marklud
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 5, 2009 21:10:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,739
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Post by marklud on Jul 3, 2018 19:19:58 GMT -5
Hey guys. So for my 1,001st post (almost timed it right!) I wanted to bring up something that I've mentioned recently in other threads that's been on my mind with SDCC around the corner.
Like a lot of us, my interest in the WWE Mattel line has waned in recent months/years ... we're almost a decade in and they've hit most of the big names by now. For me, we're at a time in the line where Mattel really needs to step it up with some more interesting/obscure/first-time names from the past to keep the die-hards interested. I know I've spent far more money on other lines recently because of this and would rather not. (And unless the line went to a more higher-end niche type of company like a Storm, I don't want it to go elsewhere.)
Mattel's biggest problem in this area compared to Jakks is the variety with the legends/classics because Mattel does not sign contracts with performers individually, they only make figures of wrestlers signed to a WWE legends contract. So my question: Is there anything we can do to change this or make this more pressing to Bill? And I can't stress enough that I mean this RESPECTFULLY, of course. I don't think bombarding him with letters and tweets and whatnot is the way to go. But I do think with this line being around as long as it has that it needs a bit of a jolt or kickstart in this area and I'm not sure if there's anything we can do about it. I want to give them my money, but I find less and less reasons to do so lately.
Thoughts?
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Post by ~*Young $ Money*~ on Jul 3, 2018 19:35:02 GMT -5
I honestly don’t know what can be done. I’m in the same boat as you. I haven’t bought many figures at all because I am tired of endless repaints and rereleases. I do think the WWE has some names that we don’t know about but the problem is how long the contract is for. It was known for a while Greg hammer had a deal but we never saw the figure. Some guys that we have gotten have had multiple gimmicks and nothing was done with them. Who wouldn’t want either a fighter Kama or Nation Kama to finish the nation? I know not all guys will sell but the choices Mattel makes is questionable sometimes.
We got 2 Earthquakes. One was enough. We got one Surfer sting, everyone is clamoring for more. Same with Razor Ramon. We got Hall a few times, I believe 3. Give us one more razor. The WCW 4 pack could have been the red gear of Nash and hall. Black and white could have been Ringside exclusives. So I don’t really know if Mattel needs to sign more people or just better release their guys they can make.
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randyrock
Main Eventer
Joined on: Nov 13, 2010 20:51:57 GMT -5
Posts: 1,241
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Post by randyrock on Jul 3, 2018 19:35:18 GMT -5
I used forum.wrestlingfigs.com as a mountain top and shouted to the lords of the figure world that we needed a Ken Shamrock...and they made one...because of me!
No, not really. But my post count from 250-400 was just about all Ken Shamrock related. I’d like to think Bill read one or two of those. It was just time for Mattel to bring us a Shamrock. Victory for me.
Just get on board with those of us who want Hercules and Valentine and next year, start a trend for some other figures. I’ll get your back. Let’s get the Portuguese Man of War trend going!
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Post by gentlemanjohnny on Jul 3, 2018 20:01:12 GMT -5
I've been begging for Dino Bravo and Greg the Hammer forever. My interest is at an all-time low for the main line elites. I'm into the retro line big time though, even though they are determined to kill the line with poor distribution and current wrestlers. I'll be stunned if they actually show some good elite legends at sdcc. Greg the Hammer, Dino Bravo, Hercules, Haku.... So many more I wish they'd make.
They'll probably show the same vanilla wrestlers that have also killed my interest in watching the current product.
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Post by Sexton Hardcastle on Jul 3, 2018 20:02:36 GMT -5
Good thread. I don’t know what we can do but I know I’ll buy two of each.
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Post by jayrod2009 on Jul 3, 2018 20:13:32 GMT -5
The world may never know. Bill has been driven away from the forum, at this point we can only hold out for Q&A’s and hope the question is answered.
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Post by Crossfit Jesus on Jul 3, 2018 20:26:13 GMT -5
Buy tito
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Jul 3, 2018 20:46:37 GMT -5
We as a community need to support lines and series where Mattel attempts to give us lesser popular or flashy names. Buy up the BAFs and build Fink and Dillon. Don’t wait for clearance prices. Pick up Alundra Blayze when she comes out. Harley Race too. And if they start to warm after restocks then maybe grab up some clearance exclusives and hook up our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe. Making these exclusive lines a success will be the key to get Mattel to take more chances on making figures of people that they think may not be a big seller.
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Post by Phenomenal Demon Architect on Jul 3, 2018 20:54:22 GMT -5
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Post by Mongo Bears on Jul 3, 2018 21:01:50 GMT -5
Im not really a customer anymore but I didn’t choose to stop.
It doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s been a couple years now I’ve been buying less and less.
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Post by Nivro™ on Jul 3, 2018 21:11:47 GMT -5
Well one of the big things we can do is somehow get that lawsuit ended.
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Post by jayrod2009 on Jul 3, 2018 21:23:21 GMT -5
We as a community need to support lines and series where Mattel attempts to give us lesser popular or flashy names. Buy up the BAFs and build Fink and Dillon. Don’t wait for clearance prices. Pick up Alundra Blayze when she comes out. Harley Race too. And if they start to warm after restocks then maybe grab up some clearance exclusives and hook up our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe. Making these exclusive lines a success will be the key to get Mattel to take more chances on making figures of people that they think may not be a big seller. We have tried this before, there are too many “cheap” collectors that want a bargan instead of showing a push for figures. Drive up the sales of waves, get more figures. Aid in sale shopping/clearance clean out and be prepared for repacke/repainte of the same 10 figures. |
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 29, 2024 12:46:45 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2018 21:33:05 GMT -5
Short answer - No.
