BCA Custom Corner #6 - Razor's Edge, Part Two

Back again with the second part of my dedication to the great customization efforts on display at The Razor's Edge Custom Wrestling Figures website.

If you missed Part One from this past December, read this before moving on.

All caught up? Good.

I've included yet another embedded slideshow for all to see of the remaining active image links for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) figure customs from the creative team at Razor's Edge.



Why do this?

Well, because I think it's worth honoring those who came before us, even if we're talking BCA customs here.

So, considering the WWF wrestlers that were shown in the last installment of BCA Custom Corner, do you have any personal favorites from this star-studded bunch of WCW wrestlers?

The only image that could not be found is one of both Outsiders, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, but we're treated to two of each anyway.

I know I have a hard time choosing just one favorite among this incredible body of work, but if pressed I'd have to go with Vampiro.

The attention to detail of it and many of the other late attempts at BCA customs for Razor's Edge, including Jarrett and Steiner #2, is phenomenal.

But, that's not to discredit the earlier versions of guys like Hogan, Raven, and even Rey Mysterio, which is why I've grouped all of them together as they were found.

After all, greatness does enjoy the company.

Until next time (when we take a look back at ECW customs from Razor's Edge), thanks for looking and have a nice day (oops, night!)

- Alex

LVJR - Award-winning Austins

I know it's hard to believe, but I almost didn't know what to write about for this week's post.

Low and behold, the god of mail carriers has delivered unto me something with which I can share all of my deepest, darket secrets.



And by deepest, darket secrets I mean two MOC Stone Cold Steve Austin figures for this the thirteenth installment of my "Latest Vintage Jakks Receivings" series of posts!

Hah, I got you, didn't I?!?

No? Oh, well then, let's move on, shall we?


I acquired these two collectibles yesterday from an eBay user who was just breaking through to the other side to, umm, becoming a seller!

Best of luck to that person, and best of luck to me in becoming a winner of Jakks Pacific's long ago WrestleMania XV (can you believe we're already up to WrestleMania XXVII?) contest where 1 in 40 lucky persons could claim an exclusive Stone Cold Steve Austin figure (limited to 20,000) as their winning prize.

I never won as a kid leading up to the WrestleMania XV event back in 1999, but maybe I'll fare better this time around!

So...the verdict is...



I'M A WINNER!!!!!

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

I would like to thank the Academy first and foremost and uh..wait, you mean I don't get to keep this thing???

BUT IT HAS MY NAME ON IT!!!!

Seriously, though, I think I just missed the cutoff date.

You know, back when everyone was freaking out about the new millenium and all.

Good times...

For those wondering, here is what I missed out on.

Not much you might say, but mailaway Jakks figures were few and far between (as they have always been, except for the Attitude Points) in those days.


The only way of finding out if you were a winner is by purchasing a Superstars Series 7 or Fully Loaded Series 1 figure and opening that bad boy up to reveal the answer inside.

Snazzy job, Jakks, although I wonder why there was never a similar mailaway promotion done in time for SummerSlam later that year. I know, the KB Rock giveaway, but I'm thinking strictly mailaway here.


On the other end of the color spectrum, the Steve Austin with white "Austin 3:16" t-shirt that I received comes from the Kmart exclusive Sunday Night Heat series that is not often talked about.

The set also includes: Sable with zebra stripe bottoms, The Rock with updated logos on his trunks, Billy Gunn with teal trunks and detailed white boots, Road Dogg with white "You Didn't Know?" t-shirt and Shotgun Saturday Night Series 2 pants, and yet another re-released Undertaker figure.

A few interesting repaints thrown in the mix for an otherwise unnecessary store exclusive series, but I'm a supporter of any and all unusual aspects of the BCA line, so it's fine by me.


My take: Superstars Series 7 Austin introduced a new sculpt as the line got progressively bigger (in size), and it's a fairly good likeness to the real life wrestler. Is it a necessity for your collection? Probably not, but it could be worse.

