LVJR - Sig Series 6 HHH & Mankind Auto

This fourth installment of my "Latest Vintage Jakks Receivings" posts focuses on one recent purchase of mine from the wonderful world of eBay.

I bought this MOC Signature Series 6 HHH figure from the aforementioned Bay of the "e" for slightly over $5 shipped. It also came with an autographed picture of Mankind, which could be legitimate, or not, for all I know.

A BCA HHH in trunks was certainly in demand by the time this figure was released in early 2000, and it could not have come any later. Signature Series 6 is generally considered to be the final series of the BCA line, even though the KB Toys Exclusive Backlash series lasted well into 2001.

While it doesn't offer much new, the decision to release HHH in trunks so late in the game (no pun intended) was welcomed by collectors looking to update their BCA roster. It has designs on the front (small "H") and back (large "H" with small "3" located to the right, to signify Hunter Hearst Helmsley) of the trunks and features a glossy finish (as does the rest of the series), which makes the figure stand out more.

The shiny black, sleeveless jacket has no design on the back, but does have HHH's facsimile signature on the right side in gold cursive. The figure also comes with a gold WWF scratch logo display stand as its only other accessory.

My take: Without having to properly review it (which I will do at a later date, once I buy SCSA to complete the series/set), it is safe to say that this isn't HHH's best, nor is it his worst, BCA figure, but it falls somewhere in the middle for me. You can't go wrong with buying this figure for cheap, but I wouldn't overpay for it (meaning, more than $5 MOC or $2-3 loose) since it isn't necessary for a BCA collection.

It is good for a repaint of HHH upon ditching the long tights and breaking out on his own, though.

Fun fact: The Undertaker from this set re-used the original Undertaker head sculpt from Superstars Series 1 in 1996, with some minor modifications to the goatee. It's ironic considering the time that passed (3 1/2 years) and Jakks used the same head for the first and (considered to be, by many) last BCA series.

Well, that's it for now, but thanks for looking and have a nice weekend!

- Alex

What if...a BCA Mike Tyson had been released?

Once the news broke that famed boxer "Iron" Mike Tyson had signed a deal with the WWF in January of 1998 to appear at WrestleMania XIV (14), rumors began spreading about the possibility of a Tyson figure in Jakks Pacific's WWF BCA line.

He had signed one of the heftiest contracts in pro wrestling history to date, so it should have been assumed that the WWF would capitalize on their union to promote the sale of merchandise.

Unfortunately, it wasn't until the Rocky movie line debuted in 2006 that collectors would be able to purchase a Jakks Mike Tyson figure, in a removable, cloth gray suit with black trunks underneath. He's also sporting the face tattoo, which is but a reminder of the downfall of Tyson's career.

It wasn't known at the time whether Tyson's introduction to the BCA line would be as part of the mass-produced Superstars series or as a limited commemorative figure. Either way, had the WWF jumped on its release as soon as possible, it could have been a great seller and released in many variations.

A 2-pack commemorating the first altercation between Tyson and Austin (and Mr. McMahon as the mediator) would have been an interesting set. Tyson's affiliation with DX could have been well-represented in a three or four figure boxed set. A 3-pack featuring Austin and Michaels in their respective WMXIV attires and Tyson wearing a cloth DX t-shirt (with cloth Austin 3:16 t-shirt in his hands) would likely have been the most popular option.

Another idea that had potential and was rumored at the time was a Managers series 2-pack of Mike Tyson and Don King, which could have been fun just to see Jakks' interpretation of King's wild and crazy hair.

Tyson's debut Jakks release took more than 8 years to produce and came courtesy of his bit part in the most recent Rocky Balboa film for the Rocky line in 2006. It was released on a single card and the WrestleMania XIV logo was nowhere to be found.

Yet, I believe Jakks made this figure to, well, make up for the fact that collectors of the BCA era were screwed over.

Yep, the ol' "WrestleMania XIV Screwjob."

