Papi Joker
Main Eventer
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS LIVES MATTER
Joined on: Feb 23, 2016 23:56:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,603
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Post by Papi Joker on Jan 18, 2023 18:11:23 GMT -5
I was wondering, how many peeps here have been collecting Mattel WWE from the beginning? To those I would like to ask you: - <li>1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
- 2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
- 3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
- 4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
</li><li> 5 - anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?</li></ul></ul>
Personally:
- 1 - I am an overseas collector and with life adding things to my bills, I dunno if I can afford to going forth
- 2 - In the past years, despite the distribution dramas, the QC has really been annoying, luckily I have picked up some handy tips to make the fixes, but I do not find myself doing this with other lines
- 3 - The best thing for me was the respect to the scale and small paint details as well as the accessories (compared to JAKKS)
- 4 - I really hope we get more WCW/ECW guys like - Norman Smiley, Kanyon, Spike Dudley, Raven and so on, with some of the people they have made in recent years I really think they can do them all!
- 5 - For me due to imports, I have made friends all around the world who share the same hobby and passion for this plastic obsession! really grateful for the "modern play''
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Apocalypse
Superstar
Joined on: Nov 17, 2021 19:40:02 GMT -5
Posts: 783
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Post by Apocalypse on Jan 18, 2023 18:25:34 GMT -5
Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? No idea
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? Legends line cancelled. Store exclusives being hard to find. Multiple mistakes on figures. Too tall. Horrible body choices etc
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? Legends 5 was amazing. But having Macho man in the line was the hook for me
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for?
The Barbarian. Hercules. Giant gonzalez. Kona crush. Dino bravo. Haku. Rick the model martel in pink
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Post by Evil Abed on Jan 18, 2023 18:36:41 GMT -5
Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? No idea, probably coming to an end at some point in the near future. Pretty much hit everything I could ever want, and the ones still out there are virtually impossible to make it to licensing.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? Loss of talent (Sting, Angle, Christian, Dudleys, Jericho, Show, Hogan (for a while), etc...) So many looks that could have been
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? The legends series, Elite articulation (looked better than DA imo) Cloth clothing was huge
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for?
Raven, Steiners, Sabu, Taz, Carlito, Jarrett, Haku, Konnan, Bagwell, Mike Tyson, Val Venis, Al Snow, Gillberg, Giant Gonzalez, Kidman, Spike Dudley, Tajiri just to name a few
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marklud
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 5, 2009 21:10:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,770
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Post by marklud on Jan 18, 2023 18:45:40 GMT -5
I've been in on the line since Day 1. I plan on collecting until the end BUT my rules have changed drastically over the past decade-plus. At the very start of the line I was buying anything and everything and had pretty massive modern and legend collections. Over time I migrated more to NJPW/ROH and then AEW as far as personal modern tastes go so finally this year I sold all my modern Mattels and focus strictly on legends/flashbacks. It took me some time to finally go through with it but it was the right move; I was keeping up and buying way too many figs just for the sake of having them rather than actually wanting the modern WWE guys/girls. I still have a pretty massive collection of all the mattel legends/flashback characters.
I just dug the line from the start, thought it was a significant step up from Jakks. The timing for me fit cause right around 2009 was when I got back into wrestling after a bit of a break. I've got collections for pretty much every wrestling figure line ever made and quality-wise I think Mattels are the best quality wrestling figures ever made (they've really leveled up quite a bit over the past couple of years imo).
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Post by AxelSmackdown on Jan 18, 2023 18:52:27 GMT -5
I started collecting in probably 2010 but quit around 2017-2018 for about 2-3 years I guess. Now have been collecting again since either 2020 or 2021.
