loosecannon
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jun 2, 2020 12:18:06 GMT -5
Posts: 379
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Post by loosecannon on Apr 15, 2022 10:14:31 GMT -5
Now that Phase 2 of the WWE Legends series is almost 9 or 10 series in, I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts on the revival has been? Has it exceeded expectations? Has it been a miss? Has the run been better then the first phase in your eyes? And just for clarification, when I say Legends Phase 1, I am talking about the series that started off with the Road Warriors, Dusty, Slaughter etc... and ended with the Matty Collector figures (Andre, Brainbusters, Rockers etc..)
I loved Phase 1 and wish i had kept them all. We had some huge names in there that we've yet to see again. The packaging is the best packaging Mattel has put out to this day and the figures hold up nicely. Phase 2 as been ok but in my opinion it hasn't been steller. We did get some first time in the lines, which has been great, but we've also got repeats of the same guys (different characters) and some questionable legends. Now I understand Mattel has an Elite line and an Ultimate line which kind of takes away from the Legends line. There's been characters released into these lines that would of been perfect for the Legends line (Earthquake, Bossman, Yoko to name a few). Still no Bret, singles Shawn, Angle, Hogan, never got a Flair. I guess if you're a loose collector, it doesn't really matter but it would of been nice to have some of those guys in legends packaging.
And don't get me wrong, Phase 2 has had some great figures that I love (Vader, Guerrero, Bam Bam, Beefcake, Valentine, Dibiase, Piper). The last few series for me haven't been my favorites for sure.
Anyway, what are your thoughts?
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Post by coldblooded on Apr 15, 2022 10:51:17 GMT -5
Regardless of selection, its been a hit, ticking a few boxes here and there for different people. No current jabronis in the line, that in itself makes the line amazing.
Edit: Though I do question why HBK hasnt been featured in the line besides the 2 pack Rockers. Maybe target will do a legends DX Ultimate HBK to match Amazon Trips.
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Keck Collects
Main Eventer
WF 15+ Year Member
Joined on: May 30, 2005 14:10:16 GMT -5
Posts: 1,417
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Post by Keck Collects on Apr 15, 2022 11:41:48 GMT -5
The lineups have been worse from 12 to 16. While the DX army was a cool idea, it took a lot of spots. Cowboy Bob, Hurricane, Too many Jakes, and Mean Mark to name some were taking spots that could have been used better.
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Post by UltimateCollector78 on Apr 15, 2022 11:53:10 GMT -5
IMO it’s not a huge success, I saw the legends line revival as a way to give us many first time in the line legends. Instead it’s mostly repaints of characters we had many figures of already.
Other than Greg Valentine there were no first time in the line legends if I am not mistaken. Instead we got a Cena, Hurricane, 4 different Jake the snakes, …….
A part of me is glad they did it this way, as it saved me some $$$
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Post by stc13 on Apr 15, 2022 12:33:33 GMT -5
In some ways, it's apples to oranges for me. When the initial line came out, there was a world of possibilities. With the roster available to them right now, Mattel is basically working with one hand tied behind their back. Even now, they've burned through a good chunk of the legends roster available to them.
Overall, I've enjoy Legends 2.0. Some of the attire choices haven't been my favorite - Eddie in black gear instead of colorful tights, orange Luger over blue, yellow, or lime green, Acolytes, yet another purple Taker. But they've also filled in some great gaps - Valentine and Dream Team Beefcake, pretty much every era of Jake, Invasion DDP. And while the FTIL figures have been underwhelming, that's ultimately on WWE, not Mattel.
It hasn't had that same wow factor as the original line. But a decade in, I think that's to be expected. I can't say the line has been overly memorable - I had to go back and google the lineups - and it doesn't stick out to me the way the Flashback line, HOF, or HOC did. But I've also bought nearly every figure in the line, so I can't really complain.
