With Mattel recently unveiling the return of their Retro line, and Hasbro style figures being independently produced by Zombie Sailor Toys and Chella Toys, it’s a perfect time to look back and rank the original WWF Hasbro wrestling figure line.
Ranking is based on the number of original/new figures vs. re-releases, the number of figures released per set, the type of body molds used, and to a degree, star power. I’m also throwing in which wrestlers should’ve been included based on the time frame each series was based on.
Thanks to @hasbroretro for letting me use these awesome pictures. Make sure to check out his Instagram page for more similar photos of the Mattel Retro releases.
11. Series 10 (1994)
Giant González with Giant Jab!
Marty Jannetty with Jannetty Jam!
Samu (Headshrinkers) with Samu Shocker!
Fatu (Headshrinkers) with Fatu Flattener!
Bushwhacker Luke with Down and Out Blaster!
Bushwhacker Butch with Down Under Pounder!
Shawn Michaels with Conceited Crunch!
Razor Ramon with Razor Rage!
New in the Line: Giant Gonzalez, Fatu & Samu
Re-Release: Bushwhacker Luke & Butch, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Marty Jannetty
Recycled Molds: Bushwhacker Luke & Butch, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Marty Jannetty, Fatu & Samu
New Molds: Giant Gonzalez
Should’ve Included: The decision to go with a head-swapped repainted version of The Bushwhackers was an odd one. The set should’ve included The Quebecers instead, especially since they were the dominant team and tag champs during this time period. Jacques could’ve been rereleased on a modified Randy Savage #1 cast and Pierre on a Jim Duggan #1 mold. They definitely would’ve been a better addition than another set of Bushwhackers.
10. Series 9 (1994)
Rick Steiner (Steiner Brothers) with Steiner Slam!
Scott Steiner (Steiner Brothers) with Steiner Suplex!
Doink the Clown with Big Top Clobber!
Tatanka with Tomahawk Tackle!
Ted DiBiase with Million Dollar Mash!
Hacksaw Jim Duggan with Hacksaw Slam!
New in the Line: Doink the Clown, Rick & Scott Steiner
Re-Release: Tatanka, Ted DiBiase, Jim Duggan
Recycled Molds: Rick & Scott Steiner, Jim Duggan, Tatanka, Ted DiBiase
New Molds: Doink the Clown,
Should’ve Included: Brutus Beefcake in his WrestleMania IX red and yellow attire is the obvious choice here based on the original advertisement for the line. To even out the series, I would’ve included Mr. Hughes, who has been announced as part of ZST’s Heels and Faces line. His WWE stint was brief and the only notable part of it was a one-sided feud with The Undertaker, but the line could’ve used another heel in it. Given his size and attire, a new mold would’ve been needed because a modified IRS cast would’ve been too small.
9. Series 5 (1993)
Hulk Hogan with Hulkster Slam!
“Macho Man” Randy Savage with Savage Slam!
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart with Anvil Flattener!
Sid Justice with Power Bomb!
Skinner with Gator Breaker!
The Mountie with Mountie Mash!
“The Model” Rick Martel with Arrogance Splash!
Virgil with Bodyguard Bash!
The Warlord with Warlord Wham!
Irwin R. Schyster with Write Off Slam!
New in the Line: Jim Neidhart, Rick Martel, The Warlord, Skinner, The Mountie, Virgil, Sid Justice, IRS
Re-Release: Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan
Recycled Molds: Rick Martel, Sid Justice
New Molds: Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Jim Neidhart, The Warlord, Skinner, The Mountie, Virgil, IRS
Should’ve Included: This was a rough choice for this time frame. At this point, Hasbro releases were catching up with WWE’s actual roster. Anyone you could think of for this line was most likely getting produced in the next 6 line-ups, plus I still need names to include for the other series. So for Series 5, I’m going with Big Bully Busick in the Hacksaw Jim Duggan #1 mold. Despite barely being in the federation for less than 6 months, Busick had a great look that would’ve lent itself perfectly to Hasbro’s cartoonish style. Especially, since Busick’s look was already based off of a cartoon.
8. Series 4 (1992)
The Undertaker with Tombstone Tackle!
Ricky Steamboat with Steamboat Springer!
Bret “Hitman” Hart with Hart Attack!
The British Bulldog with Bulldog Bash!
The Legion of Doom – Hawk with Hawk Attack! and Animal with Dooms-Dayer!
The Nasty Boys – Brian Knobs with Nasticizer! and Jerry Sags with Punk Pounder!
