RINGSIDE COLLECTIBLES - WWF Figure Insider!

NEWS:This is a slow week for news but let's get right to it. Jakks has not killed the bone-crunching figures completely. With the introduction of Titan Tron Live, the bone-crunchers are merely going on a hiatus for the time being. They may be brought back as they were in late 1998, or Jakks might stick with just the TTL figures. The way things are going now though, it seems that Jakks may be leaning toward bringing the bone-crunchers back early next year AND continuing the TTL line. There is no "official" word from Jakks yet.

As for the rest of this year, Jakks should be offering plenty of figures in the bone-crunching style in various store-exclusive re-release/re-paint assortments such as KB's Special Edition Series and Toys R Us's Best of... assortments.

A new Grudge Match 2-pack has hit stores this week. The latest Grudge Match features The Big Show vs. Mankind. TBS is the same as his Superstars Series 9 figure, and Mankind is sporting his original head sculpt on the Corporate Mankind body found in 2 Tuff Series 3.

Also new in stores is the Smoking Skull Title Belt from Jakks. This cool-looking replica is well-worth the $10, even if you're not a big fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

I highly reccomend picking up the October issue of Tomart's Action Figure Digest with The Undertaker and Steve Austin 12" figures on the cover. The special wrestling issue features an abundance of pictures and information of WWF, WCW, and ECW figures.

Signature Series 4 has hit stores in most of the country, and the set is being advertised as the third-to-last assortment of bone-crunching figures. Ironically though, two of the figures feature no bone-crunching at all. The "Blue Edition" Siganture Series contains Stone Cold Steve Austin in a new t-shirt with a hat, Ken Shamrock decked out in Lion's Den gear, X-Pac with a DX football jersey, the Big Show, Edge, and the Rock with a shiny "$500 shirt".

This is a big month for Ringside Collectibles because in less than 2 weeks, the Titan Tron Ramp, Titan Tron Double Slam, Titan Tron Series 1, the highly anticipated Stone Cold Steve Austin Interactive figure, and the Steve Austin limited edition 12" Figure will all be in stock. What that means is if you send in your order now, you will have these hot new products in your hands in 2-3 weeks! If that's not enough, I'm told that less than 50 pieces remain of the Edge & Christian autographed 2-Pack which is scheduled to be in stock in November. If you are planning on ordering one, I suggest that you do it now!

Overwhelmingly, the top reason given by the people to buy a store-exclusive figure or set is whether or not the figure is new. The number 2 reason to buy an exclusive is the number of figures available. Not surprisingly, a new package on an old figure doesn't interest many people.

Ringside Collectibles Poll

Ultimate Warrior
Superstar Series 2

Sure, his wrestling abilities may be limited to a handful of moves, but there's no denying the Ultimate Warrior's Jakks figure is immensely popular. The figure was one of three new figures produced for Superstar Series 2, and was also repainted for Toys R Us's Survivor Series 4-pack. Like most early Jakks, Warrior sells for insane prices on the secondary market. The demand is not quite as high as that for Razor Ramon, but the Warrior still sells for around $15-20 loose and around $40-50 MOC.

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 product suggestions sent to: [email protected] will be forwarded directly to Jakks Pacific.

WWF FIGURE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK: This weeks prize is a $50 Ringside Collectibles Gift Certificate. The question is: What set featured the first Road Dogg figure to feature "RD" on his pant legs instead of "PD?"If you think you know the answer, just send an e-mail to:[email protected] with the subject "INSIDER CONTEST", in the e-mail you MUST include your answer along with your complete name, mailing address, and phone number. Only one entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Your answer must be received by 11:59pm eastern time on September 16th. One winner will be chosen from all correct entries received.
The winner of this contest will be announced on the Figure Insider page the weekend of September 17.

Best of '97 Series 2 was a Toys R Us exclusive, and was released in late December of 1997. The assortment originally shipped with Shawn Michaels, Rocky Maivia, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, Crush, and Undertaker. HHH and "Wildman" Marc Mero were added in later shipments. Last week's winner is [email protected].

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.