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eddiep
Mid-Carder
Joined on: May 4, 2020 0:27:51 GMT -5
Posts: 374
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Post by eddiep on Apr 15, 2022 15:27:42 GMT -5
As a a big legends collector, I was over the moon that it was back and I will continue to buy any and all Legends they produce because I’m a completist BUT I will say that the
phase 1 (original) Legends felt more of a premium line. The packaging was more special and the talent was incredible.
Phase 2 suffers a little with generic packaging from the old Elite line rather than it’s own special box type. In many ways, I see the new Ultimate Edition Legends line as more of a spiritual successor to the original series, and wouldn’t be unhappy if Legends went that way to keep things fresh.
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Post by wwe_legends_figures on Apr 15, 2022 15:32:26 GMT -5
Thrilled with Phase 2 so far. I think we need a Bret and Hogan in Legends soon though. Also, as I’ve shown on my Instagram, I wouldn’t mind them updating the packaging to something closer to the original. I absolutely loved that packaging. Just make it smaller like todays.   |
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Warriah'
Main Eventer
Joined on: Dec 22, 2019 19:46:02 GMT -5
Posts: 3,261
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Post by Warriah' on Apr 15, 2022 15:40:15 GMT -5
It’s given us some good figures but nothing absolutely mind blowing.
The selection/execution has really fallen off the next couple of waves too. Hopefully next year we’ll see some decent new names or at least highly desirable releases. Legends series would be a good fit for the Mega Powers or something.
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Post by Grenouille on Apr 15, 2022 15:56:22 GMT -5
I’m a legends collector. I started with Mattel in 2016 after being bitter about starting over when Jakks lost the license. For those who have been going since the start, when did the legends contract caveat start? I understand WWE’s position with it on one hand, but see how it really hamstrings Mattel. I think the limitations are becoming more glaring since at this point they’ve gotten to most of the heavy hitters. While I would like more obscure and mid-level guys I understand still needing a heavy doses of Warrior and Savage types.
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razorrock
Superstar
Joined on: Jan 6, 2021 5:45:10 GMT -5
Posts: 741
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Post by razorrock on Apr 15, 2022 16:13:52 GMT -5
I wish phase 2 would revisit some characters from phase 1, but overall, Legends is the line I probably spend the most on out of all the current stuff.
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IceDragon
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Mar 14, 2022 4:29:15 GMT -5
Posts: 286 
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Post by IceDragon on Apr 15, 2022 16:30:35 GMT -5
For me, Phase 1 was leaps and bounds better. Phase 2 (at least for me) barely feels like a Legends line and doesn't have the same impact for me. DX Army felt like it was something that could've been done through Flashbacks in the regular Elite line. Like many have said already, there's been a lot of multi time redos already like Jake and I love Jake figures but if there has to be some Attitude and Ruthless Aggression era guys shoehorned in there, then space is a premium. Greg Valentine was a nice surprise for me. Those are the kinds of figures I'm excited for. First time in the line, someone from an earlier time. Even the Brutus Beefcake figures were kind of cool since it was the first time Brutus got a figure in the legends line and it was during the heel run early on.
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Post by Evil Abed on Apr 15, 2022 16:38:50 GMT -5
Some of the guys in the line feel more like they'd fit better as random flashbacks in the elite line rather than the legends line.
Im not complaining, I enjoy seeing guys from the 2000's, but for the hardcore collectors I can see why they're not excited for not getting their 80's-90's fix that the line was previously.
The lack of new legends contracts in the last 5 years or so isn't helping. Double J could have had at least 2-3 releases, who'll know if we'll see the Steiners but probably unlikely, Raven's been on a Network show or two, but nothing in figure form.
