The WWF Hasbro Action Figure line was an action figure toyline based on the wrestlers of the WWF. They were made by the toy company Hasbro from 1990 to 1994. The toys were made of plastic and each had a signature action move. Most of the moves were repeated in multiple figures.
Contents
- Series 1 1990
- Series 2 1991
- Series 4 1992
- Series 6 1993
- Rings
- Mini Wrestlers
- Accessories
- UK Exclusive Mail Away figures
- Unreleased Prototypes
- Modifications From Prototypes
- Commonly Traded Error Cards and Variants
- References
These figures have become quite collectible, partly due to the popularity of pro wrestling in general, and the line being introduced at the peak of wrestling figures becoming "collectibles". While some have very high value still in their original package, the most common loose figures ranges from $1–$5. In poor condition most of the line isn't worth very much due to their great abundance. The figures that remain carded can command much higher prices though. In good condition a MOC (mint on card) figure can range from $20 or so for a Jake "The Snake" Roberts or Big Bossman to $200–$800 or more for a Dusty Rhodes to the unbelievable rare Kamala with a Moon on his belly. Other carded figures that can sell for hundreds are the 1992 Series on American Cards such as Brutus Beefcake #2 and Ultimate Warrior #3.
A large number of the collection has been released on foreign (usually French or Spanish) cards, and are of far less value than cards that are all in English writing, due to their abundance. For example, a 1992 Ultimate Warrior Mint on an American Card can fetch upwards of $150–$175 US, while exactly the same figure on a French card may get around $15–$20 US.
However, a very limited number of Hasbro action figures were released on a dual card (mainly being US/French) these figures have been seen to fetch in the region of $1000 per figure. To date these have only been spotted on Brutus Beefcake #2 and Dusty Rhodes.
Series 1 - 1990
(This series until Series 6 was all released on neon blue cards)
Series 2 - 1991
Singles
Tag Teams
SummerSlam Card Re-Releases
Series 4 - 1992
Singles
Tag Teams
Series 6 - 1993
(Final series released on neon blue cards)
WWF Magazine Mail Away Exclusives
Red Cards - Released in India Only Under Funskool Label
Rings
Mini Wrestlers
Accessories
UK Exclusive Mail Away figures
The WWF's exclusive UK home video partner, Silver Vision, run several promotions over the years which allowed the buyer to receive a free WWF action figure upon purchase. In 1991, Silver Vision offered a free Hulk Hogan #1 with the purchase of "The Best of Saturday Nights Main Event" VHS. This promotion was advertised in WWF Magazines and by Merlin Publishing. If purchased via Silver Vision direct, the figure was sent following receipt of the order. If ordered via Merlin Publishing, the customer would be sent a voucher they were able to send away to redeem the figure. This figure arrived in a sealed clear bag with the UK Hasbro distribution details on the front along with safety warnings in several languages.
In 1992 and into 1993, Silver Vision ran another promotion for a free Hulk Hogan #2 action figure (and a pair of Bret "Hitman" Hart pink sunglasses). This was available with the purchase of any qualifying video release at the time. This was advertised as part of the monthly newsletters Silver Vision distributed to customers. In similar fashion to the previous promotion, the figure arrived in a sealed clear bag with the UK Hasbro distribution details on the front along with safety warnings in several languages.
Unreleased Prototypes
There are several prototypes that have been seen in print advertisements that are the subject of WWF Hasbro collector discussion to this day. In an ad promoting a Toys R Us and WWF partnership in the March 1991 WWF Magazine, tag team sets of Demolition, the Bushwhackers, the Rockers, and Rhythm and Blues appeared. The Rhythm and Blues set was never released, however both the Honky Tonk Man and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine did see singles action figures released. Honky Tonk Man, as he appeared in the ad, was released in Series 2, however Valentine's figure in the advertisement appeared in his Rhythm and Blues attire, black hair, white jacket with black musical notes on it, white boots, and black trunks, whereas the figure released of Valentine in Series 3 was in his most regular singles attire of blond hair, black trunks and yellow boots. Fueling further collector speculation is the fact that on the back of some early foreign card figures, Rhythm and Blues was listed as an available tag team set. It is unknown the exact reason this figure went unreleased, but it is assumed that it was that the tag team had broken up a few months before the ad was printed. The Rhythm and Blues Greg Valentine was a hot topic of conversation among WWF Hasbro collectors because it is one of the few prototypes that had not turned up in a private collection. Recently, the figure was found and auctioned off on eBay for $13,400. Collector Matt Cera purchased the figure, after being texted by WWE wrestler Zack Ryder, who initially had the highest bid on the figure and has since spent a total of $15,000 getting the figure insured and appraised. The figure is said to be found in an attic of a former Hasbro employee. In the past, Valentine himself has increased speculation on the whereabouts of the figure, giving conflicting to reports as to where the prototype(s) may be in various interviews.
