyZuzWA9iTytRkGlHBAbvGrhjh2TMpR433FLrN1/w273-h110/IMG_5497.jpeg" width="273" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*We’ll start in 1995. The World Wrestling Federation is no longer the mainstream entertainment choice that it had been just a few years earlier, though the diehards are still rabid for the product. I wouldn’t quite call it a transitional period, either, as honestly a lot of it felt quite stagnate. That being said, I personally prefer it to a lot of what happened in just a few years time. Nonetheless, the WWF was still looking to get their name out there. What way better to do that than to plaster the WWF logo on an airship? Gliding into cities across America, the WWF blimp was wrestling’s answer to the more widely known Goodyear counterpart. It may not have lasted more than a few years but it did yield an inflatable replica that was available through the catalog and likely at live events as well. Recently selling for $110 this is down from $190 back in 2020.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5CbxQ9MzEqnpvNVDTQShkIZWlUkOMs17rdANkZTmYZzJHgl0q7zmoxsgQI1fW13maqb1dsYnopStaNtSRlHhkMmUesasC3YMh-2lQ6ZQwjfSLIVOVAWWtxZfI93EJNuY2vAcjh_bI3uVtHJd2HWK1FJ3aJfAsmnuGx0hrX7rPGxt1E_s9SrKsDAR1W7m/s2048/IMG_5501.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1716" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5CbxQ9MzEqnpvNVDTQShkIZWlUkOMs17rdANkZTmYZzJHgl0q7zmoxsgQI1fW13maqb1dsYnopStaNtSRlHhkMmUesasC3YMh-2lQ6ZQwjfSLIVOVAWWtxZfI93EJNuY2vAcjh_bI3uVtHJd2HWK1FJ3aJfAsmnuGx0hrX7rPGxt1E_s9SrKsDAR1W7m/w141-h168/IMG_5501.jpeg" width="141" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*The WWF was not only a pioneer in hype but a groundbreaker in pay-per-view television as well. After the success of WrestleMania III the company knew that it needed a follow-up in much less than twelve months. Thus, The Survivor Series was born. While teams of five may have strived to survive, all eyes were on Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant. Unlike their one-on-one bout at WrestleMania, the two epic gladiators would instead lead their own teams into battle. Hogan led Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera, Paul Orndorff and Don Muraco (replacing Superstar Billy Graham) into the Thanksgiving night war against Andre and his team consisting of King Kong Bundy, The One Man Gang, Ravishing Rick Rude and Butch Reed. Several Survivor Series-branded promotional photos came out of the hype including one featuring a Hogan-Andre stare down in an image recycled from the WM III media blitz. This photo recently sold for $166.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y2BOym5n1VQkmSKmY7Nok40FHQKHb14y2ieTA6uM-dpzcTiD1POjjPyHVH7N0h6APoTsShl9hLMzuyWxtKEV2Fcj7SCUavqnyplWYOlimJxexyX_BBDMvy9DxjSo2-nVWsyqqivrQVIbefBOikZoycJXGBpdsaHDb_PESiF7BWJvxT5MHB5-to76sHje/s2048/IMG_5499.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="2048" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y2BOym5n1VQkmSKmY7Nok40FHQKHb14y2ieTA6uM-dpzcTiD1POjjPyHVH7N0h6APoTsShl9hLMzuyWxtKEV2Fcj7SCUavqnyplWYOlimJxexyX_BBDMvy9DxjSo2-nVWsyqqivrQVIbefBOikZoycJXGBpdsaHDb_PESiF7BWJvxT5MHB5-to76sHje/w241-h146/IMG_5499.jpeg" width="241" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*Andre may have been Hulk’s greatest rival but as we all know it didn’t end there. Perhaps no one, over the span of years, had more ups and downs with The Hulkster than Randy “Macho Man” Savage. While the two teamed for the first SummerSlam they led opposing duos for the second edition of the event in 1989. The show, emanating from East Rutherford, NJ, saw Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake managed by Miss Elizabeth take on Savage and “Human Wrecking Machine” Zeus led by Sensational Sherri. It was one of several tie-ins to the “No Holds Barred” motion picture starring Hogan and Zeus, a film now considered by many to be a cult classic. The artwork promoting the event is a lot of fun and is featured in several outlets including a post card which recently sold for $18.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPgP7hqmnkoUjkaVWtE34xiaPk1QeCutpJmHpXYzFOs-6Rag3MQ_fdExZABAY4gl6YfsHAoDMBzYP2vdskTPiaKY3ApMsdGRX06_iEkXb4Y9e-U4mg7gRlcw_Gor1_j2dFyEUmXRfDqnUdVPr19_XCPfd4RTIL29bySQVzyxJHIE9Cw4QOTCK436s6Ti-/s893/IMG_5503.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="446" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPgP7hqmnkoUjkaVWtE34xiaPk1QeCutpJmHpXYzFOs-6Rag3MQ_fdExZABAY4gl6YfsHAoDMBzYP2vdskTPiaKY3ApMsdGRX06_iEkXb4Y9e-U4mg7gRlcw_Gor1_j2dFyEUmXRfDqnUdVPr19_XCPfd4RTIL29bySQVzyxJHIE9Cw4QOTCK436s6Ti-/w104-h208/IMG_5503.jpeg" width="104" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*1997 was most assuredly a transitional time for the company. Although the event was held in Chicago, WrestleMania that year always felt small to me. Many fans love the matches, however, and have fond memories of the show which honestly acts as a bridge between the “cartoon era” of yore and the “Attitude Era” about to be ushered in. For better or for worse (you know which way I vote), the company and the industry as a whole was about to rake in a whole lot of money. It looks like some sellers are trying to take in similar amounts of money for the promotional Burger King WrestleMania cup that was exclusive to the Chicagoland area. As usual, folks should be aware that those are the ASKING prices. The actual recent selling price is $15. We all know that prices go up and down on a whim. Always get in there when demand is low.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7srt2-9IGe5LOgAXsw3SxbvAF8NMLysTTxqVjLiUnH3MBpf6iuytROXQfVKrTyOMT0HVG15DufNqSbS1w2-GUPmlu3YWu8lB6FfFx0lm6EOS_GqlAQ852SagKc54N_LSP-1a8aKCLnh2ozWqHRbszUh2axoCPJrDqn_LQv6tJ6fWWhEs9Dh-1WlB3bvi/s2048/IMG_5500.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1724" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7srt2-9IGe5LOgAXsw3SxbvAF8NMLysTTxqVjLiUnH3MBpf6iuytROXQfVKrTyOMT0HVG15DufNqSbS1w2-GUPmlu3YWu8lB6FfFx0lm6EOS_GqlAQ852SagKc54N_LSP-1a8aKCLnh2ozWqHRbszUh2axoCPJrDqn_LQv6tJ6fWWhEs9Dh-1WlB3bvi/w169-h202/IMG_5500.jpeg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*Cable companies got into the act in those early days of pay-per-view as well. If you weren’t around then you may not know the lengths that fans often had to go to in order to see these events. While it eventually became a single phone call, the early days called for special receiver boxes and other gimmicks just to watch the show that you’re already paying extra for. It was the technology of the time. I can remember difficulties with cable boxes as late as the early 2000s. I’ve long since cut the cable, thankfully, and now it’s as simple as pulling up Peacock. More often than not it’s more entertaining to then go and watch a classic event than what’s streaming live, but I digress. We’ve shown a lot of WrestleMania IV love this year due to it being the 35</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">anniversary. One item promoting the show was in fact provided by the WWF for individual cable companies to distribute. It’s a WrestleMania IV branded Hulk Hogan promotional photo complete with facsimile signature. The name of the cable company was added to the top of the photo which is on a far thinner paper stock than the traditional promo. While sellers, again, try to get way more for this photo, it recently sold for $15.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Are you hyped? I am! For the days when the hype was worthwhile, that is…</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-30478917384745490332023-10-05T19:00:00.016-04:002023-10-05T19:00:00.152-04:00A Hunka Hunka Boxcar!<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqd_x7UF4LigQe5Utpk1-sb7SBgi_BeJ9pHa6XTIcDXF6jJOc5SZUPBNFVqjd42gYL-CCwoieR6W6VRLgFaDekaOYY08DqVvL06Zl323cqlKubp_-wLTOK-kp_5TIoMOxo4D08ifSUX13G8JfU1zlmpavIHHYY7USXUIT4sHj0IT4qsXFs5DYzBXRrnUZ/s2651/IMG_5612.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="2651" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqd_x7UF4LigQe5Utpk1-sb7SBgi_BeJ9pHa6XTIcDXF6jJOc5SZUPBNFVqjd42gYL-CCwoieR6W6VRLgFaDekaOYY08DqVvL06Zl323cqlKubp_-wLTOK-kp_5TIoMOxo4D08ifSUX13G8JfU1zlmpavIHHYY7USXUIT4sHj0IT4qsXFs5DYzBXRrnUZ/w185-h146/IMG_5612.jpeg" width="185" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Yet another figure review? Sure, why not? You never know when a gem is going to pop into the picture, much less a Figure of the Year candidate. Do we have one here? Like with “the best” of anything it’s purely subjective. Only each individual person knows exactly what is “the best” or “the greatest” to them. In my world it’d be an absolute miracle if a figure of someone like The Undertaker or Stone Cold Steve Austin would be considered for FOTY. They’ve simply been done one hundred times too many and there just isn’t enough variation in their looks. But a wrestler who’s had a limited amount of figures, especially in a certain look? Couple that with fairly flawless execution from design to accessories and we’ve got what I consider to be the complete package.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_Q6sqKzB9S8h4mqFOsRnW2CTUqtkDbhQyCIOiYxdF12OQ5kpMvgNIUUlxpkoB06X9Tph62Ez0G3eRNMZp8WWi1T3Nxt_a7UlP6D6_Ciz4UKNd_ojBs4davFSmTsbVVP1vk7G7wIc1c3Oi2dTLVpfArKBsn43csXKWKmdxxxn8qkpqDt9y-f-hK8Nqf_1/s1768/IMG_5605.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1768" data-original-width="1586" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_Q6sqKzB9S8h4mqFOsRnW2CTUqtkDbhQyCIOiYxdF12OQ5kpMvgNIUUlxpkoB06X9Tph62Ez0G3eRNMZp8WWi1T3Nxt_a7UlP6D6_Ciz4UKNd_ojBs4davFSmTsbVVP1vk7G7wIc1c3Oi2dTLVpfArKBsn43csXKWKmdxxxn8qkpqDt9y-f-hK8Nqf_1/w191-h213/IMG_5605.jpeg" width="191" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Mattel WWE Legends Series 20 features Mr. Perfect, Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and Triple H, but I’m fairly certain that most eyes flew to a figure who’s had both a storied and unfulfilled history: Rhythm and Blues Greg Valentine. It’s the last series to feature the packaging introduced when Mattel brought back their Legends-titled line with Series 7. Interestingly, that series featured the Mattel return of “The Hammer” with a traditional look in both black and yellow trunks. Here we’re getting Valentine as he appeared for most of 1990 while teaming with The Honky Tonk Man. The bio on the back of the box would lead you to believe that this occurred in 1988. If Mattel would like to replace their current bio writer/historian with someone who knows the facts without even needing to research I’d be happy to take over the position. Ozer? Call me.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DSBfj7EwwYgdUjUjnZJ-EMYgIX-uVn8DEg9LUBCCmg4KQsGXDOljDnSpQrI3F5e09lA1gWz63K6NsYpdpMWV7vpPaCExQCx_2Nlni-n01436xy1rdJG7cyedVxn_fdINKP_6qPg-U0ooIOjumwnuXrSgE1ryZmP003q4O95etmC29ArG0A3jxN4QOkwh/s2414/IMG_5613.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="2414" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DSBfj7EwwYgdUjUjnZJ-EMYgIX-uVn8DEg9LUBCCmg4KQsGXDOljDnSpQrI3F5e09lA1gWz63K6NsYpdpMWV7vpPaCExQCx_2Nlni-n01436xy1rdJG7cyedVxn_fdINKP_6qPg-U0ooIOjumwnuXrSgE1ryZmP003q4O95etmC29ArG0A3jxN4QOkwh/w182-h167/IMG_5613.jpeg" width="182" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">“The Hammer” comes complete with guitar, glasses, jacket, belt and a hunka hunka Honky love. I’ve complained about this breakaway guitar and I do wish that they’d replace it with a solid version. I’m ok with it this time around for two reasons. Rhythm and Blues had two high profile appearances that are well remembered, those being at WrestleMania VI and Survivor Series 1990. At the former their guitars were indeed smashed to smithereens by The Bushwhackers. The other reason that I’m alright with it is that it seems to stay together just a bit better. Like many of you I’ve taken to keeping the clear plastic band used to keep the guitar intact in the packaging. I removed it then replaced it for the photography that you see here and had not one instance of premature guitar collapse. This is a good sign since, as of press time, there’s no known remedy for PGC. Consult your physician.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Mattel really went all out on this one. If the often discussed budget breakdowns of individual figure series is true, most of it for Series 20 went here. The belt and jacket are amazing. They capture “Boxcar” just as we remember him from those magical months in 1990. The glasses appear to be a new design, too, although it could just be the color. They’re removable yet stay on when you need them to which is always the sign of a good figure accessory.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPN8zfQbbm4DYdu6RkdIwbq-Bb7iYFKOVOy3XRgO6K78vISQrW6DtUXtkw_93lbgGNenJnMmhjshKND2PI3Qf81ECGFXwbl2iebCPzZ6XimnHMp6FMKZRbFV1ERUGe9KjU3GgeWsT7WP1OwPDByQLVR5PsLk_759N5_2OQJnexA1LZBBm3ludZOcNmMNi/s2511/IMG_5614.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2511" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPN8zfQbbm4DYdu6RkdIwbq-Bb7iYFKOVOy3XRgO6K78vISQrW6DtUXtkw_93lbgGNenJnMmhjshKND2PI3Qf81ECGFXwbl2iebCPzZ6XimnHMp6FMKZRbFV1ERUGe9KjU3GgeWsT7WP1OwPDByQLVR5PsLk_759N5_2OQJnexA1LZBBm3ludZOcNmMNi/w189-h157/IMG_5614.jpeg" width="189" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The real “main event” feature of the figure is that Mattel fixed the leg issue from the previous Valentine release. The legs are a bit shorter and thicker really capturing the look of “The Hammer” as we all remember. That being said, I now want re-releases of the previous looks. I still want some other designs, too. Let’s compromise. We’ll take redos of the yellow and black ones in the upcoming Legends Greatest Hits line and then we’ll take new versions of Greg, with slightly different hair and new robes, in the regular legends line. Since “Dream Team” Brutus Beefcake is seeing a re-release, why not a matching Gregster? If we had as many versions of Valentine as we do Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart I’d be a happy collector.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireA-gZpUVrjyiRYuTQc7qYPGbKIV-9A65FH4kPoC0Zj_mhizmnzAHQfiQC6OLqsr_7wJYgkzwiPsX1VZJbSUqFou0FWstsN4VrfUyQjePR2YBpPGMQkLj1hot1P5vf0UJHhNtdtcnohDq-BYueNYJi8IFUI4UpPJOGOMloScfWQzMprimNmmhVNy283Pm/s1926/IMG_5609.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="1616" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireA-gZpUVrjyiRYuTQc7qYPGbKIV-9A65FH4kPoC0Zj_mhizmnzAHQfiQC6OLqsr_7wJYgkzwiPsX1VZJbSUqFou0FWstsN4VrfUyQjePR2YBpPGMQkLj1hot1P5vf0UJHhNtdtcnohDq-BYueNYJi8IFUI4UpPJOGOMloScfWQzMprimNmmhVNy283Pm/w139-h166/IMG_5609.jpeg" width="139" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Who am I kidding? I’m happy anyway! After three decades of complaints about Hasbro not releasing “The Hammer” in this look we now have several to choose from. While the Retro Hasbro-styled version is essential, this one is the ultimate. He’s available now through everyone’s favorite red bullseye retailer and I’d advise to get one if you want one. We all know the penchant that this retailer has for suddenly discounting the price on these figures for a spell, but if this is one that you want I wouldn’t wait around. It’s fairly visually impressive. There will also be those who pass now yet want it when The Honky Tonk Man is re-released in the aforementioned WWE Legends Greatest Hits series for which he is scheduled. Plan your purchasing accordingly.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Enjoy the figure, ponder it as FOTY, but remember, “if you hung The Hammer for being a good singer you’d hang an innocent person!”</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-50626369859964772252023-09-28T19:00:00.026-04:002023-09-28T19:00:00.147-04:00Mattel Frustrations: Then. Now. Forever.