Sunday Night Heat Series Austin reuses existing parts and isn't anything more than filler, but it might be what you're looking for if you're into inaccurate Austin t-shirts and really dark goatees.

Fun fact: If you were to try and find all 20,000 winning inserts for the mailaway exclusive Stone Cold figure, with 1 in 40 odds of winning, you might have to buy up to 800,000 BCA figures in the process!

Even I couldn't stomach that many little plastic men.

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

- Alex

Comparing new vs. old BCA style figures

Even if you have never owned a single newer BCA style figure, you should be able to tell the difference between new and old in the BCA line.

Yes, there are rubber limbs for both and the "Bone Crunching Action" feature is still very much in play for the new (as of the early 2000s) figures, but they are not mirror images of one another.

For this comparison post, unfortunately, I won't be slicing into any of the figures to show you the internal workings of the parts as was done in the BCA figure line review I posted back in January. But, I will be looking at a trio of Stone Cold Steve Austin figures (with others in the background) to demonstrate what similarities and differences exist on the surface. The three figures shown include Superstars Series 4/5 Austin (on the left), 2 Tuff Series 4 Austin (in the middle), and Backlash Series 2 Austin (on the right). Obviously, the first two are original BCA figures and the Backlash Series Austin is from the new BCA waves. Will there be any sort of conclusion reached by the end of this post to prove which is better? New or old? No, not in this post. That's up to you to decide which is better and which is worse, but I will share some of my personal opinions along the way.

Starting with the height of the figures, as you can see the original BCA figures average about 6 inches, whereas the newer figures were slightly taller at 7 inches.

The size of the newer leg parts is mostly to blame here since they were often disproportionate to the bodies of the newer BCAs. Although, the wider spacing allows for somewhat better stability in the newer style compared to many of the originals.

The 2 Tuff Series 4 Austin, for instance, proved to be a pain in setting up for the photos because of its awkward Ahmed Johnson legs and soft ankles. It is also common for the newer BCA style figures to appear as if they are leaning forward even while standing straight, but this does not cause much of a problem unless the parts are loosened (and we all know how annoying that can be on display).

By looking at the row of arms, we can see the evolution of the parts throughout the years. There is more definition/tone in the newer figures compared to the simple sculpts of old. Not to mention, remember all of the BCA figures with wrist tape/bands that didn't need them? Well, it's almost reversed this time around as Austin could sure use them for his newer Backlash figure. The boots are standard issue and there is not much specification in the newer style, but the original BCAs had their own difficulties with reusing parts that didn't belong (i.e. Ahmed's legs). With so much room for improvement, I find it sad that Jakks could never quite get it right even when they relaunch a line like they did with BCA figures. I guess the second time isn't the charm for them either.

In the original BCA line, neck articulation was very basic and not often utilized. The main advantage of the newer BCA figures is in their added neck articulation (with Bone Crunching sound, too) and it was achieved once they introduced Real Scan head sculpts to the line. It's hard to argue against Real Scan technology whenever possible, and I'm not about to downplay the significance of it with these new BCA style figures. When someone says that something is made or broken by a single feature, they should have gotten the inspiration from the new BCA style neck articulation. It makes the figures what they are, but beware of heads that lose it and become LOOSE in the process. I have another Austin and a Backlash Series 3 Big Show with wobbly heads, and it's safe to say that they won't be enlisting in any "How to Take A Piledriver 101" courses this spring semester.

As for the torso piece itself, the new BCA style shrunk down a little to the size of the earlier BCA figures, except again with increased muscle tone and definition.

Below the waist, you'll see the "V" shaped crotch piece used in the new Austin figure. It is an even size in both the front and back, but it also requires additional paint on the upper thigh area unlike the others.

