Flair Forever's 2016 Pickups.... Then, Now, Forever.... More

I have returned!

I didn't really go anywhere, but I've been more of a "lurker" on the boards in 2016..... there are a couple of reasons for that...

1. My interest in the current line just hasn't been what it used to be.... I don't know, they seem to cost more.... I feel like I'd rather spend my hard-earned money on only the stuff that really interests me..... I just haven't been buying as many figures as I used to. I'm also running short on space!

2. I've really been losing interest in the WWE product - boy, does it stink. Just not compelling anymore.... very blah.

3. My local stores just haven't stocked anything. ANYTHING. Empty shelves abound in my area.... so I guess I'll keep my money, Mattel.

4. I've been having a BLAST hitting the independent circuit lately! With my camera in tow - I've managed to take in an indy show almost every weekend this year! And I've loved every second of it.... I've been calling myself an "independent photographer", and I've actually been receiving some invitations (and some comp tickets) to come to the shows with my camera..... and I don't remember the last time I had this much fun!

While I've been "on the road" each weekend, I haven't necessarily been quite so worried about whether Walmart bothered to restock their figure shelves..... etc.

In our travels - we've been hanging with Hardcore Holly......



We've bothered Billy Gunn.....



We've chatted with James J. Dillon....



And we've bugged the hell out of a guy named EC3.... to the point where I think he recognizes us now. He wrote "To My Fave Family" on our most recent autograph!



We also made a brief appearance on Pop TV! We had awesome front row seats to the TNA shows a couple weeks ago.... you may have seen us in the front row, I had the "Why, Matt, Why?" sign!



For my full report on the TNA Impact tapings, with my original photos - here's the link to my thread (in 12 hours, this figure thread has gotten more views than my TNA thread got in almost two months):

forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/330750/experience-impact-tapings-bethlehem-spoiler

From southern Delaware, to Lancaster, to Harrisburg, to Bethlehem, to Maryland.... we've been making the indy rounds! And I've been perfectly happy spending my time/money on that...... and getting some amazing photos, too.... such as this one!



However, I've still picked up a few figures along the way..... I thought it was time to share some pics with my old friends at wrestlingfigs! Let's get to it!

Sting & Warrior - Now, Then, Forever

I love this pack! I am a collector of Sting figures, and I am really excited to add this one to my collection! I did a little fix-up of my own, I put the trench coat from the DM on this guy & I'm really happy with the way it looks.....







Oh yeah, here's the accessory that came with my new favorite Sting figure..... I like this Warrior, though. And I really like the white-strapped winged eagle!





E38 Macho Man Randy Savage

Now, I'm not trying to take any undue credit.... but if you go back & check the wrestlingfigs thread on this - the Mattel Design Team asked for our input on the attire for a WCW Macho Man.... and I was the first one to suggest this attire. So I can't help but be just a little proud that my suggestion probably had a direct impact on the final production of this figure! And I really like the way it came out!

Here's the link to MDT's original thread regarding this figure.... I think it's pretty clear who influenced this decision

forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/311575/pre-nwo-wcw-macho-attires







Hall of Fame Macho Man Randy Savage

The Hall of Fame line is probably my new favorite line at the moment... my only complaint is that we don't get more of them. I'm keeping Jimmy Hart in the package - he's coming to one of my local indy feds soon & I want to get it signed! I still haven't found The Million Dollar Man.... my Target hasn't restocked anything in quite a while.







Brian Pillman & Dean Ambrose - Now, Then, Forever

I could care less about the Dean Ambrose - but this Pillman (in Horsemen attire) is absolutely MUST-HAVE! The torso is a little strange on this guy, but I'll survive..... I'm okay with the "crazy" headscan.... he actually looked like this most of the time.









Oh yea, here's the accessory that came with Pillman.... it's actually not too bad....



WrestleMania 32 - Undertaker

I really like this figure. In fact, I'm not quite sure why - but I think it's one of my new favorites.... I think it's really well sculpted, as many 'Taker figures are..... but this one stands out to me. I just like it.





Defining Moments "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Got this at Target.... they didn't have it in their system.... I told them the right price TWICE..... the ding-dongs still charged me less. So I guess I can sleep at night knowing that I tried to do the right thing here..... I really like the figure, Austin's ankle is a little off, but those belts are amazing..... my first "Smoking Skull!"





Basic Charlotte

Hey, you know I'll buy any Ric Flair product they put out.... and I guess that extends to Ric's immediate family. This figure's okay - it'll make a nice accent to my Ric Flair collection!





E39 British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith

I waited on this.... just found it at a Walmart yesterday on "clearance" - $15 bucks..... after I opened it, I realized what a fine piece of art this thing really is.... this is one of Mattel's best efforts to-date! I'm sorry I waited on this..... or maybe I'm not, because I got it a little cheaper..... GREAT figure, though!





E39 Sycho Sid

I grabbed this one early, because I've waited a while for a good Sid Vicious figure.... and I can't bring myself to open it (as much as I want to). I feel like the minute I open it, I'll find out he's appearing somewhere around here and I'll want to get it signed.... might have to go see if Walmart has another one for me on that $15 dollar clearance shelf.....



E39 Sting

I initially thought I'd be okay with the molded plastic coat, but after putting the fabric one on the Basic, I really hate this molded jacket. It's nearly impossible to pose him at all... I guess it looks okay when just standing there with his arms down, but you can't even make him raise his bat. I actually think in this case - I prefer the Basic (Now, Then, Forever) with the black shirt! Every now & then, the Basic turns out to be a little better.....





And that's it! Now I'm just waiting on my Big Boss Man figure from TRU.com..... I got a positive confirmation on that yesterday, so hopefully that means I'm actually getting one.....

Thanks for looking, now.... back out to the indy shows for me!

-Flair Forever