WWE is the problem here not Bill, they are the ones that have final say on what figures get made. Mattel has been releasing figures of niche characters which indicates to me that they are willing to push things and release stuff that is more on the fringes that probably won't sell very well. Bill has mentioned in the past on the forum and in Q & A's that he submits a list of guys he wants to make figures of, not sure how often he does this though?! WWE/McMahon is the reason IMO why we are not seeing figures of some of the older legends like Greg Valentine, Bob Backlund, Billy Graham, Haku or Hercules. For whatever reason, they most likely have not given Bill/Mattel the go ahead to make figures of these and other legends which is why we have not seen any of them released. Aside from the concussion lawsuit, I think other factors at play here are the wrestlers relationship with McMahon and whether the legend in question is willing to sign a legends deal- some of them (Scott Steiner) don't want to sign one for whatever reason.
I am hopeful that we will eventually see figures some of the guys I mentioned above but they are going to take forever to get released. So much for retailers wanting to carry more flashback figs- Walmart's Flashback line has been a bust so far IMO- 1 wave has been released thus far (in the USA, no sign of it here in Canada) which was not widely available and now the second wave has been delayed for whatever reason. I hope whatever problems there are get worked out because I think this line is our best bet to get new legends released as this is most likely where Bill is going to place them.
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dlbb
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jan 8, 2015 10:23:42 GMT -5
Posts: 251 
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Post by dlbb on Jul 3, 2018 21:41:13 GMT -5
Mattel has made collecting too difficult. Poor, random character selections and too many multiples. A non-existent timeline and checklist system doesn't help.
Even going back to LJN and Hasbro, there was a method to the madness.
Talking 'first-time legends', the retro line is perfect for that. I hope they don't mess up it up.
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Post by ~*Young $ Money*~ on Jul 3, 2018 21:52:32 GMT -5
We as a community need to support lines and series where Mattel attempts to give us lesser popular or flashy names. Buy up the BAFs and build Fink and Dillon. Don’t wait for clearance prices. Pick up Alundra Blayze when she comes out. Harley Race too. And if they start to warm after restocks then maybe grab up some clearance exclusives and hook up our brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe. Making these exclusive lines a success will be the key to get Mattel to take more chances on making figures of people that they think may not be a big seller. We have tried this before, there are too many “cheap” collectors that want a bargan instead of showing a push for figures. Drive up the sales of waves, get more figures. Aid in sale shopping/clearance clean out and be prepared for repacke/repainte of the same 10 figures. I would agree with you but I’ve become the “cheap” collector/not even buying anymore. I paid 20$ plus for irs, Umaga, rick rude and now they are at 5 below. I just got tired of spending the extra money. Same thing with the 4 packs from target and HOF. I paid full price for all of them. Only for them to be half price. |
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Post by Chewdeezy on Jul 3, 2018 21:56:21 GMT -5
I haven't paid full price for any Legends or Flashback figures for a while now, they always go on sale eventually.
I've semi stopped collecting and aren't buying any figures until they go on sale.
Plus Mattel doing straight re-releases hurts the secondary market so why collect when it will get re-released?
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Post by 666erickana on Jul 3, 2018 22:09:40 GMT -5
I knew when jakks lost the contract, it was the end of old school wrestlers. Every months jakks gave us at least 3 differents legends, with mattel its 3 each year, so sad !
mattel is a bigger company, but they care only for kids who wants cena and reigns. The first slap in the face wad the gobbledy gooker, they made him, never released it, and gave us the reason behind this mess was : mattel dont want to spend money on parts that can only be used one time, no logic because their crapty no logic monsters line is full of one shot only body part. I know that mattel cant sign legends by themselves, but why the wwe dont want to promote old school wrestlers from their network ?
I know the lawsuit is a problem, but there is so many wrestlers that you can do.
the heartbreak hotel line, the wendi richter and gooker figs showed, even maybe harley race, we are lost in limbo. Dont push your hopes too up for the convention, even if they showed cool stuffs maybe they will never release it. Remember with jakks, each month having a clue to announe
Legends. Wehad fun with this, because the sky was the limit.
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Post by The Madness on Jul 3, 2018 22:39:07 GMT -5
My buying is definitely slowing down with less first-time legends being released. At this point, I'd even settle for some really good versions of previous releases that have yet to be made (Kona and heel Crush, Dustin Rhodes, wrestling gear Virgil, DiBiase elite with molded suit, Stunning Steve Austin, '80s Vince, Dude Love, WCW Cactus Jack, more Surfer Stings, etc.)
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Post by marino13 on Jul 3, 2018 23:11:28 GMT -5
Does anyone have an exact number of Classics compared to Legends?
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powerfred3k
Main Eventer
Joined on: Aug 12, 2012 22:12:11 GMT -5
Posts: 3,757
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Post by powerfred3k on Jul 4, 2018 0:13:49 GMT -5
I used forum.wrestlingfigs.com as a mountain top and shouted to the lords of the figure world that we needed a Ken Shamrock...and they made one...because of me! No, not really. But my post count from 250-400 was just about all Ken Shamrock related. I’d like to think Bill read one or two of those. It was just time for Mattel to bring us a Shamrock. Victory for me. Just get on board with those of us who want Hercules and Valentine and next year, start a trend for some other figures. I’ll get your back. Let’s get the Portuguese Man of War trend going! I would love Hercules, Valentine, Sherri, and others. Mattel just thinks we need scotty 2 hotty and red rooster instead. Also where in the blue hell is Dude Freaking Love ? |
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