Personally, I prefer the look of the Austin on the left; not to make this sound any more perverted than looking at little plastic men in underwear already is, but the Superstars Series 4/5 figure has more natural curves to it. So, yeah, if you're looking for a little junk in the trunk with the new BCA style, you're looking in the wrong place. However, if you're looking for Randy Orton-esque smaller knee pads in the new BCA style, you've found the right place. The knee pads did shrink on the new figures, but the sculpted pads seem more appropriate with BCA style figures and thankfully aren't gaudy either.

Favoring one head sculpt over the other is merely a subjective assessment of these figures, which is not to say that doesn't apply elsewhere, but denying the accuracy of Real Scan technology is unquestionably a dumb move. Yet, I would advise looking to the Snappin' Bashers Series Stone Cold figure instead for the best head sculpt of his in the BCA line.

Whether or not you are a fan of one particular feature or the complete body of work, there are pros and cons for both style of figures. And, of course, cons always get the most notoriety. New? They look like they were all rolled out of the same assembly line with few distinct elements between them. Old? Who cares if you have all of the detail in the world when the head "sculpt" looks like trash. Therein lies the problem -- both styles have issues, but it's easier if you take them for what they're worth (well, not literally, since BCAs aren't worth a whole lot) and enjoy them for what they are. Nothing more, nothing less. So, which do you prefer? Until next time, thanks for looking and have a nice day! - Alex

Variant Spotlight - Signature Series 3 Torsos

Before I get around to comparing old and new BCA figures in my next post, I hope to introduce to some of you an unusual variant that exists in the Signature Series 3 assortment.


Following on the heels of the Ripped and Ruthless Series 2 HHH sculpt released six months earlier, Jakks Pacific decided that, for whatever reason, their regular 6-inch figure line needed an influx of male torsos with gigantic, sagging breasts. Oh, and nipples.

If you're confused right now as to what kind of blog you might be reading, rest assured that this is a family show. SFW? Well, that's another story.

Thankfully, only three of the six figures in the set were equipped with these rather awkward augmentations. Edge, HHH and Stone Cold Steve Austin were the unlucky three, whereas The Rock, Undertaker and Jacqueline were saved from the humiliation.

Then again, I have a feeling Jacqueline's figure might have sold a little better with, umm, bigger man boobs.

Nevertheless, someone involved with the production of the Signature Series 3 figures considered this a good idea, maybe because they were trying to put the torso sculpt to better use or for cost-cutting measures, but it only leaves me scratching my head.

Oww, and I think just rubbed it raw.

MY HEAD pe-people..the head..on..top of my head. Oh, you know what I mean.

So, with my scalp mostly intact, I am only left to wonder what Jakks could have been thinking and why is it that the torso was never used again after that one occasion?

Beats me (again, family show), but I can say that Jakks made the right decision on the second go-round, and I'm sure all Edge, HHH and Steve Austin figure collectors were all the happier for it.

How ironic is it that The Rock was the one who had chest surgery because of excessive fat buildup in his breasts, yet his Signature Series 3 figure was not affected like some of the others?

Yes, I know what you're thinking, and it's true.

VJB has hit a new low.

I promise I won't make anymore references to The Rock's breasts.

Okay, just one, but I'll save it for someone special.

On that note, thanks for looking and have a happy Valentine's Day!

- Alex

Teaching an old BCA line new tricks

In the same vein as the Backlash series post from November, today I will formally recognize the newer BCA style of figures and their significance to the BCA line.

Beginning with the Bone Crunching Superstars series (which was initially called "Bash and Thrash") that came out in August 2001, Jakks Pacific decided to give the Bone Crunching figures another chance.


Except, in retrospect, they really didn't as these were all new figures. The original BCA molds were done away with after Backlash Series 5 was shipped to KB Toys stores in October 2001, which means once again they were phased out in favor of a new style of figures.

I guess you could say BCA replaces BCA, but what's the difference?