<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5zEUZEmawhQAE9hK3cBGkIcmua-QndxoI7aAU5d9Zg1TelQvs17U58xBnR9tAPFu3nBNuNYGy-7FzU0GpRQ7b5EVeGLP7lTSMwU5O_o-NhbRiOWLznzcfCwejzA_jYiJdtJt0nP5sCSTlfdPeOhhqPWc3fX2p5JsK4lOTPGGu9W_kBhu5Dy5fjZf7ujJ/s3580/IMG_5284.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1771" data-original-width="3580" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5zEUZEmawhQAE9hK3cBGkIcmua-QndxoI7aAU5d9Zg1TelQvs17U58xBnR9tAPFu3nBNuNYGy-7FzU0GpRQ7b5EVeGLP7lTSMwU5O_o-NhbRiOWLznzcfCwejzA_jYiJdtJt0nP5sCSTlfdPeOhhqPWc3fX2p5JsK4lOTPGGu9W_kBhu5Dy5fjZf7ujJ/w219-h108/IMG_5284.jpeg" width="219" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Well, it turned out to be a full month of figure reviews here on the blog. At least the variety was there which seems to be a trend in wrestling figure collecting as of late. There’s certainly a lot to choose from. If you can find what you want on the shelves, that is. What if the figure that you want is suddenly pulled from the shelves? You may even have it in your hands but when you take it up to pay, it rings up as “Recalled” and the friendly red shirted “team member” whisks it from your hands like the contraband that it apparently is. In early August this is what happened to many WWE collectors across the country in quite the “60</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Anniversary” celebration. Let’s take a look at the culprit(s)…</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUJHrFl1RvoDz9lH_OmUmsux3OEEMmpNeHNLK46TeGv9F9g8X7A0CTV-loDuzwQk6pY6ooxsROmQBMIX_pzEmmgNs9xU1EFNs70brKGoDiECtlhupgd76kMX7cCHTnwTyy3LSykN2moVxuzVlUFnF1zFVAU6k8x-fetpHyJh8Fa6MfbjYHAZ4DS3fwNjy/s2246/IMG_5285.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2246" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUJHrFl1RvoDz9lH_OmUmsux3OEEMmpNeHNLK46TeGv9F9g8X7A0CTV-loDuzwQk6pY6ooxsROmQBMIX_pzEmmgNs9xU1EFNs70brKGoDiECtlhupgd76kMX7cCHTnwTyy3LSykN2moVxuzVlUFnF1zFVAU6k8x-fetpHyJh8Fa6MfbjYHAZ4DS3fwNjy/w238-h156/IMG_5285.jpeg" width="238" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Unexpectedly popping up on Target shelves in late July/early August was the Mattel WWE 60</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Anniversary four-pack. Containing three WWE icons and one current Superstar (remember, to protect the brand WWE no longer allows the creation of icons), new releases of Hulk Hogan, Rocky Maivia, Stone Cole Steve Austin and Becky Lynch came packaged in a shiny and snazzy “60</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Anniversary” box. Suddenly, before the first week of August was even completed, reports began to surface that collectors were being denied purchase of the set at Target registers and that it was being recalled. Whatever stock managed to sneak by Target’s point of sales without the alert instantly became the hottest thing in wrestling figures.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">For what it’s worth, the panic didn’t last long. Word got out that WWE demanded a packaging change from 60</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Anniversary to the company mantra of “Then. Now. Forever.” and that the set would soon be available once again, albeit corrected. While I haven’t heard of the repackaged set being available as of yet, it was up for pre-order through Target for a period of time. Some reports have even come about of the already released version even showing up in discount stores. Due to my want of two accessories in the set (sad, really) I was able to get one at Target just days before the recall started. Thanks to my incessant need for those two aforementioned accessories we have a set to crack open and look at today!</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DPJVmECXYFzHXFyaS08WYrn_EvmlWTAtMsETF-2IJRdk8s5qzYUwDs7MsWlGw5dw0d9R6RXJ_KmDKlV93uzrf976m7NffpIGvL5iP8PzmLqqfq1r9br005dPo2zmqvBjf9-PbbKs9SWxRBlcgZMMxw3KRltYJ4iiqC8X0xp8CCoNXMAd9uNXnCazIaRe/s2454/IMG_5289.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="1535" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DPJVmECXYFzHXFyaS08WYrn_EvmlWTAtMsETF-2IJRdk8s5qzYUwDs7MsWlGw5dw0d9R6RXJ_KmDKlV93uzrf976m7NffpIGvL5iP8PzmLqqfq1r9br005dPo2zmqvBjf9-PbbKs9SWxRBlcgZMMxw3KRltYJ4iiqC8X0xp8CCoNXMAd9uNXnCazIaRe/w121-h194/IMG_5289.jpeg" width="121" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you hadn’t guessed by now, the two accessories that I just had to have were the shirt and belt included with The Hulkster. Though the first WWE Championship design that Hogan held was released in both LJN form and more recently via The Coliseum Collection, until now it’s never before been done with the correct green strap in toy form. Aside from the belt, an early “American Made/Hulk-A-Mania” shirt is included as well. These are the kinds of accessories that, while you’d hope will be released again, very well could stay available solely in this set. Though the Coliseum Collection version designed to look like the LJN release of yesteryear is more than adequate, it’s nice finally having a color accurate version of the belt that Hogan, as well as The Iron Sheik and Bob Backlund, held in the early ‘80s. It’s also nice to have a shirt that predates the “Hulkamania” logo that we’re all so familiar with. It even resembles shirts that The Hulkster wore in the AWA days when he seemed on the cusp of dethroning Nick Bockwinkel for the title.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCpCMAGkuhpR_5-pl9YFkaFhfUNDgeFBdEmjTCfo3WHf6FzbF7pmlFmLH80HUbf5-56Jq8TsDfxPByNUd-IbmYMKxUSCEd5wChZJysbaeRsnyH0kasylYDSyPndlpXRejfsJ5zMfX0IyrOwExPJTxRr4MU02heiyBNJx890wbHIBwDbVVODmccdW3I-iA/s3280/IMG_5290.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="1955" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCpCMAGkuhpR_5-pl9YFkaFhfUNDgeFBdEmjTCfo3WHf6FzbF7pmlFmLH80HUbf5-56Jq8TsDfxPByNUd-IbmYMKxUSCEd5wChZJysbaeRsnyH0kasylYDSyPndlpXRejfsJ5zMfX0IyrOwExPJTxRr4MU02heiyBNJx890wbHIBwDbVVODmccdW3I-iA/w111-h186/IMG_5290.jpeg" width="111" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">We’ve received a bevy of great Hulk figures from Mattel over the past few years but I think that this one tops my list as far as the “early years of Hulkamania” look goes. Used here is the Elite body type that was originally created for the early Mattel Hogan releases of a decade ago. It really captures his look well in a way that I feel the Ultimate Edition style just can’t. You also get two different heads to plunk on, but they’re really very similar aside from the mouth. I can hear this figure on appearances ranging</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span dir="ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: initial; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: underline; text-size-adjust: auto;">from Tuesday Night</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Titans to The Tonight Show telling the world about how Hulkamania is running wild. Can’t you?</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FWTjxLcHNAQ29ePCtfa-6rRNQH3rjSQKXiO6E-FQuVEAbk1AUrYNqQWNB-Hc_fUqaZ8-TcynuFgQ2eXd5CoUF16fig73BL0uHQ1rA-1A4nz4Wqt3ykj_L1rDXb07YahBnRD0Bh1p2V3dIR_RbJFrfVWjJBpAIz0N3B_m0MOcev5Oiyg9Qt2uG2XlPPr2/s3099/IMG_5288.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="1978" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FWTjxLcHNAQ29ePCtfa-6rRNQH3rjSQKXiO6E-FQuVEAbk1AUrYNqQWNB-Hc_fUqaZ8-TcynuFgQ2eXd5CoUF16fig73BL0uHQ1rA-1A4nz4Wqt3ykj_L1rDXb07YahBnRD0Bh1p2V3dIR_RbJFrfVWjJBpAIz0N3B_m0MOcev5Oiyg9Qt2uG2XlPPr2/w129-h202/IMG_5288.jpeg" width="129" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next up we have Rocky Maivia in the outfit that he wore in his 1996 Survivor Series debut and shortly after. Ah, that poofy hair that’s been meme’d to death in modern times, though it still looks better than the “broccoli head” look that seems to be popular with youngsters today. The well-remembered green/blue strap entrance gear is also included. Many will remember first getting this outfit in toy form in one of the ubiquitous Jakks “Bone Crunching Action” four-packs over a quarter of a century ago. How time flies! I do believe that the sole previous Mattel release of this look was a Target exclusive as well. With the interchangeable hands we’re obviously seeing an upgrade here.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs99hMW8zmk0rKPxmSWrpuG9clK-E61USgbWoQnJ7hEopxJRdFCloXoD_X7Jm3zywW3xuDqKLN-KwtIla4eAtu4iL-LUYNuwUy9SZZvTJyJ1PuopfFtgHGy_VlNzsbewE-KSXwU0QYkeQGpvAz859WcDQeSuRNLdLr4YxpztdXzYTIu2WqMlFSpU3Slsx/s3430/IMG_5287.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3430" data-original-width="1776" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs99hMW8zmk0rKPxmSWrpuG9clK-E61USgbWoQnJ7hEopxJRdFCloXoD_X7Jm3zywW3xuDqKLN-KwtIla4eAtu4iL-LUYNuwUy9SZZvTJyJ1PuopfFtgHGy_VlNzsbewE-KSXwU0QYkeQGpvAz859WcDQeSuRNLdLr4YxpztdXzYTIu2WqMlFSpU3Slsx/w96-h186/IMG_5287.jpeg" width="96" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While I honestly wouldn’t have noticed had it not been pointed out, the Stone Cold Steve Austin figure included here is apparently from his WrestleMania “match” a few years ago with Kevin Owens. That makes having to buy it a bit easier for me as I am a fan of getting wrestlers in post-retirement looks. Otherwise, Austin is one that I’ll rarely buy anymore unless it’s part of a Build-A-Figure set or a very unique look such as “Stunning” Steve. The constant releases of Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker and others in the Jakks years simply burned me out on ever buying figures of them again, combined with the fact that I just don’t find their era to be rewatchable nor have I romanticized it as many others have. Regardless, it’s a perfectly acceptable figure here that certainly captures Austin’s look. If it is based on a more recent appearance it’s also a testament to Austin’s apparent lack of aging.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SFSAXNjxNmd4JKrT9CUMRnt2pYvM9ifM3PnpxqF1X9JQ3Xy1riDtI-Z80z8SWzH_W8MeW_hl0N-0nv3ZUOp2wikxzY8UJCGl5i4GT5edxRioIWIS93uPXUpvJPoKKNVo36UR2ZQ-OZWDF1ZoxzyFhdqpGfy4k-nRHQn-QH2b2h71lEGomJ830VpmTyg2/s3024/IMG_5286.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="3024" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SFSAXNjxNmd4JKrT9CUMRnt2pYvM9ifM3PnpxqF1X9JQ3Xy1riDtI-Z80z8SWzH_W8MeW_hl0N-0nv3ZUOp2wikxzY8UJCGl5i4GT5edxRioIWIS93uPXUpvJPoKKNVo36UR2ZQ-OZWDF1ZoxzyFhdqpGfy4k-nRHQn-QH2b2h71lEGomJ830VpmTyg2/w216-h203/IMG_5286.jpeg" width="216" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last, but not least, we have The Man. And she’s seemingly dressing like a jilted bride, or something. It’s actually a very cool figure with the full cloth skirt, removable headpiece and a great facial scan, I just don’t watch enough (maybe a few big events on Peacock per year) to know the significance of the outfit. It makes sense to have Becky included here as surely she is very representative of the current era as well as the importance that’s been placed on women’s wrestling in the past several years. Rebecca Knox sure has come a long way, though, personally, I thought she was a heckuva lot cuter then. I’ll give her props for the Morticia Addams style we’re getting here, though…</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you break it down by cost, $20 per Elite figure is a great value with today’s prices as they are. If you’re buying it solely for one figure as I did, not so much. Still, that’s a personal decision. Accessories are important to a lot of us, myself included, and one of the most important to belt fans is, thus far, only available here. Also, past Target boxed sets have sold out rather quickly with little chance at clearance. I could no longer find the repackaged version of this one available on the Target app so if you’ve already locked one in you may be in luck. In any case it seems that Mattel will be making collecting their product a true chore…Then. Now. Forever.</span></span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-20005387970585111242023-09-21T19:00:00.037-04:002023-09-21T19:00:00.135-04:00The Wrestling Classic Figure Review—Mattel WWE Ultimate Edition Sgt. Slaughter<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1LYOxR_VeIOztlGgmv53o6czeM-0YHe_aeTeAuSDXUYPxuZPcL7SFuSLn71TM2sWNVh61N9DEHZT2v5o3kXUsN3GgZAueRlQ944pTRi5t_Z6_a05Mejs33jfJXeveuG9fY1d6OvUYVP-_zGvp4lVQqI8kZDFXdBPh3i6LTNn7DKurnP_Blu5e_VD5bEM/s1170/IMG_5046.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1170" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1LYOxR_VeIOztlGgmv53o6czeM-0YHe_aeTeAuSDXUYPxuZPcL7SFuSLn71TM2sWNVh61N9DEHZT2v5o3kXUsN3GgZAueRlQ944pTRi5t_Z6_a05Mejs33jfJXeveuG9fY1d6OvUYVP-_zGvp4lVQqI8kZDFXdBPh3i6LTNn7DKurnP_Blu5e_VD5bEM/w175-h162/IMG_5046.jpeg" width="175" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, the figure that unofficially kicked off “The Coliseum Collection.” Actually, it’s shown on the back of the Hogan/Funk set, so maybe it is considered the first? I think we can best categorize it as “partially” part of that set, just like the figure that inspired it is partially part of the LJN Wrestling Superstars line of yesteryear. Why is it being reviewed now, over two years after the fact? A few reasons, but seeing as that it isn’t brand spankin’ new it definitely works as the latest Wrestling Classic Figure Review.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">When it was first released I’d initially planned on having it autographed. It’s a great looking figure with unique packaging and I decided that I didn’t really need to open it as it wasn’t all that much different from various other Slaughter figures. Then a few things changed. It’s actually thirty-five years to the month that I first met The Sarge. Always one of the kindest and most gracious wrestlers to meet, it was a little shocking when I began to hear reports that he was charging upwards of $100 to sign this particular figure. In fact, his prices have skyrocketed for just about anything you could want from him at an appearance.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPgBuXNg9HsXTdbz3I8o768ytN0B7GYgusLs9e9STXQcWxGINIZoLhOU9Ew1MSa23rxEFQeCLDOgP-9kArt9nOYRoY_uECpxELWmONNveZM1bH-Nuz9lRFrPQaO5-zqGsfHFHNJGqdeH2N0sh2SAgmy8YbBsT1IWr9rVaF_dsDi35CExfUYrSwDEIFGEX/s3586/IMG_5053.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="2789" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPgBuXNg9HsXTdbz3I8o768ytN0B7GYgusLs9e9STXQcWxGINIZoLhOU9Ew1MSa23rxEFQeCLDOgP-9kArt9nOYRoY_uECpxELWmONNveZM1bH-Nuz9lRFrPQaO5-zqGsfHFHNJGqdeH2N0sh2SAgmy8YbBsT1IWr9rVaF_dsDi35CExfUYrSwDEIFGEX/w156-h200/IMG_5053.jpeg" width="156" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">As I said, the man himself has always been one of the best to meet. I’ve never had a bad experience with Sgt. Slaughter nor have I ever heard anyone else report one. Until now. Price gouging is an issue all around the appearance scene, but whether it’s Slaughter himself or the used car salesman who handles his appearances (and, I suspect, his social media accounts), the real-life G.I. Joe is effectively pricing himself out of the market. After three and a half decades of various meetings I certainly don’t have a shortage of Slaughter autographs, but it’s always nice to add more if there’s a particular item out there. Until things change or he’s in a situation where the pricing is different (part of a prepaid lineup, for example), I’ll be looking at his items just as I would those of a wrestler who is no longer with us: unsignable.