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Post by Mr. Show on Apr 2, 2014 10:11:31 GMT -5
www.infinitehollywood.com/jakks-pacific-to-make-japanese-wrestling-figures/"Wow, it’s sort of turned into “wrasslin” week here at Infinite Hollywood. That wasn’t intentional, but I’ll roll with it. Big news out of Jakks Pacific, the former holder of the WWE license and current holder of the UFC and TNA license. Check it out: Jakks Pacific’s Marketing Director of Boys Entertainment Michael Wilde has confirmed that the company has signed a deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The deal will allow Jakks to use the NJPW name, logo, and championships in their forthcoming Legends of Wrestling action figure set. The deal opens the door for the company to do New Japan wrestling action figures, but the company would have to sign the wrestlers on an individual basis. The first figure in the legends line under the New Japan deal will be the NJPW era Hulk Hogan action figure. Jakks also has deals with TNA and the NWA. I had wondered about the NWA line as I wasn’t certain that Jakks would be able to be serious about it. By branding the TNA and NWA line together I thought they were onto something. Now though, announcing that they’ve also picked up the NJPW license? Clearly Jakks is taking the wrestling business seriously. That NJPW Hogan is an awesome figure and definitely one I’ll be picking up. This news has completely flown under the radar of all the big toy websites, but it’s super exciting news to me. Of course I question how many NJPW stars could be marketed to US audiences, but there have been a few big crossover stars. What has me super excited though is the potential to see other New Japan stuff, like the IWGP title. They specifically mention logos and titles in the press release, which means they likely have the intention of making them. Although the Great Muta doesn’t work for NJPW anymore, I have to think that Jakks will pursue him. They could easily make many of his NJPW versions. Plus with guys like Jushin Liger, Masahiro Chono and Antonio Inoki, the sky is the limit. I wonder if this is a strictly American agreement? Jakks could easily sell these figures in Japan as well. The Japanese wrestling market is still a big place and if they sold direct to them that could mean that many of those Japanese wrestling stars could trickle into the states as well. Hopefully Jakks makes plenty of NJPW, NWA and TNA guys for fans to enjoy." Did this ever happen? And if it didn't, were there ever any prototypes?
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Post by the franchise on Apr 2, 2014 10:54:18 GMT -5
Just this.  |
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Post by Mr. #1derful 🇵🇸 on Apr 2, 2014 14:05:49 GMT -5
If I remember correctly, a Jakks rep. in a Q&A said something to the effect of It wasn't worth the hassle trying to secure contracts.
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Post by CMPUNKISGOOD on Apr 2, 2014 15:19:47 GMT -5
Jushin Liger, Young Bucks, and Prince Devitt is all I want
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Post by Next Manufactured’s Sweater on Apr 2, 2014 16:03:47 GMT -5
Jushin Liger, Young Bucks, and Prince Devitt is all I want They're pretty much four of the most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures guys in the world, too. Devitt at least might end up with a Mattel figure one day. |
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 2, 2014 16:51:37 GMT -5
Jushin Liger, Young Bucks, and Prince Devitt is all I want They're pretty much four of the most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures guys in the world, too. Devitt at least might end up with a Mattel figure one day. 'the hell? Explain how Jushin f*<king Liger isn't the only reason they made this deal. Who else has made more American appearances over the last 20 years than Liger? I mean have you ever seen Liger? His costume makes him look like a freaking Avenger. That's seriously the most misinformed statement I've seen in a very long time lurking around here. Kids, kids who aren't even wrestling fans would pickup a Liger figure while browsing through the toy section! most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures  |
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Post by Next Manufactured’s Sweater on Apr 2, 2014 17:23:57 GMT -5
They're pretty much four of the most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures guys in the world, too. Devitt at least might end up with a Mattel figure one day. 'the hell? Explain how Jushin f*<king Liger isn't the only reason they made this deal. Who else has made more American appearances over the last 20 years than Liger? I mean have you ever seen Liger? His costume makes him look like a freaking Avenger. That's seriously the most misinformed statement I've seen in a very long time lurking around here. Kids, kids who aren't even wrestling fans would pickup a Liger figure while browsing through the toy section! most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures Which body would they give him? The Rob Terry, the Rob Terry or the Rob Terry? None of those four guys are even remotely suitable for the Rob Terry bodies that Jakks use, and Jakks wouldn't make new molds for them. If you're desperate for a Jushin Liger head on a Rob Terry body, then by all means, petition Jakks to make one. Clearly, you missed my point by a mile -- but the point you mistakenly thought I was making is also true, now that you bring it up. Nobody in the US has a clue who Jushin Liger is, unless they happened to be religiously watching WCW in 1992 or TNA PPVs recently. Jakks couldn't sell a toy line with Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy and Sting. If you really think that Jushin Liger would've been the guy to turn those fortunes around, then I really don't know how to help you. |
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 2, 2014 17:44:19 GMT -5