...Okay, maybe not that serious, but it still could have been real, dammit!

Let's just hope there aren't any plans for "The Hangover" action figures courtesy of Jakks Pacific, since we could be waiting a while for Tyson and his ferocious pet (not Don King).

Until next time, thanks for looking and have a nice day!

- Alex

Top Ten List #2 - Best BCA One-Hit Wonders

Everyone loves a good one-hit wonder, but does the same apply to wrestling figures?

In this blog, it does.

I will provide a list for you of what I would consider the top ten best one-hit wonders from the BCA era of Jakks Pacific wrestling figures.

Wrestlers, managers, valets - you name it, and they are included. The only catch is that the figure had to have only seen one release, thus making it a one-hit wonder for all of us collectors. No re-releases or repaints need apply, this post is strictly for those BCAs that only saw the light of day once.

As always, my lists are based on the ratings that I have given each figure (still a long way away from that happening), which are determined by five criteria. The heads, torsos, arms, legs, and other (such as accessories and exceptional detail) aspects of the figure are taken into consideration.
　
The order will be decided by the scores, and any ties will be re-arranged as I see fit.

Starting with number 10...


10. Ringside Collection Series 2 Jim Cornette - 18.5/25

What more can be said about Jim Cornette that hasn't already been said? Well, I'll just stick with his only Jakks figure for now, and it's a really good one. An almost perfect suit mold was made exclusively for him and, to top it off, a black tennis racket was included (a headset and display stand, too). The only really noticeable flaw, which definitely brings its score down, is the molded-on glasses to Cornette's screaming head sculpt. However, from the neck down, the figure is excellent.

09. 2 Tuff Series 2 The Jackyl - 18.5/25

Or Cyrus The Virus, for those of you ECW on TNN fans out there. This figure may actually be one of the most underrated in the history of Jakks Pacific, as far as I'm concerned. The jacket, sleeves and pants all feature little scratches etched into the suit, and the head sculpt may be one of the best if the hair were painted a darker color. His WWF/WWE career didn't last very long, but his only figure should be remembered for being a great representation of the "virus" himself.

08. Best of '98 Series 1 Skull (of D.O.A.) - 19/25

While it may not appear to be anything special, this repaint of the 8-Ball figure (still counts in this list since it is a separate person altogether) is actually better than the original. Previously, Jakks had only released Crush, Chainz and 8-Ball of D.O.A. fame, but nothing was to come of Skull until this unexpected inclusion in the Best of '98 singles series set. The jeans feature more grainy detail and Skull's tattoos differ from those of his twin brother, making it a great figure to own to complete your D.O.A. stable.

07. Superstars Series 5 Flash Funk - 19/25

Hey, look, I can plug my own review in here!

http://jakksbca.blogspot.com/2009/05/figure-review-1-superstars-series-5.html

06. Limited Edition Buried Alive 4-pack Exclusive The Executioner - 19/25

Played by the late, great Terry Gordy, The Executioner was involved in the classic 1996 feud of Mankind and The Undertaker and made a special appearance at the IYH: Buried Alive event when he assisted in burying The Undertaker, well, alive. This figure (as well as the rest of the boxed set) was once one of the most sought after by collectors, and it's easy to see why. The figure introduced all new parts to the BCA line and has always been a great collectors piece, even though the value has dropped substantially in recent years.

05. 2 Tuff Series 1 Marlena - 19.5/25

A phenomenal head sculpt, along with a multitude of small details, makes this one of the best BCA figures, period. My only gripe is the lack of any actual legs, as the dress is one solid piece. However, the cigar held in one hand and flashy jewelry present elsewhere have made this figure one of the more sought after in recent years, mostly because it is Terri Runnels' only wrestling figure. It won't be executing sharpshooters anytime soon, but it is great to display or place at ringside in the corner of her former husband, Goldust/Dustin Runnels.