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76wNCNo0B3-nxaAWIn8CgEZOpZMZkwAh5423DG-w25pPn35ZL9J9qazLKNKaxujgNllisbCgFHJFj-IMP-D6d5HtzWrYjMtZ1QeykEpbId_3tol2Bx4F0Qa-QulR9MhnxDHj2bNUUkAbH55c1IbAnkNuYR7WQcWsN22XR0HWcAlQYQCM2-HAwLjHgLBeA/s1100/IMG_5045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="859" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76wNCNo0B3-nxaAWIn8CgEZOpZMZkwAh5423DG-w25pPn35ZL9J9qazLKNKaxujgNllisbCgFHJFj-IMP-D6d5HtzWrYjMtZ1QeykEpbId_3tol2Bx4F0Qa-QulR9MhnxDHj2bNUUkAbH55c1IbAnkNuYR7WQcWsN22XR0HWcAlQYQCM2-HAwLjHgLBeA/w140-h179/IMG_5045.jpeg" width="140" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">If you’re familiar with the aforementioned Coliseum Collection then you’re already familiar with the packaging here, it’s simply one figure instead of two. This was a San Diego Comic Con exclusive which sold out on Mattel Creations in seconds. Their SDCC release this year, Muhammad Ali, is still sitting available as of press time. The design, just like The Coliseum Collection, is based upon the look of the classic LJN Wrestling Superstars line. The figure itself is based upon the look of the Hasbro G.I. Joe mail away figure release that was designed to interact with the LJN figures. I remember marveling, even as a kid, that LJN figures were actually seen at the feet of the Slaughter figure in the Hasbro mail order brochure. That was the kind of thing that most kids wouldn’t have given a second thought to. Me? I guess I was just different!</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj827KHFTOSivbwDhdQXQz8icnVBKn5AmRMQ5dKdo-LI_UVQLKL9go0Hd0Pl5SFzMVZJxhR0yKRDK-6gXYpXKS9pYvcFLdFCHpR__pyqF2Z8S0iFo0YUnsmCjlZFRXWGGcPiD1QVX9g23D6ozWDj3IM3MqPfUKRsl1UDa0h1Rr2Pd2oDbE9ft2JtB0kjR6T/s2964/IMG_5051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="2155" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj827KHFTOSivbwDhdQXQz8icnVBKn5AmRMQ5dKdo-LI_UVQLKL9go0Hd0Pl5SFzMVZJxhR0yKRDK-6gXYpXKS9pYvcFLdFCHpR__pyqF2Z8S0iFo0YUnsmCjlZFRXWGGcPiD1QVX9g23D6ozWDj3IM3MqPfUKRsl1UDa0h1Rr2Pd2oDbE9ft2JtB0kjR6T/w124-h170/IMG_5051.jpeg" width="124" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The interesting part which coincides with my mini-rant above is something that I actually didn’t discover until I went to open the figure. Unlike The Coliseum Collection and just about every other release from any figure company that I’m familiar with, there’s really nothing stopping you from completely returning this figure to “mint” condition. There are no annoying clear bands or plastic fasteners that require cutting. You can take Slaughter, and the accessories, in and out as much as you want. I’m not saying that I’d get it autographed should I ever have the chance to not pay the All-American $100 Sgt. Slaughter Cobra Corps God Bless America fee, but it’s certainly doable.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8P5tv79v0fgcwrS7hDSjT_j4w_OLOrd3hOlkCMSWQ5llE9MPaElkjBSoui7roO6HppSqw7EyBB4TGtLo5nfes5oRgDvPlNwveEbpuuf2Nj_g3yBHUXntiwuanQTfiGbrGBybzQWNe7W-B5u0OVUQYQv-11Onj6o8YdNWegmhfr4rSIoqFHqsDoopwHZS/s2714/IMG_5054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="2694" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8P5tv79v0fgcwrS7hDSjT_j4w_OLOrd3hOlkCMSWQ5llE9MPaElkjBSoui7roO6HppSqw7EyBB4TGtLo5nfes5oRgDvPlNwveEbpuuf2Nj_g3yBHUXntiwuanQTfiGbrGBybzQWNe7W-B5u0OVUQYQv-11Onj6o8YdNWegmhfr4rSIoqFHqsDoopwHZS/w193-h194/IMG_5054.jpeg" width="193" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Just as with The Coliseum Collection the accessories are stored in a box underneath the figure, resembling where the poster would’ve been in the LJN releases. An extra head, various gloved hands, riding crop, whistle and jacket are all included. A removable belt, sunglasses and hat are already positioned on the figure. I’m a really big fan of the various gloved hands included here. You can recreate a lot of Sarge’s famous poses (“Stop and give me $100, kid!”) and I’m sure that these could even work well on another wrestler if you thought about it enough. The jacket reminds me of the one that he wore on that day back in September of 1988 when I first met him. Ah, the glorious and ungreedy days of yore.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MSpjmh6D43-9UKzYgULA-hARrVhti_ho_z3VthzFZl4A2kQCd8j-KV9KBRyQ1L6RO_xrkf3jPBcNrzTbzF6AQ7FgTnFOhrCDYAnFKZxrvolBqfDPTVuxd8klyxCJ8xkTzNz6vGoHSTOFgxtuKxytq0l2KdgfFNQ-vNDTiXmzSVMxHxO4NdrQfkMsJdqV/s2971/IMG_5052.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2971" data-original-width="2513" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MSpjmh6D43-9UKzYgULA-hARrVhti_ho_z3VthzFZl4A2kQCd8j-KV9KBRyQ1L6RO_xrkf3jPBcNrzTbzF6AQ7FgTnFOhrCDYAnFKZxrvolBqfDPTVuxd8klyxCJ8xkTzNz6vGoHSTOFgxtuKxytq0l2KdgfFNQ-vNDTiXmzSVMxHxO4NdrQfkMsJdqV/w169-h200/IMG_5052.jpeg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The figure itself is of the “Ultimate Edition” style which means more articulation than ever. My personal jury is sort of out on whether or not the extra shoulder joints really work for Slaughter himself, but they DO help it resemble the Hasbro LJN-esque figure on which it’s based. That figure is, pardon the overused expression, jacked. He looks as he did in the G.I. Joe cartoon, especially, and since that’s what we’re going for here…well…why not? The “pained” expression on the extra head (not the one on the fans walking away from his table with sticker shock) is amusing and I don’t think that it’s been released elsewhere. If you can pop this head on the Iraqi Slaughter figure released by Mattel around the same time, and I’m pretty sure that’s doable, it would look great in a WrestleMania VII recreation.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Overall, it’s a nice figure and while it isn’t officially part of The Coliseum Collection, I think that you really may need it to feel “complete” if that’s your thing. I recall that prices for both versions (a “chase” exists on a black inner card) skyrocketed after the ten seconds in which it was available and I’d venture to doubt that they’ve fallen very much. Still, Mattel never seems to release the SDCC exclusives in quite the same look again (aside from Ali even after the original release didn’t light the world on fire), so it may not ever fall. Just remember to sock away a hundo if you want that baby signed.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Yo Joe, money grubbing maggots!</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-61426096903720342842023-09-14T19:00:00.041-04:002023-09-14T19:00:00.137-04:00“Psst, Finkel, that’s King HAKU, pal…”<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-rRzpxjWalV13Tdr1-2jaH_IIo5fmAMULS-xD2o_JhH5B35DDUyKyIgK73mG-Eyd7luLsfkFvM8cAVeISD1zopAIsL6c2LDSzUAPNjPx0T7OgqQESRwkQw5ryxXPvfo3zMurSIQlDTh54PskbrfHX1RTRRWP2E0pTo8j7A-QuzUb2RZLi6z1yMAb88l8/s2653/IMG_4164.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="2293" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-rRzpxjWalV13Tdr1-2jaH_IIo5fmAMULS-xD2o_JhH5B35DDUyKyIgK73mG-Eyd7luLsfkFvM8cAVeISD1zopAIsL6c2LDSzUAPNjPx0T7OgqQESRwkQw5ryxXPvfo3zMurSIQlDTh54PskbrfHX1RTRRWP2E0pTo8j7A-QuzUb2RZLi6z1yMAb88l8/w153-h177/IMG_4164.jpeg" width="153" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure, over the past decade or so the wrestling world has become enamored with Haku and the stories surrounding him both in and out of the ring. But how many of you, like myself, have been a Haku guy for a lot longer than that? I’m betting a good many of you. No matter where he was or what they were calling him, the man variously known under such names as King Tonga, Haku and even Meng was someone you always wanted to see on the card. That being said, he’s been grossly under represented as far as action figures! You’ve seen his LJN here on the blog and I’m sure that his two Classic Superstars figures have popped up as well. Now, thanks to one of the boutique companies, we get to see him in “Hasbro” style as he always should have been. How does it measure up to the Tongan nightmare himself? Let’s take a look.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GS7viIhNhyxb1fHiqk4pgIqMUwEYqYSSDhdl_O2XZebQBuEwLrRRA73-TJMUMvr6mVjWwKAHcIGwoZU3AEAkrtqAuSf4cmZhhxAgMQGFeLoZRrdFrXhvoPxsyBhJecMdS8DnBCC24vIj6-nAjdokQyUHCkTDYBDhIFTgbBA6PSi5wiF-Q9BxbThTdynx/s2624/IMG_4165.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2624" data-original-width="2234" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GS7viIhNhyxb1fHiqk4pgIqMUwEYqYSSDhdl_O2XZebQBuEwLrRRA73-TJMUMvr6mVjWwKAHcIGwoZU3AEAkrtqAuSf4cmZhhxAgMQGFeLoZRrdFrXhvoPxsyBhJecMdS8DnBCC24vIj6-nAjdokQyUHCkTDYBDhIFTgbBA6PSi5wiF-Q9BxbThTdynx/w188-h221/IMG_4165.jpeg" width="188" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This one was a long time coming. A lot if it, I imagine, was due to the original company, Chella Toys, apparently getting out of the business. Though the name is kept on the card back here, that was said to be symbolic. The company will be known as Epic Toys going forward. I steer clear of all of that type of drama, so don’t ask. I imagine that there are plenty of sources where you can find out what happened there. My concern was if the pre-orders, which had been paid for a year prior, would be fulfilled. They obviously were so no complaints there. My other further comment on the company itself is that it does cause concern about the financial liabilities of these boutique companies. They are fast to take the money but what if something happens in the meantime, as did here? With the long waits between pre-ordering and the figures arriving on your doorstep a lot of the financial institutions won’t be helping out if something goes wrong. It’s a major “red flag” as the kids like to say.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2ZLJeTSvMaIEmDKWdOEayz_asyACkCEomYwihrHyiZlRYgnLOUG3jhdpGj52Pkm1O9KGQSmxBiWqJu9CN-Qd_LX-DiFzwf8eMH2Jg0uEzlEN8ywA8ERPbDoe6kR8QsOETtkN-1xppll09r2cd5NU_pxsNQ-5BcdWKbTyjwsG6tj76jXdVP9enIl6b7Uf/s2604/IMG_4162.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="2596" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2ZLJeTSvMaIEmDKWdOEayz_asyACkCEomYwihrHyiZlRYgnLOUG3jhdpGj52Pkm1O9KGQSmxBiWqJu9CN-Qd_LX-DiFzwf8eMH2Jg0uEzlEN8ywA8ERPbDoe6kR8QsOETtkN-1xppll09r2cd5NU_pxsNQ-5BcdWKbTyjwsG6tj76jXdVP9enIl6b7Uf/w209-h210/IMG_4162.jpeg" width="209" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will say that of the boutique retro/Hasbro styled figures that I’ve encountered, this company gets the card backs the closest. I think that we could even toss Mattel in there and Chella/Epic would still win. The thickness and feel of the cardboard is spot on. They do as well as they can with the logos (obviously there’s no WWF here) but all of the fonts, borders and even the drawings on the back fit right in. The bubbles on these throw me a bit, though I’m guessing that’s done to ensure that they won’t fall off. Even without a “Real Wrestling Action” I’d prefer a “mock” description on the back as opposed to a photo of the figure, but that’s still better than another outfit that needlessly puts the design schematics of the figure on the back, touting that they’re designed by someone who had a hand in creating the Hasbro line. If it looks like a Hasbro I really don’t care who designed the thing.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like Mattel and every other current “retro” figure the photo of the wrestler on the card back is a rendering based on a real photo. I’d imagine that this is done due to the original photo rights. I can’t be objective on whether or not the crown on Haku’s head looks “off” or not. I’m too familiar with the original photo and it dates past his time as “King,” at least in the WWF. To this day he is still billed as “King Haku” in some areas including Japan. For me it looks like it shouldn’t be there, but again, after thirty years of seeing the real photo I can’t really say if it’s out of place or if it’s just me. I will say that there are plenty of photos of Haku actually wearing the crown that could have been used, but I’m sure that there are reasons that this was done instead.</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3cF1JAMS188101YfLHzD6cpCUo6IQbqeOUS5pzw9Q_cdqLsPHogAs84TM08daYeslVfIo1eSqaa2P7pxoY1xuRTs0qP28fXCO7SZiB2PPSOUCSY6Xbb16hQDijafEiAVU6pMH13kz0sS4pI8MdhL14sF3A_X48oT_plAJHiOpqZ6A-F0y6S1muSyb__P/s2608/IMG_4167.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="2185" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3cF1JAMS188101YfLHzD6cpCUo6IQbqeOUS5pzw9Q_cdqLsPHogAs84TM08daYeslVfIo1eSqaa2P7pxoY1xuRTs0qP28fXCO7SZiB2PPSOUCSY6Xbb16hQDijafEiAVU6pMH13kz0sS4pI8MdhL14sF3A_X48oT_plAJHiOpqZ6A-F0y6S1muSyb__P/w146-h174/IMG_4167.jpeg" width="146" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As with all of the current licensed retro figures aside from Mattel’s lineup, there are no “Real Wrestling Actions.” I’ve been ok with that and I continue to be. Even Mattel’s soon-to-be-ended Masters of the Universe line featuring fairly direct re-releases of the vintage figures are produced sans most of their original actions. Again, as long as the figures appear as they are supposed to that’s what matters. Here you are getting King Haku and his crown. I appreciate that the crown is removable. I wouldn’t say that it fits snugly, but it fits…”nicely.” Most of all it looks great when on. When a retro figure has a non-removable head accessory I do understand it as that’s how most of the original Hasbro figures were handled, but I will always prefer removable when given the choice.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1OMPHbf5CoQWTGAjmOX0q9AdQHmYiWCqvFHXABe0gZ9BNWvBQpgOG4t4E5Cw872cM0G2fFlWbFgDBnyQBY19pbHiODTJYj_6MtCgPC9T4FTVsQK_Vso9EWdQzt3DZILC9Ng0H0uEevWNA1l3-r64WXYeeDqZxLjO2Um2YE1qw2udV9-uYQHAvu0dZzhz/s3057/IMG_4163.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="3057" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1OMPHbf5CoQWTGAjmOX0q9AdQHmYiWCqvFHXABe0gZ9BNWvBQpgOG4t4E5Cw872cM0G2fFlWbFgDBnyQBY19pbHiODTJYj_6MtCgPC9T4FTVsQK_Vso9EWdQzt3DZILC9Ng0H0uEevWNA1l3-r64WXYeeDqZxLjO2Um2YE1qw2udV9-uYQHAvu0dZzhz/w186-h98/IMG_4163.jpeg" width="186" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall this is a nice figure. The likeness is good and not TOO modern to ultimately look unretro, a problem that a lot of the retro boutiques are facing. The arms are posed well for some good Haku-esque stances and the figure stands well. While it fits in, size wise, with Hasbro figures and retros alike, I feel that he’s just a tad not thick enough. I’m thinking that he should be as bulky as the Hacksaw Jim Duggan Hasbro figures. Remember, nine times out of ten the Hasbro sculpts were a bit exaggerated. We needed some of that here. It could also use a bit more shine. The Blue Meanie figure from Chella had a great Hasbro shine. Haku is a tad on the dull side, though there is a bit of shine. I will say that the figure shows a decent shine in my accompanying photography, so the bit of dullness must only be in-hand.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl0O_KsLgSwxGvZzpYwNvU1evZHjripHQNg8YGWy0Ybc6X1UDpVbbmRtYInw99eIlyKsrp75b34fcsnCt3VeTQzjg06EJ6G48bR_vDHDVEt2kqfZwAPK3DRAwNGTFANcT31SdAigcvPo2F1Yx3UAncsezggu6aIyxINoH0ILrmbSjgreDsggIYWlJSeyX/s2812/IMG_4166.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2812" data-original-width="2112" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl0O_KsLgSwxGvZzpYwNvU1evZHjripHQNg8YGWy0Ybc6X1UDpVbbmRtYInw99eIlyKsrp75b34fcsnCt3VeTQzjg06EJ6G48bR_vDHDVEt2kqfZwAPK3DRAwNGTFANcT31SdAigcvPo2F1Yx3UAncsezggu6aIyxINoH0ILrmbSjgreDsggIYWlJSeyX/w127-h169/IMG_4166.jpeg" width="127" /></a></span></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I pre-ordered two of these since Haku is a favorite of mine and I’m hoping to get one signed. Do I regret it? Not one bit. It’s a perfectly acceptable entry to anyone’s Hasbro/retro collection, especially of a star who has been so under produced as an action figure. Is it perfect? No, but I think we’ve said that for all Hasbro-esque figures including those from Mattel. I like it enough that if it was redone with flowery tights for a later Haku I’d probably pick one of those up, too. I don’t know if King Haku will be available post-pre-order, but if it is I don’t imagine that it will last long. Most of these boutique figures have proven to be hit or miss as far as availability once completed.