RINGSIDE COLLECTIBLES - WWF Figure Insider!

The latest news in the wrestling figure world can be found right here every week!

NEWS:Superstars and the other bone-crunching figures are not dead. I repeat, the bone-crunchers are not dead. Jakks may have stated that all standard figures in the future will be Titan Tron-ready, but that doesn't mean bone-crunching figures have been totally abandoned. It merely means that lines such as Superstars are going to take a back seat role to the Titan Tron Live figures. For those who are completely against the TTL figures, give them a chance. What's being said about the Titan Tron Live figures is the exact same stuff we all heard three years ago when Jakks' first Superstars figures hit the market.

If you're looking to pick up DTA Tour Series 2 figures, it appears Jakks has shipped more of them to Wal-Mart stores. This supplementary wave seems to be riddled with variations though. Steve Blackman's ladder appears to be darker than in the first shipments, and the placement of some accessories seems to have changed.

Also hitting Wal-Mart stores this week is DTA Tour Series 3. Included in the assortment are the Godfather, X-Pac, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Christian, Ken Shamrock, and HHH. The Godfather includes Jakks' new break-away table, but it appears they've excluded his hat and cane though. If you missed Steve Blackman in DTA 2 and need the new-style ladder, you can get it with Christian in the latest Wal-Mart exclusive.

Staying on the store exclusive front, ToyFare magazine will be offering an exclusive figure of the Rock. The figure shares the same mold that was used for the Great One's Superstars Series 8 figure, only with a fabric jersey. Anyone besides me notice a theme this week?

ToyFare's not the only place to get an exclusive Rock figure though. KB will be offering a free figure of the Rock when purchasing $30 of WWF figures as a part of their SummerSlam '99 promotion. Unfortunately though, it's the same Rock from the RAW is WAR Series, only with a vest.

Speaking of the RAW is War figures, you can now pick them up in a 4-pack. None of the accessories are included, but the boxed set is sporting a cool Mankind repainted in his referee shirt.

Wrapping things up this week, look out for an abundance of exclusives in stores in the coming weeks. KB's No Chance 3-pack should be in stock for their SummerSlam '99 promo. The 3-pack features Paul Wight, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Vince McMahon. Wal-Mart's Ministry of Darkness 4-pack should also be arriving this month. The 4-pack consists of the Undertaker, Viscera, and the Acolytes.

It seems I made an error in the Classic Jakks Figure of the Week section this week. I completely forgot about Cactus Jack being in KB's No Holds Barred 3-pack. I can't get anything past you readers! To clarify the trivia situation, I wont' be accepting Cactus Jack as the answer, as I just gave him away as an answer. There is one other figure that's been released more than once as an exclusive to the same store

The overwhelming result to last week's poll is a most definite yes! 229 of you think the Titan Tron Live figures are excellent. In a distant second though, 74 of you think they shouldn't exist. So far, reaction seems to be mixed. A lot of people are excitend about this new style for Jakks, while an equal number don't seem to want anythign to do with Jakks making new stuff. In the end, I expect Titan Tron Live to win everyone over.

Final Results of last week's Poll: How would you rate the look of the new Titan Tron Live Figures?

Excellent, Great Job Jakks!        229 Votes
Very Good     59 Votes
Good                        26 Votes
Just Ok, Could Be Better           58 Votes
Terrible, A Waste Of Plastic        74 Votes

KB's Mic Foley Triple Threat

With Cactus Jack Exclusive

This week the Classic Jakks Figure of the Week is none other than Cactus Jack. The King of Hardcore is my personal favorite from Jakks. The sculpt is dead-on, he's wearing his classic "Dead or Alive" shirt, he's scarred, and the barbed-wire baseball bat takes it over the top. The only thing that could possibly be cooler than the inclusion of a barbed-wire baseball bat is Foley's trademark grin. Surprisingly, Jakks has only released this extremely(please excuse the pun) popular figure one time. He's only appeared in the KB-exclusive Mick Foley's Triple Threat 3-pack, which hit stores last Fall.

BRING IT TO ME JAKKS!: Is there a certain figure that you would like to see produced or an accessory you would like to see made? Jakks has told us that they would love to hear your ideas and suggestions for future products! If you always wanted that Howard Finkel figure to complete your collection or if you ever wanted a life-size Headbanger skirt that you can actually wear, all that you have to do is e-mail Jakks with your suggestion. They just might use it!
All e-mail's sent to: [email protected] will be forwarded directly to Jakks Pacific, Inc.

WWF FIGURE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Up for grabs this week is an actual SOCK signed by the one and only Mankind.

This week's question is: What was the only Jakks figure (other than Cactus Jack) to be released more than one time as an exclusive to the same store every time?
Cactus Jack is not the answer!! There is one other figure that's been released more than once as an exclusive to the same store.

If you think you know the answer, just send an e-mail to: [email protected] with the subject "INSIDER CONTEST" and your answer by 11:59pm eastern time on Thursday August 12, 1999. One winner will be chosen from all correct entries received.

The answer to last week's question is that Jakks included the instructions for bone-crunching action on the cardbacks for STOMP 1 in the initial shipments. The error was later corrected with a black sticker placed over the instructions. The winner of the autographed Sable 8x10 is [email protected]. Please e-mail me your name and address so we can send you your prize.

E-Mail me any questions, comments or suggestions you may have at: [email protected]

The opinions of John Barnett are his, and not necessarily those of Ringside Collectibles, ringsidecollectibles.com, or it's staff. We try our best to bring you the most accurate information possible however, neither Ringside Collectibles or John Barnett are responsible for any false or inaccurate information that may appear on this page.