For the LJN comparison thread click here: forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/314750/updated-complete-series-compared-mattelFor the early JAKKS comparison thread click here: forum.wrestlingfigs.com/thread/332189/early-jakks-series-compared-mattelUPDATED 3/7/16 - Includes Razor Ramon, Doink, Earthquake, IRS, Tito, and Sid.I had so much fun revisiting my childhood and posting pics of the LJN line compared to mattel that I decided to to it with Hasbro and early Jakks.
Unlike the LJN line, I don't own the complete Hasbro series. I own ALMOST all of them minus a few variations (tan Bushwackers, The Rockers, cowboy hat Savage) and I never found the final green card series at retail (The Smoking Gunns, 123 Kid, Ludvig Borga, and Adam Bomb). This was back before eBay, so I simply missed out and never went back to hunt them down. And that green set is quiet pricey.
Of course there's no real comparison between Hasbro and Mattel but it's fun to see them side-by-side. It's a walk down memory lane for many of us who adopted this line after LJN, and for those who just got into wrestling during the New Generation era, here they are in all their glory. The Hasbro line compared to Mattel.
Here we go! Enjoy!One of the great imposing figures of wrestling. Psycho Sid!
I love how popular Earthquake is after all of these years. It shows that the body type doesn't matter if you have a great character.
I believe that Tito has been in every single toy line that has made WWF/WWE figures.
Bad times don't last, but bad guys do. Ain't that the truth.
I miss evil Doink. No matter who makes this figure, it always looks great and captures that colorful time period of the early 90's.
I wish we could get a Varsity Club Mike Rotunda along with Dr. Death and Rick Stiener. I'd go for a Target four-pack with Kevin Sullivan. I know . . . it'll never happen. But a guy can dream.
OHHHHHHH WHAT A RUSH! Still today no tag team can touch the impact the Legion of Doom the Road Warriors has had on pro wrestling. I highly recommend reading Animal's autobiography "The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling" Not only did I design the cover, but it's a great read and I published it as well. Shameless plug.
Everybody's got a price . . . for the Million Dollar Man! Hasbro produced three M$M figures. I always hated figures of active wrestlers that had permanent suits on, so I was glad they also released him in his wrestling gear.
Hasbro produced two different Bushwackers. One in gray and one in tan. The Legends Mattel Bushwackers are top notch. Absolutely beautiful figures that capture the essence of these two. Got mine from
Quazimoto . Great guy to do business with.
No matter who makes Demolition, they're always great looking figures. Awesome team that broke out of the LOD comparisons and etched their legacy in the WWF.
YOU MAGGOTS! This new HOF Mattel Slaughter is amazing. Add some red elbow pads (which I don't have) and it's 100% perfect.
HOOOOOOOO! I never thought in the 80's that Hacksaw would last as long as he has. Great personality that never fails to engage the fans.
Before we knew him as Rikishi, he was simply Fatu, one half of the Headshrinkers and the father of the Usos.
A legend and my all time favorite. Got a check off the ol' bucket list when I had the chance to meet him in 2013. Incredibly nice and humble. GREAT figure from Mattel. Not the height of his career in the WWF but a nice looking figure.
The Macho King gimmick showed that Savage could get over with anything (including Slim Jim). Dig it!
Classic Macho Man. Loved him like this. I'm more of a fan when he came out in the huge robes than the cowboy hat and frills (which Hasbro made as well).
One of the greatest heels of all time. So glad he's gotten himself well and is still with us. A talented personality that showed you don't have to hold a belt to be a champion.
Hasbro had the privilege of producing the first ever figures of the Undertaker. His look has gone through many changes, but this is where it all started. Wish i owned the Mattel Entrance Greats Taker.
The only wrestler that I know of to have a figure in every single WWF licensed line. Truly "Immortal".
EDIT Boy was I wrong! Hogan, Warrior, Hitman, Jake, Snuka, Martel, DiBiase, Honky, Ax, and Andre also have figures in every licensed line. Thanks to
braaaaaaaapp for the correction.
Curt was first produced by Remco as part of their AWA line, but Hasbro gives us the first "Mr. Perfect" figure.
I believe there were three or four Warrior figures made by Hasbro. These are the two I own. Hard to pick which Mattel versions to display with them, but I feel you can't wrong with any warrior figure.
I love this figure no matter who makes him. Such a unique look and a big man who can move with the best of them.
A must have in any collection. In the 80's, Andre the Giant made us believe Hogan's days were numbered.
I loved the Kamala gimmick. All these years and no Kim Chee figure has ever been made.
The Twin Towers. Still hoping for the day Mattel announces we'll be getting a One Man Gang figure.
I never want to be on the receiving end of a "Banzai Drop".
One of my personal favorites. I loved watching WCCW and seeing the Von Erich's feud with the Freebirds. Thank you Mattel for giving us Kerry and Kevin figures!
WOOOOOO! AWA beat everyone to the punch by making the first Flair figure, but Hasbro got him on his debut to the WWF.
Over any other gimmick he had, Papa Shango was my favorite. Can only imagine how visually cool a tag team of Papa Shango and the Boogeyman would be.
Who could have known this gimmick would endure into 2015. No matter the age of the wrestling fan, everyone has heard of the Honky Tonk Man. I miss Santino's Honk-A-Meter.
Mattel has done a great job of capturing the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
"What I'd like to have right now . . ." is another Rick Rude figure. With how colorful he was, I'm surprised we haven't at least gotten a basic flashback of him.
I've heard that back in the day, the Dusty Hasbro figure was hard to come by. I remember ordering him loose from a classified ad in the paper. So thankful for the internet now.
I never bought the Rockers two-pack from Hasbro, because I hated the "spring action" mold they gave them. So I got them as individuals. Mattel hit a home run on their legends two-pack.
The Allied Powers. I wasn't a fan of Luger during his WWF run, but I've always loved the Bulldog.
From day one, Piper helped to define what it means to be a heel. I miss the days of Piper's Pit in the 80's. Also, interesting that Hasbro gave him elbow pads. I don't think I've ever seen Piper in elbow pads.
A coconut to the head, and diving off the steel cage. Two things Snuka will always be known for. Will the murder trial keep us from ever getting a barefoot version?
Rick Martel was a versatile wrestler who was an AWA champion, a WWF tag team champion, and finally a model who wrestled Jake with a bag over his head at Wrestlemania 7.
As I mentioned, I never got the green carded figures from Hasbro. So here's a comparison of Billy Gunn with someone else's picture.
The 123 Kid would go on to become Syxx and then X-Pac. I've never seen the Hasbro figure in person.
WHO'S LEFT?We got our Sid, IRS, and Tito. So, these are the ones we don't have, and some we may never have. I forgot to add Samu of the Headshrinkers in here. The Nasty Boys are on their way and I would love to see flashback Steiners. Valentine and Beefcake are a must. I'd take a basic Virgil in a two-pack with DiBiase. Who would you like to see Mattel make from the old Hasbro figures?
Hope you guys enjoyed this!