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Man, do we ever need a Bobby Heenan retro figure…</span></span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-83408671506851220442023-09-07T19:00:00.039-04:002023-09-07T19:00:00.151-04:00Mattel Alters The Retro Game Again…<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-dDR064B2qe66R0w_FEEbSY7Q4LZ4VuZcpWXcpGzLy1-JWGpBFn7reB1iY0wqlwtRJnh0RdfyILSveUUG1Gc5nDGXDhmrB5XDvNqIc-Psrp830oMRpL8dkULcVUu6dOave0HiP5uNeNXZjYqEF56hZ6wX3Aj0I5uoMEnvlhZV_neSr9Vt6E_Vx1QwTKR/s2853/IMG_4169.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1657" data-original-width="2853" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-dDR064B2qe66R0w_FEEbSY7Q4LZ4VuZcpWXcpGzLy1-JWGpBFn7reB1iY0wqlwtRJnh0RdfyILSveUUG1Gc5nDGXDhmrB5XDvNqIc-Psrp830oMRpL8dkULcVUu6dOave0HiP5uNeNXZjYqEF56hZ6wX3Aj0I5uoMEnvlhZV_neSr9Vt6E_Vx1QwTKR/w174-h101/IMG_4169.jpeg" width="174" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Just when you think you have the answers, Mattel changes the questions! In a collecting world, and world in general, where any little thing is offensive and causes an uproar, Mattel did it. In a toy manufacturing era where the companies claim to be cutting down on plastic for the environment (aka for their own financial bottom line), Mattel</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">still </i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">did it. Am I upset about it? No, not exactly. It ultimately saves me money, though I’m still very surprised. What exactly is it? Let’s take a look at the latest Mattel WWE Retro figure set and find out.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">In the latest roll out from Mattel Creations we have the newest four-pack of legends done in Hasbro, or “Retro,” style. The lineup contains the long-awaited (in this form) Jerry “The King” Lawler, Paul Bearer, Big Van Vader and The Undertaker. For the record, the “long-awaited” phrasing only applies to the first two listed and possibly Vader. This wasn’t really a pre-order as they became available on a Tuesday and were at many doorsteps by </span><span dir="ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: initial; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Thursday afternoon</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">. These things were ready to go and, as of press time, are still available. The previous series is also still available although it appears that the set before that has finally sold out.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtklRIbobylvbCNOUPeePXdghZ1mdF4oxlZr4LEtnQUGmMMARZ6HWNfRAVeW2_JCvbOZV0lXFltYz6J2Tr6ZtI-5huOvtF_hYPmM0KmEcl34isKyOzgcRlfvhFci7j86q_vOC3HZ7JhvR2aoGixamnEAY3IOCDOWZz9Bj74EUHKgfsGODtt_qK5G3oHkHr/s2406/IMG_4172.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="2381" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtklRIbobylvbCNOUPeePXdghZ1mdF4oxlZr4LEtnQUGmMMARZ6HWNfRAVeW2_JCvbOZV0lXFltYz6J2Tr6ZtI-5huOvtF_hYPmM0KmEcl34isKyOzgcRlfvhFci7j86q_vOC3HZ7JhvR2aoGixamnEAY3IOCDOWZz9Bj74EUHKgfsGODtt_qK5G3oHkHr/w180-h182/IMG_4172.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Jerry “The King” Lawler was always on the most wanted list for the Hasbro WWF line after he debuted in the company in late 1992. The problem was that seeing as he was mostly a commentator at the time he just didn’t get produced. For whatever undisclosed reason Hasbro never deviated from simply making active wrestlers in their original line. Although Lawler wrestled as well as commentated, the latter fact seemingly sealed his fate. Here we have the figure in this set that’s most like an original Hasbro item and you can see why just by looking at it. He has the “pullback punch” that you’ll remember from such vintage figures as Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Tito Santana. The crown not being removable is also a throwback to Hasbro figures such as Sgt. Slaughter and The Mountie. Do I wish that it came off? A bit. But it’s still the gem of the set.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc3K4HYQOuyRuKGxxSzoonQrXDd5U2BieYaCRbF_5XzD1ekxbUFtFUKXbLkQ-GrLnmNogHmEMZ8kpPMTpybLuqByS_N8Ae3EFc3qQKLDyaNAn47FfeXssavFbn0MZJLHtS53UsR76HtECkxTaUgiX-kAlSD2X2l-bPEZDSG3cAv5OIIShQyqlzt3hErdA/s2637/IMG_4170.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="2264" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc3K4HYQOuyRuKGxxSzoonQrXDd5U2BieYaCRbF_5XzD1ekxbUFtFUKXbLkQ-GrLnmNogHmEMZ8kpPMTpybLuqByS_N8Ae3EFc3qQKLDyaNAn47FfeXssavFbn0MZJLHtS53UsR76HtECkxTaUgiX-kAlSD2X2l-bPEZDSG3cAv5OIIShQyqlzt3hErdA/w160-h186/IMG_4170.jpeg" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Next up we have another long-desired figure in the Hasbro style, Paul Bearer. Another victim of Hasbro’s unspoken “wrestlers only” production policy, Bearer would’ve sold well back then. I even remember kids asking me where the Paul Bearer figure was when they saw me with the Hasbro release of The Undertaker. When the first Paul Bearer figure was eventually released with the JusToys Bend-ems ring it caused a commotion. Mattel has finally righted Hasbro’s wrong complete with a removable urn. The likeness is very Hasbro-like and Bearer comes complete with an action where he can either raise the urn or have it come crashing down onto the back of The Undertaker’s head, cementing the death of their long relationship. How did ol’ Paul get to be so popular? He urn’d it. Thanks, Brain. Anyway…</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFU3w_ULuMcR7KPNRM-I6YS6_sGfhtAG6Y8ZrAqiKJrtOETVWdVQBx6kGKg8S4xlY_m7VP0-_XMLLI5o2XKWAs86ii0RKFK3eF0NCF8vhMNwoTer-zW9k8om4XcffPJegg51B2fcdtYi2b3m7_FephzVRcqveQQfyDHZJMbAKC7f62w0BoWAGqhLcVt0X/s2577/IMG_4171.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="2307" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFU3w_ULuMcR7KPNRM-I6YS6_sGfhtAG6Y8ZrAqiKJrtOETVWdVQBx6kGKg8S4xlY_m7VP0-_XMLLI5o2XKWAs86ii0RKFK3eF0NCF8vhMNwoTer-zW9k8om4XcffPJegg51B2fcdtYi2b3m7_FephzVRcqveQQfyDHZJMbAKC7f62w0BoWAGqhLcVt0X/w158-h177/IMG_4171.jpeg" width="158" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Vader is up next and would’ve been in the Hasbro line for certain had it extended about three more years. His likeness always lends itself well to figures even if the final execution isn’t that great. While you certainly get the feeling that it’s “Vader Time” while looking at this one, I would’ve preferred a different design. The old Akeem “belly bump” style action just isn’t what I wanted with Vader. “The Mastadon” should’ve had one of the various power slamming moves or Mattel should have finally brought back something similar to the mechanism that Earthquake, Typhoon and Bam Bam Bigelow had back in the ‘90s. This is how most customizers always envisioned a Vader in this style and thus the final product here is a tad disappointing.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tXLeE1zVg7vAzudQiLAhJqwrJjTFENHd-Jj1qKfWcRRaZFoKkRvK8gp7_cTBJg9a7hCfYJlnll0IeNvQDOqsus3XapWJ9zLh_-xK_syhrhy_rWM8BGF1dEz-HBnXDeA4n0AujLm5juOOKeaB3PU6fK1udt2OMYq76zGHQm5A-YWBEJihQHQScpvF0HAB/s2449/IMG_4173.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="2449" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tXLeE1zVg7vAzudQiLAhJqwrJjTFENHd-Jj1qKfWcRRaZFoKkRvK8gp7_cTBJg9a7hCfYJlnll0IeNvQDOqsus3XapWJ9zLh_-xK_syhrhy_rWM8BGF1dEz-HBnXDeA4n0AujLm5juOOKeaB3PU6fK1udt2OMYq76zGHQm5A-YWBEJihQHQScpvF0HAB/w175-h175/IMG_4173.jpeg" width="175" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">We wrap up this fearsome foursome with yet another version of The Undertaker. I don’t think that ol’ Taker has ever been mentioned, much less reviewed, twice just a few weeks apart in the nearly fifteen year history of this blog. He’s just not a personal favorite of mine and I’m honestly pretty sick of his figures. It makes sense to have him in a set with Bearer and I know that countless fans are enamored with “The Deadman,” he just does zilch for me at this point. At least this is a different look. This time around “The Phenom” is depicted wearing the face mask that came about after King Mabel and Yokozuna “crushed” his face. Did I need this? No. Did I want this? No. But to get the other ones you have to buy it. Here it is and there’s truly nothing wrong with the figure whatsoever. </span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHIXEOUh5-axNWJGSz1xvXGv6wcNVcrDpw0hRx1rA5l_3wQFGed7X6qHegMDrzcn7jdMYgtEjPef8ntlOOUnIXVGGmcXkY6nf6oJfiKi-dF1HGVBZ_senR742N8MWkTSmEBlq-IUIePD00spcUw7itq5fG4wa-2BNkUfHm7JC6z0fFEywZgsLTFicVTm4/s3024/IMG_4168.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2782" data-original-width="3024" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHIXEOUh5-axNWJGSz1xvXGv6wcNVcrDpw0hRx1rA5l_3wQFGed7X6qHegMDrzcn7jdMYgtEjPef8ntlOOUnIXVGGmcXkY6nf6oJfiKi-dF1HGVBZ_senR742N8MWkTSmEBlq-IUIePD00spcUw7itq5fG4wa-2BNkUfHm7JC6z0fFEywZgsLTFicVTm4/w249-h229/IMG_4168.jpeg" width="249" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">What about that change that was mentioned above? The wait is over. Similar to how the Micro Brawlers mini figure line is now packaged, Mattel has changed the retro line to have the bubble as part of a full plastic “shell” that covers the complete front of the card back. There’s no sealing here as tabs hold the plastic in place and you can basically remove and replace the figure as much as you desire. It’s interesting that a change like this would happen so late in the line and especially in the era (see first paragraph) in that we’re in now with toy packaging. Some collectors will argue that you don’t truly have a mint figure anymore unless it’s still sealed in the cardboard box that all four figures are bundled in. Others will complain that this and sets going forward no longer “fit” with the previous releases. Interestingly, despite Lawler being one I’ve always wanted and, thus, autographed, this was the first retro set that I did not buy two of. Due to health issues Lawler is currently not making signing appearances. As this change was not disclosed I’m not sure how I’d have felt had I indeed purchased two. Seeing as that there won’t truly ever be any “mint on card” examples of these, I can simply throw Lawler back into the bubble and get the card back signed should “The King” make a return to appearances. I’m sure that Mattel had their reasons, yet to me it feels like they ultimately left money on the table. We know toy manufacturers absolutely dread that.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Overall I’d have to say that this is my least favorite of the retro four-pack bundles thus far to be released. As long-awaited as Lawler was for me, the others didn’t suit my personal wants quite as much. Bearer is welcomed but not when we’re still waiting on Bobby Heenan, Brother Love, Miss Elizabeth, Sensational Sherri or so many other classic managers in this style. My personal jury is still out on the packaging change, although money saved in my wallet always makes me happy. A big middle of the road rating for this retro installment. The next set is scheduled to contain Hulk Hogan, Big John Studd, Muhammad Ali and Wendi Richter in the first WWF/WWE Hasbro/Mattel “retro” female figure. Girls are sure to have some fun with this one, when the working day is done, of course.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">We’re keeping it retro next time as a LONG awaited figure is finally done in this style and Jerry may just have a challenger to his throne! Stay tuned!</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-47788263700237628742023-08-31T19:00:00.009-04:002023-08-31T19:00:00.147-04:00The Legendary Terry Funk<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any good journalist writes these things far in advance. It’s an old tradition/SOP for news obituaries. Whatever it says about my journalistic skills and/or integrity, I just don’t do it. I don’t even feel the need to rush tributes out, though I’m hardly a news site. Pretty much everything on this blog is a reflection and that’s certainly what we do when someone passes. We all knew that we’d be doing quite a bit of reflecting upon the passing of Terry Funk and, while we all knew that it was inevitable, we still were not fully prepared.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Terry Funk was real. While there may have been a few additions for the crazy world of wrestling like the classic “you egg suckin’ dog!” or unleashing that legendary branding iron, everything else about the man was just genuine. He</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">was</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">that Texas cowboy from the Double Cross Ranch. He</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">did</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">come from a family that lived and breathed the pro wrestling business. He didn’t have to put on a front to get you to believe. All he had to do was raise the voice of the real Terry Funk and you already got your money’s worth.</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being the genuine article probably greatly helped make the legend. No matter where he went he was a star. He knew how to adapt or reinvent himself but it never felt strange or out of place. You knew it was Terry Funk no matter which “version” you got and, again, you knew you were getting your money’s worth. NWA Champion? Texas bronco? Middle-aged and crazy? It was all the same guy with very few tweaks yet he starred in multiple eras.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">If you listen to the stories of his contemporaries, Terry rarely wanted to be in the center of the spotlight. As long as he was entertaining the fans, and possibly helping someone else out in the process, he was a contented man. He didn’t need to be the winner of the match in a business where ultimately that doesn’t matter. He saw the bigger picture. He didn’t take any of it too seriously and still became one of the greatest of all-time, many say</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">the</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">greatest. Does it get any more amazing than that?</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve never heard a single soul say a bad thing about Terry Funk. Closer to my realm, I’ve never heard a single fan talk about a bad interaction with the man. In fact, I don’t think I know a fan who had met him who doesn’t have a great story to go along with it. He never seemed to meet a stranger. He was always willing to sign each and every autograph. He knew that, as amazing as he was in the ring and on the mic, keeping the fans happy is what ultimately keeps the gears of the business moving. No one did it better.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">I’m fairly sure that my first glimpse of Terry came on the back of the LJN Wrestling Superstars figure card. While at a VERY young age I may have seen him on a </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Saturday Night’s Main Event, I remember that wild-looking cowboy figure shown on the packaging and knew that he was one I wanted. Little did I know that some of my best wrestling memories, both on television and in person, would come from that man. In what turned out to be the final time that I got to see him I had brought a ticket from his first retirement in Japan. After he signed it, in that unmistakable Terry Funk voice he said to me, “I really did plan on retiring. You know why I didn’t? I ran out of money!”</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I miss him already.</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBPNeSGAIx9xjo2N1bVHgA4T_s4Yyzw5WpvDPJJs4_VX9DEdazs9exBA7l8SgwVC_24Izixr8KECUZTcSUrO5aBgVYaSrOHzRxr6uEFbMYXZttGEbZJHxu9CIPSSKpQiiCslKzwMyZlDy-U2APqu9C60td5cLLzriBmc574MOhbWUPhHoFln8KS2b1ODj/s2048/IMG_4013.