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Post by LA Times on Jan 18, 2023 19:06:22 GMT -5
Technically, the line started on Jan 1 2010, but here are my responses
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
I dont know
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
Toys R Us going out of business and the recent toy and collectibles boom where nothing was found in stores and prices for everything was through the roof online.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
Making Kerry Von Erich/Texas Tornado, making figures in scale, making affordable Basic figures almost on the level of Elites
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
The Patriot
Buff Bagwell
Sam Houston
Ron Garvin
Al Perez
Salvatore Sincere
Midnight Express
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Post by Mongo Bears on Jan 18, 2023 19:08:17 GMT -5
2013 for me
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Post by Chip on Jan 18, 2023 19:54:11 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? depends on the "end". I'm gonna be 40 this year. I could see myself always buying a figure or two here and there, but I can't see myself continuing at this same pace for another 20 years
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? The massive price increase that's happened in the last few years.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? Launching flashbacks/legends, and evolving the Elites to be a much better product than anything else out there.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course) I need the Legion of Doom back in the fold more than anything. Also would love to get Virgil, Ahmed Johnson, Savio Vega, Justin Credible, Sabu, Sandman, Tazz, Candido....I have a massive list of guys I want elites of
5 - anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line? a lot of good memories, setting up a great toy room, and plenty of moments of excitement when we get to see whats coming next
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Post by Jim Cornette’s Wendy’s Order🍔 on Jan 18, 2023 20:23:52 GMT -5
Bought all of elite 1 & basic 1 with my grand father January 1st from Walmart back in 2010. Been collecting since day one and it’s crazy to see how much the figures have evolved since then.
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
Definitely so unless for some unforeseen circumstance (hopefully not)
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
I lost my grand father in 2013 and it took away the fun of collecting as it was a bond we shared together when I was a kid growing up . I actually ended up selling everything and taking a step back for a few years, not buying much, but keeping up with everything for sure.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
Scale, that was incredible coming off of the jakks days where deluxe Rey was the same size as undertaker, and some manager figures were eye level with Kane (I’m looking at you Paul Bearer)
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
Steiners are a massive win. Looking forward to samu and fatu also. And praying we get that double J one day!!
5 - anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
Don’t be impulsive if some of the joy dwindles from collecting at times. I’ve found myself in “funks” and weird spots during collecting that make me lose some of the fun in collecting, but it always comes back. I impulsively sold all my collection back when my granddad died and I regret it to this day. I definitely was just mourning and that was something I thought was a good idea. Being impulsive with the collection is always bad, because 9/10 you end up buying back several things you sell off.
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Post by Scott! on Jan 18, 2023 21:49:49 GMT -5
I can't say I've been collecting the line religiously since it started, I've dipped in and out since around 2014 but I've always kept up with Mattels. I've bought 4 Elites this year which is more than last year already and I'm gonna grab a set of Elite 100 so I'm definitely planning to collect them more this year than the last few.
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Post by Glorydaysofwrestling on Jan 18, 2023 22:08:06 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
-Hope so
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
-There’s been several times over the years where I had to pass on top wants because money is wrapped up in bills or other financial stuff
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
-the legends sets, better proportions/bodies compared to Jakks
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
Steiner Brothers, Jeff Jarrett, Dynamite Kid, Adrian Adonis, Rougeaus, etc
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Post by RuthlessFigs on Jan 19, 2023 1:19:25 GMT -5
1. Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
- Yes, in some capacity. As long as they put out attires, or characters i'd buy, i'll keep buying.
2. What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
- Growing up. In 2011, when i was 13, i was still buying, playing, and fedding with figures. January 2012, i had a new bed coming, so i had to pack everything up for a moment. Little did i know, that was the last day i ever had a setup of sorts, and the last day i ever played or fedded with them. After that, i just never bothered to get them back out. From that point, i think i just lost interest in figures for a big part, as i was more into online gaming by that point.
I would still keep up with reveals and all, but stopped buying/playing etc... From January 2012 - January/February 2017, i only bought 8 figures that for me, were too good to pass up. The list of what i got was Elite 16 CM Punk, Elite 20 CM Punk, BoPPV WM29 CM Punk, Elite 27 RVD, Elite 23 Cesaro, and the first Elite Shield figures. So for those years, i had basically stopped collecting, but in early 2017, i was out of school, had a job, and decided to start collecting again. The rest is history.