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2sweeeeet
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 7, 2017 22:08:25 GMT -5
Posts: 2,089
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Post by 2sweeeeet on Apr 15, 2022 16:40:14 GMT -5
Regardless of selection, its been a hit, ticking a few boxes here and there for different people. No current jabronis in the line, that in itself makes the line amazing. Edit: Though I do question why HBK hasnt been featured in the line besides the 2 pack Rockers. Maybe target will do a legends DX Ultimate HBK to match Amazon Trips. I would love this although I'd personally prefer a '90s DX HBK instead of the '00s DX. |
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Post by stc13 on Apr 15, 2022 16:41:57 GMT -5
I’m a legends collector. I started with Mattel in 2016 after being bitter about starting over when Jakks lost the license. For those who have been going since the start, when did the legends contract caveat start? I understand WWE’s position with it on one hand, but see how it really hamstrings Mattel. I think the limitations are becoming more glaring since at this point they’ve gotten to most of the heavy hitters. While I would like more obscure and mid-level guys I understand still needing a heavy doses of Warrior and Savage types. Mattel direct contracts probably ended around 2013/14. I believe Bruno and Crush were among the last figures on direct deals. The current arrangement sucks for collectors, but it's most profitable for WWE and Mattel. Neither side has an incentive to change it, and I think this is where it's going to stay for some time. There will be a name or two who drop off and a few new signings each year, but nothing like what we had in the past. |
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Post by qdogg on Apr 15, 2022 16:49:42 GMT -5
It depends on when you came into this line. if you're a new collector then maybe you are probably pretty happy with what has been released recently but for older collectors it imight be disappointing to not see new names and even Keibler and Molly Holly don't come with much at all to warrant 21.99 plus tax.
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Post by Scott! on Apr 15, 2022 16:50:41 GMT -5
I've enjoyed seeing the figures and choices they've picked since they brought the line back. Compared to the originals though, so far, there's no contest. The first waves were miles better. The choices of characters and, at that time, some of the guys first figures by Mattel were much more exciting than this current crop. I hate the standard Elite packaging on the new ones, that's my main gripe.
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Post by Jim Cornette’s Wendy’s Order🍔 on Apr 15, 2022 16:56:29 GMT -5
One thing people need tot so into account about hose 1 vs phase 2 is that phase one happened at the beginning of the line. Most figures released were FTITL appearances and the possibilities were endless.
With phase 2 we are 10+ years into the line. Most that can be done have been done. This isn’t really in Mattel, they’ve said countless times that IF they can make them they will. That’s on WWE.
From what Mattel has to work with, I think phase 2 has been a huge success and I’d much rather have a legends line vs having to wait and get them in the main line. Even if someone isn’t a legends collector they should Hope it does well because it allows for more mainline spaces to be slotted with current starts.
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Post by coldblooded on Apr 15, 2022 17:25:25 GMT -5
Regardless of selection, its been a hit, ticking a few boxes here and there for different people. No current jabronis in the line, that in itself makes the line amazing. Edit: Though I do question why HBK hasnt been featured in the line besides the 2 pack Rockers. Maybe target will do a legends DX Ultimate HBK to match Amazon Trips. I would love this although I'd personally prefer a '90s DX HBK instead of the '00s DX. In a perfect world we get both :-) |
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Post by The Gang on Apr 15, 2022 19:07:50 GMT -5
Legends phase 2 has been disappointing but it’s not Mattel’s fault. Blame lies with WWE for not signing more legends. If it’s to continue much longer we need more first time in the line figures such as Barbarian, Haku, Hercules, Slick, Fuji etc. Then they need to bring back guys like Akeem, Rick Martel, Demolition, Crush, LOD, Bundy and others that haven’t had figures in years. Add guys like Bret and Hogan to the line and throw in cool figures like The Machines and Zeus and legends 2.0 will be on fire.
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Post by Glorydaysofwrestling on Apr 15, 2022 19:10:21 GMT -5
I prefer the original legends line...the characters, the packaging, the QC, the face paint apps (not a fan of the face print)
With that being said, I’m still really really happy the legends line came back and is doing so well. I think I’ve bought every single legends released during this 2nd run.
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