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBPNeSGAIx9xjo2N1bVHgA4T_s4Yyzw5WpvDPJJs4_VX9DEdazs9exBA7l8SgwVC_24Izixr8KECUZTcSUrO5aBgVYaSrOHzRxr6uEFbMYXZttGEbZJHxu9CIPSSKpQiiCslKzwMyZlDy-U2APqu9C60td5cLLzriBmc574MOhbWUPhHoFln8KS2b1ODj/s320/IMG_4013.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>Terry Funk</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>1944-2023</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></div></div>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-46106229643291868042023-08-26T12:00:00.038-04:002023-08-26T12:00:00.151-04:00Thanksgiving Came A Little Early This Year…<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHrc7oVonXldI8Khg0j4QPODaCxkKl8En30b2NzB2HtVtSG_ly76Y-zfcWYqVPHEh1u7cuPR8h7ScIZUlS9sQ6eAkmupM3pOyMj4MlWr8zRq4NtbHJDlvPyYrAtc9ezypDgeavS6lFlTyDgLg7icVepUlGQt5iKYIYQ2zQpnzpEIkZTd2S-__fQMfPURI/s3579/IMG_3837.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="3579" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHrc7oVonXldI8Khg0j4QPODaCxkKl8En30b2NzB2HtVtSG_ly76Y-zfcWYqVPHEh1u7cuPR8h7ScIZUlS9sQ6eAkmupM3pOyMj4MlWr8zRq4NtbHJDlvPyYrAtc9ezypDgeavS6lFlTyDgLg7icVepUlGQt5iKYIYQ2zQpnzpEIkZTd2S-__fQMfPURI/w245-h123/IMG_3837.jpeg" width="245" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">They gave us The Bunny. They almost gave us Santa. We have Hacksaw to cover any holiday that involves the good ol’ red, white and blue. What else is there? Oh yeah. Just my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! You mean to tell me that The Gobbledy Gooker still didn’t have a figure after nearly 33 years of life? He didn’t, but he does now! Of course, it takes buying the ten millionth release of someone that I haven’t given much of a care about in three decades, but due to the ideas that were hatched in the creation of this set you’ll see that it’s actually worth it.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUDVSPqSkhDz6vldg7wPRioXR4Zvt4c2b6FYcevVLvtVIrwKxEp_HCOiKcDC3F76PS-zgtBEjl3GALnZ7zyKtNcxGHmYzinVrOUIEKLq511LQjixaXAiK3QC7VXRzQbEbvVXSa7ofnGGzkZJNNHEytTmkRRNDj82cW8Q8P-1eKaU8LO11_iDBWNo2hkjV/s3333/IMG_3836.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="3333" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUDVSPqSkhDz6vldg7wPRioXR4Zvt4c2b6FYcevVLvtVIrwKxEp_HCOiKcDC3F76PS-zgtBEjl3GALnZ7zyKtNcxGHmYzinVrOUIEKLq511LQjixaXAiK3QC7VXRzQbEbvVXSa7ofnGGzkZJNNHEytTmkRRNDj82cW8Q8P-1eKaU8LO11_iDBWNo2hkjV/w250-h196/IMG_3836.jpeg" width="250" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">In the latest Amazon exclusive entry in the Mattel WWE Ultimate Edition collection we get a two-pack that celebrates the 1990 Survivor Series. It’s a show that’s fairly historical for several reasons and has always been a favorite of mine. I can’t say that those aforementioned historical reasons are why it’s always been special to me, though. I’ve always just loved the absolute multitude of stars on one card, as was the case with the first four editions of the Survivor Series. It’s also a rather transitional show. Some debuts. Some departures. Three impactful names over the previous years in Rick Rude, Bad News Brown and Akeem were even slated for the show but, due to various reasons, ultimately didn’t appear.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWJWlMt3UAJFJnhWlwhFa9pDdWU-BPnZBCgLkSJ700pwkcNfVnUkJY1jb9ZxTQOuiFvs99Eg28tp8_jPJq4MvJ9a4ZkeiCKt11yosJD0HXAVfQzG3ODrkKRxmF47hH99E8sLnSXhRa71B-kluydXtQzrmJgiP_mHbBysgoEdeE68-qUp7zLWOQQIsfrfx/s2846/IMG_3834.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="2846" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWJWlMt3UAJFJnhWlwhFa9pDdWU-BPnZBCgLkSJ700pwkcNfVnUkJY1jb9ZxTQOuiFvs99Eg28tp8_jPJq4MvJ9a4ZkeiCKt11yosJD0HXAVfQzG3ODrkKRxmF47hH99E8sLnSXhRa71B-kluydXtQzrmJgiP_mHbBysgoEdeE68-qUp7zLWOQQIsfrfx/w231-h167/IMG_3834.jpeg" width="231" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Even the packaging for this set reflects the show. Once you open the WWE Ultimate Edition logoed brown box you pull out a graphically intense inner box housing the figures. This box is designed to resemble the Coliseum Video box for the 1990 Survivor Series since both of these figures, the Gooker and The Undertaker, debuted on that show. But why is it so big? There are only two Ultimate Edition figures in there, right? Think again. Also included in its own box is the Gobbledy Gooker’s egg, complete with removable “hatching” lid. If that’s not enough, the box housing the egg is actually the black Survivor Series question mark stage that the egg sat upon. But wait, Ron Popeil, there’s more! You get not one but two double sided sheets of cardboard. One side is a small Survivor Series 1990 crowd background while the other is the brick wall backdrop used for the promo photos taken before the event (likely at SummerSlam). As much as I give it to Mattel for the frustrations that they often pass along to collectors, this is the kind of detail that is greatly appreciated.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Both of the figures themselves are in the standard Ultimate Edition boxes and, unlike some of the figures included with The New Generation arena set, are sealed just like figures you’d buy at retail. As usual the plentiful accessories are displayed accordingly which, in my opinion, doesn’t make for a great “keep in the box” visual. Still, aside from autographing purposes, who would keep these in the box anyway? Toys are meant to be played with and if ever there was a toy made to be played with it’s The Gobbledy Gooker. I like that Mattel included Mean Gene and Brother Love in shots on the boxes to further commemorate the event being recognized.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6iXpwGdzSAzTGwOmee3z0YG2LCaYPI06WwhMJQ2Tj9fUbnefcfvX7yBfJwMdsujRF6jG6LWkz1LOhbkLI8EKJCa-6pO3ntU4JyTay3FhYz9q5NqbhxenHftA5OFb7JsfhGw1Wd6KrGccm-Spu4QhTheWvWxvoX4k-bd6ecrSy3iELf6ZoWuIv7mIZBlx/s2744/IMG_3833.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="2151" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6iXpwGdzSAzTGwOmee3z0YG2LCaYPI06WwhMJQ2Tj9fUbnefcfvX7yBfJwMdsujRF6jG6LWkz1LOhbkLI8EKJCa-6pO3ntU4JyTay3FhYz9q5NqbhxenHftA5OFb7JsfhGw1Wd6KrGccm-Spu4QhTheWvWxvoX4k-bd6ecrSy3iELf6ZoWuIv7mIZBlx/w183-h233/IMG_3833.jpeg" width="183" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">We’ll get The Undertaker out of the way first. I know that I’m in the minority but I’ve never made it a secret that I’m no big fan. As my friend Chris so correctly stated, “Guy was cool for three years and sucked for thirty.” I couldn’t have said it better. For me, he’s always had an air of self-importance that’s very off-putting. He lucked into a character that resonated with a lot of fans in an era where such characters were championed. The whole “locker room leader” stuff that we began to hear a lot about in the late 1990s really went to his head. That being said, I’ve always been able to separate the person from the character, so if I liked the character beyond 1992ish I guess I’d be good, but I didn’t. Regardless, we’re here to talk the figure and I’m sure that this is one that many of his fans have been clamoring for. I, myself, would rather have had the person who he ended up replacing on The Million Dollar Team, Bad News Brown.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqOcQZ8DjE_L_XI5NU3wExJptzM0iFtanPqP2lzDadT0jvCCuyCwudZvNkfRX71SNp28yfnQ8Ozj71GelAaJ6pmDFc_QO9DwYiFJvFeZrMuLZv6C6U4ZVWD1O5OjkkglTjpdnyOdAlgNLnQtRsVdEdsTl9mzsbTEPKepKixtR-NDiUcdpbBWo9kEtAkRv/s3754/IMG_3835.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3754" data-original-width="2421" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqOcQZ8DjE_L_XI5NU3wExJptzM0iFtanPqP2lzDadT0jvCCuyCwudZvNkfRX71SNp28yfnQ8Ozj71GelAaJ6pmDFc_QO9DwYiFJvFeZrMuLZv6C6U4ZVWD1O5OjkkglTjpdnyOdAlgNLnQtRsVdEdsTl9mzsbTEPKepKixtR-NDiUcdpbBWo9kEtAkRv/w138-h214/IMG_3835.jpeg" width="138" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">What’s cool about the figure is that you do get the black gloves (and multiple hand positions at that) which he debuted in at the event in addition to the more common gray. He also comes with his trademark hat, ubiquitous duster coat, tie and an additional head with alternate expression. The faces are perfect and really run the gamut since, at that time anyway, he was fairly limited in his facials. The duster is soft goods which, as in most cases, I appreciate. It’s a bit stiff coming out of the box and I just didn’t feel inclined to straighten it out much before the photography was done so if he looks a bit rumpled that would be why. The tie fits on when you remove the head. There feels like something’s a bit off when it’s on but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe I’m just not covering it well enough. The body of the figure seems very poseable and should please any Taker fan looking to play, display or do some photography.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3lQAm4OtodHHuc2-QrrhDdUvCMorijTMaGP21W9zxC47qhd75osF9UvoHjZfTsNxgKiYN5C5lggJ1iCcwUSHQTNLXcuo7d_ZXak-yNKe0LDafBZy9J1nRVmOBOVI8AJL4382APjm4s4JhaHaHY-v0eqAT_rOVKOWC0DZ3ViliTr0217fp9PGI_EA9YY2/s3004/IMG_3832.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="2508" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3lQAm4OtodHHuc2-QrrhDdUvCMorijTMaGP21W9zxC47qhd75osF9UvoHjZfTsNxgKiYN5C5lggJ1iCcwUSHQTNLXcuo7d_ZXak-yNKe0LDafBZy9J1nRVmOBOVI8AJL4382APjm4s4JhaHaHY-v0eqAT_rOVKOWC0DZ3ViliTr0217fp9PGI_EA9YY2/w179-h214/IMG_3832.jpeg" width="179" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Now onto the main event, the Thanksgiving icon himself. I don’t know if this is exactly the figure that Mattel showed a prototype of many years ago and stated would never be released, but from my recollection it’s just as good if not better. Not counting the egg you get two heads and an extra set of hands. Two heads for a costumed character? Yes. In the eleven years between his birth at Survivor Series and his WrestleMania debut in 2001 his appearance differed greatly! We’ll have more on that in a bit. The design on the costume captures those feathers perfectly. The arms are removable like the head and you can remove the “torso feather” piece, too, though I’m not sure that it’s really supposed to be taken off. When you put the big bird inside of his egg for a “popping out” effect I actually feel like this is some sort of Disney set around piece rather than a wrestling figure. It has that “cartoon-character-becomes-three-dimensional” look to it. It’s just fun all around and should have been done years ago.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">How about that egg? The “cracked lid” lifts right off to put The Gooker or any figure inside. You could even have certain figures “hide” inside. Maybe “The Eggman,” Andre the Giant or King Kong Bundy (as were all rumored at the time) could finally emerge from it? No, Mean Gene, we’re not having Miss November pop out. This is a family blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpire25stybCh0xE34hanVCX_krHUZE0uo1j4vbqDQJLBhGehwiu3P-VI9u6bV8CsYQhxx8gcAYK1jiWusPo3s-4GI-6k3tTUcg0TI2nThS8RckDQ6zl0ChufWatGAXnThKcO2kp10WBOFy9vOKhlDe89sqg0RQYgJjxB10CpYMUxfqbbmHba6OgYe3Vw1/s2086/IMG_3838.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2086" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpire25stybCh0xE34hanVCX_krHUZE0uo1j4vbqDQJLBhGehwiu3P-VI9u6bV8CsYQhxx8gcAYK1jiWusPo3s-4GI-6k3tTUcg0TI2nThS8RckDQ6zl0ChufWatGAXnThKcO2kp10WBOFy9vOKhlDe89sqg0RQYgJjxB10CpYMUxfqbbmHba6OgYe3Vw1/w157-h152/IMG_3838.jpeg" width="157" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">So after three decades we finally have the big guy. You could argue that it’s a one off and, especially in this style, I’d be inclined to agree. However, knowing Mattel’s penchant for scheming as to how they can reuse tooling, I do have a thought about yet another Gooker that could be done. Remember when we talked of how our favorite wrestling bird was a bit different in 2001’s Gimmick Battle Royal? I could definitely see the alternate head being reused, possibly in a Basic (or whatever they’re calling them now) two pack with another GBR entrant? The costume in that match was MUCH smaller and had far less detail. The legs here would likely be reusable, too. For the Taker fans, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a much more basic version of this look down the line, either.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Until next time…or Thanksgiving…gobble gobble!</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-63684574875645520022023-08-24T19:00:00.034-04:002023-08-24T19:00:00.136-04:00SummerSlam Stories<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8tLbaipqQpjrpLQ28aa7pD6hDMCzHTPQccZFYIDaKwKsDKtvEKUAk-kBhrBvk3gJFBnIL6KADrPG1nizSdqaFR1-Jnq1fdVXThZYfvHEoMHjizAqoRePcuv4zxo4-r5re6HyevK-_s1dokixzbZZeiD37uHSykpNayC8kA_26fcSzP7LaPJav50WXbi3/s2048/IMG_3740.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1582" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8tLbaipqQpjrpLQ28aa7pD6hDMCzHTPQccZFYIDaKwKsDKtvEKUAk-kBhrBvk3gJFBnIL6KADrPG1nizSdqaFR1-Jnq1fdVXThZYfvHEoMHjizAqoRePcuv4zxo4-r5re6HyevK-_s1dokixzbZZeiD37uHSykpNayC8kA_26fcSzP7LaPJav50WXbi3/w128-h166/IMG_3740.jpeg" width="128" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">The Biggest Party of the Summer! Well, it was. In fact, before the Royal Rumble really took off, I’d say that SummerSlam was the second biggest WWF event of the year behind WrestleMania. I’ve never been a fan of summer nor the weather that comes with it, but it was the one time of the year that I was happy to “Feel The Heat,” and I know that I’m not alone. Even now it seems that the company still views it as a big show, complete with fan events that resemble those during WrestleMania weekend. Whether or not it appears a huge deal to fans is a different story altogether.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-k9o2HhZUWjsgCXPoZz9vBdd6PZp84VQFxwVjDPgjQQSIK1N2-JqVgC_9AHXyN-id6B8mnrdH8iO31rqwk8VubkgdCnTRzRRtfIPEHEyQiWtyPYOFO22lgzSbqPSXnXlA_gpH9n8l4sILo1MNjQWTyYfKIGLk2QRsrn4NgUftHLFS0yl7pDSSfPCaTX/s2048/IMG_3735.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-k9o2HhZUWjsgCXPoZz9vBdd6PZp84VQFxwVjDPgjQQSIK1N2-JqVgC_9AHXyN-id6B8mnrdH8iO31rqwk8VubkgdCnTRzRRtfIPEHEyQiWtyPYOFO22lgzSbqPSXnXlA_gpH9n8l4sILo1MNjQWTyYfKIGLk2QRsrn4NgUftHLFS0yl7pDSSfPCaTX/w241-h180/IMG_3735.jpeg" width="241" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">I do believe that the inaugural SummerSlam, held in 1988, was the first one that I ended up seeing, though not right away. Just like the first WrestleMania it was held in Madison Square Garden and was headlined by a tag team spectacle. The lineup is interesting and, at times, feels like it’s trying to showcase many stars who didn’t get much of a spotlight months earlier at WrestleMania IV. It’s also interesting that several names on the show including Junkyard Dog, Ken Patera, The British Bulldogs, Don Muraco and even commentator Superstar Billy Graham would be gone from the company in just a matter of months. The opening montage featuring “The Mega Powers versus The Mega Bucks” has always been a favorite of mine. Bobby Heenan is shown laughing at one point which, for whatever reason, amused me to no end. Some kids would say “Bloody Mary” three times into the bathroom mirror. I would emulate “The Brain” laughing. I don’t know what that says about me.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseLvef0xyARvlPoA62tarckG2iHMKY3K3hZ5BsZIBb1EXyfBvpvFxMyXniG_S6z9b5-9-1pweqJ0nWdVe2Jy8zS0rw4FnbpoX714UNgVUBH83Dj72GZmYv7tRJ8h14LUYcfUVOrvfiMAez9dRwKZr4od2-ajSokA4N93qEongxGbF7B69Rbe258jL2TKo/s574/IMG_3739.