Mattel’s decision-making process always comes under scrutiny from WWE Flashback collectors. In fairness, it’s not the easiest job choosing the most fitting look for beloved characters. For some, like Demolition, it’s an easy matter of just not botching the face paint. For others, like Sgt. Slaughter and Jimmy Snuka, it’s more problematic.
The dilemma gets far more complicated when a potential Flashback act returns to compete against modern day competition. Mattel’s development process ranges from nine months at the earliest to more typically a year. And as we’ve seen with Goldberg and The Dudley Boyz, Mattel likes to go with the contemporary look first.
Safe to assume Mattel is thinking kids will buy — or convince their parents to —the figures of all the guys they currently see on TV. A ’90s version Goldberg or Dudleys wouldn’t make a lot of sense in that context.
Yet, that strategy has bitten Mattel and has cost Flashback collectors on more than one occasion. Most notably with the drawn-out release of the Hollywood Hogan figure. A modern street clothes version was released, a very early WWF Hulkamania sky blue tights version was made, but the Hollywood Hogan was held back in just enough time for Hogan’s infamous sex tape to come out and kill future figures.
Collectors are still annoyed with those decisions, which has largely negated a greater push for future n.W.o. figures. No sense going deep with that faction if the leader can’t be made yet.
Thanks to the long development cycle, old-school talent is largely wrapped up with their comeback tour by the time their figure is released. Goldberg likely wrestled his last match at Wrestlemania 33, but his figure hasn’t even hit stands yet. The likelihood of Mattel debuting a Monday Night Wars Goldberg is pretty high since there’s little chance of him signing with New Japan, Ring of Honor, Impact, etc. in the interim. Still, it’s kind of weird that Mattel wouldn’t just opt for releasing a modern and Flashback figure at the same time instead of waiting and eventually getting back around to the most iconic version of Da Man.
That philosophy definitely screwed over fans anticipating Attitude Era Dudley Boyz. The first set of modern Elite Dudley Boyz had barely arrived on shelves before Bubba and D-Von were done with the WWE. Even more puzzling, Mattel planned a Battle Pack of The Dudleys once again in modern outfits. That got cancelled since the Boyz left the WWE. And with Bubba Ray signing with ROH, the window for Flashback Dudleys has passed.
Now Mattel is at another crossroads. With the return of The Hardy Boyz, Mattel has another important decision: go modern or go Flashback? The Hardys reinvented themselves as The Broken Hardys on Impact, but that gimmick has to largely go unused.
Mattel never did get around to making Flashback Hardys when they both were previously in the WWE so now seems like a good opportunity to make some highly demanded Flashback figures. And if they stick around long enough, then Mattel should tackle the modern versions of the Hardys.
At least we know for sure the inevitable Kurt Angle figures will work in either context.
So which would you like to see? Watered down modern Broken Hardys or the Attitude Era’s most dynamic team in figure form first?