Michael Moore

By Michael Moore, PWTorch collectibles specialist

In A Sentence: Before you start spending money on Hasbro's WWF figures from the 1990s, know what you're getting into.

The WWF figures released by Hasbro from 1990 to 1994 are still extremely popular with collectors today, especially those who were young children when these figures were released.

These figures are much more cartoonish and geared towards younger children than their predecessors, the more detailed LJN figures released in the mid-to-late-1980s. The Hasbro figures came equipped with an action feature, such as a spring-loaded arm for a punch or rubber band in the waist for spinning action.

Hasbro managed to make toys of almost every wrestler who passed through the WWF during the early-90s, from mainstays like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels to more forgettable acts like Skinner and The Berzerker.

Many of the more common figures can be found for $5 or less for a loose figure, or $10-$12 if they’re still on the card. There are, however, several key pieces that are very difficult to find, and very expensive.

The Kamala figure, packaged on a yellow card and released in 1993, was distributed with two variations: one with a star on his belly, and one very scarce version with a moon. The star version is tough enough to find; if you’re lucky enough to find one still on the card, you’ll likely have to pay $20-$30. The variant featuring the moon is next to impossible to find; one eBay seller is currently offering one for $3,400.

The Dusty Rhodes figure, issued on a blue card in 1991, is also very rare. A loose figure will command about $15-$20, while one still in the package sells for about $90-$150.

Overall, there were more than 100 figures and variants released by Hasbro. If you’re looking to add a few figures for nostalgia’s sake, you can probably find them easily enough for a low price. But if you’re looking to start a collection and invest in some of the more valuable figures, here are some important things to be aware of.

(1) The condition of the figure is obviously a key factor in its value. A mint figure on a mint card will command far more than a loose figure. If you’re looking to buy a loose figure, make sure to inquire about its condition; things like paint wear, loose joints, and broken action features are common and will affect the value.

(2) Several figures were released on international cards. Long after the final green card series had been released in the U.S. in 1994, Kay-Bee Toys began selling older figures on international cards at heavily discounted prices. In general, a figure with text printed in French is worth far less than one printed in English.

(3) If you want an original figure, make sure you’re not buying a custom figure. Several sellers use pieces from old Hasbro figures to repaint and create custom figures. In many cases, these sellers do excellent work, and their craftsmanship is very popular with collectors. For example, some of these sellers may use pieces from an older figure to create a custom figure of John Cena or Sin Cara. However, some sellers also attempt to rebuild and repaint some of the more unique figures, like the Dusty Rhodes and Kamala figures that were previously described. Make sure what you’re buying is an original, unless you’re specifically looking to buy a custom figure.

(4) Many wrestlers have multiple figures, and some are worth more than others. For example, The Undertaker figure sold with a cloth cloak and packaged on a red card in 1993 is worth more than the original figure that was released on a blue card in 1992, and didn’t have a cloth cloak. When pricing a figure, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples; one Hulk Hogan figure isn’t necessarily worth the same as another.

With all of its figures, paint variants and different cards, the Hasbro set of WWF figures is one of the most complex sets of wrestling collectibles on the secondary market. There are plenty of fan sites and Wikipedia entries on these figures, so before buying, be sure to do a little research.

Do you have a question about a collectible? Do you have a unique item that you’d like to share with other wrestling fans? Contact Michael Moore at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

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