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="574" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseLvef0xyARvlPoA62tarckG2iHMKY3K3hZ5BsZIBb1EXyfBvpvFxMyXniG_S6z9b5-9-1pweqJ0nWdVe2Jy8zS0rw4FnbpoX714UNgVUBH83Dj72GZmYv7tRJ8h14LUYcfUVOrvfiMAez9dRwKZr4od2-ajSokA4N93qEongxGbF7B69Rbe258jL2TKo/w169-h115/IMG_3739.jpeg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">“The Slam” has always had a lot of hype. My hometown (a town that’s made some large and tragic headlines in the past few weeks) cable company was, fortunately, the recipient of a lot of the goodies that came with that. They would hold little “Enter your name and win!” contests to give away the goods. I’m guessing that not many people entered, as it seemed as if I always won when I’d enter. I’d assume that cow tipping took precedence over writing your name down for free WWF merch. One of those contests was to promote SummerSlam 1993. I won the program as well as the famous SummerSlam shades! Apparently these sunglasses existed for a few years as Jimmy Hart can be seen sporting them back in 1990.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4icamCTENM3oSl2Gb9xoCqEeunSi4-XdnmC7VyWReEbKBGKLmczkd1DB8N3XGzIdBKerfF5AHtwcfaWPQ6F4Qq6PUsp1pn59EYW684V_lthSzN7wtdk2wfI97I3ALisPxerJ97jzdWzhoq7rgc7vvcymRuhPsRYw6KEFE-lfppGR41pJgCFLBgVE1kg9/s2292/IMG_3733.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="2031" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4icamCTENM3oSl2Gb9xoCqEeunSi4-XdnmC7VyWReEbKBGKLmczkd1DB8N3XGzIdBKerfF5AHtwcfaWPQ6F4Qq6PUsp1pn59EYW684V_lthSzN7wtdk2wfI97I3ALisPxerJ97jzdWzhoq7rgc7vvcymRuhPsRYw6KEFE-lfppGR41pJgCFLBgVE1kg9/w170-h191/IMG_3733.jpeg" width="170" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">What I wasn’t privy to, despite being a hardcore WWF devotee from the greater Pittsburgh area, was the pre-sale for the SummerSlam 1995 tickets. In fact, I only learned about the pre-sale while waiting in line for tickets on July 8</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">1995 – the REGULAR on-sale date! What matters now, nearly thirty years later, is that I do have the pre-sale letter explaining how these fans were specifically chosen by Jack Tunney to receive this info. Gee, thanks a LOT, Jack! Best president since Noriega! Jack “On The Take” Tunney! Boy, I’m feeling a lot of Heenan in this entry, aren’t you? Anyway, I do know that this particular flyer came inside of materials sent to a holder of the WWF MasterCard. That…I did not have. Perhaps that’s why I was shunned.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6VJEN6Bc87Flfl0WM2bBKdndIXugEnh8YJvPsFcaLgC2iakLm2h-tOcfCIfQByJ5ur5kjYw7pgv9AfXRz4YgR82tj1F65R0SCDzVh7BN6fpZ4g28c66iRfUyjFFJ3NR1QROmLhAlrugCJ8s-FFSzTXRxiGohNvP1kwOKDI-PhaEYrkK2bWs56tyfUJZr/s2147/IMG_3731.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="1981" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6VJEN6Bc87Flfl0WM2bBKdndIXugEnh8YJvPsFcaLgC2iakLm2h-tOcfCIfQByJ5ur5kjYw7pgv9AfXRz4YgR82tj1F65R0SCDzVh7BN6fpZ4g28c66iRfUyjFFJ3NR1QROmLhAlrugCJ8s-FFSzTXRxiGohNvP1kwOKDI-PhaEYrkK2bWs56tyfUJZr/w187-h203/IMG_3731.jpeg" width="187" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Of course we all know that I ended up at SummerSlam that year. It was the first WWF pay-per-view ever to be held in Pittsburgh and really the first large-scale televised wrestling to be done in “the Burgh” since Pittsburgh’s “Studio Wrestling.” You could argue that point since a bit of the 1987 Bunkhouse Stampede finals, which were also held at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, did air on TV but just as an opening to regular Jim Crockett Promotions programming. I’ve told many stories centering around that show over the years, but one thus far left untold actually happened years later. As I was collecting autographs on the program cover, I failed to tell a certain wrestler (who’s gone through many names, possibly Syxx different ones?) which name to sign. This was ultimately a mistake of mine as most collectors have countless stories of wrestlers accidentally signing the wrong gimmick name. Well, needless to say, the wrong name was signed. I was stunned but politely asked for the name that I wanted to be signed, as well. That wrestler has always been as nice as can be, so it wasn’t an issue, but it did make me not want to look at the program for quite awhile. I stuffed it away somewhere and forgot about it. A few years later I read that, on certain materials/textures, an autograph could be removed with acetone. I obtained some and, voila, the program is fixed and you’d never know the difference.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyENS_VnpPukMW9OJ3C37Se6Gk76Ht95VlO0SO5eH19981bEe8jcsA_Tl3b0JePYUW8iIu5OaSOKumPRBeNdDoGDQQDwH3IGpdUas1ukmnjyM8qAqaBTaBQlCmTDbtFWL8F0OpRSCYk83EO_U8sHJyESN9o2G6IQfz0KzQYErE-lGDjkzcDV8XzQyXdD9/s818/IMG_3738.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="585" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyENS_VnpPukMW9OJ3C37Se6Gk76Ht95VlO0SO5eH19981bEe8jcsA_Tl3b0JePYUW8iIu5OaSOKumPRBeNdDoGDQQDwH3IGpdUas1ukmnjyM8qAqaBTaBQlCmTDbtFWL8F0OpRSCYk83EO_U8sHJyESN9o2G6IQfz0KzQYErE-lGDjkzcDV8XzQyXdD9/w131-h183/IMG_3738.jpeg" width="131" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Yes, I even go modern, and somehow I ended up with a SummerSlam 2009 chair. Ok, so 2009 isn’t quite modern anymore (scary, huh?), but it was when I picked up the thing. I don’t remember how much it cost, but it couldn’t have been very expensive or I wouldn’t have it. It will probably make some folks cringe to hear this, so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t like things being utilized practically, but I have, at times, used this like any other folding chair. Obviously I’m not painting the room with it or taking it outdoors, but it’s definitely had a butt or two in it for Thanksgiving. I’ve cleaned my dog while sitting in it. It’s held packages by the door. Hey, what good is something if you can’t get the maximum use from it?</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Between this entry and previous ones I think that I’m tapped as far as SummerSlam 1995 stories. That being said, God willing, we’ll all be back here in two years to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the show. Like it or not it’s a true reflection of The New WWF Generation and, as I’ve said in the past, it was just a really FUN time to be a wrestling fan living in Pittsburgh. Interest in pro wrestling may have been pretty low nationally but they certainly knew how to drum up the buzz around here. Love Diesel, King Mabel, ladders and demented dentists? Come on back in two years!</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-15227365398119695682023-08-17T19:00:00.040-04:002023-08-17T19:00:00.136-04:00The Greatest Boxer Or The Greatest Referee?<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdRnljr2YAl8BhZV-rWjql2fKVYTB2NOMwcvwsk3jKzOOFWNieQptGaVuS5rhANpjLPaCWNQEyu0LDdbGmCZupLjM0mv-crEcH_Er24ljlZckY86yz95baOOGtB2UUB3vI_pOVq33Ro9do71hSzW-Phr0WML9xCC1bB5AL-1YdWJWR7EVJHS5nKhX7oN5/s2451/IMG_3215.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="2451" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdRnljr2YAl8BhZV-rWjql2fKVYTB2NOMwcvwsk3jKzOOFWNieQptGaVuS5rhANpjLPaCWNQEyu0LDdbGmCZupLjM0mv-crEcH_Er24ljlZckY86yz95baOOGtB2UUB3vI_pOVq33Ro9do71hSzW-Phr0WML9xCC1bB5AL-1YdWJWR7EVJHS5nKhX7oN5/w140-h126/IMG_3215.jpeg" width="140" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Hard to believe that it’s already the tail end of summer. Nice for someone like me who doesn’t care for the heat, though the ease of not having to worry about coats and things nor weather prohibiting travel is always nice. With the end of the season always comes the San Diego Comic Con exclusive to many of our doorsteps. This year it seems that more of these are being delivered as</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">something</i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">changed with the availability. As far as my beliefs go, that’s a good thing. Nevertheless, Mattel once again created a SDCC WWE exclusive to thrill not only wrestling fans but also the masses. The name? Muhammad Ali.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEFFQtr_38RS0dJxkHfb3rK_F6TUpSJ2JtMFazaaEK_Z0vTCjRlr69-4Wo0YwvSa6GS-gw4tQJs7OFnSWBoP9SqyK0C7l4GM2VhHyHB7S_8fYvade32DhXXJd0rOQ6-CZT2FrBxHsH5Ikd0Otygf0mxuFf0MkaSqOFYJTMH2rtbMFJ8kpKA6XDGB4NHG-/s2046/IMG_3210.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2046" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEFFQtr_38RS0dJxkHfb3rK_F6TUpSJ2JtMFazaaEK_Z0vTCjRlr69-4Wo0YwvSa6GS-gw4tQJs7OFnSWBoP9SqyK0C7l4GM2VhHyHB7S_8fYvade32DhXXJd0rOQ6-CZT2FrBxHsH5Ikd0Otygf0mxuFf0MkaSqOFYJTMH2rtbMFJ8kpKA6XDGB4NHG-/w208-h139/IMG_3210.jpeg" width="208" /></a></span></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ali had several tie-ins with wrestling over the years. He was said to have been a fan growing up and attributed his “promo style” to Gorgeous George. It was later contested that he was likely confusing the household name of George with who he was really watching – the similarly able-mouthed Fred Blassie. He would end up working with Blassie in his first foray into wrestling in 1976 when he fought Antonio Inoki in a “Boxer vs Wrestler” match. While the match was considered less than spectacular both in athletics and money-drawing power, it is well-remembered. In the ‘80s Ali was a special enforcer during the main event of the first WrestleMania and became involved in a Mid-South Wrestling match featuring Jake Roberts. Later, Ali would make a brief appearance or two with WCW.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooD96CQoGQW0esfzwVRPV_Kpuiweg0q9hWt-r5kVCxY51-zienAWiLAKHm3GGe4RETWV-8F4MMdQhZn6-mFjljsRF5IAK3X3ITgghV6IZCBmMKM6BF_ds-3939x3QGv0lAYcWzn6CIhbtU34fVuvi2hhczu9p627s1g83XCncOwmOqCUCzx9reIX7QNj0/s2649/IMG_3211.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="2649" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooD96CQoGQW0esfzwVRPV_Kpuiweg0q9hWt-r5kVCxY51-zienAWiLAKHm3GGe4RETWV-8F4MMdQhZn6-mFjljsRF5IAK3X3ITgghV6IZCBmMKM6BF_ds-3939x3QGv0lAYcWzn6CIhbtU34fVuvi2hhczu9p627s1g83XCncOwmOqCUCzx9reIX7QNj0/w180-h121/IMG_3211.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For their SDCC exclusive Mattel has brought us a two-pack representing Ali’s first two ventures into wrestling. His iconic boxing look, patterned after the Inoki match, is one while the other is in is referee gear from WrestleMania. The figures are “Ultimate Editions” and come in the same type of elaborate packaging that Mattel has brought us with The Coliseum Collection and other exclusives. An outer box houses a very striking inner “hinged” box featuring a mock WWF Magazine cover on one side (The Referee) and a mock boxing publication (The Boxer) on the other. When opened (held closed by a magnet) you see both figures displayed behind plastic adorned with Inoki (unnamed) and Hulk Hogan, respectively. It’s a stunning display though a bit much for openers.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhZr_sbEOK6yhOeQsHYof5WTKYpxR5h4P2cvcCBmav82cpIembFJf1OxUHTc_9txHjES3mKT575lospTr_gnVNkA0KcMGP2AdpHOSfSiXAge69iWTmVPa7s4GAMddlOzPCW6Nj-SB0TnVprcUzmUrWQMuL2_J2W2V0pMJ0RMn5fslvYZiVk0-uny9PTMK/s3041/IMG_3212.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="3041" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhZr_sbEOK6yhOeQsHYof5WTKYpxR5h4P2cvcCBmav82cpIembFJf1OxUHTc_9txHjES3mKT575lospTr_gnVNkA0KcMGP2AdpHOSfSiXAge69iWTmVPa7s4GAMddlOzPCW6Nj-SB0TnVprcUzmUrWQMuL2_J2W2V0pMJ0RMn5fslvYZiVk0-uny9PTMK/w199-h107/IMG_3212.jpeg" width="199" /></a></span></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Packaged below “The Boxer” is a box full of accessories. You get a plethora of additional hands, two extra heads and Ali’s terry cloth robe. While the variety of hands is great, it’s curious that the set of “gripping” hands is repeated. Would you really want to display those on both figures at the same time? The larger grip hands, included with many figures over the years, should have been included for completely accurate “raising the victor’s arm” poses. Yeah, you can do it with the completely open hand, but it isn’t quite the same. Also one of the heads is completely repeated. I can understand that a bit more if you want a neutral facial expression on both figures at the same time. The “two-count” hand is the most pivotal piece here for me as it seems like Ali was flashing the peace sign a lot in his day.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX2Br3kepj6s7GL14uwSMK1hvgka27gMCC2FFqkHwC6p0JSbpzPCtopsh5jfHHGLYyJzSf-s4_sWiO7at3ENjpmFXcUpDOsyaiXEcMCp6-U3_Bx8-WL-Alil1V026tmq6Z8TYykKovpT-xwbszds7JvLJTYFvcknczYDGqXwzzyPSjM2wgrCYxxhZqBIN/s2136/IMG_3214.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="2016" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX2Br3kepj6s7GL14uwSMK1hvgka27gMCC2FFqkHwC6p0JSbpzPCtopsh5jfHHGLYyJzSf-s4_sWiO7at3ENjpmFXcUpDOsyaiXEcMCp6-U3_Bx8-WL-Alil1V026tmq6Z8TYykKovpT-xwbszds7JvLJTYFvcknczYDGqXwzzyPSjM2wgrCYxxhZqBIN/w163-h172/IMG_3214.jpeg" width="163" /></a></span></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The figures themselves are great. You won’t be sorry if you add them to your collection. I don’t know that we needed a referee in the “Ultimate” style, but it does help to resemble Ali’s body shape. They got “The Boxer” version down pat, too. You not only have three other “boxing” figures for him to tangle with (Rowdy Roddy Piper, Cowboy Bob Orton and Mr. T) but you can slide the boxing gloves onto many of the other figures that now have removable hands. I already have an idea for some figure photography there. Also in that realm I can see “The Referee” figure making it into shots as a generic classic ref. It’s all about smoke and mirrors.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq_1lE-NKy_WP3dr1e-lcpXpZOLE3E9pFrvRfyNaUwwrennY5a87NbqTw93FXF8cFchMrwilAc3dWN-HFDEDEZtXuXJYkowoHImJSRiqsPhPLmSexpE9CWqm3kXeUD6Q_urevRV-SBaXLrYwxfBrTKpMzZ-jN1abBe9OuQh-ET8_iF7fFuXM3yYnTRnnF/s2307/IMG_3213.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="1791" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq_1lE-NKy_WP3dr1e-lcpXpZOLE3E9pFrvRfyNaUwwrennY5a87NbqTw93FXF8cFchMrwilAc3dWN-HFDEDEZtXuXJYkowoHImJSRiqsPhPLmSexpE9CWqm3kXeUD6Q_urevRV-SBaXLrYwxfBrTKpMzZ-jN1abBe9OuQh-ET8_iF7fFuXM3yYnTRnnF/w163-h210/IMG_3213.jpeg" width="163" /></a></span></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As mentioned above, this one was not hard to get. In fact it’s still available as of press time. Why is that? It can only be that Mattel realized that making enough for collectors to buy directly from THEM is the way to do it and not to let secondary market scalpers get all the money. It will sell out eventually and will rise in price a bit, I’m sure. There will always be a market for Ali from all angles. I’d say that these two will also be the “definitive” Ali releases. Just like when Mattel grabbed the license for Mr. T, there’s already another Ali on the way in the form of a Retro figure. While I feel it’s unnecessary, I’m sure that I’ll enjoy it in-hand. Anyone can also see them milking the license as much as they can. Suited Ali? Could happen. How about his look when he jumped into the ring to confront Gorilla Monsoon? I’m sure the company has it all thought out. Again, I can’t see us getting standard sized boxing and referee versions outside of this set. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another cross-genre SDCC release from Mattel and WWE. I could definitely see Mike Tyson fitting that mold. And boy could they get their money’s worth out of that one. Boxer. Referee. Degenerate? But that’s not who I want. I want Mona Flambé. I just wanna have fun…</span></span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-72753198496034767632023-08-10T19:00:00.024-04:002023-08-10T19:00:00.137-04:00Imagine What He Could’ve Done To You!