About a week ago, a leaked list of upcoming WWE figures revealed Rob Gronkowski among the names of WWE stars getting figures. This was weird as Gronk hardly had a prominent role in the WWE before being lured back to football by his buddy Tom Brady. And Gronk seemed a very weird non-wrestler choice to get a figure made considering his lack of impact (pun intended). Also, wait: is Mattel now able to make celebrities in their Elite line???
We got the answer to that question with the reveal that Mr. T is this year’s San Diego Comic Con (from home) exclusive. That’s a good choice for an exclusive and opens up a whole new can of worms of potential celebrities we need/want in figure form. Mr. T was just the start for me, so here are five other essential celebrity figures that would be ideal for a WWE line. Note Mike Tyson would easily make the cut if he weren’t involved in some manner with AEW.
Pete Rose
More of a gag choice than a key figure in the history of celebrity wrestling appearances, ‘Charlie Hustle’ somehow thought getting into a rivalry with Kane was a smart idea. It was not. Since Rose is on lifetime ban from the Baseball Hall of Fame he happily accepted his induction into the WWE version. Rose would be easier than many since he would just require a head sculpt on a Paul Heyman body.
Andy Kaufman
I was torn on this one as when it comes to celebrities appearing in wrestling few were bigger than Kaufman. He terrorized the Memphis wrestling scene and most notably Jerry Lawler for years and was an expert at riling up the crowds that wanted nothing more than to see The King pummel the Hollywood punk. The only thing is Kaufman wasn’t a fixture on WWE or WCW TV, which might hurt his chances. On the plus side, Jakks did actually make a figure of him in its Classic Superstars line.
Cyndi Lauper
As much as WWF revisionist history would lay all credit for the success of the 80s scene on Hulk Hogan, Lauper proved just as instrumental thanks to her crossover appeal as being one of the major artists featured on the neophyte MTV. Lauper played a major role in Hogan’s feud with Rowdy Roddy Piper, helped turn Captain Lou Albano into a beloved face manager and managed Wendi Richter to the WWF women’s title. With the Wendi Richter figure already available, Lauper would be a fitting addition to the celebrity series.
Dennis Rodman
I’m going to assume that this celebrity access also expands to WCW celebrities. In that case there’s none bigger than Rodman, who was a celebrity wrestling member of the n.W.o. and teamed with Hollywood Hogan before later having a standalone feud with Macho Man Randy Savage. Ideally Rodman would have a removable outfit where he could be in his n.W.o. ring wear and wrestling gear.
Lawrence Taylor
Besides Mr. T, LT — hey maybe it’s the “T”? — is the only other celebrity to actually be an active participant in a WrestleMania main event. His WrestleMania 11 match with Bam Bam Bigelow really wasn’t bad and LT clearly took his role seriously. It was one of the rare celebrity matches that surpassed expectations. Maybe this will also prompt Mattel to release a few more Bam Bam figures as well?
That’s my list, which celebrities would you guys want to see?
Photo Credit: WWE.com