3. What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
- After seeing the initial renders for Elite & Basic Series 1, i was hooked on the level of detail. The simple inclusion of Triple H's logo's on the back of his elbow pads, and the designs on Kofi's attire. Then for the Elite's, the entrance accessories, the inclusion of soft goods, the level of detail in CM Punk's attire, and coloured tattoos... It all seemed like a big step in the right direction. My only concern at the time was if they would scale well, if they would move well, and if they would show up in my local stores.
4. What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
- Those i can think of at the moment are Al Snow, Raven, Sabu, Sandman, and Paul London. Otherwise, it's mainly different attires/gimmicks for already released guys. Some examples being Gregory Helms, Big Daddy V, 06/ECW Angle, MNM Mercury, RA Era Carlito etc...
5. Anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
- Finding the fun in collecting again, and seeing how much my collection's grown. I mainly collect Ruthless Aggression 2006 & 2007, so seeing what it looked like in 2017, compared to now, is a big difference. Also seeing the progression in quality over the years, and how some older figures form that 2009/2010 start can still hold up visually today.
Otherwise, just cool moments while posting on my Instagram account.Having wrestler's like & share my pics, the two most notable ones being Leo Kruger and Edge. Kruger liked & shared my pic, made it his profile picture, and uploaded it to his own page.
The same thing for Edge, who is my #1 favourite wrestler. He liked my pic, and posted it to his page, adding a story about how it reminded him of when he was young & collecting figures, as well as going to stores and seeing himself on the shelf.
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Biff Slamkovich™
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
Joined on: Nov 21, 2009 22:53:58 GMT -5
Posts: 3,730
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Post by Biff Slamkovich™ on Jan 19, 2023 2:20:51 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
Ideally, yes. But responsibilities, new priorities in life or budget can always change that.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
Initially when the line began, Canada was only receiving 2 figures per elite wave so we would miss out on a ton. This went on until about E7 or so but man it was almost over for me before it got started.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
Finally releasing a Macho Man figure after a drought of none being made, the Defining Moments line, their attention to scale, and I remember loving the first Elite packaging and Basic carding.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
Aside from Owen or anyone signed to AEW, I'm not sure of specific cases per Superstar but:
Raven
Crush
The Disciple
Rey Mysterio (Maskless)
Ultimo Dragon
Grand Master Sexay
The Headbangers
The Godwinns
The Patriot
Val Venis
Tajiri
Buff Bagwell
Steve Blackman
Ahmed Johnson
Flash Funk
Al Snow
La Parka
Hardcore Holly/Bob "Sparkplug" Holly
Crash Holly
Test
Lance Storm
Glacier
Mortis/Kanyon
Konnan
Gangrel
Gillberg
Marlena
Luna Vachon
Taka Michinoku
Funaki
Kurrgan (Truth Commission & Oddities)
Golga
5 - Anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
Distribution in Canada has been spotty many times, and in some cases (like the Hall of Champions line and some PPV themed elite lines) we missed out on those entirely, so that sucked.
I've been able to meet some pretty cool people through this hobby and have been fortunate enough to still be collecting this deep into the line. I've slowed down a bit as the current roster doesn't interest me in the least, so if Legends stop or slow down then who knows if I'll continue.
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Post by Vamp55 on Jan 19, 2023 3:12:38 GMT -5
Cool topic.
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? Yep, in one way or another. I’m really enjoy Ultimate (not the reissues so much, but whatever), so while ever they keep being made, I’ll keep supporting the line (and elites)
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? Reissues, and no it’s not the money. I’m not a fool, I know there are easier ways to make money. For me, reissues take away from the collectability of the line… don’t think I’m really (or ever have been) close to quitting, but my collecting choices are changing and I’m moving away from Mattel into other lines and area (WWE cards for instance)
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? The Legends line and Defining moments. Basically, when Mattel lets loose with the budget they do amazing stuff.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course). Dynamite Kid, Owen Hart, Kona/Evil Crush, Dino Bravo to name a few.
Anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line? In 2016 (maybe 17?) there was a defining moments figure in development. We were never told who it was, and it got canceled very late into the making process. It was replaced with the reissued SDCC Undertaker in the DM line. I’m convinced it was Owen Hart, as it was around the time his DVD came out. I’m also convinced that it was somewhat of an error of someone at Mattel who did something without the correct approvals. One day the story will come out, but it was all a bit suss. LOL. I look forward to Bill telling the story on a podcast in 2042 when he is retired and doesn’t care anymore…
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Post by Flair Forever on Jan 19, 2023 10:57:12 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
Depends when "the end" is.... There are certain wrestlers that I always try to collect - Ric Flair, Sting, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Roddy Piper.... regardless of the brand (Toy Biz, Hasbro, Galoob, JAKKS, Jazwares, Mattel, other). I don't see that ending. I'm a fan of wrestling figures, not just "Mattel" wrestling figures.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
The distribution issues have really frustrated me. I very, very rarely resort to paying scalper prices for anything - so the Walmart shelves being left unattended and empty for months at a time really frustrated me. The loss of Toys R Us made things even worse. The "pre-orders" that sell out in five minutes also pushed my buttons a lot. I also went through a divorce a little over two years ago - had to stop collecting when my budget shrunk (a lot). I was in a full-blown financial crisis - with my expenses being higher than my income. Becoming a single-dad suddenly made hunting for little expensive plastic action figures really much less important, in terms of both money and time. I've recently started buying again, but on a much smaller level - I'm very selective about what (and where) I buy. I'm also running out of space! There is a whole room in my house filled with bins. I love my figures but I have entirely too many to display - I pride myself that I've never sold a single figure (I'm not a scalper) - but I might NEED to soon just based on financial struggles and to simply reclaim some of my space!
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
I was not impressed with the early Mattel offerings and considered quitting then. I don't think I bought any of the early Elites, and I wasn't very interested in the current WWE roster. I thought the early legends had questionable (or obscure) attire choices? I felt the "Entrance Greats" cloth attires looked too big and clunky. I think the "Summer of Punk" (was that 2011?) roped me back in a bit - the CM Punk figures looked great! That led to the Mankind figure.... then they got the Macho Man license! That first Macho Man DM was a work of art! and the Undertaker DM..... then the Flair DM with that glorious robe..... then eventually we started getting Sting! And later on - Hulk Hogan! I'd say the Defining Moments figures are what really hooked me back in.....
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
"The Doctor of Style" Slick
A Hulkamania/WCW version of Jimmy Hart
Haku - and/or "King" Haku
Steiner Bros (WCW Style)
Rugged Ronnie Garvin
Dino Bravo (I know it's not very likely)
The Mountie
Harlem Heat (black attire.... blue attire... gold attire.....)
Eric Bischoff (WCW version please)
Vince McMahon in a suit
Capt. Lou Albano
WCW Hulk Hogan (wrestling attire, darker skin tone please)
Jim Cornette (I know it's not very likely)
Ric Flair - - - Purple Robe
Ric Flair - - - blue Starrcade Robe
Arn Anderson (more attires, I know - he's with AEW now).
Surfer Sting (more attires, I know - he's with AEW). I don't feel Mattel gave surfer Sting the best they had....
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan - any additional attires they want to make, I'll buy. He was my favorite! If I have to pick - give me the red sparkly jacket!
Anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
I've never bought a figure with the intent to profit or sell - I buy them because each one represents a happy memory for me. I enjoy displaying them and staging cool photos of them! I've had to slow down lately due to financial reasons..... I also enjoy getting them autographed - I have a pretty large collection of autographed figures! I get very frustrated when the retail shelves are empty for weeks/months at a time.... I miss the "good old days" of walking into KB Toys & seeing a whole filled row of JAKKS Classic figures!
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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 Jan 19, 2023 11:29:38 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? - As long as they are producing Legends, I'm in. I maybe buy one or two main roster figures a year at this point.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? I scaled back to Legends only and that reduced what I was spending on figures. At the beginning I was buying all of the basics, but that stopped after about a year or so.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? Defining Moments Macho Man was the hook. But I was going to give them a shot either way.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course) - Quebecers, Smoking Gunns, Adam Bomb, Repo Man, Jeff Jarrett, Men on a Mission, Barbarian, Haku, Hercules, Beverly Brothers, there are more.
