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Post by James St. James on Feb 14, 2012 15:13:53 GMT -5
I get the feeling that Tim Ash badgered and annoyed Bill so much off camera that by the time they got filming he was totally over it and the Q and A suffered for it.
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Post by Bandalero on Feb 14, 2012 15:24:44 GMT -5
Tim is very excitable indeed.
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Post by RSCTom on Feb 14, 2012 15:28:29 GMT -5
Yea i felt the same way. Its seems like only a handful of questions were asked when there was like 8 pgs worth. I know some were repetitive and others just stupid but there were a good amount of questions posted that weren't asked. Which big questions do you feel got missed out? I haven't read the Q&A thread this time around so I'm curious about what they ducked. But I remember the old ones always being "when are we gonna see ______?" which Tom covered. I would also like to know the answer to this. As I said I chose the questions. I told you guys which ones I steer clear of so I would like to know which ones you think I should've included and why so I can keep it in mind for next time. |
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Post by kenlarchtin on Feb 14, 2012 15:37:06 GMT -5
Just watched the Q and A. That Bill from Mattel seems like a very kind man. Its good to know that a good person like him is working on the WWE line at Mattel. I would buy a Bill from Mattel rumbler.
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ToxicTwistOfFate
Main Eventer
Joined on: Nov 7, 2006 0:16:23 GMT -5
Posts: 3,576
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Post by ToxicTwistOfFate on Feb 14, 2012 15:42:48 GMT -5
I agree the Q&A was interesting but it still felt like a let down. I'm glad they spoke about the Andre stains thread we had but nothing on the possibility of a flashback HBK. He briefly said yes, but I wish he could went into a little more detail about as it is a big want of many on this board. Exactly what I was trying to say. I know what Tom is getting at and that's not exactly what I mean. I meant more a long the lines of some more information. Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. Or like the mentioned Undertaker moving into the legends for example. It would have been cool to hear what ideas they maybe had going forward with him. Another thing is how he touched on Booker but we still haven't heard anything about a Kevin Nash/Diesel. |
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Post by kenlarchtin on Feb 14, 2012 15:47:33 GMT -5
I think Undertaker is retiring at 20-0 so a Debut Survivor Series 1990 Undertaker with the grey gloves and all would be a great flashback figure. It would make a great exclusive for Toyfair 2013.
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Post by Next Manufactured’s Sweater on Feb 14, 2012 15:53:29 GMT -5
Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. They're never going to spoil specifics like that, are they? To me, seeing new figures wouldn't be that exciting if we already knew exactly what they'd be nine months earlier. I think Undertaker is retiring at 20-0 so a Debut Survivor Series 1990 Undertaker with the grey gloves and all would be a great flashback figure. It would make a great exclusive for Toyfair 2013. We already got a debut Survivor Series Undertaker. He wore black gloves that night, I think? |
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ToxicTwistOfFate
Main Eventer
Joined on: Nov 7, 2006 0:16:23 GMT -5
Posts: 3,576
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Post by ToxicTwistOfFate on Feb 14, 2012 15:58:11 GMT -5
They're never going to spoil specifics like that, are they? To me, seeing new figures wouldn't be that exciting if we already knew exactly what they'd be nine months earlier. *shrugs* I guess it's just a difference of opinion. To me I get more hyped up and excited knowing what there is to look forward to. I mean sure it's nice to be surprised but if I know something is coming it builds up my anticipation for it before it's released. |
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Post by kenlarchtin on Feb 14, 2012 16:00:41 GMT -5
Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. They're never going to spoil specifics like that, are they? To me, seeing new figures wouldn't be that exciting if we already knew exactly what they'd be nine months earlier. I think Undertaker is retiring at 20-0 so a Debut Survivor Series 1990 Undertaker with the grey gloves and all would be a great flashback figure. It would make a great exclusive for Toyfair 2013. We already got a debut Survivor Series Undertaker. He wore black gloves that night, I think? I meant the grey shin pads or whatever you call them. What series was the debut undertaker in? |
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Post by punksnotdead on Feb 14, 2012 16:11:05 GMT -5
Tim did a good job with the Bobby The Brain question. It sort of got passed by quickly but then he went back to it and it's nice to know "other" Bill is going to bat for us on stuff like that. Hopefully they can stick Brain in as a BAF or in a 2pack with someone that would help him sell. If that demand isn't there then go with the Exclusive as was mentioned. I think if Brain were in a pack with someone like Ric Flair, if and when we get Flair, that he could sell. Maybe an Exclusive 2 pack with those two.
