buddyboy101
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Joined on: Dec 26, 2004 12:34:57 GMT -5
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Post by buddyboy101 on Dec 9, 2018 0:11:05 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I've noticed Mattel has pumped out quite a few grey Takers (92 era), but so far they have only released one purple-era Taker from 94-96 (Elite 23, and then later re-released a couple years ago). So it's been nearly 5 years since this iconic look has been touched by Mattel! I imagine the reason why it has not be revisited is b/c the E23 release was pretty damn near perfect. However, I would suggest the following warrant an updated release: 1.) Undertaker's Facial LikenessMattel pretty much nailed Taker's attire in E23, but the face scan was pretty weak/generic. Undertaker wore a lot of make-up at the time - his face was pasty white and he had some significant purple eye shadow below his eyes and into his forehead. The E23 figure did not feature these trademark touches. Larger issue, though, is the scan did not really capture his likeness. I would love to see what improvements could be made with the new TrueFX technology! The new editions of the New Age Outlaws in HOC Series 3 are a perfect example of the improvements that can be made. Here's a comparison of the Taker that we remember, and the version Mattel produced: 2.) Undertaker's ShirtAs seen in the pic above, Undertaker typically wore a black collared short-sleeved shirt with ripped sleeves. Mattel opted for the sleeveless version of this attire, which was not worn as frequent. I think the plastic shirt is preferred over fabric to make the fit tight, but I would like to see the torn sleeves incorporated. 3.) Undertaker's Boot SpatsThere are four main issues with the boots spats that Mattel included. First they are massive and appear to be a thick layer of additional pants/boots, rather than a flush fabric wrapped around the boot: Second, the spats sit too high up on Undertaker's shins, revealing too much of the underlying boot: The spats should extend further down and cover up more of the front of the boot/shins: Third, the color is far too bright - it should be a darker/muted purple. And fourth, the buttons were lazily blobbed on in silver paint: They should be small plastic black studs. Yes this seems a bit nit-picky...which I think would qualify this version of the Undertaker for Ultimate treatment from Mattel! Welp, those would be my main reasons for revisiting this version of the Dead Man. The face, to me, is the largest issue. The shirt is debatable. And the boot spats have always irked me (mainly due to the size/fit and their short length on the front part of the boot)...at least Mattel didn't paint them white (or maybe not paint them at all?), unlike Jakks! I could see Taker 94-96 being an excellent candidate for Ultimate treatment down the line. Hopefully one day!
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Deleted
Joined on: Sept 20, 2024 7:27:17 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 0:16:36 GMT -5
SUPER nit-picky. The reason the spats dont go so low is for the foot articulation. the purple on the figure in hand is a bit darker than the pics too. If you look on the pic you used to show his boots, he doesn't have the ripped sleeves. Just sleeveless. They have done enough Undertaker to last a while in that look. Maybe worth an ultimate like you said but I'd rather see tons of other figures made first
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Post by GreyHaze:Big Bad Booty Daddy on Dec 9, 2018 0:32:00 GMT -5
I'm 50/50 on this one. They have the ripped sleeved mold with the grey gloved undertaker. My main issue with the purple Undertaker was the scan. Mattel continues to REUSE old scans and try to pass it off as younger versions. It's the WrestleMania 29?28? They retooled the scan, used it for the American Badass and then this one. I think the torso is also on the slim side too, Undertaker was not in the best of shape during those days imo. I could see where your frustrations come from and would gladly accept a new one if they decide to correct it. This time however with a fabric jacket. I feel the same way about Sting... We haven't had a proper '98 release. Every elite Sting we've gotten has been inconsistent as far as parts go. The torso on the Wolfpac do not match the super thick legs mattel gave him, it's rather thin and looks disproportional. The mold they used for the boots are also inaccurate in terms of height (too short) and missing a buckle in the lower part. Actually, I want another Wolfpac release... This time with the HOF Eddie upper torso and a thicker lower portion fix the waist, proper scorpion placement and with the lines on his lips.
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Post by mcfclee on Dec 9, 2018 0:35:05 GMT -5
Nah I’m good with the one they did
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ellisd
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Joined on: May 26, 2009 0:30:49 GMT -5
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Post by ellisd on Dec 9, 2018 0:40:50 GMT -5
I may be wrong, but I was thinking that he wore the ripped sleeves with purple right after returning at SummerSlam 94. Then the sleeveless shirt is from 1996, maybe late 1995.
