WWE Retro - General Discussion

[@WWERetroStars]

Jun 20, 2024 1:02:19 GMT -5 mrh said:

I was looking at RSC's July 4 sale, and saw that the NWO and DX four-packs are onsale for $32.

Combined with no future announcements, makes me nervous there won't be any more retro exclusives. That's really a shame.

The Okerlund wave, the Hart wave and the NWO wave all sold out of their initial runs. 

Ringside ordered a second run of both the Okerlund wave and the NWO wave. Those reorders wound up getting discounted pretty heavily. With everything, it’s all about finishing that right number. Hopefully they have enough data at this point to hit that number and keep the Retro line slowly moving forward. 

I’d also say it might be time to push the envelope a little bit and break the mold. An all manager series. A WCW series. An ECW series. More unique offerings might pull different consumers in. 

[kirk815]

Jun 3, 2024 2:50:00 GMT -5 g4 said:

Agree Mattel have dropped the ball. Proof here with Bobby Heenan. I'm paying 4x the price for for 1 figure not licenced by wwe but passed on the last 4 Mattel sets?

There is a high possibility that his contract lapsed - his last figure was the weasel outfit in the Legends line.

Speculation is that he is back under a deal so we should see him soon if that is true and the line continues.

[kirk815]

Jun 20, 2024 18:20:08 GMT -5 mrh said:

Jun 20, 2024 17:42:40 GMT -5 138bit said:

The DX set wasn't announced until SDCC last year and RSC discounts stuff all the time.

Yeah - but that's a pretty massive discount. Were NWO also announced at the previous SDCC so a year wait -- I thought it was shorter. I guess we'll see in a month. If no SDCC announcement, think we can say that's the end of the RSC exclusives for this line.

I'm hoping Brother love is part of an RSC exclusive, and we still get 2 sets a year from Mattel Creations

Unless they add sets, the next set for RSC won't be out until 2025 - they could still show it at Ringside fest (if they don't show it at SDCC).

Not sure how other people would feel, but I would like sets based of the bloodline mixing old and new for the exclusives (and it might help boost the line to expand):

Set 1
Roman (with title)
Paul Heyman
Afa
Sika

Set 2
Jimmy Uso
Jey Uso
Yokozuna
Mr Fuji (he's gotta be signed at some point)

Set 3
Rikishi
Solo
Rock (final boss)
Umaga

Set 4
Rosey
Jamal
Haku
Captain Lou

I struggled with that last set, but Captain Lou did manage the headshrinkers.

[mrh]

Jun 20, 2024 19:11:45 GMT -5 @WWERetroStars said:

Jun 20, 2024 1:02:19 GMT -5 mrh said:

I’d also say it might be time to push the envelope a little bit and break the mold. An all manager series. A WCW series. An ECW series. More unique offerings might pull different consumers in. 

I 100% agree with this -- but worry the time may have passed for an RSC exclusive set again -- but I hope there is, and I hope they took this advice! You're right -- new customers.

[138bit]

They relieved retro figures at their last 2 events I don't know why everyone is worried about the line dying. They will have more to show at SDCC.

[@Chair.Shot]

Jun 21, 2024 7:22:10 GMT -5 138bit said:

They relieved retro figures at their last 2 events I don't know why everyone is worried about the line dying. They will have more to show at SDCC.

There are concerning signs that some have picked up on. They won’t spell the demise of the line but looking at this from the outside, there is enough evidence that things could be a lot better:

-No current announcements for further RSC Exclusives (which would mean 8 figures less this year)
-Mattel Creations not selling out/discounting unsold inventory
-RSC not selling out/heavily discounting unsold inventory
-Fewer “dream” names available to Mattel
-Mixed reaction from nearly every release
-Competition and high saturation within the market

Nothing would make me happier than to see Mattel push past those factors and keep going but you can’t look at that list and not wonder what Mattel is doing to evaluate the line.

[drnickriviera995]

Jun 21, 2024 14:47:42 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Jun 21, 2024 7:22:10 GMT -5 138bit said:

They relieved retro figures at their last 2 events I don't know why everyone is worried about the line dying. They will have more to show at SDCC.

There are concerning signs that some have picked up on. They won’t spell the demise of the line but looking at this from the outside, there is enough evidence that things could be a lot better:

-No current announcements for further RSC Exclusives (which would mean 8 figures less this year)
-Mattel Creations not selling out/discounting unsold inventory
-RSC not selling out/heavily discounting unsold inventory
-Fewer “dream” names available to Mattel
-Mixed reaction from nearly every release
-Competition and high saturation within the market

Nothing would make me happier than to see Mattel push past those factors and keep going but you can’t look at that list and not wonder what Mattel is doing to evaluate the line.

