WWE action figures

WWE Action figures are collectible figures based on the talent and programming of WWE (formerly World Wrestling Federation). They are detailed figures based on specific superstars such as John Cena, Daniel Bryan, and Sheamus. They are currently produced by Mattel. Formally produced by Jakks.

LJN

Main article: Wrestling Superstars

With the rise in popularity that the wrestling industry experienced during the 1980s, Titan Sports (the parent company of the WWF) contracted LJN to produce the first wrestling action figures in 1984. These figures were made of solid rubber and were very accurate in appearance to their real life counterparts, however they did not have any articulation. The figures stood at 8" tall. In 1989 LJN closed its toy division, and the WWF contract was awarded to Hasbro.

Hasbro

Main article: WWF Hasbro action figures

Hasbro began producing the company's action figures in 1990. The toys were manufactured from plastic and although not fully articulated, had various spring-loaded action features such as punches and clotheslines, although they were not unique to each figure. For more info visit WWF Hasbro action figures.

Jakks Pacific

Production of WWF/E toys by the Jakks Pacific corporation began in 1996, and ended in December 2009. Jakks started with the "Superstars" line. This continued until The Attitude Era where they began producing figures known as "WWF Titantron Live Figures" which contained a micro-chip that would trigger the specific Superstars entrance theme to play when used with "The Titantron" playset; they were also compatible with other products such as the "Trash Talkin' Stage." These figures continued production whilst the "R-3 Tech" line was introduced, figures in scale with one another, like WWE by Mattel. They continued this line until 2003. In 2003, Jakks started production of its most popular figure line, "Ruthless Aggression". These were a basic figure, often packaged with an accessory and featured 15 points of articulation. These figures went on to become the figures also featured in the "WWE Classic Superstars" line, showcasing the legends and alumni of WWE. In 2006, Jakks began producing figures with 27 points of articulation, known as "WWE Deluxe Aggression". These even found their way into their own Classic Line, known as "WWE Classic Deluxe". There were 8 series of these figures, and were made right up until the end of Jakks Pacific's license expired with the WWE in December, 2009. Jakks also produced a line of figures known as classic super stars where a line dedicated exclusively to legendary wrestlers from the 60s 70s 80s and 90s. This line contained 28 series, as well as numerous exclusives and limited edition figures. Many different rings and playsets were also produced for the line. In September 2015, WWE announced a new partner ship with Jakks Pacific in which new figures are to be released in 2016.

Mattel

Mattel took over production of WWE action figures. The new line-up was introduced on January 1, 2010 on wwe.com. The line introduced to the figure-collecting community included the "Basic" line, similar to the Jakks Pacific "Ruthless Aggression" line. These figures are available in single packs, or two-packs; the "Elite" line, similar to the Jakks Pacific "Deluxe Aggression" line, which features 26 points of articulation and is packaged with accessories such as masks, armbands, t-shirts, belts etc.; the "Flex Force" line, targeted at kids, which feature a Superstar-specific move such as a drop-kick or a clothesline. Mattel also released the "Entrance Greats" series of figures, which are Basic style figures, incredibly detailed with entrance gear worn by a superstar at a specific WrestleMania, such as Shawn Michaels in his entrance gear from WrestleMania XII. Mattel released various other lines such as the Superstar rings, available in either Raw, Smackdown or ECW designs; "Superstar Match-ups", a figure packaged with a wearable piece of attire for players such as Rey Mysterio and his mask; the "Flex-Force Breakdown Brawl Ring", a ring that has hot-spots for the Flex-Force series and has a collapsible ring mat. At Toyfair 2010, Mattel revealed the WWE Legends line. They are Elite style figures that also come with accessories. Series 1 includes Steve Austin, Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes, Road Warrior Animal, Road Warrior Hawk, and Sgt. Slaughter The series has been criticized for its headscans, which barely resembled the actual wrestlers, the knee pads for limiting playability, and recent price increases and distribution problems. The Legends line produced 6 series' before its cancellation. Starting in 2012, new figures for this line will only be available on mattycollector.com which will release one new figure every other month. The first figure in the line is André the Giant and the second is "Diamond" Dallas Page (DDP). The third figure in Mattel's legend series is King Kong Bundy. Fourth is Arn Anderson. The fifth is Tully Blanchard released in September 2012. The sixth was originally supposed to be Miss Elizabeth, but the company decided to release her in Mattel Elite Series 19 instead.