Well, I hope to illustrate this better with a comparison post coming soon, but for now we'll just go with a. added Bone Crunching sound/articulation at the neck and b. a taller, skinnier frame than the later, bulkier BCA series figures.

Oh, and Real Scan technology was used for the new heads, something that the original BCA figures severely lacked (since it hadn't yet been developed) in the late '90s.


One upside was the introduction of new faces to the BCA line, including Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle in the first series alone. Other names to be made later include Chris Benoit, Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, Booker T, A-Train, Brock Lesnar, Bubba Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley and Eddie Guerrero.

Three prototypes that were shown but never released include Rikishi and APA members Bradshaw and Faarooq, the latter two WF member STOMWIJF actually owns (and for which I am eternally jealous!). I believe there was also a Matt Hardy figure in the works, but I only have this photo from above his waist to prove it.

Here is a mostly-complete checklist of the newer BCA style figures which I have considered adding to the official BCA checklist at the top of the page.

New BCA Style Figures:
Bone Crunching Superstars Series 1 (Released August 2001)
Chris Jericho
Kurt Angle
The Rock
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Triple H
Undertaker

Road to WrestleMania Series (Released April 2002)
Chris Benoit
Bubba Ray Dudley
D-Von Dudley
Chris Jericho
Jeff Hardy
Undertaker

Snappin' Bashers Series (Released May 2002)
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Chris Benoit
Chris Jericho
Jeff Hardy
The Rock
Undertaker

Grudge Brawlers Series (Released ?, Rite Aid Exclusive)
Christian
Chris Jericho
Kurt Angle
Jeff Hardy
Triple H
Undertaker

New BCA Style Backlash Series:
Backlash Series 1 (Released November 2002)
Kurt Angle
Edge
Jeff Hardy
The Rock
Triple H
Chris Benoit

Backlash Series 2 (Released June 2003)
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Hulk Hogan
Booker T
A-Train
Triple H
Brock Lesnar

Backlash Series 3 (Released November 2003)
Triple H
Chris Jericho
Billy Gunn
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Undertaker
Big Show

New BCA Style Rings:
Stunt Action Rings
1. Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero figures included
2. Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley figures included
3. Triple H and Chris Benoit (?) figures included

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I'll try to add hyperlinks with photos of all of the figures listed above over the next several days, so keep checking back to see what the new style had to offer.

While you're at it, take a look at these newer BCA style prototypes from Toy Fair 2001, Toy Fair 2002 and various other sites (click on the links to see the images).

Toy Fair 2001 New BCA Style Display:

Bash and Trash Bone-Crunching Wrestlers packaging prototype

Billy Gunn prototype
Christian and Edge prototypes
Jeff Hardy prototype
Kurt Angle (original BCA style) prototype
Stone Cold Steve Austin (original BCA style) prototype
Rikishi prototype
Dudley Boyz prototypes
Triple H prototype

Toy Fair 2002 New BCA Style Display:

Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4
Pic 5
Pic 6

Jakks Pacific's Old Web Site:

Christian prototype
Rikishi prototype

Bash and Thrash (a.k.a. Bone Crunching Superstars) Series:

Alternate Kurt Angle and D-Von Dudley prototypes

Kurt Angle prototype
Stone Cold Steve Austin prototype
Triple H prototype
Chris Jericho prototype
The Rock prototype
Undertaker prototype

Unreleased Bone Crunching Tag Teams Series:

D-Von Dudley prototype
Edge prototype
Jeff Hardy prototype
Matt Hardy prototype

Credit to everyone whose images are featured in this post.

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Backlash Series 4 was released in August 2004, three years after the first Bone Crunching Superstars Series was spotted, and it marked the end for the new style as Jakks completely switched over to TTL figure parts from that point forward.

BCA figures in one form or another had lasted for a period of eight years and, contrary to what some might say about the Havoc Unleashed series figures, they have not reappeared since 2004.

Those abominations (meaning the Havoc series) don't deserve the title "Bone Crunching Action."

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

- Alex