New in the Line: All of them
Re-Release: None
Recycled Molds: None
New Molds: All of them
Should’ve Included: Jim Neidhart was expected to be in this series as part of The Hart Foundation with Bret, but their break-up pulled the plug on that. A great alternative would’ve been to replace that team with Power & Glory, with Hercules in the Bulldog or Sid Justice body slam mold and Paul Roma in the Randy Savage #1 mold. A case can be made for Hercules to have been produced during any of the first three series, but despite them never winning the tag belts or racking up many wins, Power & Glory is the best fit for this line. They looked cool and had a great finisher. Plus, Paul Roma would’ve never made the cut on his own as a singles wrestler. There’s a reason Zombie Sailor Toys decided to pair up Hercules and Paul Roma for his Heels and Faces line.
7. Series 8 (1994)
Bam Bam Bigelow with Bam Bam Slam!
Yokozuna with Sumo Smash!
Lex Luger with Narcissistic Knockout!
Mr. Perfect with Perfect Plex!
Bret “Hitman” Hart with Hart Attack!
The Undertaker with Tombstone Tackle!
New in the Line: Yokozuna, Bam Bam Bigelow and Lex Luger
Re-Release: Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect and Undertaker
Recycled Molds: Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, Undertaker, Bam Bam Bigelow and Lex Luger
New Molds: Yokozuna
Should’ve Included: Despite being a fairly new addition to the roster and doing little of note, except for an iron man performance at that year’s Royal Rumble, Bob Backlund would’ve been a great addition for this series. The Randy Savage #1 mold would’ve been perfect for Backlund. Granted, this is before Backlund snapped and won the world title from Bret Hart, but seeing as this series is based on the 1993 roster around WrestleMania IX, Backlund is a good fit. Even though he lost a quick match to Razor Ramon at said Mania, he still put on a record-breaking performance at that year’s Royal Rumble.
6. Series 6 (1993)
Ric Flair with Flair Snare!
Papa Shango with Spell Binder!
El Matador with Bullseye Bash!
Repo Man with Robber Clobber!
Tatanka with Tomahawk Tackle!
The Berzerker with Berzerker Blast!
New in the Line: All of them
Re-Release: None
Recycled Molds: Ric Flair, El Matador, Tatanka, and Berzerker
New Molds: Papa Shango, Repo Man
Should’ve Included: Hasbro was definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel here with Repo Man and Berzerker making the line. So why not keep in with the theme of wrestlers who were just kind of there to fill up the roster. Enter The Beverly Brothers. They’d fit in perfectly with the timeframe making up this series and were one of the few established tag teams at the time. As for molds, Demolition Smash for Beau Beverly and the Greg Valentine cast for Blake Beverly.
5. Series 3 (1992)
Hulk Hogan with Hulkaplex!
The Ultimate Warrior with Warrior Wham!
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake with Beefcake Flattop!
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine with Hammer Slammer!
Earthquake with Aftershock!
Typhoon with Tidal Wave!
Sgt. Slaughter with Sgt’s Salute!
“Macho Man” Randy Savage with Macho Masher!
Mr. Perfect with Perfect Plex!
Koko B. Ware with Birdman Bounce!
Texas Tornado with Texas Twister!
Big Boss Man with Jailhouse Jam!
New in the Line: Greg Valentine, Earthquake, Typhoon, Sgt. Slaughter, Mr. Perfect, Koko B. Ware, Texas Tornado
Re-Release: Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Big Boss Man, Brutus Beefcake
Recycled Molds: Randy Savage
New Molds: Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Big Boss Man, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, Earthquake/Typhoon, Sgt. Slaughter, Mr. Perfect, Koko B. Ware, Texas Tornado
Should’ve Included: Although not as prominent in a wrestling role at this time, The Genius Lanny Poffo would’ve been a great companion figure to the first release of Mr. Perfect. Especially, since we’d see him later on in the WWE managing The Beverly Brothers. Even though he would’ve made more sense in Series 1 or 2, Dino Bravo also would’ve been a good fit for this series, so what if his partner Earthquake was now tagging with Typhoon. The fact that Earthquake was still in his singles run singlet and Tugboat was changed to Typhoon last minute, proves Bravo still would’ve made sense here. Plus, Beefcake was still made available in this set despite not actively wrestling at this point. One last option would’ve been Nikolai Volkoff. Volkoff was pretty much finishing his run here with the WWE as an assimilated foreigner babyface, but given his history and popularity it’s a shame he never made it onto this series.
4. Series 7 (1993)
Kamala with Kamala Krush!
Owen Hart with Rocket Blast!
Crush with Kona Crusher!
Nailz with Jailhouse Jab!
Razor Ramon with Razor Rage!
Shawn Michaels with Conceited Crunch!
