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THE SPECIALISTS
COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: An Interesting Number of Survivor Series Tie-Ins from Remco’s AWA Mat Mania Figures

Nov 22, 2014 - 12:01:09 PM
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By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

If you’re putting together a list of the most valuable wrestling figures of all time, you’ll probably include some from most major toy lines. WWF/WWE toy lines from LJN, Hasbro, Jakks, and Mattel have all produced scarce and collectible figures, and the UK exclusive WCW toys from Galoob are some of the rarest and most valuable figures on today’s secondary market.

But, no other single wave of action figures has produced as many valuable and highly collectible toys as the Mat Mania Series from Remco’s AWA toy line. Released in 1987, this was the last wave of AWA figures. These figures were a departure from the rest of the line; while all previous AWA figures were sold in packs of two or three, the Mat Mania figures were released individually at a cost of about $2.99 each. Today figures from the Mat Mania set can fetch hundreds of dollars loose, and sometimes more than $1,000 for a figure that is still mint on card.

In all, there were 11 figures in this wave, including the first-ever action figures of Shawn Michaels, Marty Jannetty, Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie, Nord the Barbarian, Boris Zhukov, “Playboy” Buddy Rose, “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers, and referee Dick Woehrle. In addition, Remco also re-released three older figures on Mat Mania cards: Ric Flair, Nick Bockwinkel, and Paul Ellering.

One of the interesting things about this particular wave of figures is a Survivor Series tie-in. Of the 11 individuals featured in this wave, only four (Ellering, Somers, Woehrle, and Bockwinkel) never appeared at a Survivor Series event. Here’s a look at those seven wrestlers’s Survivor Series contributions and recent sale prices. These figures are so scarce and sales prices are so volatile that it’s tough to assign a value to them. If you’re looking to buy any of these figures or their accessories, be aware that the majority of the figures being sold on eBay are customs and not originals.

- Of these seven wrestlers, Shawn Michaels obviously made the biggest impact on the Survivor Series over the years. He debuted at the 1988 event as a part of the babyface team captained by the Powers of Pain and wrestled in every Survivor Series through 1997. After a hiatus, Michaels returned at the 2002 Survivor Series and wrestled at every event through 2009. This figure has Shawn (or “Sean” on the packaging) in red tights with removable sunglasses and a cloth zebra-striped shirt. Recent sales: $25.16 loose with no accessories, $94.99 loose with no accessories, $150 loose with shirt, and $165 loose with shirt.

- Marty Jannetty also had a pretty respectable Survivor Series run. He appeared with Shawn Michaels as the Rockers at every Survivor Series from 1988 to 1991, and also appeared on Survivor Series teams in 1993, 1995 and 1996. In fact, he and then-partner the 1-2-3 Kid were the only survivors for their team in 1993, and he was the last person eliminated by Kid during the ’95 Survivor Series. His figure is similar to Michaels’, but with black tights instead of red. Recent sale: $149.99 loose with shirt.

- Boris Zhukov, the Russian with the giant noggin, jumped from the AWA to the WWF shortly after this wave of figures was released. He made his first Survivor Series appearance in 1987 with Nikolai Volkoff as the Bolsheviks and then went on to wrestle in every Survivor Series through 1990 (including a dark match at the 1989 Survivor Series). Boris’s AWA figure was simply labeled “The Russian” on the packaging and came with a removable red singlet and chain. This is one of the most valuable wrestling toys ever made and it can be incredibly difficult to find. There have been no completed sales on eBay within the last 90 days, and no original figures currently listed for sale.

- John Nord never wrestled as the Barbarian in the WWF. Instead, he made his lone Survivor Series appearance in 1991 as The Berzerker, a Viking character. The Berzerker was the last man eliminated from his team. This figure is just as scarce and valuable as Zhukov’s. It came with a chain, furry vest and furry boot covers, which were easily lost. One loose complete figure is currently offered for sale on eBay for $750. Recent sale: $260 loose with no accessories.

- When Vince McMahon decided to turn Sgt. Slaughter into an Iraqi sympathizer, he wanted a Saddam Hussein look-a-like to flesh out the act; he found that in Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie. As Gen. Adnan, he appeared in Slaughter’s corner in 1990 and then opposed him by managing Col. Mustafa’s team in 1991. Adnan’s figure is probably the most valuable figure in the entire AWA line and very difficult to find. The figure came with a red robe with a tie and a white headdress. Recent sale: $400 loose with robe.

- “Playboy” Buddy Rose’s last good run was with the AWA through 1987, where he and Doug Somers had an amazing, violent feud with the Midnight Rockers. In 1989 Rose returned to the WWF as a jobber to the stars who appeared in ridiculous “Blow-Away Diet” mock ads. His lone Survivor Series appearance was a dark match loss to a young Shane Douglas. Rose’s AWA figure came with a black robe with graphics on the back, an accessory that was really ahead of its time. Recent sales: $89.99 and $99.99 loose.

- Ric Flair made his Survivor Series debut in 1991 and emerged victorious as the sole survivor over Roddy Piper’s team. In 1992 he and Razor Ramon were scheduled to face Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior, but Curt Hennig stepped in when Warrior departed. Flair didn’t return to the Survivor Series until 2002. Flair’s AWA Mat Mania figure was a re-release of an older figure, so loose it has very little value. Mint on-card figures are incredibly rare; there is currently one listed on eBay for $1,550. Recent sales: none.

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PWTorch Collectibles Specialist can be reached at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MMooreWriter.


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