Post by kgchampion on May 2, 2015 1:41:11 GMT -5
This is for anyone like me who is curious about the differences.
So, I've always been curious about size comparisons between Wicked Cool Toys' ASR and Mattel's ESR. I had an ESR that I bought off eBay a couple months before the ASR was announced (spent 200 bucks, was super pissed after ASR was announced), and despite it being a completely sealed, never before open ESR, there was a split on each of the two bases, and even taped back together, I could never do an accurate comparison between the two.
I did notice that the ASR and ESR had different post molds and it appeared as though the ESR had taller posts than the ASR when I tried to compare the two rings just by eyeballing it. Today, I received a new Elite Scale Ring from Mattel (treated myself to a belated B-Day present). I just wanted to have the original ESR just for completion's sake. I now have two Elite Scale Rings (although one with a slightly damaged base) and two Authentic Scale Rings (one a 1st-gen RSC exclusive and one a regular Raw Ed. from TRU with the 2nd gen ring mat, but updated both ASR's with the current gen ring mat) And I decided to compare the two. I did fairly lazy job of it and didn't bother taking pictures. And the results are in!
...They are exactly the same size it seems. Despite having slightly different molds in how the posts fit into their respective bases (ASR and ESR posts are not cross-compatible with ASR and ESR bases), they are the exact same height from floor to ring post tip. The bases are of course the same size. I used a tape measure to measure it and the rings are the same size and height. The ropes of the ESR did seem to be a mm or two higher on X-Pac than the ASR's ropes, but that might be because one has ESR ropes while the other has Ringside Collectibles ropes, or how the ropes are attached.
The connectors that connect the ropes to the posts seem to be a little longer on the ESR than the ASR, or at least the black rubber tubes on the connectors are. The ring skirts are also different sizes. The ESR's ring skirt comes down lower towards the floor than the ASR's by a noticeable amount. The ESR's also seems longer horizontally as the elastic stretches a minimal amount compared to all three of my ASR's skirts (one Smackdown, two Raw), however, all of my ring skirts stretch varying amounts compared to each other. The ESR ring skirt also seems to be of higher quality.
I don't see any noticeable quality differences between the ring posts themselves other than color. ESR's are silver so have a swirl in the plastic in certain parts. The ASR posts are white and I haven't noticed any swirl in the plastic. On the bottom of the base, they both use the same pegs to prevent the base from sagging, but the ESR's are all separate, while the ASR's center pegs have a connecting piece. What that means is the center pegs of the ESR are six separate pieces while the ASR's are only three. This makes it easier to keep in place and creates a little extra support.
The turnbuckle pads are the same size between the two rings. ESR's are a softer rubber while the ASR's turnbuckles are kind of a cross between plastic and rubber and much smoother. They feel sturdier because of this, but are harder to connected than the ESR. The ropes for ASR are much, much looser and thinner than the ESR's, but the Ringside Collectibles ropes are the best of the bunch. The steel steps with the ESR are more metallic and vibrant in color and connect to the ring posts a little easier. The ASR's steel steps are a more solid gray color and don't snap into the ring posts as easily.
The ring mat of the Elite Scale Ring is a pale blue and looks like it in low lighting. In bright lighting, it looks more pale and takes on a near-white color. The Authentic Scale Ring is a gray and looks pretty dark in low light. In brighter lighting, it looks more pale, but not as light as the ESR. The Elite Scale Ring's mat connects to the base only with clips that loosen over time. The newer Authentic Scale Rings come with a ring mat that has elastic loops at the corners that hook around the ring base that helps keep the mat tight.
In summary, if I had to choose which one is better, it's a toss up. I like the paler color of the ESR's ring mat, but prefer the elastic loops of the ASR's mat. The ASR's ropes are so thin and loose that you should replace them. ESR's ropes are much thicker and stronger. However, RSC's ropes are the best of the bunch. In terms of posts, they seem the same other than the color. ASR has better turnbuckles just because they seem stronger and look prettier and cleaner. The ring skirt on the ESR is superior to the ASR due to the bigger length. The ESR also has the better ring steps with a more realistic color and fits easier together.
All in all, if you need a ring and you're not sure which to choose, I'd recommend Mattel's Elite Scale Ring (available on mattel.com for $59.99), mostly because it's cheaper than the Authentic Scale Ring ($79.99 at retail according to toysrus.com). Because the sizes are the same, the upcoming ASR cages should still fit on the Elite Scale Ring. However, the ring posts that come with the upcoming steel cages will NOT fit into the ESR base.
Interesting side note: The ESR and ASR may be the same size, but they are not 22.5" x 22.5". They are closer to 22.5" x 22.70".