04. Ringside Collection Series 2 Sgt. Slaughter - 19.5/25

Again, we see another great pre-Real Scan technology head sculpt with body parts made exclusively for the one-and-only Sgt. Slaughter. The pointed finger is a nice touch by Jakks and the suit is nearly perfect for Slaughter's reign as the WWF's Commissioner in the late 1990s. The torso moves slightly, which is one reason why Slaughter ranks above other managers/valets/personalities in this list. But, most important of all, it is an exceptional likeness to the real person and serves its purpose as a non-wrestling wrestling figure.

03. Ringside Collection Series 2 Honky Tonk Man - 21/25

Many may disagree with this choice, as HTM's only BCA figure was a constant shelfwarmer back in the day and was never really necessary to begin with. He had become irrelevant in the WWF by 1998, but there is no denying, again, that Jakks gave us a great effort with this figure. The cartoon caricature is missing from his jumpsuit, but all of the other details are present and accounted for. Multi colored musical notes and small silver beads wrap around the figure, each and every one of which can be felt on the surface of the suit.

It is remarkable how much detail this figure was given and how overlooked it has been for all of these years. The head sculpt is great looking, in my opinion, and this may be the most posable BCA figure ever produced. There is so much that can be said about it, but it's better to experience it yourselves.

02. Ringside Collection Series 2 Jim "JR" Ross - 21/25

Originally, I had forgotten to add Jim Ross to this post. It was a careless error on my part since his Ringside Collection Series 2 figure WAS his only BCA figure. All of the talk about the "War Tony" jacket variant of this figure has sidetracked people from recognizing its other great qualities. The jacket has incredible detail (with the Raw Is War logo on the back), and this was also the first regular-sized Jakks figure to use knee articulation.

That point alone makes it worth having, but it comes with a black cowbot hat, headset and display stand, too, so that you get your money's worth. It suffers from the same issue as Cornette with the molded-on glasses, but it's not as noticeable.

If you want a great commentator figure, look no further than Jim Ross' lone BCA figure.

01. Grudge Match Series 2-pack Luna (Vachon) - 22/25

This is the highest grade I've given to any of the BCA figures I've reviewed thus far, and it is worth it, without question. The only thing that I hold against Luna's only BCA figure is that better accessories were not provided to go along with it and Sable in their Grudge Match 2-pack (a trading card was included). It amazes me how this figure only slipped through the cracks once and was never released again, because it may be one of the best BCA figures of all time.

Rooted hair was never to be seen again in the BCA line, and Luna first made use of each body part, some of which were never used again (or never painted as good ever again). It's hard to top this one, which is why I have it as the best one-hit wonder of the BCA line.

Honorable mentions (or, simply, the other ten one-hit wonders in the BCA line):

2 Tuff Series 5 Viscera - 18.5/25
2 Tuff Series 5 Debra - 18.5/25
Tag Team Series 1 Blackjack Windham - 18.5/25
Managers Series 1 Bob Backlund - 18/25
Slammers Series 2 The Patriot - 17.5/25
Managers Series 1 The Sultan - 17/25
Signature Series 3 Jacqueline - 17/25
2 Tuff Series 1 Rekon (of The Truth Commission) - 16.5/25
Grapple Gear Series 3 Raw Live! Cameraman (Referee repaint) - 16/25
Superstars Series 7 Dr Death (Steve Williams) - 15/25

Well, that's it for now, but thanks for looking and have a nice day!

- Alex

Monster Ring Mania!

Has it been a while since you've seen Jakks' earliest wrestling ring in picture form?

Well, I've recently added MIB and loose pics of the first two rings used for Jakks' WWF figure line, so check them out at the links provided below!

WWF Monster Ring (1996) - http://loosejakks.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wrestlingrings&action=display&thread=1173&page=1

WWF Raw Is War Monster Ring (1997) - http://loosejakks.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=wrestlingrings&thread=1287&page=1#8031

Take a look around while you're there and be sure to sign up to the Loose Jakks Database boards when you get the chance.

