By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: While collectors are still waiting for action figures of Pedro Morales and Buddy Rogers, there are plenty of figures of Madison Square Garden's biggest stars.

Figure 5 Tuesday: Top Stars of Madison Square Garden

By many accounts, WWE's new “The Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden” DVD is a disappointment. Older fans have decried WWE’s lack of Bruno Sammartino matches in favor of more modern bouts of John Cena and Triple H.

The disc provides fans who grew up on television wrestling just a small glimpse at a different time. Before Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and John Cena were television stars drawing ratings, wrestlers like Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, and “Superstar” Billy Graham were selling tickets to what Gorilla Monsoon used to call the “Mecca of Professional Wrestling.”

Here’s a look at five figures who drew big crowds in wrestling’s biggest market. But, keep in mind that while companies like Jakks Pacific, Mattel, and Figures Toy Co. have made many toys of wrestling’s top stars from the past, there are still several missing figures.

(5) Magnificent Muraco LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Series 3. Whether he was the reigning Intercontinental Champion or a challenger for Bob Backlund’s WWWF Title, Don Muraco was one of the top heels in the Garden in the 1970s and ‘80s. His original LJN action figure has him in red trunks and a black T-shirt. Loose figures are easy to find, usually selling for under $10. Jakks also made a Muraco toy, but with its powder blue tights, it looks more like the babyface Muraco who departed the WWF in 1988.




(4) Ivan Koloff Jakks Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Two-Packs. To one generation of fans, he was Uncle Ivan, the mouthpiece for and tag team partner of nephew Nikita. But to those who knew him best, Ivan Koloff was the guy who beat Bruno in the Garden. His only action figure was sold in a two-pack with Nikita and can be somewhat tough to find. Loose figures usually sell for $20-25, with packaged sets usually selling for $45-50.




(3) "Superstar" Billy Graham Jakks Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Limited Edition Black and White Figure. Graham’s star burned hot and fast. He bridged two generations, as he defeated the legendary Bruno Sammartino before dropping the belt to Bob Backlund. In the mid-2000s, WWE caught “Superstar” fever, releasing a DVD and several Graham toys. This unique toy was limited to 3,000 and marketed as the “first ever black and white” wrestling figure. The color scheme presents Graham as he would have appeared on a black and white television. It’s tough to find and usually sells for $45-50.




(2) Bob Backlund Jakks Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Series 14. Backlund dominated MSG before the advent of wrestling action figures (1970s) and returned to prominence during a downtime when there weren’t any WWF figures on the market (early-1990s). His only quality action figure is from this series of Jakks toys, wearing simple red trunks and boots and carrying a white towel. Loose figures typically sell for about $15, with packaged figures fetching $25-30.




(1) Bruno Sammartino Jakks Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Series 10. There was no bigger star – in MSG, and arguably in WWE history – than Bruno. His ceasefire with Vince McMahon and return to WWE’s good graces has raised Bruno’s profile. LJN released his first figure back in the ‘80s, and Figures Toy Co. produced a few Bruno toys in its Legends of Wrestling set.

But, Bruno’s best figure is this Jakks toy, which depicts Bruno at his physical and professional peak. The figure is easy to find, with loose figures usually selling for under $10 and packaged figures usually fetching $30-40. Mattel has also announced plans for a new Bruno toy, complete with a classic WWWF Title belt.




Ask the Torch

If you have a question about wrestling collectibles you would like to see answered in a future installment of Ask the Torch, send your questions to michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com .

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