I'd also just add lack of excitement for the line in general, especially now if it's only going to be 8 figures a year now, and of those some are going to be let downs. I'm still looking forward to the next wave, but meh, seems so far off yet and so much dead time in between waves, it's hard to keep interest. And most collectors are not completionest on any particular line so there's stuff people want or don't want.

For me, I'm pretty much only doing wrestlers, and just WWF/WCW, no ECW, no Attitude era or later WWF/E, no indys, no managers/announcers. So it's limited what I can get excited over.

Add in lack of effort put into the overall sculpts mattel puts out, and meh, I just wish they'd up their game. The indy companies are great, but they only have access to certain names and mostly lower/mid card legends w/ a few exceptions like Macho/Flair etc while they aren't contracted to WWE.

[mrh]

Jun 21, 2024 20:59:33 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Jun 21, 2024 14:47:42 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

There are concerning signs that some have picked up on. They won’t spell the demise of the line but looking at this from the outside, there is enough evidence that things could be a lot better:

-No current announcements for further RSC Exclusives (which would mean 8 figures less this year)
-Mattel Creations not selling out/discounting unsold inventory
-RSC not selling out/heavily discounting unsold inventory
-Fewer “dream” names available to Mattel
-Mixed reaction from nearly every release
-Competition and high saturation within the market

Nothing would make me happier than to see Mattel push past those factors and keep going but you can’t look at that list and not wonder what Mattel is doing to evaluate the line.

I'd also just add lack of excitement for the line in general, especially now if it's only going to be 8 figures a year now, and of those some are going to be let downs. I'm still looking forward to the next wave, but meh, seems so far off yet and so much dead time in between waves, it's hard to keep interest. And most collectors are not completionest on any particular line so there's stuff people want or don't want.

For me, I'm pretty much only doing wrestlers, and just WWF/WCW, no ECW, no Attitude era or later WWF/E, no indys, no managers/announcers. So it's limited what I can get excited over.

Add in lack of effort put into the overall sculpts mattel puts out, and meh, I just wish they'd up their game. The indy companies are great, but they only have access to certain names and mostly lower/mid card legends w/ a few exceptions like Macho/Flair etc while they aren't contracted to WWE.

You and @Chair.Shot did a great job articulating the situation.

I don't want to say the sky is falling -- but there aren't very many good signs for those who want a vibrant Mattel Retros line (which is me!)

[aaron34]

Wonder if they’ll put them “on hold” again in an attempt to drive demand. I agree with the above, the lack of options for new talent (80’s and 90’s characters) and a very saturated retro market, along with what seems to be a very small budget for retros will be a challenge for Mattel moving forward.

[briscowins]

why does everyone want this line to die? there is NOTHING to the speculation you all are driving. Steve has said he's happy with the numbers they're getting back and the interest. they're EXPANDING the line with what sounds like a one off of Brother Love. RSC doesn't have a future release because it will undoubtably get announced at SDCC. we just got a new wave previewed just prior to Mania. the sky is not falling!

[drnickriviera995]

Jun 24, 2024 20:29:50 GMT -5 aaron34 said:

Wonder if they’ll put them “on hold” again in an attempt to drive demand. I agree with the above, the lack of options for new talent (80’s and 90’s characters) and a very saturated retro market, along with what seems to be a very small budget for retros will be a challenge for Mattel moving forward.

There's still tons they could do with the names they have. And the sky would be the limit if they were willing to make more detailed molds at a higher price point. What I would give for a good singles Bret with a fully molded entrance jacket, same with Shawn.

I also want WCW. I know it's beating a dead horse at this point, but here are some names/gimmicks they could do that alot of people would want.

DX Shawn
Shawn in entrance gear
Bret in entrance gear or any other singles look
Razor Ramon, various options
123 Kid various options for gear
Bob Backlund
Jake Roberts, Heel
Jake Roberts, 96 face run
Rick Rude, short hair, or improved long hair version
Stiener Brothers, WCW or new WWF run gear
Rocky Maivia
Hunter Hearst Helmsly
Mankind debut
Dude Love
Cactus Jack
Hall and Nash in ring gear
Syxx in ring gear
Rey Jr. (WCW)
Dean Malenko
Hogan in WCW red/yellow
Lex Luger WCW
Honky Tonk Man in ring gear
Mr. Perfect/Curt Hennig various options in WWF and WCW gears
Ultimate Warrior (many options, but PLEASE really needs a different mold than the S1)
Yokozuna (red tights/black sash)
Vader WCW
Undertaker grey gloves and boots
Smoking Gunns (heel version)

Sure I could rattle off more if wanted. I may have a couple on the list that aren't under deals, sometimes I lose track of the smaller names.