I voted no on this on, as I think if we need another Undertaker from when he was wearing the tie, I think it should be from around 1993. It would be another gray glove Undertaker, but would have a new scan/sculpt with longer hair than his WrestleMania Heritage/Entrance Greats head, and would give another release with the gray tie since WrestleMania Heritage didn’t include it.
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walkingturtles
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Joined on: Apr 22, 2018 19:54:00 GMT -5
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Post by walkingturtles on Dec 9, 2018 0:43:13 GMT -5
I think we are a due for a good 1998 KoTR-Summerslam Highway to Hell Taker if you ask me.
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buddyboy101
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Joined on: Dec 26, 2004 12:34:57 GMT -5
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Post by buddyboy101 on Dec 9, 2018 0:54:49 GMT -5
I may be wrong, but I was thinking that he wore the ripped sleeves with purple right after returning at SummerSlam 94. Then the sleeveless shirt is from 1996, maybe late 1995. I voted no on this on, as I think if we need another Undertaker from when he was wearing the tie, I think it should be from around 1993. It would be another gray glove Undertaker, but would have a new scan/sculpt with longer hair than his WrestleMania Heritage/Entrance Greats head, and would give another release with the gray tie since WrestleMania Heritage didn’t include it. Yeah that was odd that the tie was not included with the WM Heritage release. Two different headscans in the WM Heritage and EG releases though. The EG one is mind blowing. I think the WMH one was used for the recent Fan Central Battle Pack with Sting, but tough to say without having them side by side. Regarding the 93 look, I think that's what Mattel was going for with the TNF release. It's not WM 13 b/c no goatee.
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Rattlehead
Main Eventer
WF 10 Year Member
Destruction can be beautiful!
Joined on: Apr 30, 2013 21:30:51 GMT -5
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Post by Rattlehead on Dec 9, 2018 0:58:42 GMT -5
I'd rather see Taker from WM 14 in the ultimate line. The entrance gear would look sick. Didn't they correct the shade of purple in the rerelease? (Forgot the name of the series)
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buddyboy101
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Joined on: Dec 26, 2004 12:34:57 GMT -5
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Post by buddyboy101 on Dec 9, 2018 1:03:46 GMT -5
I'm 50/50 on this one. They have the ripped sleeved mold with the grey gloved undertaker. My main issue with the purple Undertaker was the scan. Mattel continues to REUSE old scans and try to pass it off as younger versions. It's the WrestleMania 29?28? They retooled the scan, used it for the American Badass and then this one. I think the torso is also on the slim side too, Undertaker was not in the best of shape during those days imo. I could see where your frustrations come from and would gladly accept a new one if they decide to correct it. This time however with a fabric jacket. I feel the same way about Sting... We haven't had a proper '98 release. Every elite Sting we've gotten has been inconsistent as far as parts go. The torso on the Wolfpac do not match the super thick legs mattel gave him, it's rather thin and looks disproportional. The mold they used for the boots are also inaccurate in terms of height (too short) and missing a buckle in the lower part. Actually, I want another Wolfpac release... This time with the HOF Eddie upper torso and a thicker lower portion fix the waist, proper scorpion placement and with the lines on his lips. Aw dude, you make so many good points. I just googled the WM28/29 Taker, and I cannot believe what I'm seeing. You are totally right. I never noticed it before. This reminds me how 2K keeps using current scans of the Undertaker for his 98 model...which makes him look suuuuuper old. Really lazy...esp for one of the most important characters in the game and wrestling in general! Good call on the fabric/leather jacket. Forgot to mention that in my original post. I'm not a huge fan of cloth goods, but it would help with taking him in/out of the jacket. The rubber one becomes very stiff, but a blowdryer helps! I'm not much of a Sting expert, but I believe this figure was trying to capture the 98 look. I would love to see Sting's 96/97 look. To me that should have been used in the Fan Central BP w/ Taker. And Taker should have been from 97 - all black. The obvious choice for a Sting/Taker face-off is from 97 - when they were both on the "dark" side. Neon stinger vs grey Taker simply makes no sense. Would you estimate the Defining Moments Sting was based on his late-97 appearance?
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marklud
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 5, 2009 21:10:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,761
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Post by marklud on Dec 9, 2018 1:26:27 GMT -5
Nah, I'm good with the Elite purple Taker we got already.
