EDIT: This looked like way less writing in my textbox. Sorry!
Mostly hits, a few misses and a whole lot to discuss!
I'm so glad they're making WM23 HBK! I was thinking about how they caught the tail end of Shawn's career once they had the license, and how much of a shame it was they missed out on so many of his comeback pants attires. This was probably the best one sans WM25/26. Looks solid.
Henry in gold looks great. Inverted Kane...eh, I'm going to pass just because it doesn't have the unique torso of E12, and I don't like the non-inverted mask look. It should be a big seller, though.
I love that WM28 Daniel Bryan. Wanted his black attire from late 2011, but this has the boots/pads so it's a nice compromise, I suppose. Wish he'd go back to attires like that.
Basic Lesnar's legs look strange. His shorts are long and his calvepads look silly. Definitely getting the Elite, but the torso and scan are perfect on this Basic.
Not sure why they're making a ton of Wades. His figures never sold that well sans his debut, and the era they're focusing on here (pre-injury) was Wade's least interesting time in WWE. He, Miz, Show, Cena and Orton are the major shelfwarmers.
Skeletor Kofi! That turned out GREAT with the new torso and new headscan. Might have to pick this one up. The yellow one looks very appealing, too.
That Cody looks phenomenal! The legs, smaller kneepads and that smiling scan make this a rare Basic figure that blows the Elite away.
I'll definitely hold off for an Elite Antonio. Glad to see attention to detail with his chesthair and leg tape, though.
Ryback has to be a nightmare for budget due to his deco, but the Mattel guys did a great job on both of his Basic figures. Really like the 2-pack version. His Basic attire design reminds me of Mortis!
Loving the green Brodus and Hawkins 2-pack. Great attires for both guys, smart way to release Hawkins; well done!
I kinda like this shirt series. Maybe they can do it once a year with updated shirts? It's good to see a smaller torso shirt and a larger torso shirtmold. Shame there's no molded sleeves, but oh well.
They gave FB Christian E8 Edge's sunglasses. They were different at SDCC. Hmm...
Liz looks good. I think they took out the calve articulation, which is an aesthetic plus in my book. I don't know why so many other toy companies can do the silver shiny paintjobs but Mattel makes it out to be such a pain to do. Kane's welder mask is a solid mold, but if that thing had some shine on it? It'd be over the top awesome. Looking at the full figure photo, it looks far better than the Basics, though. Good figure! That Ziggler is
ing perfect - that is head-to-toe one of the best figures they've ever designed. YES Bryan is pretty cool. Wish the attire was more burgundy like the shirt, but I think it's accurate. Lesnar is a BEAST. That figure turned out so damn good considering the limitations on the brand logos.
Shawn Michaels...a mixed bag. The lack of chaps makes it look incomplete, the lack of chesthair is a big miss for this time period, and the scan looks...frightened, which I guess captures his HitC match. On the plus side, they finally didn't paint his hair frickin' orange! I say this all the time, but they need to start giving hair texture. They rarely do it, and Jakks usually did. But anyway, the European title is great to see - that belt is very colorful, so I'd like to get a better look at the sideplates. The heart designs having a tiny stroke outline is a very nice detail. I dunno, I'm disappointed with it, but I like it - it had a lot to live up to. I hope they make another 96-97 HBK as an exclusive in the next year or two.
E20 Cody sucks. Bad head, legwarmer kneepads, shredded torso, and this is just a preferential thing, but I was hoping for the all white/black look with the white/black hooded vest he wore in late 2011:
It'll look better once they make the entrance cloak/new IC title, but still. I've been holding off on him all year, and the Basic looks better, tenfold.
HTM has huge potential. That body looks really solid...if they can nail the jumpsuit, it's going to be one of their very best Flashbacks.
Jericho's new head looks odd, but I think it's the angle. Can't wait to see what they did for the jacket! Very cool attire choice - so glad it wasn't one of his earlier 2012 ones that were just repeating his 2010/2009 gear.
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So, even with a few gripes, I have to say this....Elite 19 is the best series so far. I can't wait to get the full thing in my hands.
