Wrestling MarketWatch: Back To The ‘80s!

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.

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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

*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…

*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.

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.

Who says that you don’t get it all in the wrestling memorabilia blog?

Do YOU Have What It Takes To Make It In The Universal Wrestling Federation?

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.

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.

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.

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.

$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.

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.

“Herbie cookie break at 3! Bring your spoon.”

World Getting You Down? Escape To A Different One…

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.

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 The_Figure_Arena (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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Let’s get the Holiday mood going early here with fun and giving. The world needs it.

The Hulkster & The Hot Rod Still Settling The Score

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

How about Dusty, Lawler, Harley and The Funker? I mean, I can always request rather than complain…

Collector Rage In The Cage!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Wrestling MarketWatch: Hype Then. Hype Now. Hype Forever.

“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! 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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

*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.

*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^th 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.

Are you hyped? I am! For the days when the hype was worthwhile, that is…

A Hunka Hunka Boxcar!

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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!”