Other unreleased prototypes that have appeared in print include Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake in red and yellow attire meant to replicate his Mega Maniacs attire from WrestleMania IX to be in the Purple Carded set. He is believed to have been replaced by a Tatanka re-release from Series 6 due to his departure from the company. Shawn Michaels' Yellow Carded figure appeared in both print ads and on card backings using the spring-loaded armed feature found on the Virgil, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, El Matador, Hulk Hogan # 4, Papa Shango, Ted DiBiase # 3 and Billy Gunn but was changed to his released form. Randy Savage from Series 1 appeared in the 1991 J.C. Penney catalog in green trunks as part of an offer selling a ring and both Hulk Hogan and Savage action figures. Savage was sent out in his regularly released orange trunks. Both Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon figures resembling those released on both Yellow and Blue cards have appeared in an unreleased print ad promoting the figures as mail-aways as a reward for collecting Hasbro points found on the back of the WWF Hasbro cards.
Hasbro had plans to release an Ultimate Warrior figure with chest beating action. It is not known exactly why this figure wasn't made. Speculation is that it was never finished because Warrior had already left WWF or because Hasbro was unable to perfect the chest beating action. A prototype image of this figure can be found online. The figure has the same head as Warrior #2 and the body used is the same body used for the Demolition Smash figure. The figure was to use a new set of arms in order to have the figure beat its chest
Hasbro had plans to release a Tugboat figure. The plan for this figure can be found online. The figure was cancelled because Tugboat turned heel and switched his name to Typhoon. The Tugboat figure would've had the same head as the Typhoon figure and even a similar body but would've been in his Tugboat attire.
There were plans for a Jim the Anvil Neidhart figure in Hart Foundation attire with the same head sculpt as the Anvil that was released. These plans can be found online as well. It is believed that this figure would've been released in a 2 pack along with Bret Hart (same figure as his first Hasbro release) and would've been in the same series as the Nasty Boys and the Legion of Doom. The Hart Foundation set was cancelled because the team broke up and Bret started a singles career.
There were plans for another mail away series in 1994. The figures planned were Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. It believed that they wouldn't have been new molds but re-releases with possibly different colored outfits.
There were plans for a series 12 that was planned to be released on orange cards. There has even been prototype pictures online of the heads for this series. The series was to include: Lex Lugar (in USA gear), Mo and Mabel from Men on a Mission, Jeff Jarrett, a new Undertaker with purple gloves and no hat, and Diesel.
There was also a rumor for a series 13 which was planned to be released on a black card. The figures rumored for this series were: a new Bret Hart, a new Diesel (different from series 12), and Owen Hart in new gear. There is no evidence of these figures ever being made, not even as prototypes. Most believe that Hasbro only got as far as writing down the plans for these figures on a piece of paper.
Modifications From Prototypes
Popular belief holds that a Dusty Rhodes figure has yellow boots as a variant. While these figures have been photographed, debate continues on whether they are the product of sun damage.
Commonly Traded Error Cards and Variants
Series 3's Sgt. Slaughter is a popular variant, offering a variant that features no name listed on the front of the card. This variant is very rare and is believed to have seen limited release in the Tri-State Region.
Some of the more common error cards include "Rowdy" Roddy Piper on a Series 2 Ultimate Warrior card, Billy Gunn on a Bart Gunn card, Bart Gunn on a Billy Gunn card, Giant Gonzalez on a Samu card, and Series 1 Ted DiBiase on a Rick Rude card.
Other rare error cards include Bret Hart 1 carding with The Undertaker 1 Figure.