[jacobl18]

Zombie & Hasttel have made WWE / Mattel retros obsolete….It’s just that simple. The only people buying retros are grown ups and we’re getting the wrestlers we want from other companies.

[kirk815]

Jun 26, 2024 13:39:39 GMT -5 briscowins said:

why does everyone want this line to die? there is NOTHING to the speculation you all are driving. Steve has said he's happy with the numbers they're getting back and the interest. they're EXPANDING the line with what sounds like a one off of Brother Love. RSC doesn't have a future release because it will undoubtably get announced at SDCC. we just got a new wave previewed just prior to Mania. the sky is not falling!

This happens a couple times a year in this thread - I think it is due to lack of releases, announcements, attention to this line (Mattel), etc. so people get scared, bored, anxious.

It's like they want to be constantly reassured by Mattel that the line is continuing and since this line gets the least attention, they start going down a rabbit hole of negativity/the sky is falling, which doesn't really help the line.

We know all of the releases for 2024 (except for confirmation of where/when Brother Love will be released). There is 0 reason for us to know the next waves for 2025 prior to SDCC. And they are Mattel Exclusives so Mattel doesn't have to worry about a retailer spoling the lineup.

[shanieomaniac]

Hey, I don't usually come here, but I have a question.

Those Ringside defenders for the retros. Do they fit the old series if Retros that come with the specialty stands? Asking before I invest in a pair for the Sami and Kevin retros

[elrey82]

Jul 4, 2024 1:20:46 GMT -5 shanieomaniac said:

Hey, I don't usually come here, but I have a question.

Those Ringside defenders for the retros. Do they fit the old series if Retros that come with the specialty stands? Asking before I invest in a pair for the Sami and Kevin retros

Yes

[@Chair.Shot]

Jul 2, 2024 3:50:51 GMT -5 kirk815 said:

Jun 26, 2024 13:39:39 GMT -5 briscowins said:

why does everyone want this line to die? there is NOTHING to the speculation you all are driving. Steve has said he's happy with the numbers they're getting back and the interest. they're EXPANDING the line with what sounds like a one off of Brother Love. RSC doesn't have a future release because it will undoubtably get announced at SDCC. we just got a new wave previewed just prior to Mania. the sky is not falling!

This happens a couple times a year in this thread - I think it is due to lack of releases, announcements, attention to this line (Mattel), etc. so people get scared, bored, anxious.

It's like they want to be constantly reassured by Mattel that the line is continuing and since this line gets the least attention, they start going down a rabbit hole of negativity/the sky is falling, which doesn't really help the line.

We know all of the releases for 2024 (except for confirmation of where/when Brother Love will be released). There is 0 reason for us to know the next waves for 2025 prior to SDCC. And they are Mattel Exclusives so Mattel doesn't have to worry about a retailer spoling the lineup.

That’s an incomplete picture. This line definitely gets the least amount of attention without question - that part is true. But Mattel has a history of going silent when things aren’t going well. It happened to this line once before. Steve championed this line and worked hard towards making it a reality again. But now, for various reasons, he is on here considerably less than before. That doesn’t spell out the end for the line but he is/was pretty much the only voice we have behind this line.

Secondly, the lack of RSC exclusive retros this year shouldn’t be ignored. We might see some at SDCC…or we might not. Hard to speculate. But this time a year ago, we already had nWo in hand.

There is a lot of criticism that gets launched at Mattel for some of what we have seen take place in this line: questionable choice for molds and bad head sculpts are probably the most common offenders. But there is also a feeling amongst collectors that this line could disappear at any time (like it did before) and therefore they want as many missing pieces as they can get. However, the Mattel strategy often seems to go against that. I’m not saying they are outright stringing people along as much as possible but many were not clamoring for Cowboy Bob, Volkoff, Wendi Richter, or Phantom Undertaker. All decent figures but considerably less desirable to the majority (I assume).