<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">Exotic Adrian Street was a wrestler who I became a bigger and bigger fan of with each bit of his story that I learned. His was a name that I knew mainly through magazines and maybe from one or two tape appearances. Despite his being a star throughout the 80s, his appearances never lined up with the wrestling that I watched. We all know the WWF’s gender-bending “Adorable” Adrian Adonis, but what about the originator? Back then I’d often wondered if there was any connection between “Exotic” Adrian and “Adorable” Adrian. While I’m sure that many would claim otherwise, I’ve always felt that “The Adorable One” was in fact the WWF’s answer to “The Exotic One.”</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At 5’7, Adrian Street was a bit shorter than even some of the WWF’s smallest stars such as Koko B. Ware. It was the land of the giants then and it doesn’t surprise me that the act of Exotic Adrian and Miss Linda didn’t make it to WWF rings. The WWF’s loss was the rest of the wrestling world’s gain. Incredible devotion to a gimmick, a great and unique talker, built-in valet (who could also get involved) and a look like no other. That’s what drew me to Street even if he wasn’t part of the organizations that I was most familiar with.</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite not being with the WWF, Street knew that his visage was marketable. With the styled hair, outlandish makeup and even more flamboyant costumes, Street made an impact wherever he went. When his homeland of the United Kingdom was no longer big enough for the character, Street and Linda came to the United States to ply their trade in many of the most successful wrestling territories of the day. Mid-South, Stampede in Calgary, Memphis and Continental in Alabama are just a few of the areas that got a taste of what Exotic Adrian could do to them.</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Street did cross through the doors of Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling for a time but ultimately didn’t make a huge impact. It’s surprising as that is where I could’ve seen him becoming a true household name in the U.S. as opposed to the WWF which may have toned down the character too much. Then again, with things like Adorable Adrian, Rude Awakenings and even The Bobby Heenan Show, Street may have been able to get away with more than one would think had he went to “New York.”</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As mentioned above, Street did know marketing. He and Linda released an album “Shake, Wrestle ‘N’ Roll” with a backup band known only as “The Pile Drivers.” In recent years Street commissioned a figure which could fit right in with the Galoob WCW line. Due to its uniqueness in the years just before the “boutique” figure lines started popping up, the Exotic Adrian figure was named Figure Of The Year on this very blog. He and Linda certainly deserve a turn at modern articulated figures as well. Maybe we can get PowerTown on that.</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had the pleasure of meeting Adrian and Linda several times as well as corresponding with them. You could not meet two nicer people in or out of the wrestling business. My thoughts and prayers go out to Miss Linda following Adrian’s passing last week. A brighter and more flamboyant territorial legend there never was nor never will be.</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxmzWbe_gxf6ladlQcPEv1oEWEGpU9Ve586tC6CfYxQV7dd0XXrLTafFH6O907UaSwRAuDRts44xl2J2ZioXZEEsdWE6juvIQpAUIMOqDyy1WmtwfHQb1pWifNGZiCx17-12GToP_mk8yii-iUE_Eaf-ZDuwx6HFXlgSTJRcNAznMkxazjBlNaDh7b-uZ/s1438/IMG_2231.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1438" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxmzWbe_gxf6ladlQcPEv1oEWEGpU9Ve586tC6CfYxQV7dd0XXrLTafFH6O907UaSwRAuDRts44xl2J2ZioXZEEsdWE6juvIQpAUIMOqDyy1WmtwfHQb1pWifNGZiCx17-12GToP_mk8yii-iUE_Eaf-ZDuwx6HFXlgSTJRcNAznMkxazjBlNaDh7b-uZ/s320/IMG_2231.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>"Exotic" Adrian Street</b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>1940-2023</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-73214087913007625812023-08-03T19:00:00.034-04:002023-08-03T19:00:00.131-04:00PowerTown Arrives: Bruiser Brody<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tkVKzX0Nxf-wavu79cDEmCtBxAEEiTBlzdg77CahS-A4GaOJSzxG7YL4SeYnll2tmo_m5c5sDkIEvPYRYsweBS1onABJWQXyZ4xe1O3n6LMGeNsQ_mu0eYZACMmk9l-wqMKZZsAQfu-zPpiPS9jLce-2pzo7F0KvUUSxinZexN7-dZ-yBOeMKZ1BwtVt/s2878/IMG_1630.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="2522" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tkVKzX0Nxf-wavu79cDEmCtBxAEEiTBlzdg77CahS-A4GaOJSzxG7YL4SeYnll2tmo_m5c5sDkIEvPYRYsweBS1onABJWQXyZ4xe1O3n6LMGeNsQ_mu0eYZACMmk9l-wqMKZZsAQfu-zPpiPS9jLce-2pzo7F0KvUUSxinZexN7-dZ-yBOeMKZ1BwtVt/w113-h129/IMG_1630.jpeg" width="113" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">PowerTown is finally complete! Here on the blog, that is. With reviews of Stan Hansen, Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, Magnum T.A. and Kerry Von Erich published and enjoyed we’re left with the figure in the set which was most anticipated by many. A towering and imposing figure in life, it doesn’t feel that Bruiser Brody has really gotten the recognition in the figure world that he deserves. I think that we’ve finally turned the corner on that and this figure is certainly a big part of it.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM8GCrVXtZJfoh5oREiBjtI9N0hIb2lhHn3zOSEc1EbSbEtKt_ft0j3oYoX_yqbbb_P7d2bW_5Pu8VrqzPPNJbgx2rRJkzOI8sSMg87_Dsu3e8_hWtCYe5f5ZydQ7yK-dSPdTY9HmC_P3bEWTlu9r6xXmEnvzN0VP6xph9QzTHiKw1nODrxnOnq4GQmR7/s2539/IMG_1727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="2050" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM8GCrVXtZJfoh5oREiBjtI9N0hIb2lhHn3zOSEc1EbSbEtKt_ft0j3oYoX_yqbbb_P7d2bW_5Pu8VrqzPPNJbgx2rRJkzOI8sSMg87_Dsu3e8_hWtCYe5f5ZydQ7yK-dSPdTY9HmC_P3bEWTlu9r6xXmEnvzN0VP6xph9QzTHiKw1nODrxnOnq4GQmR7/w127-h158/IMG_1727.jpeg" width="127" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t need to go over the packaging yet again. You know it’s unique, fun and something that I can’t even imagine being thrown away by loose collectors. A lot of time and love for the industry (and the stars of it) clearly went into these boxes. No annoying plastic bands, either. Simply a plastic shell holding the figure and accessories into another plastic shell. You could definitely even display the figures inside the packaging once you’ve opened and removed them, but I just wouldn’t want to hide these figures like that. They deserve to be fully seen with the accessories in use.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Just as in life, Brody is tall. Really tall. He towers over the other figures in the series and this may be the one time with PowerTown where a bit of compatibility with other lines is lost. Personally, as long as there isn’t an LJN-Hasbro style different it really makes no difference to me. Any good figure photographer can fudge a few inches between products from different lines. I think the height here really helps drive home that the Bruiser Brody character was indeed a monster.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4vhXo92j8VnS8EzXsp0ngiuWEld-dvp0oJXjI2yQcqM03cZ3BUfz8-91_gChgkcuvtuJEbKn4PlPnwPkKo7XTonkP-m5ZeDtWmlW6xm7LrFfaVBXezFQ2ZXjCxPH7wWmRqXxC04gp8PacyvsNx2ujMPEnJ1n6XTMtAduNui6shMzvDPEg5f-QiPsfKKs/s1170/IMG_1725.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1170" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4vhXo92j8VnS8EzXsp0ngiuWEld-dvp0oJXjI2yQcqM03cZ3BUfz8-91_gChgkcuvtuJEbKn4PlPnwPkKo7XTonkP-m5ZeDtWmlW6xm7LrFfaVBXezFQ2ZXjCxPH7wWmRqXxC04gp8PacyvsNx2ujMPEnJ1n6XTMtAduNui6shMzvDPEg5f-QiPsfKKs/w154-h124/IMG_1725.jpeg" width="154" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I nearly got a splinter! Yes, Brody’s piece of wood is in fact made of a balsa style wood. How cool is that? Didn’t we hear that PowerTown has the rights to Hacksaw Jim Duggan? That could be insane, if so. Brody also includes an alternate “Huss!” hand, chain and vest. The chain is a tad thin but is just about scale to size as if a person were holding an actual chain. It can be worked into the hands of the figure. We also get the other PWF Tag Team Championship belt. We received the first with Stan Hansen and many collectors will remember that the second was to be included with Ted DiBiase who was pulled from the line over licensing issues and replaced with Brody. I think we won out on that deal.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM_KafAgHweMCOUvwoSUZv_-d6XpEwwLgIRV8ViaN0NfI5TiyRwS7WGEBy1Bs40wHbZIs2poH_vhqjeIUCAyFKnSh5AqnOUZiyseQ0qDEat08BKQ_sGuZ9xM0M2eCznDOaQ93YCj1ZrdWEC9pUMF71QQkZ4jaEfABiigKrygw6rxZbcJ_6r_o032T9_rB/s3149/IMG_1629.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="3024" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM_KafAgHweMCOUvwoSUZv_-d6XpEwwLgIRV8ViaN0NfI5TiyRwS7WGEBy1Bs40wHbZIs2poH_vhqjeIUCAyFKnSh5AqnOUZiyseQ0qDEat08BKQ_sGuZ9xM0M2eCznDOaQ93YCj1ZrdWEC9pUMF71QQkZ4jaEfABiigKrygw6rxZbcJ_6r_o032T9_rB/w159-h166/IMG_1629.jpeg" width="159" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The face is incredible and probably the best likeness that I’ve seen on a Brody figure to date. The scars are highlighted with the right color and the scowl is there but neutral enough not to detract. What’s interesting about Brody is that while he didn’t change much in terms of gear over the course of his career, there are different facial and hair sculpts that could be utilized should PowerTown release another figure of him in a future series. Like all of the PowerTown clothing the vest is done in a soft rubber. A soft goods fur vest could be another option down the line if “King Kong Brody” is revisited.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZelLPQ6fFuI7BUwpWvbdMJI3lHS9DWx5r7Ya7Bd1MVJOMYplbwRRW2qGRKrjTnjlgQDKnZ3FMuhh0yIGytr-_zQmrv61p9Im7-cz3LzIFTvTnXW9I5aio_yxjQQ_vvS6_TK8ky2KD64HLQWhBH-FNYeKC4J05DxGYipAaTK8CpZPW2Imm441FwLGJmay/s3156/IMG_1631.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="2154" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZelLPQ6fFuI7BUwpWvbdMJI3lHS9DWx5r7Ya7Bd1MVJOMYplbwRRW2qGRKrjTnjlgQDKnZ3FMuhh0yIGytr-_zQmrv61p9Im7-cz3LzIFTvTnXW9I5aio_yxjQQ_vvS6_TK8ky2KD64HLQWhBH-FNYeKC4J05DxGYipAaTK8CpZPW2Imm441FwLGJmay/w102-h149/IMG_1631.jpeg" width="102" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Frank “Bruiser Brody” Goodish has certainly become a rather mythical figure in the world of wrestling since his tragic and untimely death thirty-five years ago. The “What If’s” surrounding his career are endless but, despite being a truly kayfabed character, we must remember that he actually did one of the first “shoot interviews” of sorts not long before his death. There’s no doubt that, even had he had the opportunity to attend conventions and other fan related events, an air of mystique would still surround one of the best big men in the history of the ring.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa1_b3fTY9D4gJ4xU5dEia_OfjQ3peivTQ-1LNIUNKoqzUe7-Wjc2RDSG_0JGQq9P5inx7D1dH0BFL5BOZDX_Xf73t93BJYQkl99w-yRgx-dNxxywHm_LEcT7jyAmeFyMvy7kEuIj6HBszVfaWIwHra1sFM09TdiddCW7lY6ETw1B4oa5xzpxrG44S3Q_/s2945/IMG_1728.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="2945" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa1_b3fTY9D4gJ4xU5dEia_OfjQ3peivTQ-1LNIUNKoqzUe7-Wjc2RDSG_0JGQq9P5inx7D1dH0BFL5BOZDX_Xf73t93BJYQkl99w-yRgx-dNxxywHm_LEcT7jyAmeFyMvy7kEuIj6HBszVfaWIwHra1sFM09TdiddCW7lY6ETw1B4oa5xzpxrG44S3Q_/w168-h145/IMG_1728.jpeg" width="168" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">That concludes the first PowerTown journey and what a run it’s been! I speculated in the last entry that perhaps Mattel was getting a bit concerned about “the new guys on the block” and stepping up their game with legends figures in the WWE line. After the recent disappointing showing at San Diego Comic Con I don’t think that PowerTown has much to worry about. Bring on Ultras Series 2 and the much anticipated return of Remco All-Star Wrestling! The blog will be here to cover all of the legendary action.</span><p></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-83331761156999416722023-07-27T19:00:00.048-04:002023-07-27T19:00:00.149-04:00Wrestling MarketWatch: Goin’ South!<p><span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzGbbmW280Id-INrgiC3HPepwxGga3Q3wVKi0Up_S65dmtDbt5V6ZyfPNConxSL1Eh6JoIYNHt4T5txP0JF1tzQAqTo-ExapGT3kjfqBjr4NF4X9i9rvJQ_f_rqVQdMyvZ8-vRITkIN69kBAWywysPKMztdRRiIVa1eXFZjHg2en-r_0pHqZucPr3ccEe/s2925/IMG_1425.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="2653" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzGbbmW280Id-INrgiC3HPepwxGga3Q3wVKi0Up_S65dmtDbt5V6ZyfPNConxSL1Eh6JoIYNHt4T5txP0JF1tzQAqTo-ExapGT3kjfqBjr4NF4X9i9rvJQ_f_rqVQdMyvZ8-vRITkIN69kBAWywysPKMztdRRiIVa1eXFZjHg2en-r_0pHqZucPr3ccEe/w147-h162/IMG_1425.jpeg" width="147" /></a></span></span></div><span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">We’re goin’ south! A little trip back to the southern wrestling territories and promotions, that is. It’s truly fascinating how something like professional wrestling could have different flavors wherever you went in the country or even the world. The presentation, the in-ring style and even the fans themselves could be as different as night and day from region to region. Even more interesting, and perhaps worthy of some sort of study, is how many wrestlers were able to adapt going from area to area. Even still, why did some flounder upon moving? Regardless, in this latest edition of MarketWatch we’re going to look at a few items from the southern wrestling territories. Grab your Diet Cheerwine and a drumstick from Bojangles, we’re headed for Dixie!</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSE91hde6aIcP-2Bh9hfBfoN2LkrqxHlQiRJMUW8m1urIDqMzr80BWELLS0syMXjPVSMMWKBFXH16V8_rUqbIRJ3ffMc-FWLLGpWxzMhffm04_MO45vdCrGTsV3nhpO7PsOTcMaD5wacOgWj_whaAfVSiPfXccrmnQPg1qFPPZEszDO4cpRWU4PYFdzP1/s2436/IMG_1429.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="2144" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSE91hde6aIcP-2Bh9hfBfoN2LkrqxHlQiRJMUW8m1urIDqMzr80BWELLS0syMXjPVSMMWKBFXH16V8_rUqbIRJ3ffMc-FWLLGpWxzMhffm04_MO45vdCrGTsV3nhpO7PsOTcMaD5wacOgWj_whaAfVSiPfXccrmnQPg1qFPPZEszDO4cpRWU4PYFdzP1/w145-h165/IMG_1429.jpeg" width="145" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*While traces of the territorial system still exist and certainly independent promotions in some areas will differ from others, the wrestling landscape is largely a different animal nowadays. The last true territory in the eyes of many people was Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling. From 1991 to 1995 the promotion used a mix of established stars and up-and-comers to reflect Cornette’s vision of what wrestling should be. To this day the shows and matches from SMW thrill fans, but there just wasn’t enough support at the time to keep it afloat. Not only does Corny need to make a return to public appearances, but why not give SMW another shot? I think we need another dose of quality southern wrestling. The very first SMW Ringside Report recently sold for $38.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTyrAx4QGS3rl-s7PTjEVErIhKy0uNGe6L0OQIy_wIIbETrPk6BgAo5TbFtYghN53ty3X3m5BKtuTpqDuS-Qmwoobca6o_LfAU6DAkLR1vB-njc-crn4-0_BpQicO9dySfBIkNWtp5M5CIFmGSIjOn2rTgrjFZYghpTvVzn-OK5gdlkXGF1g3qb3uYW3r/s960/IMG_1424.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="580" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTyrAx4QGS3rl-s7PTjEVErIhKy0uNGe6L0OQIy_wIIbETrPk6BgAo5TbFtYghN53ty3X3m5BKtuTpqDuS-Qmwoobca6o_LfAU6DAkLR1vB-njc-crn4-0_BpQicO9dySfBIkNWtp5M5CIFmGSIjOn2rTgrjFZYghpTvVzn-OK5gdlkXGF1g3qb3uYW3r/w107-h177/IMG_1424.jpeg" width="107" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*Another man who had his hand in not only the on-air portion of the product but also the behind-the-scenes aspect of southern wrestling was “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. You know that Dusty is one of the G.O.A.T.’s around this blog, so I won’t go into all of his accomplishments yet again. You also know of the beloved Mello Yello ad-campaign that Dusty helmed in a deal with Jim Crockett Promotions thanks to several blog entries and the great commercials on YouTube. The Mello Yello cans featuring the mugs of various NWA stars are highly collected to this day and not always the easiest to find. The aluminum masterpiece featuring The Dream himself recently sold for $60. I really miss Mello Yello Zero. Just sayin’.