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