5 - anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line? Going from figures looking to play with, to displaying with the name cards, to collecting all of the 1/1000 figures, to the Legends line, Flashbacks, scaling back to Legends only, selling off the basics, to starting a blog, buying detolfs, and following fellow collectors on social media.
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triplehpotter7
Superstar
Passionate about all I love in life. ^_^
Joined on: Apr 7, 2013 10:59:51 GMT -5
Posts: 750
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Post by triplehpotter7 on Jan 19, 2023 16:47:42 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
Eeyup. It's what I did with Hasbro and Jakks.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
Never back down. Never quit.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
Their figs were way better than Jakks. Better headscans, better quality, better accessories, just to name a few.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
Not really "waiting for," 'cause I know it's all driven on Legends contracts; the anxiety I hear/read about is something I just don't want to put myself through. I just take whatever they can produce. If they can't make it, I get it. But if they were gonna make it, and it gets cancelled, THAT'S when I get heated *cough*ChiefJayStrongbow*RoderickStrong*cough*
5 - anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
It's been a lot of fun, and the product continues to evolve nicely. If they could just make the parts, overall, more easy to customize, without having to crack/boil/pop, that'd be my only suggestion. Oh, and keeping a high standard of quality (mis-aligned eye paints are such a peeve) would be nice. Everything else has been, overall, rather enjoyable, especially when Mattel really listens to the fanbase. I really don't think any other manufacturer could do better.
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wrestlingfan2011
Main Eventer
Lucky lucky
Joined on: Apr 5, 2011 13:21:19 GMT -5
Posts: 2,465
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Post by wrestlingfan2011 on Jan 19, 2023 22:24:43 GMT -5
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end?
Yes I honestly feel like the Mattel brand have accomplish so much in so little time that I will totally continue to the end.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting?
I have had some hard times specially with this hard hitting moments on the economy and since I'm out side if the states(Puerto Rico) it's hard to find good figures at decent prices specially with shipping added. But not to fully quit only to reduce what figures I will buy mostly.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in?
The display stands and the championships, those are stuff that have had me hooked. Also the special figures and the legends series that they have made so good to perfection.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course)
I would totally say Giant Gonzalez, Savio Vega, Brother Love, those are my top 3
5 - Anything else that you have experienced in over 10 years of collecting this line?
Gotta say getting my collection levels to the max at the point of displaying my figures by Era's and dividing my budget to at least get the top figures in hand always.
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Post by alanpartridge on Jan 20, 2023 14:41:06 GMT -5
1 Yes till the end
2 Close quiting when they changed basic articulation. Basics was my main collection originally.
3 Elite series 1 was amazing. Undertaker and CM Punk for me seemed like a huge step up from jakks.
4 No one comes to mind.
5 2011 summer was peak of my WWE Mattel collecting as line was well underway and more exciting than present.
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warriorheart
Superstar
Joined on: Apr 7, 2015 22:51:53 GMT -5
Posts: 646 
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Post by warriorheart on Jan 20, 2023 15:34:45 GMT -5
Been collecting since 2010 when the Legends came out. Initially was only going to buy the Road Warriors. Then as more figs games out like the Von Erichs, Savage and Ultimate Warrior I bought those as well and it just kind of spiraled from there.
1 - Do you see yourself collecting this line till the end? Hard to say. At this point I have who I wanted except for the Steiners. I’m picky on who I collect. Guess it depends who else comes out that interests me.
2 - What have been your hardest moments during this time that have made you come close to quitting? Can’t say I wanted you o quite. Just cut down. I do sell some of my stuff when I feel it gets a bit too big.
3 - What are some great things that Mattel did at the beginning which hooked you in? Probably making guys I never saw in Jakks form like Von Erichs, Savage and Steamboat.
4 - What are some long awaited wrestlers you are still waiting for? (that they can "legally/possibly" produce of course). Steiners.
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