Who needs Ahmed Johnson, “Wildman” Marc Mero, and Yokozuna when you can have the Triple Threat 3-pack of VJB “Updating The Past” posts? Here is Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 for all the collectors out there.
You know, sans the box art and yellow block chairs for accessories.
On a positive note, these posts will never decrease in value. Except…they have no redeeming value as is, so it’s only going up from here! [insert exuberant Owen Hart response here]
Now, back to your regularly scheduled “post”gramming…
February 1998 BCA News and Rumors –
(All of the original reports will be printed in their complete text from here on out. I had been paraphrasing them from before, so I think this will make them easier to follow. I hope.)
2/1 - There will be a second Signature Series released from Jakks Pacific sometime in the early summer. Look for it to contain Shawn Michaels, Ken Shamrock, Rocky Maivia, and one or two more.
Ken Shamrock’s signature would have to wait for two more series, and Rocky’s would be rescheduled for Series 3, but the rest of the lineup besides HBK includes Undertaker, Kane, Dude Love, and the New Age Outlaws.
2/1 Cont’d – (Non-BCA) Toy Biz will definately be producing WCW figures this fall. Apparently McFarlane won't be getting the license. Actually Toy Biz should do a very good job on these. They will be 5-6" tall, like the Jakks Pacific WWF figures.
And, so, the comparisons between the two companies begin, but we now know that ToyBiz wasn’t a perfect fit with the Jakks BCA figures.
2/3 - The first (and probably not the only) Kane figure may be included in the upcoming "Ripped and Ruthless" line from Jakks. Also keep in mind that Jakks is supposedly going to try and make their figures more to scale with each other and therefore the Kane may be about 61/2"-7" tall.
“Probably not the only” sounds funny today, and I’m sure that was the case back in early 1998, too. Jakks Pacific and scale is on a whole ‘nother level of sheer hilarity, but the Ripped and Ruthless figures were bigger than the regular BCAs, so I can’t fault them there.
2/4 – (Non-BCA) The first Toy Biz WCW line will inlude Sting, Hogan, Nash, Hall, the Giant, Zbysko, and one or two others. Expect these figures to be superior to the current San Fransisco toys.
Again, just pointing out what the competition to Jakks looked/sounded like during those days.
2/4 Cont’d - Pantera will be included in the Jakks Lightweight line which should be out sometime in May or early June.
I think we’ve learned that anyone whose name doesn’t sound familiar probably didn’t have much of a chance of getting their own figure in the BCA line. Pantera certainly qualifies in that department.
2/5 - It is really starting to look like we will be seeing a Ripped and Ruthless Kane figure. This is being reported by quite a few people now, it is not set in stone but count on it!
Oh, it’s set in stone all right. I would consider the R&R2 Kane to be the most popular non-BCA Jakks figure of the late 1990s (or, before TTL).
2/6 - Jakks Pacific has already reportedly begun production on a One Man Gang figure, we'll keep you posted.
Let the speculation begin, but I believe this was for the soon-to-be cancelled Legends series.
2/6 Cont’d - Jakks Pacific has begun to ship the Legends Series! These figures look absolutely super, they are not really in action poses but are excellent display pieces for wrestling fans. The line includes the incredible Andre the Giant figure, (if you see Andre, pick him up, he'll be valuable, Jimmy Snuka, Captain Lou Albano, and Classie Freddie Blassie. Also, We have been e-mailed with many reports saying that Jakks has decided to keep the Bone- Crunching action feature on their figures. Jakks is really showing us what they can do with this Legends Series.
It was indeed a great start for Jakks and there was loads of potential in this series, but I’m under the impression that the differing scale from the BCA line is what killed it, along with the relatively-obscure (not from my point of view, but it wouldn’t surprise me) names to bandwagon wrestling fans at the time.
2/8 - We have been receiving a lot of questions pertaining to the Jakks Ripped and Ruthless line and just what they are. Well what we can tell you is that this set should include about 6 figures and Kane will most definatley be one of them by the way. Any way these will have very detailed muscular features and possibly enhanced articulation, possibly at the elbows, shoulders, and knees.
A fair description of the line, but “unplayable with BCAs” must’ve missed the cut.
2/10 - Some reports are stating that Kane may not end up in the Ripped and Ruthless line after all! The initial figures that have been totally confirmed are Steve Austin, Goldust, Undertaker, and Mankind. Keep in mind that the line is supposed to include more than four figures, could the fifth be Kane?
Nope. Kane was in Series 2, though, so collectors only had to wait a few months longer for one of the most-anticipated wrestling figures of 1998.
2/12 - Jakks showed a new line at Toy Fair over the weekend, actually it is just a series of repaints that includes the Godwinns, Savio, Austin, and L.O.D. . It is deemed as the Shotgun Saturday Night set and looks pretty good. Also Jakks will be releasing an Undertaker with tatoos and proper elbow pads, he may even have the leather robe that he wears to the ring.
Interested in seeing pictures from Toy Fair 1998? Look back to this post from last October to relive the event.
2/13 - We are hearing from a source who is attending Toy Fair '98 that Jakks has shown a prototype Kane figure. They however informed us that it was probably not the final mold of Kane, but was going to be the first Kane released, and it wasn't a Ripped and Ruthless! The prototype wasn't complete, but was the right size.
