By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: Toys of wrestling's top women have changed substantially over the last 25 years, from Barbie-type dolls to detailed action figures.




Action Figure Evolution #7: The Women of Wrestling

(1) 1985 Remco AWA Series 2 Precious. LJN produced a collectible eraser of Wendi Richter in 1985, but the first true female wrestling action figure was released by Remco in 1985. Precious came packaged with former AWA tag team champions “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal. Precious didn’t look much like the other toys in the series, but more closely resembled a cheap Barbie-type discount store toy.

(2) 1986 LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Series 4 Miss Elizabeth. LJN made WWF toys from 1984 to 1989, but produced just one female figure. The first figure of the First Lady of the WWF was solid rubber with no articulation. She was made with a purple top and removable gold skirt.

(3) 1997 and 1998 Jakks-Pacific WWF Sable. Jakks released the first female wrestling toys in more than a decade in 1997. The first toys of Sunny and Sable were little more than a solid block of plastic with moveable arms. The female figures changed drastically in 1998, when Jakks released a controversial busty Sable toy wearing next to nothing.

(4) 1999 Toy Biz WCW Smash ‘N Slam Elizabeth. Aside from the Nitro Girls, WCW didn’t feature many prominent female personalities on its TV shows. Because of this, companies like Galoob, OSFTM, and Toy Biz made very few female WCW action figures. This is the only figure of a heel Elizabeth as a member of the NWO.

(5) 2005 Jakks-Pacific Ruthless Aggression Series 14 Trish Stratus. Jakks made dozens of toys of Divas over the years, including Stephanie McMahon, Lita, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Jacqueline, Marlena, Kelly Kelly, Layla, Vickie Guerrero, May Young, the Fabulous Moolah, Sherri Martel, Sunny, and many more. This figure of Trish comes with detailed pink and black ring gear and a WWE Women’s Title belt.

(6) 2012 Mattel WWE Elite Series 17 Kelly Kelly. Mattel launched its line of WWE toys in 2010, and included early figures of Mickie James and Beth Phoenix. Each time Mattel releases a new Diva toy, it is almost always the most popular figure in the series and very difficult to find. This toy of Kelly comes with a removable jacket and the first painted metallic Divas title belt.

The PWTorch Collectibles Specialist can be contacted at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com

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