I think the major problem people may have with the Q&A is the lack of reveals. I think with the in-depth Q&As online, the Mattel guys kind of say yeah or nay to a guy. Is it possible we get wrestler x? A number of times they will say, wrestler x has been scanned or wrestler x should be out next summer or whatever. We just didn't get any of that and I thought that was kind of the only thing that was missing. I thought it was a good Q&A though. I think Boss Bill does a great job with this kind of stuff.
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Post by RSCTom on Feb 14, 2012 16:24:18 GMT -5
I agree the Q&A was interesting but it still felt like a let down. I'm glad they spoke about the Andre stains thread we had but nothing on the possibility of a flashback HBK. He briefly said yes, but I wish he could went into a little more detail about as it is a big want of many on this board. Exactly what I was trying to say. I know what Tom is getting at and that's not exactly what I mean. I meant more a long the lines of some more information. Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. Or like the mentioned Undertaker moving into the legends for example. It would have been cool to hear what ideas they maybe had going forward with him. Another thing is how he touched on Booker but we still haven't heard anything about a Kevin Nash/Diesel. Here is why I won't pick questions like that and here is why even if I did, they wouldn't answer them: We ask the question "What Shawn Michaels figures do you have in mind for the future?" In our world, the answer would be flat out "we are considering several ideas." That would be it. In the hypothetical world, the 'ideal' answer would be 'we're working on HBK from 2002 when he returned in the nWo.' Suddenly, a number of people here freak out and start going crazy. "THAT'S THE WORST REPRESENTATION OF SHAWN MICHAEL'S CAREER!" "nWo 2002 SUCKED BIG TIME!" "MATTEL KNOWS EVERYONE HERE WANTS THAT BAD BLOOD '97 AND THEY'RE GIVING US THIS HBK?! SCREW THEM!" So despite the fact that those are generally rude and unnecessary responses (I'm not pegging everyone here as rude, most all of you are cool dudes but it does happen) Mattel is stuck with an air of negativity surrounding a Shawn Michaels figure. To quote Men in Black (for some reason) "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, noisy animals and you know it." A bit of a stretch but I think it applies. No company, be it a toy company, a film production company, a kids lunch box company, wants any sort of negative air or response to their product. If word got out that there was some sort of negativity surrounding something, average collectors, people who simply don't post here or possible future customers who don't buy at all, won't buy. By the time a product is released, those types of things I would assume won't matter anymore. If a negative reaction shows up, sure it's not what a toy company wants, but it won't have as devastating an effect as negative word of mouth before something comes out. It's almost like reverse hype. But then again, what do I know, I went to school for film, not for marketing. I could be wrong. Either way, those types of questions are useless to ask for that reason. I understand the frustration of not knowing something ahead of time. I really do. But there is a reason for it. I am looking forward to literally one figure probably within the next 6-7 months and if the head scan doesn't look that great, I'm not getting it. I'd love to know what it looks like right now so I can make that decision. I am a consumer and while we are lucky enough as consumers to have that direct connection with the toy company here, and we're even more lucky that they're down to earth, bright, nice people, it realistically only reaches a certain point. Mattel simply cannot show you or say things to you before they as a major corporation are comfortable. Again, this is just an idea of reasoning but I would put a lot down on that being either true or close to true. I also know this won't stop those types of questions from coming, but if you don't see it or hear it in a Q & A that I've had to choose questions from, now you know why. |
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Post by RSCTom on Feb 14, 2012 16:29:56 GMT -5
Also forgot to mention and sorry for the double post, but one thing Bill did continually bring up this time around is budget.
You guys ask for a certain type of figure, but you have to realize Mattel, just like anyone else, works off of a given budget. I'd love for them to melt all of the Flex Force plastic into a giant cauldron and use it to make 10,000 decked out Bad Blood '97 HBKs so all of my friends here are happy but it's not going to happen. Ever. I almost ignored the HBK question all together but I knew since so many people here were asking it I'd get major heat for not at least touching on it. That's what we got and within the confines of what we are able to be told, it's all we're going to get. Really is just a matter of patience and moderate expectations as opposed to an imaginary check book that Maury Mattelstein is using to fund all of his action figure lines.
