By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

Action Figure Spotlight #62: Curtis Axel Mattel WWE Elite Best of Pay-Per-View

Interest in Curtis Axel’s first Elite figure surged and then plummeted.

Curtis Axel developed something of a cult following after the 2015 Royal Rumble. He never officially entered the match, and some fans were so displeased with Roman Reigns’s victory that they began to rally behind Axel.

The former Michael McGillicutty got a brief moment in the sun Monday on Raw. He marched to the ring, demanded a title match with Brock Lesnar, stood on the middle rope, and comically pointed toward the WrestleMania sign. Then, Dean Ambrose promptly ended his night.

Axel garnered some attention with action figure collectors last summer and fall. His first WWE Elite figure from Mattel was included in the Toys R Us Exclusive Jim Ross Build a Figure Series. Many collectors identified Axel’s as the key figure in the series.

Because that particular Build a Figure series was slow to show up in many parts of the country, Axel’s figure became white hot, regularly selling for $50 or more online and sometimes approaching $100.

However, just like Axel’s “Paul Heyman Guy” push, interest in the figure was short-lived. Once more Toys R Us stores finally began stocking the figure - and it became available on the company’s website - prices dropped drastically.

If you can find one of these figures at your local Toys R Us, the suggested retail price is $22.99. Figures are selling for about the same price on the secondary market.

Ring of Honor Toy Line

Collectors are still waiting for the first Ring of Honor action figures from Toys Co. Earlier this week the company released the first images of the title belts for the figures. The belts are very similar in style to those in Mattel’s WWE Elite line, with a shiny finish on the plates. Check out some of the images by following Figures Toy Co. on Twitter @FiguresToyCo.

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

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