Wrestling Superstars
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Wrestling Superstars was an action figure toyline based on the wrestlers of the WWF. They were made by the toy and video game company LJN from 1984 to 1989. The toys were made of solid rubber and were very accurate in appearance to their real life counterparts, however they did not have any articulation. The original 8" figures were the most successful series from the line but that success spawned other versions such as Thumb Wrestlers and Bendies.
LJN closed it's toy division in 1989, cancelling the Wrestling Superstars series with it. The last 6 figures which were produced did manage to get released by Grand Toys of Canada. They were the distributor of the entire Wrestling Superstars series in Canada and are still a fairly large toy company to this day. Hasbro were awarded the license as the main WWF action figure producer the following year.
These figures have become quite collectable, partly due to wrestlings ongoing popularity and the 1980s nostalgia boom. Another reason is how hard it is to find them in good condition. The paint on the figures would easily come off during play leaving most opened figures (out of their package or card) in poor shape. The price for "loose" mint figures ranges from $10-$75. In poor condition most of the line isn't worth very much due to their great abundance. The figures that remain carded can command much higher prices though. In good condition a MOC (mint on card) figure can range from $20 or so for a Mene Gene Okerlund to $500-$800 or more for a Bret Hart. Other carded figures that can sell for hundreds are Warlord, Ultimate Warrior, Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid, and the Hart Foundation Tag Team box set.
Contents |
[edit] 8" Series
Series 1
- Andre The Giant (Long Hair)
- Big John Studd
- Hillbilly Jim
- Hulk Hogan
- Iron Sheik
- Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
- Junk Yard Dog
- Nikolai Volkoff
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Series 2
- Brutus Beefcake
- George "The Animal" Steele
- Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
- King Kong Bundy
- "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
Series 3
- Andre The Giant (Short Hair)
- Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
- Bruno Sammartino
- Captain Lou Albano
- "Classy" Freddie Blassie
- Corporal Kirchner
- Davey Boy Smith
- Magnificent Muraco
- Dynamite Kid
- Jesse "The Body" Ventura
- Jimmy Hart
- Mr.Fuji
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage
- Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
- S.D Jones
- Terry Funk
- Tito Santana (Purple Trunks)
Series 4
- "Adorable" Adrain Adonis
- Billy Jack Haynes
- Bret "The Hitman" Hart
- B. Brian Blair
- Cowboy Bob Orton
- Elizabeth
- King Harley Race
- Hercules Hernandez
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts
- Jumping Jim Brunzell
- Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
- Kamala
- Outback Jack
- Ted Arcidi
Series 5
- Ax
- Bam Bam Bigelow
- Hacksaw Jim Duggan
- Honky Tonk Man
- Hulk Hogan (White Shirt)
- Hulk Hogan (Red Shirt)
- Johnny V
- Ken Patera
- One Man Gang
- Referee (White Shirt)
- Referee (Blue Shirt)
- Rick Martel
- Slick
- Ted Dibiase
- Tito Santana (Strike Force attire)
- Vince McMahon
Series 6
- Andre The Giant (Black Strap)
- Big Boss Man
- Haku
- Rick Rude
- Ultimate Warrior
- Warlord
Tag Team Box Sets
- British Bulldogs
- Brutus Beefcake and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
- Hart Foundation
- Hulk Hogan and Hillbilly Jim
- Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
- Killer Bees
- Strike Force
Accessories
- Sling 'Em-Fling 'Em Wrestling Ring
- Cage Match Accessory
[edit] Bendies
- Andre The Giant
- Big John Studd
- Bobby Heenan
- Brutus Beefcake
- Captain Lou Albano
- Corporal Kirchner
- George "The Animal" Steele
- Hillbilly Jim
- Hulk Hogan
- Iron Shiek
- Jesse "The Body" Ventura
- Junk Yard Dog
- King Kong Bundy
- "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
- Nikolai Volkoff
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage
- Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Accessories
- Cage Match Challenge
[edit] Thumb Wrestlers
- Big John Studd
- Iron Sheik
- Hillbilly Jim
- Hulk Hogan
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts
- Junk Yard Dog
- King Kong Bundy
- Nikolai Volkoff
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
[edit] 16" Series
[edit] Stretch Wrestlers
- George "The Animal" Steele
- Hulk Hogan
- Junk Yard Dog
- King Kong Bundy
- "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage
- Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
[edit] Trivia
- The 8" Sgt. Slaughter figure was not made by LJN. It was actually made by Hasbro and is often incorrectly assumed to be an LJN figure.
- The original Sling 'Em-Fling 'Em Wrestling Ring was recalled due to children impaling themselves falling on the corner ring posts. The posts had no give and would not budge if weight was applied.