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Post by punksnotdead on Feb 14, 2012 16:30:49 GMT -5
Exactly what I was trying to say. I know what Tom is getting at and that's not exactly what I mean. I meant more a long the lines of some more information. Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. Or like the mentioned Undertaker moving into the legends for example. It would have been cool to hear what ideas they maybe had going forward with him. Another thing is how he touched on Booker but we still haven't heard anything about a Kevin Nash/Diesel. Here is why I won't pick questions like that and here is why even if I did, they wouldn't answer them: We ask the question "What Shawn Michaels figures do you have in mind for the future?" In our world, the answer would be flat out "we are considering several ideas." That would be it. In the hypothetical world, the 'ideal' answer would be 'we're working on HBK from 2002 when he returned in the nWo.' Suddenly, a number of people here freak out and start going crazy. "THAT'S THE WORST REPRESENTATION OF SHAWN MICHAEL'S CAREER!" "nWo 2002 SUCKED BIG TIME!" "MATTEL KNOWS EVERYONE HERE WANTS THAT BAD BLOOD '97 AND THEY'RE GIVING US THIS HBK?! SCREW THEM!"So despite the fact that those are generally rude and unnecessary responses (I'm not pegging everyone here as rude, most all of you are cool dudes but it does happen) Mattel is stuck with an air of negativity surrounding a Shawn Michaels figure. To quote Men in Black (for some reason) "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, noisy animals and you know it." A bit of a stretch but I think it applies. No company, be it a toy company, a film production company, a kids lunch box company, wants any sort of negative air or response to their product. If word got out that there was some sort of negativity surrounding something, average collectors, people who simply don't post here or possible future customers who don't buy at all, won't buy. By the time a product is released, those types of things I would assume won't matter anymore. If a negative reaction shows up, sure it's not what a toy company wants, but it won't have as devastating an effect as negative word of mouth before something comes out. It's almost like reverse hype. But then again, what do I know, I went to school for film, not for marketing. I could be wrong. Either way, those types of questions are useless to ask for that reason. I understand the frustration of not knowing something ahead of time. I really do. But there is a reason for it. I am looking forward to literally one figure probably within the next 6-7 months and if the head scan doesn't look that great, I'm not getting it. I'd love to know what it looks like right now so I can make that decision. I am a consumer and while we are lucky enough as consumers to have that direct connection with the toy company here, and we're even more lucky that they're down to earth, bright, nice people, it realistically only reaches a certain point. Mattel simply cannot show you or say things to you before they as a major corporation are comfortable. Again, this is just an idea of reasoning but I would put a lot down on that being either true or close to true. I also know this won't stop those types of questions from coming, but if you don't see it or hear it in a Q & A that I've had to choose questions from, now you know why. I hope they do know, that's my most wanted figure of all time... ;D |
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kevinandrewc
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Dec 31, 2010 14:36:23 GMT -5
Posts: 442
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Post by kevinandrewc on Feb 14, 2012 16:32:42 GMT -5
Very excellent point, Tom. I have certainly done my share of attire choice bashing. I never miss an opportunity to lambast Mattel for the blue and white Sgt Slaughter.  Most of us would LOVE a 90s HBK, but we all have differing ideas of which HBK outfit or moment we'd like to see, and no matter which they choose about 80% of us will say, "Aww man! Why didn't they choose THIS one?!" Valid point, indeed. Mattel should stay hush hush until they have a major announcement, like when Hogan or Sting signs. |
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Post by Iron Bison on Feb 14, 2012 16:41:31 GMT -5
Exactly what I was trying to say. I know what Tom is getting at and that's not exactly what I mean. I meant more a long the lines of some more information. Like what ideas do they have for an HBK flashback. Or like the mentioned Undertaker moving into the legends for example. It would have been cool to hear what ideas they maybe had going forward with him. Another thing is how he touched on Booker but we still haven't heard anything about a Kevin Nash/Diesel. Here is why I won't pick questions like that and here is why even if I did, they wouldn't answer them: We ask the question "What Shawn Michaels figures do you have in mind for the future?" In our world, the answer would be flat out "we are considering several ideas." That would be it. In the hypothetical world, the 'ideal' answer would be 'we're working on HBK from 2002 when he returned in the nWo.' Suddenly, a number of people here freak out and start going crazy. "THAT'S THE WORST REPRESENTATION OF SHAWN MICHAEL'S CAREER!" "nWo 2002 SUCKED BIG TIME!" "MATTEL KNOWS EVERYONE HERE WANTS THAT BAD BLOOD '97 AND THEY'RE GIVING US THIS HBK?! SCREW THEM!" So despite the fact that those are generally rude and unnecessary responses (I'm not pegging everyone here as rude, most all of you are cool dudes but it does happen) Mattel is stuck with an air of negativity surrounding a Shawn Michaels figure. To quote Men in Black (for some reason) "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, noisy animals and you know it." A bit of a stretch but I think it applies. No company, be it a toy company, a film production company, a kids lunch box company, wants any sort of negative air or response to their product. If word got out that there was some sort of negativity surrounding something, average collectors, people who simply don't post here or possible future customers who don't buy at all, won't buy. By