Wednesday, September 10, 2008

LJN action figures

Let's start this right with a general description of the LJN era of WWF action figures. Don't worry, we'll soon get to the individual superstar figures.

From 1984 to 1989, LJN gave us a toyline that we will never forget. These popular rubber toys were 8'' tall and some even came with accessories. The LJN figures were very flexible (the same can't be said for a few of the "real life" superstars but I digress). Each package included the wrestler's bio and a poster.

Surprisingly, the attention to detail was pretty good. Body types and wrestling gear were well reproduced. So be assured that Hulk Hogan's mustache and Kamala's belly moon are in place for our enjoyment. Unfortunately, the paint on the figures was easily damaged. That could probably be considered a problem for wrestling action figures... For that reason, figures in mint condition are rare and cost more money.

Here is the breakdown of which superstar was in which Series:
1) Hulk Hogan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Hillbilly Jim, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Big John Studd, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and Junkyard Dog.

2) King Kong Bundy, Andre the Giant, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Brutus Beefcake and George "The Animal" Steele.

3) "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Jimmy Hart, Davey Boy Smith, Captain Lou Albano, Magnificent Muraco, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Dynamite Kid, "Classy" Freddy Blassie, Bruno Sammartino, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Corporal Kirchner, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, Mr. Fuji, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Tito Santana, S.D. Jones and Terry Funk.

4) Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Cowboy Bob Orton, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, "Adorable" Adrian Adonis, Elizabeth, King Harley Race, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Billy Jack Haynes, Johnny V, Hercules Hernandez, B. Brian Blair, Jumping Jim Brunzell, Ken Patera, Ted Arcidi, Vince McMahon, Kamala, Outback Jack and Koko B. Ware.

5) Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow, Slick, Tito Santana, Ted Dibiase, Ax, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, One Man Gang, Rick Martel, Referee and Honky Tonk Man.

6) Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Demolition Ax, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Hulk Hogan, Honky Tonk Man, Bam Bam Bigelow, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Big John Studd, Haku, Warlord, Andre the Giant, Big Boss Man, Miss Elizabeth, Ted Dibiase, Rick Rude and Ultimate Warrior.

A few tag team sets were also available:
Hart Foundation, Strike Force, The Killer Bees, British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim and Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff.

The action happened in a big "Sling 'Em - Fling 'Em" ring. You could also use a cage for your hot feuds.

That sums it up for the LJN WWF action figures. Before we start the profiles of each figure one by one, we will do a similar general post about the Hasbro WWF action figures.

2 comments:

The Retropolis said...

No matter what figure line has come down the pike since, this remains my favorite wrestling figure series ever. I got my start with the WWF Hasbro figures, but got hooked on these bad boys on January afternoon in 1992 while at Toys R Us. I was in search of the latest WWF Hasbro releases, but wandered over to the clearance aisle when I didn't see any of them. I came across the Adrian Adonis figure. At such a discounted price, I bought it, even though I had no real use for a lone Adrian Adonis figure.

I eventually bought the rest of the figures available in various Toys R Us clearance aisles (mostly the Slicks and Freddy Blassies of the world) and I was hooked.

I actually wrote a couple guides on eBay regarding the history of these great figures:

http://reviews.ebay.com/The-History-of-LJN-apos-s-WWF-Wrestling-Superstars-Part-I_W0QQugidZ10000000002147620

http://reviews.ebay.com/The-History-of-LJN-apos-s-WWF-Wrestling-Superstars-Part-II_W0QQugidZ10000000002147663

SMI said...

Hi Retro,
LJNs definately a special place in my heart as both a wrestling and action figures fan. I try to add content to the site as much as I can so hopefully you'll come back and enjoy it.

By the way, I looked at your guides and liked them very much.