So, I've always been curious about size comparisons between Wicked Cool Toys' ASR and Mattel's ESR. I had an ESR that I bought off eBay a couple months before the ASR was announced (spent 200 bucks, was super pissed after ASR was announced), and despite it being a completely sealed, never before open ESR, there was a split on each of the two bases, and even taped back together, I could never do an accurate comparison between the two.
I did notice that the ASR and ESR had different post molds and it appeared as though the ESR had taller posts than the ASR when I tried to compare the two rings just by eyeballing it. Today, I received a new Elite Scale Ring from Mattel (treated myself to a belated B-Day present). I just wanted to have the original ESR just for completion's sake. I now have two Elite Scale Rings (although one with a slightly damaged base) and two Authentic Scale Rings (one a 1st-gen RSC exclusive and one a regular Raw Ed. from TRU with the 2nd gen ring mat, but updated both ASR's with the current gen ring mat) And I decided to compare the two. I did fairly lazy job of it and didn't bother taking pictures. And the results are in!
...They are exactly the same size it seems. Despite having slightly different molds in how the posts fit into their respective bases (ASR and ESR posts are not cross-compatible with ASR and ESR bases), they are the exact same height from floor to ring post tip. The bases are of course the same size. I used a tape measure to measure it and the rings are the same size and height. The ropes of the ESR did seem to be a mm or two higher on X-Pac than the ASR's ropes, but that might be because one has ESR ropes while the other has Ringside Collectibles ropes, or how the ropes are attached.
The connectors that connect the ropes to the posts seem to be a little longer on the ESR than the ASR, or at least the black rubber tubes on the connectors are. The ring skirts are also different sizes. The ESR's ring skirt comes down lower towards the floor than the ASR's by a noticeable amount. The ESR's also seems longer horizontally as the elastic stretches a minimal amount compared to all three of my ASR's skirts (one Smackdown, two Raw), however, all of my ring skirts stretch varying amounts compared to each other. The ESR ring skirt also seems to be of higher quality.
I don't see any noticeable quality differences between the ring posts themselves other than color. ESR's are silver so have a swirl in the plastic in certain parts. The ASR posts are white and I haven't noticed any swirl in the plastic. On the bottom of the base, they both use the same pegs to prevent the base from sagging, but the ESR's are all separate, while the ASR's center pegs have a connecting piece. What that means is the center pegs of the ESR are six separate pieces while the ASR's are only three. This makes it easier to keep in place and creates a little extra support.
The turnbuckle pads are the same size between the two rings. ESR's are a softer rubber while the ASR's turnbuckles are kind of a cross between plastic and rubber and much smoother. They feel sturdier because of this, but are harder to connected than the ESR. The ropes for ASR are much, much looser and thinner than the ESR's, but the Ringside Collectibles ropes are the best of the bunch. The steel steps with the ESR are more metallic and vibrant in color and connect to the ring posts a little easier. The ASR's steel steps are a more solid gray color and don't snap into the ring posts as easily.
The ring mat of the Elite Scale Ring is a pale blue and looks like it in low lighting. In bright lighting, it looks more pale and takes on a near-white color. The Authentic Scale Ring is a gray and looks pretty dark in low light. In brighter lighting, it looks more pale, but not as light as the ESR. The Elite Scale Ring's mat connects to the base only with clips that loosen over time. The newer Authentic Scale Rings come with a ring mat that has elastic loops at the corners that hook around the ring base that helps keep the mat tight.
In summary, if I had to choose which one is better, it's a toss up. I like the paler color of the ESR's ring mat, but prefer the elastic loops of the ASR's mat. The ASR's ropes are so thin and loose that you should replace them. ESR's ropes are much thicker and stronger. However, RSC's ropes are the best of the bunch. In terms of posts, they seem the same other than the color. ASR has better turnbuckles just because they seem stronger and look prettier and cleaner. The ring skirt on the ESR is superior to the ASR due to the bigger length. The ESR also has the better ring steps with a more realistic color and fits easier together.
All in all, if you need a ring and you're not sure which to choose, I'd recommend Mattel's Elite Scale Ring (available on mattel.com for $59.99), mostly because it's cheaper than the Authentic Scale Ring ($79.99 at retail according to toysrus.com). Because the sizes are the same, the upcoming ASR cages should still fit on the Elite Scale Ring. However, the ring posts that come with the upcoming steel cages will NOT fit into the ESR base.
Interesting side note: The ESR and ASR may be the same size, but they are not 22.5" x 22.5". They are closer to 22.5" x 22.70".