'the hell? Explain how Jushin f*<king Liger isn't the only reason they made this deal. Who else has made more American appearances over the last 20 years than Liger? I mean have you ever seen Liger? His costume makes him look like a freaking Avenger. That's seriously the most misinformed statement I've seen in a very long time lurking around here. Kids, kids who aren't even wrestling fans would pickup a Liger figure while browsing through the toy section! most unsuitable-for-Jakks-figures Which body would they give him? The Rob Terry, the Rob Terry or the Rob Terry? None of those four guys are even remotely suitable for the Rob Terry bodies that Jakks use, and Jakks wouldn't make new molds for them. If you're desperate for a Jushin Liger head on a Rob Terry body, then by all means, petition Jakks to make one. Clearly, you missed my point by a mile -- but the point you mistakenly thought I was making is also true, now that you bring it up. Nobody in the US has a clue who Jushin Liger is, unless they happened to be religiously watching WCW in 1992 or TNA PPVs recently. Jakks couldn't sell a toy line with Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy and Sting. If you really think that Jushin Liger would've been the guy to turn those fortunes around, then I really don't know how to help you. Shirted torso and kickpads? Throw the Liger head on there and all done? If they're keeping the RA bodies (which their Legends line has done) I could see a problem, what with the lack of shirted torso releases. And I'll be damned if I can't remember, but maybe someone here knows - Did Jakks ever make kick-pads in the RA style? Also, it's a freaking Legends line. They released an Akeem. Did you know that? Akeem, The African Dream got a figure. Sure, Jakks got a twofer by signing him, but still, they released an Akeem. In 2008. I'm pretty-pretty-prettay confident in my assumption that whoever thought releasing a "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant was a good idea wouldn't mind signing off on a Jushin Thunder Liger. By the way, this is awesome news, and why it isn't on the front page baffles me. I know there's not a lot of sticky-ed posts on the boards, but this should be one... The news part of it anyways. EDIT Bation Booger! The (my love for you is like a rock!) Berzerker! Ron Bass! |
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Post by Next Manufactured’s Sweater on Apr 2, 2014 17:54:51 GMT -5
Shirted torso and kickpads? Throw the Liger head on there and all done? If they're keeping the RA bodies (which their Legends line has done) I could see a problem, what with the lack of shirted torso releases. And I'll be damned if I can't remember, but maybe someone here knows - Did Jakks ever make kick-pads in the RA style? I don't know if Jakks ever made kickpads for the Andy Kaufman/Colin Delaney body. But Liger's head on the "Hulk Hogan with a t-shirt on" body would look pretty funny, I've gotta hand it to you for that suggestion. Evidently, the decision-makers at Jakks did mind signing off on a Jushin Liger. If the line had flourished rather than dying even with recognisable names in it, maybe they would've gotten to him eventually. Series 12 or so. But even if they did, it wouldn't have prevented him from being one of the most unsuitable wrestlers for a Jakks figure in the world. Unless he's being played by someone with Rob Terry's body these days. |
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 2, 2014 18:10:33 GMT -5
Jakks Legends line use the RA bodies.... Here's an old WIP pic of a Liger I did years ago.  Note the shirted torso. Anyways, I just noticed that this wasn't new news lol... Still, the whole "Rob Terry body/Hulk shirted torso" was an ill informed statement on your part. Jakks used the RA body line for their Legends series, there was a normal sized shirted torso, and Liger would've been just as recognizable as 40% of the other Classic Superstars Jakks put out. |
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Post by Mr. #1derful 🇵🇸 on Apr 2, 2014 18:21:13 GMT -5
Near the end of their WWE run, Jakks made two new bodies for Rey Mysterio - the latter being thick as hell. Its upper body always reminded me of Liger.  |
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Post by 3Lephant (Naptown Icon) on Apr 3, 2014 12:52:47 GMT -5
Took me a second to realize this was an old news story. Wish there was still something to this deal but it seems Jakks will be done after the license runs out in 2015.  |
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Post by Darkhawk on Apr 3, 2014 14:04:04 GMT -5
No point in trying to revive what's already dead.
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Post by 3Lephant (Naptown Icon) on Apr 3, 2014 14:30:30 GMT -5
No point in trying to revive what's already dead. Old always becomes new again. People love the idea of reviving dead things. That's the appeal of zombies, right? |
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Post by Wicked on Apr 3, 2014 15:07:51 GMT -5
I would buy every figure I see.
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 3, 2014 15:20:57 GMT -5
No point in trying to revive what's already dead. Huh? What's dead? |
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Post by Darkhawk on Apr 3, 2014 15:39:43 GMT -5
No point in trying to revive what's already dead. Huh? What's dead? I'm talking about Jakks and they're awful distribution and company as a whole. |
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 3, 2014 15:52:53 GMT -5
I'm talking about Jakks and they're awful distribution and company as a whole. What are you talking about!!??!? lol.... Did you run a specialty shop and get stiffed by them on an order or something? I'm completely lost |
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Post by Darkhawk on Apr 3, 2014 16:30:56 GMT -5
I'm talking about Jakks and they're awful distribution and company as a whole. What are you talking about!!??!? lol.... Did you run a specialty shop and get stiffed by them on an order or something? I'm completely lost Where have you been all these years? Jakks can't even handle TNA and UFC as it is what makes them think they'll be able to handle NJPW? If anything Jakks is biting off more than one can chew metaphorically of course. Apparently you don't understand metaphors well. |
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Hitman Bono
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Post by Hitman Bono on Apr 3, 2014 16:46:01 GMT -5
What are you talking about!!??!? lol.... Did you run a specialty shop and get stiffed by them on an order or something? I'm completely lost Where have you been all these years? Jakks can't even handle TNA and UFC as it is what makes them think they'll be able to handle NJPW? If anything Jakks is biting off more than one can chew metaphorically of course. Apparently you don't understand metaphors well. You mean that they couldn't take advantage of a huge warehouse of left-over parts, get a couple of licenses on the cheap, then use said left-over pieces to create figures that cost them close to nothing to produce? Then when the parts started running out, they get out of the game and because they realize that making new parts for the figures was counter productive to their bottom line? I don't see the point in saying I don't understand metaphors. I wasn't trolling you man... |
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