Check the link above ^ for a picture of the Kane prototype, without his mask!
2/15 - The coming Mike Tyson figure will most likely be partnered with a Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels figure as a part of a Wrestlemania 3-pack. The original ideas were to just have Tyson released individually or with Don King as a Manager Pack.
Imagine if the first Grudge Match (originally titled “Attack Pack”) with Stone Cold and HBK had been an exclusive 3-pack with Mike Tyson or 4-pack with Don King! I would’ve bought the Managers 2-pack, too, so Jakks really missed the boat on that one with all of the sports fanatics of the world.
2/15 Cont’d - The Kurrgan figure should definately be released as a Manager Series 2-pack with the Jackyl. The original plan was for the figuure to be released as a part of a Truth Comission four pack. Keep in mind that we are talking about the Kurrgan with black pants and the claw things on his fingers, not the Kurrgan that will be released with Sniper in a couple of weeks.
2 Tuff Series 2 is where Kurrgan and The Jackyl can be found. Had there been a Truth Commission boxed set, you might still be able to find it in stores today. Yes, that was a Truth Commission joke.
2/17 - Definitely be on the lookout for a Quebecer Tag Team set, this has been reported here before, but we would just like to remind everyone.
…And I thought “Where’s Waldo” was difficult! I can’t find The Quebecers anywhere! What, you mean I’ve wasted 12 years of my life looking for this damn 2-pack and IT DOESN’T EXIST?!?!! Oh, okay.
2/19 - There will be a Jakks Legends Series 2. It should contain Bruno Samartino, Demolition, and maybe King Kong Bundy. Also note that the Legends that are currently inhabiting the shelves are doing great and receiving great reviews.
The thought of Legends Demolition figures is like pouring salt into a vicious, open wound. How sad that Jakks couldn’t pull this series together.
2/19 Cont’d - Looked for Ripped & Ruthless series 2 to include Ken Shamrock, HHH, Shawn Michaels, Kane, and Ahmed Johnson. The Ken Shamrock is the only figure that we are hearing is totally confirmed, but the others are very likely.
Ditch Ahmed and Shamrock for Sable and you’ve got the official lineup. See, this just goes to show that incoherent promos and being “in the zone” can’t hold a candle to breasts and, well, you get the point.
2/22 - King Kong Bundy may not be a part of Legends Series 2 as we earlier speculated. He will almost definitely be a part of the Legends line, but he may be a part of series two or three.
This would have happened if Jakks had made another series, I’m convinced.
2/22 Cont’d - Ringside Collection Series will include Jim Cornette, Jim Ross, Sergeant Slaughter, and either Earl Hebner, Michael Cole, Kevin Kelly, or Dok Hendrix.
Jakks Pacific Slammers series 2 will contain Dude Love, Patriot, Shawn Michaels, Marc Mero, Brakkus, and some reports are telling us that Brian Pillman will be included as well. Personally we think that if Jakks decided to include Pillman, it would be an awful move, We should be seeing a commemorative Pillman before a Slammers Pillman!
Who do you think would be the bigger shelfwarmer – Michael Cole, Kevin Kelly, Dok Hendrix, or a Slammers Brakkus? Does it really even matter? I digress lol.
2/23 - About those possible Jakks ring aprons and ringside things, we are hearing that there will be a guard rail made, again we can not totally verify this or that any aprons and things will be made.
Good to know.
2/23 Cont’d - We have received word that Dok Hendrix will be the fourth figure in ringside series two from Jakks. The other three figures will be Jim Ross, Jim Cornette, and Sergeant Slaughter.
Not so fast there, Hendrix. The fourth through sixth figures in the assortment would be Honky Tonk Man, and re-releases of Vince McMahon and the Referee.
2/24 - We might see a Wrestlemania multi-pack that will include Pete Rose and a couple of other celebrities that will appear at the extravaganza.
Pete Rose could’ve been made in a Slammers pose where he’s prepared to take any and all Tombstone Piledrivers that your figures have to offer. Then, I’d have him bet on my cards while he nurses his injuries.
2/25 - Kane will undoubtedly be included in R&R series two, we got this report early this morning. The report stated that this was confirmed and would be released in mid-April. Other figures in the line according to the report should be Shawn Michaels, Sable, and Owen Hart.
Ironically, Owen does the job to HHH in this series like he did in real life throughout 1998.
2/27 - The Brakkus figure has been scrapped from the Slammers Series. He will probably be replaced by Taka Michinoku.
He was, but I can’t say that Taka’s sculpt was a huge improvement. Those gimmicky Slammers arms were, and still are, awful.
2/27 Cont’d - The Shawn Michaels included in the DX three pack will probably feature the green suit that he wore at DX (the pay per view). No word yet on when the three pack will be released though.
Nothing much to say other than it’s a shame that a BCA HBK in black tights (or, more specifically, these tights from the DX: In Your House pay-per-view) wasn’t made. Especially for those of you who appreciate the detail of the DTA Tour Series 1 HBK in red or the WMXIV figure in white.
You know who you are. ;-)
Until it’s time (oh, it’s time…what time is it?) for “Part Five”, I want to thank all of my readers for taking the time to look and I hope y’all have a nice weekend.
- Alex
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