New in the Line: Razor Ramon, Owen Hart, Nailz, Kamala
Re-Release: Shawn Michaels and Crush
Recycled Molds: Shawn Michaels, Crush, Razor Ramon
New Molds: Kamala ,Owen Hart, and Nailz (to an extent)
Should’ve Included: Very slim pickings at this point in the line for any additional wrestlers not already scheduled for future releases. The best option for this time period is Max Moon. Despite not being over or racking up a lot of wins, the last few lines featured a lot of lower card wrestlers so Max Moon would’ve been a great fit. Plus, that colorful blue suit on a jumping body mold, like Marty Jannetty #1, is money.
3. Series 1 (1990)
Hulk Hogan with Gorilla Press Slam!
The Ultimate Warrior with Ultimate Smash!
André the Giant with Giant Jolt!
Demolition Ax with Ax Attack!
Demolition Smash with Demolition Smasher!
Ravishing Rick Rude with Rude Awakening Headlock!
Randy “Macho Man” Savage with Elbow Smash!
Akeem with Body Slam!
The Big Bossman with Hard Time Slam!
Ted DiBiase with Million Dollar Punch!
Jake “The Snake” Roberts with Python Punch!
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake with Sleeper Hold!
New in the Line: All of them
Re-Release: None
Recycled Molds: None
New Molds: All of them
Should’ve Included: Already a pretty stacked roster for its initial release, this series seems to be based on the WrestleMania V card, even though there are a lot of notable names left off the list. Most of the other wrestlers made it onto Series 2. Seeing as Bad News Brown and Haku never made the line, these two should’ve definitely been included in this series. Bad News had just come off a feud with Jim Duggan and still had one more Mania match to go. And even though Haku was about to drop the “king” gimmick, he was on his way to capturing tag team gold with Andre the Giant. I’ve seen a lot of customizers use the Duggan mold for Bad News, but I’d go with Greg Valentine. For Haku, a Duggan mold would fit, but I also like what Chella Toys did by using the Jim Neidhart upper body for their Megastars version.
2. Series 11 (1994)
Ludvig Borga with Finland Finisher!
Yokozuna with Sumo Smash!
Crush with Kona Crusher!
1-2-3 Kid with 1-2-3 Punch!
Adam Bomb with Nuclear Knockout!
Billy Gunn with Cowboy Clobber!
Bart Gunn with Rodeo Roundhouse!
New in the Line: Ludvig Borga, 1-2-3 Kid, Evil Crush, Adam Bomb, Billy & Bart Gunn
Re-Release: Yokozuna
Recycled Molds: All of them
New Molds: None
Should’ve Included: Given that the series was starting to catch up to the actual roster again and because of the line-up slated for the Orange Card Series 12 release, there are very few options. The best choice for this series at the time was Jerry “The King” Lawler in the Jake Roberts mold. Although his legal problems during that same time period might’ve messed this up and could’ve been the reason why there was no figure of him produced for this line or planned for Series 12.
1. Series 2 (1991)
Hulk Hogan with Hulkster Hug!
The Ultimate Warrior with Ultimate Slam!
Honky Tonk Man with Rattle and Roll!
Dusty Rhodes with Dust Buster!
Rowdy Roddy Piper with Piper Punch!
Jimmy Snuka with Superfly Slam!
“Macho King” Randy Savage with Macho Masher!
Hacksaw Jim Duggan with Hack Attack!
Ted DiBiase with Million Dollar Stomp!
New in the Line: Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, Jimmy Snuka, Honky Tonk Man, Crush, Shawn Michaels, Marty Jannetty, Bushwhacker Luke, Bushwhacker Butch
Re-Release: Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, Smash
Recycled Molds: None
New Molds: All of them
Should’ve Included: Greg Valentine in his Rhythm & Blues attire is the obvious pick here to round out the tag teams as originally advertised. If not Valentine, then The Orient Express would’ve been a suitable replacement for the team. With Tanaka made up of the Jake Roberts upper body mold and the first Ted DiBiase’s legs, and Kato with the Randy Savage #1 upper body mold and Honky Tonk Man lower body. It’s not a popular choice because they were never major players in the tag division, but they would help even out the heel side of the tag teams. Now, to even out the singles wrestlers to 10 overall, I’d include The Barbarian. At this point, he’s early in his singles run with the fur cape and antlers head gear, and at least had a singles match at WrestleMania VI.
A personal choice for me is white trunks Tito Santana. Granted, a this point in his career he was more of a jobber to the stars, but I think we can all agree this Tito was a better version than his Matador gimmick. This series also should’ve definitely included Macho King in his neon colored tights, like the one used in the Hasbro Royal Rumble mini figures.
Cheap Pop Culture 