Written By:
Rob Base
It’s been a little over a month since
Toy Fair and now that the dust has settled, it’s about time we take a good hard look at the reveals from
NY Toy fair 2018 and give my top ten picks for the upcoming releases from
Mattel’s WWE action figure line.
#10: Elite Series Sheamus
The climate of the WWE’s Tag Team Division has been rocky at best, but with the pairing of the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus, and the Swiss Superman, Cesaro, there are bright possibilities ahead. With the Elite Series release of Sheamus in full entrance gear, collectors can finally get one half of The Bar.
#9: Elite Series Cesaro
The only reason Sheamus is at number 10 is because we needed Cesaro to be at number 9. Fans can finally complete the current Raw Tag Team champions by owning these two figures. The only negative is that they’re not sold as a set. Just like they say, “We don’t set the bar, we ARE the bar!”
#8: Elite Series Kurt Angle
With the return of the Olympic gold medalist as Raw’s General Manager, Mattel was bound to make an Elite Kurt Angle figure. With trademark red hoodie and gold medals, this figure represents more of his active wrestling persona than his current general manager persona. This figure will be the one collectors want in their collection.
#7: WWE Wrestling Entrance Greats Bobby Roode
Former TNA wrestler and current WWE Superstar, Bobby Roode, has been a fan favorite ever since he set foot in an NXT ring. As he made his jump to WWE’s main roster on Smackdown, his popularity has grown exponentially due most likely to his iconic entrance song, Glorious. That’s why this series was tailor made for Bobby Roode. The only thing I wish was for the display stand to have a turntable feature to mimic Roode’s actual entrance.
#6: WWE Flashback Elite Alundra Blayze
WWE Hall of Famer and One of women’s wrestling’s most controversial names, Alundra Blayze comes to action figure form. Now collectors and fans can finally put together mythical dream matches. The flashback series helps collectors fill the void in their collection by showcasing wrestlers that normally may not have had a chance to be immortalized in plastic form.
#5: Elite Flashback Shawn Michaels
The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, who stole the show and in doing so created a legacy which few wrestlers could ever copy! The Show Stopper comes to life in this pre DX style, which to wrestling fans is one of the most definitive Shawn Michaels looks. Mattel has made the figure come to life in this amazing collector’s set with pieces to build the Heartbreak Hotel diorama.
#4: Elite Series Zack Ryder
Woo woo woo! You knew this figure would make the list, but honestly speaking, Zack Ryder’s time as a “popular” WWE Super Star is on borrowed time and his WWE gimmick is almost running on empty. But this figure will hit the collector market right in the feels. The figure looks amazing with a style that only Macho Man could top and diehard collectors will want to add the Long Island Iced Z to their collection.
#3: Elite Series The Miz
Little needs to be said about one of the greatest modern heels in professional wrestling. The Miz comes packed with his fantastically sculpted jacket and looks the part of his A-Lister status.
#2: Elite Series Finn Balor
Simply put, Finn Balor IS OVER with the fans and to have his demon persona immortalized in plastic is a no brainer. The figure and packaging is just perfect and will be a hot sell (now we wait and see if Vince McMahon will allow Finn to regain his title back). But if not, fans can have this Elite figure beat Brock Lesner for the title and all will be right with the world!
Before we give you the number one here are a few honorable mentions:
Honorable Mention: Elite Series Braun Strowman
Honorable Mention: Andre The Giant
Honorable Mention: WWE Flashback Series Razor Ramon
#1: Retrofest Macho Man Randy Savage
Having to explain why this figure is the most anticipated is selling the importance of Macho Man short. There is nothing that needs to be said about the character of Randy Savage. The man oozed charisma, he mastered the art of in ring storytelling and his look is so unique that people have been trying to copy it for years. This figure comes in the coolest packaging yet. All in all, this one figure will be sold out faster than any others on this list.
Professional wrestling is an unpredictable sport. The fans are diehard and fickle so no true top 10 list can accurately predict how these figures will sell at retail. Yet, we know firsthand that you can never say never in the WWE!
Follow Rob on Instagram @Alternativemindz
