For us figure collectors, Toy Fair used to be the most wonderful time of the year as companies from across the world would astonish us with their upcoming slate of releases. But as San Diego Comic Con’s influence began to expand to become the central hub of all things geek culture, toy companies opted to make SDCC the showcase for their future offerings.
Last year Mattel had an all-time best showing with its WWE line revealing the first Hulk Hogan, Razor Ramon, Junkyard Dog, X-Pac, Doink the Clown, Blue-tista, Paige, and, the coup de grace — Sting. It’d be crazy to think Mattel can top last year’s showing, but there are some Legend reveals that could make the 2015-2016 lineup almost as impressive. Here’s the five best options:
For the sake of all our sanity I won’t include the guy we all really need.
5. Ken Shamrock
We’re fast approaching the end of the viable non-variant option, first-time-in-the-line members of the Attitude Era roster. But maybe Mattel has more faith in Hardcore Holly, Al Snow, Prince Albert, and Test selling than I do? Shamrock was a major player during his last than three-year stint in the WWF, first in a feud with the British Bulldog, then Vader and Shawn Michaels before settling into a lengthy rivalry with The Rock. Note, all of those guys have figures, so Shamrock wouldn’t be lacking opponents. Shamrock’s career high moment came when Vince and Shane McMahon recruited him to be a member of The Corporation where he would go on to jointly hold the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles. I’m hoping we get blue with the initial release, and the red tights can go for a Hall of Fame version.
4. Nikita Koloff
Mattel WWE exec Bill Mekina has stated he wants to get around to eventually making an NWA version of Dusty Rhodes. We’ve already got The Road Warriors, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and (kinda) Lex Luger, so we need the last part of that intense Superpowers/Road Warriors vs. Four Horsemen feud that culminated in War Games: The Match Beyond. Nikita is arguably the last major solo star from the NWA (release that Magnum TA from prototype hell, Mattel!) that we haven’t gotten in the line yet. Give him two cloth singlets — one red to capture his early Russian heel days and a black one to spotlight his time as one of the most popular faces in the NWA.
3. The Steiner Brothers
Rick and Scott picked up right where the Road Warriors left off when they left the NWA to join the WWF. The Steiners quickly became the dominant tag team on the scene, whether as the NWA tag champs or US tag champs. They too went to the WWF and quickly asserted themselves for two reigns as the WWF tag team champions.
2. Sid
The New Generation Era remains woefully undeveloped in terms of big-time heels, and few were more impactful than the “Psycho One.” Sid would actually fill several gaps in our collections: from his early days as a Skyscraper in the NWA, his initial run in the WWF, teaming with Vader in WCW, and returning to the WWF as Shawn Michaels’ bodyguard en route to his most successful career run as a two-time WWF champ. If Mattel was feeling especially generous, they’d toss in a red singlet to capture Sid’s Four Horsemen days (since that set is nearly complete) along with his trademark vest.
1. Sting
I’m kinda cheating here since we know he’s coming, but since Sting is my all-time favorite wrestler, I need about seven or eight Elite figures to start, so I’m pulling for at least three during the course of the remainder of 2015 into 2016. While I’m sure my entire list won’t be revealed, hopefully we’ll get more than half of them by this time next year. We’ll find out in just a few more weeks! Click here to see my full Top 10.