the time a product is released, those types of things I would assume won't matter anymore. If a negative reaction shows up, sure it's not what a toy company wants, but it won't have as devastating an effect as negative word of mouth before something comes out. It's almost like reverse hype. But then again, what do I know, I went to school for film, not for marketing. I could be wrong. Either way, those types of questions are useless to ask for that reason. I understand the frustration of not knowing something ahead of time. I really do. But there is a reason for it. I am looking forward to literally one figure probably within the next 6-7 months and if the head scan doesn't look that great, I'm not getting it. I'd love to know what it looks like right now so I can make that decision. I am a consumer and while we are lucky enough as consumers to have that direct connection with the toy company here, and we're even more lucky that they're down to earth, bright, nice people, it realistically only reaches a certain point. Mattel simply cannot show you or say things to you before they as a major corporation are comfortable. Again, this is just an idea of reasoning but I would put a lot down on that being either true or close to true. I also know this won't stop those types of questions from coming, but if you don't see it or hear it in a Q & A that I've had to choose questions from, now you know why. Tom, if I ever meet you. I'm going to give you a handshake and a big ******* hug, and a "thank you". |
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ToxicTwistOfFate
Main Eventer
Joined on: Nov 7, 2006 0:16:23 GMT -5
Posts: 3,576
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Post by ToxicTwistOfFate on Feb 14, 2012 16:44:49 GMT -5
Understandable Tom and you make very good points. I guess it's just comes down to me being a very impatient person about things. I like to know what's coming and what to look forward to or I usually start to lose interest. I can remember being a kid and even when collecting Ninja Turtles or GI Joes etc I always got so impatient having to wait for new stuff to come out and so I could see who else was listed on the back of the packages. I apologize for making you have to explain your reasonings for not asking certain questions.
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Post by RSCTom on Feb 14, 2012 16:49:14 GMT -5
Understandable Tom and you make very good points. I guess it's just comes down to me being a very impatient person about things. I like to know what's coming and what to look forward to or I usually start to lose interest. I can remember being a kid and even when collecting Ninja Turtles or GI Joes etc I always got so impatient having to wait for new stuff to come out and so I could see who else was listed on the back of the packages. I apologize for making you have to explain your reasonings for not asking certain questions. Bromosapien. Don't apologize. I am just letting you know, this is what it boils down to when something seems not as informative as it should be or incomplete or whatever. This is a great Q & A full of interesting discussion about ankle joints, clothing stains, the how and why of BOTH of those things, and so much more in depth insight to really how a toy ends up in your hands that I don't want you to miss out on it!  |
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Post by marino13 on Feb 14, 2012 17:17:58 GMT -5
I... I love you Tom!  |
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demolitionrulz
Superstar
No place to hide, the devils they'll get you
Joined on: Feb 15, 2011 1:44:09 GMT -5
Posts: 821
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Post by demolitionrulz on Feb 14, 2012 17:39:10 GMT -5
I was able to watch and listen to the entire 45 minute interview. Now I am as eager as the next person to get more "flashback" or older figures, but I think we all need to realize a few things:
1. Mattel knows we as collectors want these figures
2. They know they don't sell as well as the current WWE superstars but there is still a want/demand for them by us
3. They are going to make more current retired figures that kids know, like Edge, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Stone Cold and the Rock because they sell better than guys like LOD, Earthquake, etc... that doesn't mean we won't get these figures eventually.
4.We as collectors have to be patient and keep making suggestions and I think Mattel will get to some/most of our requests.
I think we will see sooner than later the classic Undertaker and the HBK everyone seems to want. We again just need to be patient and keep requesting what we want.
I for one would love to see classic tag teams as flashbacks in an elite series. How about Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart first!?!?!
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Post by LaParka on Feb 14, 2012 17:48:09 GMT -5
I understand where Tom is coming from on the questions not everyone will be satisfied or happy with the answers.
Mattel has guys that go to bat for us which is cool. I understand they have a budget some decisions I can live with. There much more honest than the other divisions heads who look to have praise thrown on themselves for some of the decisions.
Ricardo Rodriguez Alberto Del Rio battle pack is a must. Out of all there Q&A's they say there working on him.
I'm as guilty as the next for asking for obscure and low card guys but honestly is ridiculous to go in to a store and see John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton since there 3 to 4 in a case. look at the rsc sale basic 12,13,14 Rey for 22.00 for most of us thats almost half off of buying them in the store. cut these guys down 1 per case in the respective assts and make the few people that want the tyler Reks, Hawkins, Barretta, flashback basics of Adam Bomb, Matt Striker, Jerry Lawler, Headbangers, Magnum TA elite flashback, One Man Gang (we saw the proto) etc and almost everyone is happy. I'm most of those wouldn't be blown out on Ringside but more along the lines of a sell out or close to it. Mattel hasn't really hit the collector market well.
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