It makes sense in order to have a “theme” for each set. It’s probably far easier to market it that way too. It potentially keeps the line going longer which I appreciate (if that is working). I can’t image how poorly a Phantom Taker, Cowboy Bob, Richter, and Volkoff set would sell on its own. We would probably be like “Retros have jumped the shark; they’re out of good ideas!” Though I agree that I want more of the names people have been asking for for years, I’m not completely against including these less-desirable names.

Reusing parts is just good business sense. The line wouldn’t continue without it. There have been a few new molds used here and there which is fantastic to have more choices but I will not give them a pass on how bad some of the faces have looked. Not a majority but definitely several fell short. I have been saying it for a while now and I will continue saying it until changes are made: the heads on the Superstars line are closer to what the Retros should look like. That line is so much closer to the quality that I have been wanting and hoping for. I don’t want anyone to lose their job as a designer - or maybe this is a team effort - but this is one area in which Mattel can really step up their game. I say that as a someone who has always and will always support this line. But just because you love something doesn’t mean you can’t discuss its shortcomings and I think that is what a lot of in this thread are doing. It would be nice to see people post more positive things - share their setups and their collections. Discuss their favorite figures. No argument about that.

[138bit]

Jul 5, 2024 13:20:11 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Jul 2, 2024 3:50:51 GMT -5 kirk815 said:

This happens a couple times a year in this thread - I think it is due to lack of releases, announcements, attention to this line (Mattel), etc. so people get scared, bored, anxious.

It's like they want to be constantly reassured by Mattel that the line is continuing and since this line gets the least attention, they start going down a rabbit hole of negativity/the sky is falling, which doesn't really help the line.

We know all of the releases for 2024 (except for confirmation of where/when Brother Love will be released). There is 0 reason for us to know the next waves for 2025 prior to SDCC. And they are Mattel Exclusives so Mattel doesn't have to worry about a retailer spoling the lineup.

Secondly, the lack of RSC exclusive retros this year shouldn’t be ignored. We might see some at SDCC…or we might not. Hard to speculate. But this time a year ago, we already had nWo in hand.

The DX figures came out this year. They were first shown at SDCC last year and preorders were put up last year but they started shipping earlier this year.

[mrh]

I just looked it up -- and the NWO RSC set was revealed at SDCC 2022. The DX set was apparently revealed at SDCC last year (put on sale at Ringside fest) -- so I think 138bit is right. I remembered it differently, like chairshot.


I guess the warning sign is if nothing is shown at SDCC this year.

[kirk815]

Jul 5, 2024 18:22:10 GMT -5 138bit said:

Jul 5, 2024 13:20:11 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Secondly, the lack of RSC exclusive retros this year shouldn’t be ignored. We might see some at SDCC…or we might not. Hard to speculate. But this time a year ago, we already had nWo in hand.

The DX figures came out this year. They were first shown at SDCC last year and preorders were put up last year but they started shipping earlier this year.

Yeah, things can always change, but Im pretty sure it was only supposed to be one RSC exclusive set a year. NWO is 2023, DX is 2024.

Someone mentioned in this thread that if the RSC exclusive is canceled that it means 8 less figures a year, which is incorrect (it would only be 4). Maybe that is where the confusion is, but we won't see the 2025 set until SDCC at the earliest.

Last time i checked, Steve hasn't posted in almost 2 months (probably extremely busy with SDCC coming up and not really able to discuss much until then anyways). He also seemed to be annoyed with some of the posts (I dont blame him). His focus/attention seems to have shifted to online podcasts/influencers/Instagram over interacting on here (im sure he still visits/reads posts more than he interacts).

[@Chair.Shot]

Jul 5, 2024 18:22:10 GMT -5 138bit said:

Jul 5, 2024 13:20:11 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Secondly, the lack of RSC exclusive retros this year shouldn’t be ignored. We might see some at SDCC…or we might not. Hard to speculate. But this time a year ago, we already had nWo in hand.

The DX figures came out this year. They were first shown at SDCC last year and preorders were put up last year but they started shipping earlier this year.

You’re right; that was my mistake. The name chairshot comes in part from having a spotty memory! I checked the dates before posting and looked at my order date and not the ship date. That said, there were two 4 pack exclusives within 9-10 months of each other. That might not be the norm going forward but we have no way of knowing.

Cant say I blame Steve for coming here less. His presence brought a lot to this forum. It sucks but if he has other priorities, it is what it is. Things haven’t felt the same for a while with him; just hope he’s doing well. I’m not always the best with the way I come across here but I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for what he and Bill do.