Figure Review #4 - Superstars Series 9 Paul Wight

After nearly four years of towering over foes as “The Giant”, Paul Wight’s contract expired with World Championship Wrestling on his 27th birthday (February 8, 1999) and he immediately signed on with the biggest show of them all, the World Wrestling Federation.


Wight debuted one day later at the WWF’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre: In Your House pay-per-view when he interjected himself in the Austin/McMahon steel cage main event and accidentally (kayfabe) cost McMahon the match.

Although originally referred to as “Big Nasty” Paul Wight, he soon adopted the “Big Show” moniker which Wight uses to this day in WWE. It was believed that, upon entering the federation, Wight would headline a future WrestleMania with Steve Austin for the WWF Championship, but plans were changed which led to the fatal four way elimination match at WrestleMania 2000.

Wight’s tenure with WWF/E has brought him great success in and out of the ring over the past 11 years, but many still believe that his first year with the company could have been booked stronger. However, through the realm of merchandising, the WWF and Jakks Pacific created a big, bad show unlike any other.


Jakks Pacific’s BCA line had been progressing along with the weekly ratings for the WWF product in the year 1999 and it was going to get bigger and better once Superstars Series 9 hit store shelves. Pegs would look noticeably strained as they managed to hold the weight of one of the biggest Jakks BCA figures to date -- Paul Wight’s debut figure at a whopping 10.4 ounces in the packaging.

In comparison, the MOC Special Edition Series Exclusive Yokozuna only weighs 9.3 ounces, and two others sampled, Deadly Games Series HHH and Superstars Series 1 Razor Ramon, still don’t quite measure up to Wight at 7.0 and 5.5 ounces, respectively.

Standing with feet planted firmly at 6.5 inches tall, Paul Wight’s Superstars Series 9 figure is a man toy among boy toys (no, not you Shawn). It features a completely new mold from head to toe that was made specifically for the former “Giant.”

For as many great qualities as this figure has, Wight’s mammoth hands are what stand out the most. There isn’t anything else like the size of his hands anywhere in the BCA line.

Climbing up his tree trunk-like arms are rippling veins and muscle striations that the average figure would gawk at, but what’s amazing is that everything seems to fall in place just right. Despite its unusual bulky figure as compared with the majority of BCA figures, Wight managed to strike the appropriate chord with collectors of the time.

After all, scaling was never Jakks’ strong suit, but the potential for change was evident with the effort invested in Wight. It’s been said that Jakks planned months in advance and rushed the normal figure-making process to make a special case for Wight’s introduction to the BCA line.

It was one of the last great ventures for the BCA line, and there is a lot to like about it as one of the few highly-anticipated wrestling figures in street gear.

Head:

There is no question that Jakks hit the nail on the head (no pun intended) with Wight’s one-and-only BCA head sculpt. I suppose the hair color could be a little lighter and that might pose a problem for some reviewers, but I won’t take off many points for such a small flaw. Grade – 4.5/5

Torso:

You’ve got to keep in mind that this was from when Wight was in fairly good shape (although nowhere near his fitness level from his mid-90s WCW run), so I can excuse the slim waist. I would have liked to have seen a collared button-up dress shirt instead of just the regular button-up t-shirt, but now I’m just nitpicking. Grade – 4.5/5

Arms:

While his arms are unbelievably inaccurate as far as how they’re scaled to the body and their overall appearance, I’ve got to give Jakks credit for making it seem larger than life, so to speak. If we’re basing it off of the picture on the packaging insert than I’ve got to deduct points for there not being a watch on Wight’s left wrist, but again it’s not that big of a concern. Grade – 4/5

Legs:

Wight’s lower body is the most underrated aspect of the figure and the incredible texture of his black jeans is among some of Jakks’ best work in the BCA line. Throw in a shiny pair of size 22 5 E shoes and you’ve got yourself a perfect score. Grade – 5/5

Accessories/Other:

Wight comes with a black WWF scratch logo figure stand, and it doesn’t concern me that nothing else was included. Why, you ask? Because I doubt anything else could have fit in the bubble with him! That’s why I’m not going to penalize the figure by much since not only is he cramped as is, but there isn’t a whole lot else that could have come with a debut Wight figure that would make sense. Grade – 4/5

Overall: 22/25

I know it may come as a surprise to many of you that I’m actually writing a figure review [insert Kevin McAllister face here], but I am speaking the truth when I say that I want to give my readers a variety of blog posts that will keep them entertained and informed.

Reviewing Superstars Series 9 Paul Wight was a spur of the moment idea that I hope brings back the spirit of some of my older posts. Capturing the spirit is what it’s all about here at VJB, and Wight’s debut figure certainly meets the criteria for a worthy likeness to the real person.

If the only way to get through to the big show is by getting past this beast of a figure than, well, I don’t like the chances for the rest of our BCA figures.

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

- Alex