If you were a child of the 1980s or 1990s, chances are you had at least one Hasbro WWF figure in your collection. These figures were a staple of many childhoods, and for good reason. They were durable, well-made, and featured all of our favorite wrestlers from the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the history of Hasbro WWF figures and why they continue to be popular with collectors to this day.
Hasbro was already a major player in the toy industry in the 1980s, thanks to the success of their Transformers and G.I. Joe lines. So, it was no surprise when they secured the license to produce WWF figures in 1990. The initial lineup of figures was released in the fall of that year and included classic wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Andre the Giant. The figures were six inches tall and featured simple articulation (just arms and legs that could move) but they were still incredibly popular with kids.
Why are vintage WWF figures valuable?
One of the things that made Hasbro WWF figures so successful was the company’s focus on making them as accurate as possible to the real wrestlers. They even went so far as to include the wrestlers’ real finishing moves as part of their action feature. For example, Hulk Hogan came with a “Hulk Hogan Power Slam” move and Randy Savage had his “Macho Man Elbow Smash”. This attention to detail made the figures all the more appealing to fans of the sport.
Hasbro also released a series of “ring playsets” that were designed to be used with the figures. These included a wrestling ring, announcer’s table, and even a steel cage that could be lowered around the ring. Kids could use these playsets to create their own matches and storylines, further enhancing the appeal of the figures.
Over the years, Hasbro released a total of 11 series of WWF figures, with each series featuring new wrestlers and updated versions of existing ones. They also released a number of “deluxe” figures that were larger than the standard figures and came with additional accessories. One of the most popular deluxe figures was the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, who came with a tiny replica of his signature “Million Dollar Belt”.
Today, vintage WWF figures are highly sought after by collectors. The combination of nostalgia and the high level of detail put into the figures has made them extremely valuable. Mint-condition figures still in their packaging can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the collector’s market.
In conclusion, Hasbro WWF figures are a beloved part of many childhoods and continue to be popular with collectors to this day. They were well-made, accurate to the real wrestlers, and came with a wide range of playsets and accessories that made them even more appealing. If you were lucky enough to have one of these figures as a kid, hold onto it – it might just be worth a fortune now!