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1CnxuAqhMgODWgPFttDlm3SDQC6bpuuZuPwWrJYkq4Mk9E_HIvRFimUQrP1bA8cTdA5UO9il2IvmqGGAV2g2XHwzJgJH21A2oJ6Kz0cJU02WvUWKE9wTYCHHfI36mayw9_9pqm_el7ah9U-uneWoR2qiHiepQ95t5gpgGS95OIE5dz1dCD2aiEO63F5T/s2551/IMG_1427.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="2171" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1CnxuAqhMgODWgPFttDlm3SDQC6bpuuZuPwWrJYkq4Mk9E_HIvRFimUQrP1bA8cTdA5UO9il2IvmqGGAV2g2XHwzJgJH21A2oJ6Kz0cJU02WvUWKE9wTYCHHfI36mayw9_9pqm_el7ah9U-uneWoR2qiHiepQ95t5gpgGS95OIE5dz1dCD2aiEO63F5T/w148-h174/IMG_1427.jpeg" width="148" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*It’s sort of a trend that we’re featuring stars who were as prominent behind the scenes as they were on camera. Ole Anderson is another that fits the bill. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times more: for as much as it’s written that Ole is grumpy this and opinionated that, he was always great to me. Always willing to sign autographs, take photos and, especially, talk. The word is that his health has plummeted in recent years and I wish nothing but the best for him. Talk about real promos and a real wrestling style. Ole wrote the book on both. He also had the book for Georgia Championship Wrestling. The July 1980 Georgia Ringsider program, featuring a shot of an irate Ole being interviewed by Gordon Solie, recently sold for $27.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWjjk44DIgTBoKjl99-BdURmZuk3C_c0LxK1SSzoBolUyj811sB0AtocYszLhsX1d9S7UdJuk4Ycdb-uJ1e8_1B7lImnxi1nKR0DSwE4VY_mwDR5HZemzMd-q2VHoAaYVhfW_dJ2o2xcLiGvH3ga99IFGCUCj8QxQl2sEmwfT92FZR8eEt5xSgs2B2PSO/s2048/IMG_1417.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="2048" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWjjk44DIgTBoKjl99-BdURmZuk3C_c0LxK1SSzoBolUyj811sB0AtocYszLhsX1d9S7UdJuk4Ycdb-uJ1e8_1B7lImnxi1nKR0DSwE4VY_mwDR5HZemzMd-q2VHoAaYVhfW_dJ2o2xcLiGvH3ga99IFGCUCj8QxQl2sEmwfT92FZR8eEt5xSgs2B2PSO/w205-h195/IMG_1417.jpeg" width="205" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*If you’re talking the south, southern wrestling and southern boys you have to be talking Michael P.S. Hayes. Wrestling’s original bad boy and the leader of The Fabulous Freebirds. (What’s your excuse?) He was wrestling’s equivalent to a southern rocker, lived the life and even lived to tell about it. He also cut a record that has been prominently featured here on the blog many times over the years. When I see a photo that appeared here in the blog show up elsewhere, it’s usually because no one else has ever written much about a particular item. Well, my original shot of the “Off The Streets” album has appeared everywhere around the globe. Accompanying this paragraph is a new one, now complete with signatures, just ready to be shared and shared and shared. A sealed copy of this infamous album recently sold for $450.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24MQYjHadOEcGaDrxEYmoF3kANcm_46XLWiHNT77NLT8TIYBBZtveWucyBGukUf_ImHNOGv4KYnEjjs2mdqJnbbAEWhbiOLUJgLjVgKf7Y5thfLFVfs86efmiGw7Eo63j5mB0c-WpKAQynsBvFGA3DTkrLaQeHZBMbLRPPhM3QyqCbPYa6hiH5zVQmQxq/s2362/IMG_1428.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2362" data-original-width="2029" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24MQYjHadOEcGaDrxEYmoF3kANcm_46XLWiHNT77NLT8TIYBBZtveWucyBGukUf_ImHNOGv4KYnEjjs2mdqJnbbAEWhbiOLUJgLjVgKf7Y5thfLFVfs86efmiGw7Eo63j5mB0c-WpKAQynsBvFGA3DTkrLaQeHZBMbLRPPhM3QyqCbPYa6hiH5zVQmQxq/w162-h188/IMG_1428.jpeg" width="162" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">*No discussion that includes southern wrestling and music is complete without “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. The former member of The Gentry’s broke into wrestling largely because of his musical fame and found a way to bring all of his talents together. It’s hard to believe that in just a few months we’ll be celebrating the 80</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto;">th</sup><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">birthday of The Mouth! Even more amazing is that he’s still the hardest working man in wrestling. If you’re a fan of meeting wrestling legends and you still haven’t met Jimmy Hart, you just aren’t trying. This time we’re not looking at any of his records but rather a classic Memphis “Action Ringside” program featuring The Mouth looking very much in pain…in his Superman attire. A copy of this program recently sold for $40.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">As always with our MarketWatch blog entries the prices shown are for unsigned examples despite the photos displaying otherwise. The old southern territories had a certain energy that lives on through great memorabilia like this. Like many of you in just a few days I plan on going south for the love of classic professional wrestling. It’s simply a different world and I love every second. A great southern wrestling fan, the late Peggy Lathan, once said to me, “Josh, you’re southern at heart.” I treasure those words even more than the items that you see here.</span></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338312110847718814.post-53734394118756248272023-07-20T19:00:00.040-04:002023-07-20T19:00:00.136-04:00Another Shot At Greatness…<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOp3Ke6LmFg0DPM2PmQRx_Cbmu09sAMVjhzFCYsET6T95Z8PG5F7e9wGttGzzFTZMxMLMniStgEhu6Lr6EAOcLD5InJjzo3l7i7_TR_JZCdKjrkPachX91hKGqMmMTZ6RXwxF3UI0_eXsnsFFKzZoXISrmWMZeAPjhJi98-vYfx042BQ-8GKDuyCFufOP/s2817/IMG_1296.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="2001" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOp3Ke6LmFg0DPM2PmQRx_Cbmu09sAMVjhzFCYsET6T95Z8PG5F7e9wGttGzzFTZMxMLMniStgEhu6Lr6EAOcLD5InJjzo3l7i7_TR_JZCdKjrkPachX91hKGqMmMTZ6RXwxF3UI0_eXsnsFFKzZoXISrmWMZeAPjhJi98-vYfx042BQ-8GKDuyCFufOP/w106-h150/IMG_1296.jpeg" width="106" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); font-size: 11pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">What did I promise you in the first blog entry of 2023? Like you remember. Well, maybe this will ring a bell – The King is back! No, not Elvis. Our gravel voiced monarch of the WWF in the late ‘80s, King Harley Race. As was announced in a surprising move, Race is back “available” for Mattel to produce as a figure. This was after their original rights to the legend resulted in exactly one figure being produced. Poor distribution, to put it mildly, caused that figure to become one of the most desired in the entire Mattel WWE run. He’s back, albeit with a few changes, and it’s time to bow and kneel before The King.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq30nZ77Ne-0TCISUhEDfeSZiRZknf21ju9b9N5zoMilI55_oPtcFt9V_APUAwclvqqreXjqspK3VlSK3EIDdpW2vs19Fd76t3t3LfvoDn2VbZG0_Bt03Ldult7gH58UiVm8f_WrikTleYpFTa5UpINTEYevkBunV5Epd_KMrDilir8j-OjtIIXrjkzcVA/s2945/IMG_1293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="2408" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq30nZ77Ne-0TCISUhEDfeSZiRZknf21ju9b9N5zoMilI55_oPtcFt9V_APUAwclvqqreXjqspK3VlSK3EIDdpW2vs19Fd76t3t3LfvoDn2VbZG0_Bt03Ldult7gH58UiVm8f_WrikTleYpFTa5UpINTEYevkBunV5Epd_KMrDilir8j-OjtIIXrjkzcVA/w130-h158/IMG_1293.jpeg" width="130" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">As he is part of the Greatest Hits series the packaging is fairly standard to how most of the Elite figures come boxed now. As I’ve said before, the packaging is good though I don’t care for it as much as I did the rectangular boxes of a few years ago in which the original Harley release came. In my order I did manage to get two examples in great shape, but the cardboard in this latest generation of boxes just seems flimsier than ever to me. It’s harder than ever to be shipped or find a truly nice box. Two images of The King adorn the box with a standard short bio.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRGOXp14r5mEzV5lwb3NCsontGWaWAyZI3BaljXBDQYPD59ki_iyTmzLisN_UTaSnI2pTXDMFeZHEoSRtd78DNEkxHLUHtWdwxNzsaiNZBd2VQG7xq0hO6n2rEBjBRlDHIyXqTdOqyHeuXMVzsF8glXZdlnhwIp0_hmiNpGe5rRSTiy2NDIH_sAhGyvQr/s3104/IMG_1295.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="3104" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRGOXp14r5mEzV5lwb3NCsontGWaWAyZI3BaljXBDQYPD59ki_iyTmzLisN_UTaSnI2pTXDMFeZHEoSRtd78DNEkxHLUHtWdwxNzsaiNZBd2VQG7xq0hO6n2rEBjBRlDHIyXqTdOqyHeuXMVzsF8glXZdlnhwIp0_hmiNpGe5rRSTiy2NDIH_sAhGyvQr/w168-h159/IMG_1295.jpeg" width="168" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">As with the original you receive the rubber cape and crown. The crown may be a tad softer in material but the cape felt very much the same. It’s the look that made me fall in love with this figure long before it was released even the first time. It remains my favorite Mattel WWE release. As the entire line has stepped it up since that figure, we now get a pair of interchangeable fists, as well. For a guy like Harley one of my few complaints about the original release was that neither of his hands were a fist. This is a guy who could bust you open “the hard way” using a perfectly positioned knuckle yet…no fist. It’s fixed here.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">That’s not the only upgrade. The face seems to have the “True FX” detail application which many collectors are hit-or-miss on. It seems to have changed the look of his eyes a bit. It isn’t too noticeable unless you’re closely comparing the two. Aside from the fists the other very pleasing upgrades are the additions of double-jointed elbows. Now Harley can REALLY drive that fist in deep! While the feature has been on many figures over the past several years, it didn’t really strike out to me as a huge deal until this one. Likely because I’ve spent so much time on the original figure.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBJfpC6Vix7d7rHhrPp-wGMFa88Y7aertV-M4PXgd-u8iKzeaS7bifVz3SIzjBhS42_I-PpKFgOgAGfaIObP7lJ_5nLgWhX5pyAA8PxDODloddTp4Rbjdlxm1NT8AAQhpPV9pp4hvJnusejMouFRq5xZfUJVfi44WMvHe3M0gq17WEtkM41azIKF_TsiD/s2028/IMG_1294.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="2028" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBJfpC6Vix7d7rHhrPp-wGMFa88Y7aertV-M4PXgd-u8iKzeaS7bifVz3SIzjBhS42_I-PpKFgOgAGfaIObP7lJ_5nLgWhX5pyAA8PxDODloddTp4Rbjdlxm1NT8AAQhpPV9pp4hvJnusejMouFRq5xZfUJVfi44WMvHe3M0gq17WEtkM41azIKF_TsiD/w188-h183/IMG_1294.jpeg" width="188" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">The Greatest Hits series have had an interesting run so far. Figuring that they would stick around, at least for a bit like most modern figures, I didn’t jump on any at first. They’ve actually proven to be very in-demand. The lone figure that I wanted from the first lineup (Rikishi) barely made it past the pre-order stage at online retailers. I ended up finding it at a toy show for a perfectly acceptable price and I have seen pictures of it showing up at retail, but either the figures are truly “hot” or Mattel is playing distribution games again. This second series, especially Race, is proving to follow suit. The pre-orders are gone and retailers aren’t showing any signs of restock. This, like the original one years ago, needs to be grabbed when seen.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKflHKGoUd02KCnnt6zWDosLjaS4UMOF_pavqD8XUbwBi_0b5kMgoqLbuhRbwf1aRz77S_XWSTAj1NS7wjy3vj2Wt3IzQdmYVaIq0HYD2OnjIuGo_RnrBLzmvWR1PtX84HElUsOs0YxHpWcKHk6GI4losDYFEmOK8DRi2oYDyYfCua0OWqj8MMTRXsIiB/s1254/IMG_1354.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1227" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKflHKGoUd02KCnnt6zWDosLjaS4UMOF_pavqD8XUbwBi_0b5kMgoqLbuhRbwf1aRz77S_XWSTAj1NS7wjy3vj2Wt3IzQdmYVaIq0HYD2OnjIuGo_RnrBLzmvWR1PtX84HElUsOs0YxHpWcKHk6GI4losDYFEmOK8DRi2oYDyYfCua0OWqj8MMTRXsIiB/w174-h178/IMG_1354.jpeg" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">It’s also been confirmed that the Greatest Hits line will continue and a separate Greatest Hits line exclusively featuring legends is to come about. The latter, featuring names like Bruno Sammartino and Terry Funk, should be fairly hot. Sammartino and Race both indicate to me that Mattel is working extra hard to secure the legendary names that were said to be unavailable to them for years. My guess would be because PowerTown has shown what a powerhouse that they aim to be. While Mattel says that they cannot negotiate for names on their own, it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that they are now pushing WWE just a bit more to obtain rights to certain names. After all, Race was initially mentioned by PowerTown as a name available to them.</span><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">I would have liked to have seen what PowerTown could’ve done with Race. We could’ve gotten any number of versions from early in his career. Now that he’s back with Mattel, I can’t help but think that we’ll see him in the LJN-inspired Coliseum Collection. That release would no doubt include a soft goods cape. A fun addition would be the cape-jacket hybrid that was sculpted onto the original LJN. Hopefully Mattel realizes the want for pre-WWF versions of Race and gives us some figures in that realm, too. I’m not holding my breath, but it wouldn’t exactly surprise me, either.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7UHJN3WiTJCKs0qqKJVCVYu5KOTi1M4sB21j02i-U9HDp9wUp3UrgU5yKjfDuSev1SzGDFU-KCO2bkvKAb_OyzuJRnJyxy6C-7ZARlqni4K47Y59grZd82QRycOrxHiYztGAL1HdAbh6a7hZQNSB8YvWOJvTSg7_-5K5svjeiLQSS8GdFfKpgknT91vk/s2224/IMG_1297.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="1810" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7UHJN3WiTJCKs0qqKJVCVYu5KOTi1M4sB21j02i-U9HDp9wUp3UrgU5yKjfDuSev1SzGDFU-KCO2bkvKAb_OyzuJRnJyxy6C-7ZARlqni4K47Y59grZd82QRycOrxHiYztGAL1HdAbh6a7hZQNSB8YvWOJvTSg7_-5K5svjeiLQSS8GdFfKpgknT91vk/w118-h145/IMG_1297.jpeg" width="118" /></a></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(239, 234, 231); color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">As a collector who owns the original version of this figure, and even one of the few autographed examples known to exist, I have no dismay about this remake. I’ve long championed the idea that everyone should be able to acquire these toys at the standard price for a reasonable amount of time. That was not the case with the original. There won’t be any signed versions of this one, sadly, nor does it include the Commissioner Shawn Michaels “Build-A-Figure” arms that the original did. Heck, as I said I bought two of these new ones myself. In fact, it’s time to update the meme that I made some time ago. It swept the Internet, or at least a few hundred people who passed it along. Here it is, in its original form, before I added two more for the girls to gossip about…</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7twKV4eZPJxp9234-8rnizvTxPQoQ9EPiEAzLmT_VRzca1QFu3CzHCf_eJP8IqruJXLcItkwbVf1YWsKpWWNF9HWDV_cgyTSrI2MJw7nK7SyM8ObdmANPjwnR9ZdKUeF6KaQeC-TzuHGX9QB47_pVUzrCdQ5R4_Tg_5W5CN_3SWRC8IBJZ2PH0D6zCHC/s1981/IMG_1351.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="1169" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7twKV4eZPJxp9234-8rnizvTxPQoQ9EPiEAzLmT_VRzca1QFu3CzHCf_eJP8IqruJXLcItkwbVf1YWsKpWWNF9HWDV_cgyTSrI2MJw7nK7SyM8ObdmANPjwnR9ZdKUeF6KaQeC-TzuHGX9QB47_pVUzrCdQ5R4_Tg_5W5CN_3SWRC8IBJZ2PH0D6zCHC/s320/IMG_1351.jpeg" width="189" /></a></div><p></p>J\/\/http://www.blogger.com/profile/08335345994773184570noreply@blogger.com0