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Post by MKSavage on Dec 9, 2018 5:15:37 GMT -5
I'm 50/50 on this one. They have the ripped sleeved mold with the grey gloved undertaker. My main issue with the purple Undertaker was the scan. Mattel continues to REUSE old scans and try to pass it off as younger versions. It's the WrestleMania 29?28? They retooled the scan, used it for the American Badass and then this one. I think the torso is also on the slim side too, Undertaker was not in the best of shape during those days imo. I could see where your frustrations come from and would gladly accept a new one if they decide to correct it. This time however with a fabric jacket. I feel the same way about Sting... We haven't had a proper '98 release. Every elite Sting we've gotten has been inconsistent as far as parts go. The torso on the Wolfpac do not match the super thick legs mattel gave him, it's rather thin and looks disproportional. The mold they used for the boots are also inaccurate in terms of height (too short) and missing a buckle in the lower part. Actually, I want another Wolfpac release... This time with the HOF Eddie upper torso and a thicker lower portion fix the waist, proper scorpion placement and with the lines on his lips. Aw dude, you make so many good points. I just googled the WM28/29 Taker, and I cannot believe what I'm seeing. You are totally right. I never noticed it before. This reminds me how 2K keeps using current scans of the Undertaker for his 98 model...which makes him look suuuuuper old. Really lazy...esp for one of the most important characters in the game and wrestling in general! Good call on the fabric/leather jacket. Forgot to mention that in my original post. I'm not a huge fan of cloth goods, but it would help with taking him in/out of the jacket. The rubber one becomes very stiff, but a blowdryer helps! I'm not much of a Sting expert, but I believe this figure was trying to capture the 98 look. I would love to see Sting's 96/97 look. To me that should have been used in the Fan Central BP w/ Taker. And Taker should have been from 97 - all black. The obvious choice for a Sting/Taker face-off is from 97 - when they were both on the "dark" side. Neon stinger vs grey Taker simply makes no sense. Would you estimate the Defining Moments Sting was based on his late-97 appearance? I do believe the Defining Moments Crow Sting was base off his Starrcade 1997 look like you referenced. If they do another Crow Sting, I would really like the picture you linked (picture below), he didn't wear it much but it was used for promotional pieces and one of their game covers (I believe WCW vs. NWO vs. the World).
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buddyboy101
Superstar
Joined on: Dec 26, 2004 12:34:57 GMT -5
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Post by buddyboy101 on Dec 9, 2018 9:43:02 GMT -5
If they do another Crow Sting, I would really like the picture you linked (picture below), he didn't wear it much but it was used for promotional pieces and one of their game covers (I believe WCW vs. NWO vs. the World). Good call! I think it was from the WCW Nitro game on PSX
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Post by One Punch Reigns on Dec 9, 2018 14:37:58 GMT -5
I'm happy with the one we got, or rather the later E44b version. The purple is more accurate and for me it covers the 1994-1996 base very well.
If we were to get an Ultimate Edition Undertaker, make it WM 14/KotR 98. I'd gladly pay the premium for that one.
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Dec 9, 2018 15:19:09 GMT -5
There’s been 2 elites and I believe a basic. I doubt they will make another. I wouldn’t mind a hair covering face version though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 15:33:36 GMT -5
Maybe. Elite WM Heritage body, Basic Summerslam arms and new headsculpt?
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Post by MKSavage on Dec 9, 2018 15:58:38 GMT -5
If they do another Crow Sting, I would really like the picture you linked (picture below), he didn't wear it much but it was used for promotional pieces and one of their game covers (I believe WCW vs. NWO vs. the World). Good call! I think it was from the WCW Nitro game on PSX Forgot about that one. Here is the one I was talking about:
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Post by Glorydaysofwrestling on Dec 10, 2018 10:29:16 GMT -5
I’d really like an Undertaker with his hair in his face with his gray attire, but I’d buy another Purple Taker if they did a new head sculpt.
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scotthitman1
Superstar
Joined on: May 26, 2016 20:59:07 GMT -5
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Post by scotthitman1 on Dec 26, 2018 1:08:44 GMT -5
A new head sculpt with the hair over his face would be awesome!
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DeeBoy21
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Mar 16, 2009 21:36:53 GMT -5
Posts: 480
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Post by DeeBoy21 on Dec 27, 2018 16:29:01 GMT -5
A new head sculpt that actually looks like him from the early 90's to up until the newest DM would be great. They got that Ministry and the HOC figures down, I don't personally think any of the head scans are good.
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Post by Hulkster2001 on Jan 22, 2019 12:08:08 GMT -5
I’m still waiting for WM 14 Taker
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