The Backlash series leaves its mark

If you've frequented the BCA thread on the WF forums, then I'm sure you have seen me reference the Backlash series from time to time.

And I'm sure you've also heard me say that it, not the Signature Series, was the official end of production for Jakks Pacific's BCA line of wrestling figures.

The many color cardings of the Backlash line are evident in this MOC figure lot.

The original Backlash series (more on that in the next paragraph) lasted all the way into the year 2001, believe it or not, with the fifth assortment, but most collectors may not remember much about it since it was relatively hard to find.

All five series were exclusive to Kay Bee Toys stores, and the same Backlash title was reincarnated later for the newer BCA style figures which eventually gave way to the cheap TTL figures that we all know and, well, don't really love as they clog up shelf space even today.

However, Jakks Pacific's intentions were good from the start - release updated repaints of previously-released wrestlers in the BCA line to appeal to collectors looking for "new" BCA figures after they were once thought to be dead and buried.

In some ways, the Backlash repaints are a lot like Frankenstein, except he was a little prettier.

It's a mixed bag of effort combined with detail from the folks at Jakks considering it was so late in the game that the BCA line was now operating under Sudden Death rules in quadruple overtime.


Series 1 arrived at KB Toys stores in the fall of 2000 and included such names as Big Boss Man, Edge, Hardcore Holly, HHH, Road Dogg, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and X-Pac.

WWF Backlash Series (KB Toys Exclusive):
Series 1 & 2 (Peach Carding)
Big Boss Man
The Rock (x2)
Road Dogg (Jesse James)
Shawn Michaels
Undertaker
X-Pac
Edge
Hardcore Holly
Stone Cold Steve Austin (x2)
Triple H (x2)
Kane
Al Snow

As you can probably tell from the checklist I've created, I need to figure out where the line divides between series 1 and 2. Clearly, there wouldn't have been two Rocks, two Austins and two HHHS in the same series, so one for each series makes sense to me.


Al Snow, Kane (shown above), Shawn Michaels, Undertaker and the other Rock/Austin/HHH figures must have come from series 2 then. Eight for the first wave and seven for the second wave, again, makes sense to me.

I would assume that the second series of the Backlash figures was released towards the end of 2000, but unfortunately I don't have a date to be sure of that.


I do know that series 3, which was changed to a blue color carding from the peach color used for series 1 and 2, was available in stores around March 2001.

Series 3 includes even more repaints of your favorite wrestlers, including Billy Gunn, Edge, Kane, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Test, Triple H and Undertaker.


Changing once again to a green color carding, the Backlash series reached its fourth installment during the heat of summer in July 2001. The line-up consists of Big Boss Man, Billy Gunn, Edge (shown above), Kane, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Undertaker (noticing a trend?).


Finally, the fifth series of Backlash figures was released on an orange card and is, for all intents and purposes, the absolute LAST series of BCA figures produced by Jakks Pacific with the original molds. Yes, there was a newer BCA style of figures introduced later that year, but this series here marked the official end of the BCA era in...October 2001.

Who's in it, you ask?

Al Snow, Hardcore Holly, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Test, Undertaker, Val Venis and X-Pac.

That's your final BCA line-up and it is not so much underwhelming as it is sad to see the line end on a bunch of measly repaints. Maybe that was all it was ever meant to be and I shouldn't have given it that much thought.

Everyone wants the best for whatever it is they feel invested in, and I'm no different as a collector. I want(ed) the best for the BCA line, but I'm thankful it was even given a second chance with the Backlash series.


Ironically, as it turns out, the series 3 Triple H figure is my favorite in the entire BCA line.

I guess it's never too late to make an impression.

For those interested in seeing pics of all of the Backlash figures, including the ones not shown above, click on the Checklist tab and scroll down to the Backlash line-ups for image links.

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

- Alex