- Alex

Back Carding Pic of the Day! (#2)

Take a trip down memory lane as you view this back carding from the Signature Series 1 set, released in 1997.

Signature Series 1 marked the first Jakks Pacific figures with facsimile signatures printed on their legs, as well as the first Stone Cold Steve Austin figure wearing the iconic "Austin 3:16" t-shirt.

Not to mention, a very cool repaint of Goldust and a re-release of the incredibly popular Tag Team Series 1 Legion of Doom figures.

Don't forget to read the instructions first before stretching your BCA figures' limbs to oblivion.

- Alex

LVJR - Sig Series 3, Sable, "Bad Boys" Buys

'Tis quite a big break inbetween this and my last post, but I promise that I will return with much more in the coming days/weeks/months.

This third installment of my "Latest Vintage Jakks Receivings" posts will host an array of early Jakks items that I have recently purchased.

First off, I bought this complete set of Signature Series 3 figures from 1998 for only $15 shipped on eBay. The special feature for these figures is the facsimile signatures printed on removable jackets and/or body parts of the performers.

The figures themselves use standard BCA parts and only one, Jacqueline, is a debut figure to the line. The others are merely repaints and re-releases of previous figures, with Triple H's attire as the standout since it was never produced elsewhere.

There are variants that exist, specifically of Austin, HHH and Edge, which feature a brand-new bulkier torso that was experimented with and later scrapped for all future BCA series. I'm not entirely sure if the torso appeared in the first or second wave of the set, but it isn't any harder to find than the regular torso figures.

Jacqueline was once a notorious shelfwarmer, but was unique in the sense that it was never released again (despite once being planned for a 2 Tuff 2-pack with Mero in red boxing trunks).

My take: Some collectors are indifferent toward the signatures on the figures, but this is still a quality set of repaints/re-releases and is highlighted by Jacqueline's only figure and the torso variants of one-half of the set. If you can find the complete set for cheap, than go for it, but pass if you're not a completist and only want Jacqueline from the series.

Fun fact: Five of the six figures in the third series (excluding Jacqueline) were also featured in at least one other Signature series; Austin was included in five of the six Signature series sets (MIA for Series 2).

Next, I bought the following Shotgun Saturday Night Series 2 Sable figure from 1998 for $5 shipped on eBay. The figure was simply a repaint of Sable in black pants and red heels with white "Sable Bomb" text running down the side of her leg. It also comes with a black "Sable Bomb" chair and whip (this was marketed to kids?!?) accessories.

Jakks brought many Sable repaints to the line, and the Shotgun Saturday Night series gave collectors many great weapons and accessories, too.

My take: This could be considered Sable's best BCA figure and, with the quality of accessories included, it is a hard one to pass up. As I always say, if you can find it for cheap, than go for it.

Fun fact: Signature Series 3 Jacqueline used the exact same torso, arms and legs of the Sable figures that came before her. It's also worth noting that Sable was the only female to receive two different torso molds for the BCA line.

Finally, as far as figures go, I purchased these four Superstars Series 4 "Bad Boys" figures from 1997 for around $8 shipped on eBay. The cards are in pretty bad shape, but I've only opened Vader and HHH thus far. This particular series introduced figures for Faarooq (Ron Simmons), Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw (JBL), Jerry Lawler (King), Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H), and, of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Vader is a re-release of the Superstars Series 2 figure, except a hole has been added to the bottom of the left foot for use with the silver WWF stand included.

Each of the four figures pictured has torsos and other parts that were made exclusively for them (in the beginning), as well as an accessory that is still used to this day occasionally (King's crown made its way to the CS line with CS7 Harley Race).

My take: A classic series, no doubt about it, and one that is most definitely worth owning. None should be too difficult to find, so go for the good deals if you can find them.

Fun fact: "Bad Boys" represents a series with all bad guy, or "heel" in wrestling terminology, characters on WWF TV at the time of its release.

Well, that's it for now, but thanks for looking and I hope you had a nice 4th of July holiday!

- Alex