pooch2423
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Joined on: Nov 21, 2018 21:24:43 GMT -5
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Post by pooch2423 on Jul 6, 2024 22:21:55 GMT -5
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. Respectfully, cowboy bob, volkoff and Richter were the exact retros I was looking forward too, along with studd, gene, Mr t, Ali. I would love for them to do hillbilly Jim, orndorff, Bruno, Ventura and countless other late 80’s stars. I think everyone wants something different, which makes this line hard to gauge. |
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@Chair.Shot
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Post by @Chair.Shot on Jul 6, 2024 23:53:35 GMT -5
I think you would be in the minority pooch2423 but to be fair, there could be a silent majority out there. Different strokes and such. I do agree that everyone is going to be slightly different but I think many will agree that the most desired names are those that were missed during the Hasbro era and the first year or two that immediately followed. It isn’t that people don’t want those other figures…they are simply ranked lower. |
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brad
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Post by brad on Jul 11, 2024 10:52:50 GMT -5
SDCC is creeping up! Make your predictions for the next wave, the next ringside wave (?) and how Brother Love will be released (apparently not a traditional wave)…
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Post by NoseBleedcollectibles on Jul 11, 2024 15:00:12 GMT -5
SDCC is creeping up! Make your predictions for the next wave, the next ringside wave (?) and how Brother Love will be released (apparently not a traditional wave)… I keep telling Steve we need a ecw set Rvd Heyman Dudleys Or a new gen Maivia Yoko Perfect 123 kid |
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RedDevil
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Joined on: Aug 8, 2017 18:43:00 GMT -5
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Post by RedDevil on Jul 12, 2024 8:30:54 GMT -5
SDCC is creeping up! Make your predictions for the next wave, the next ringside wave (?) and how Brother Love will be released (apparently not a traditional wave)… I'm really intrigued about the Brother Love release - if it is really outside of the established releases then it'll be very interesting to see what they have planned (as long as it's available out the US of course...!), plus it gives us faith that they are still developing the line rather than just maintaining where it is already (which would be fine as well of course, as long as it isn't going backwards). Otherwise I'm just expecting to see the next Ringside line-up, possibly with a tease for the January Creations bundle (or at least confirmation that the line is continuing there next year). |
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bigvis497
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Joined on: Sept 22, 2022 12:43:26 GMT -5
Posts: 340
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Post by bigvis497 on Jul 12, 2024 8:54:57 GMT -5
Wondering if "not a traditional release" means a manager two-pack? It would be a bit of a let-down, but I could see Brother Love coming with a debut, hatless Undertaker.
They could get some other managers into the line this way as well. I really can't think or any other release model for getting Brother Love out there. Playsets/Brother Love show stage seem out of the question, and we just got a ring. Who knows?
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Post by NoseBleedcollectibles on Jul 12, 2024 9:40:26 GMT -5
I’m predicting a gob gooker retro in the brother love set
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g4
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Down Under
Joined on: May 13, 2014 3:06:21 GMT -5
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Post by g4 on Jul 16, 2024 9:32:06 GMT -5
Can someome remind me who we're waiting on?
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Post by Next Manufactured’s Sweater on Jul 16, 2024 9:35:58 GMT -5
I think many will agree that the most desired names are those that were missed during the Hasbro era and the first year or two that immediately followed. If you think that, why complain that they released an Undertaker in purple then? |
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@Chair.Shot
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Post by @Chair.Shot on Jul 16, 2024 11:02:04 GMT -5
I think many will agree that the most desired names are those that were missed during the Hasbro era and the first year or two that immediately followed. If you think that, why complain that they released an Undertaker in purple then? Because it was nearly identical to the one they released in the first series and isn’t too hard to find if you don’t own it already. |
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drnickriviera995
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Jul 16, 2024 14:01:50 GMT -5
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mrh
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Post by mrh on Jul 17, 2024 1:02:30 GMT -5
@ drnickriviera995 that's a GREAT set-up. Is that the Mattel Luger or a better custom? I also love your Owen custom. Who did that and the Diesel one? And yes -- it would be great to have a good Backlund figure, ideally with a cloth robe (again - wish we could pay more for higher quality figures). |
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brad
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Post by brad on Jul 17, 2024 8:31:13 GMT -5
Aside from RVD and Sandman… who else is an ECW talent currently available? Would make a great Ringside set!
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RedDevil
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Joined on: Aug 8, 2017 18:43:00 GMT -5
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Post by RedDevil on Jul 17, 2024 8:46:45 GMT -5
Can someome remind me who we're waiting on? Do you mean the figures we know they are releasing, or those that we’re still calling on Mattel to do? If the former then the next set is Alundra Blayze, Shawn Michaels (RR’95 look), Isaac Yankem and British Bulldog (short-hair in trunks). Brother Love is also coming in some form - hopefully we hear about him at SDCC. If you mean the latter then I fear the list is still pretty long  From the traditional list then I think Jake in flame tights and Rick Rude (either short-hair, or a long-hair version that’s better than the Hasbro was). Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon also high-up on the current list (especially for those who don’t like the Epic Heenan, or aren’t interested in the price of that figure). Macho King in long-tights would be top of the list, but obviously he isn’t available now as far as we know. |
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DammagedEddie
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Joined on: Dec 18, 2001 15:13:21 GMT -5
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Post by DammagedEddie on Jul 17, 2024 9:43:49 GMT -5
Aside from RVD and Sandman… who else is an ECW talent currently available? Would make a great Ringside set! Dudley Boys? Terry Funk? |
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Post by NoseBleedcollectibles on Jul 17, 2024 9:45:28 GMT -5
Aside from RVD and Sandman… who else is an ECW talent currently available? Would make a great Ringside set! Dudleys Heyman Funk Mysterio Guerrero |
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@Chair.Shot
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Post by @Chair.Shot on Jul 17, 2024 13:09:29 GMT -5
Aside from RVD and Sandman… who else is an ECW talent currently available? Would make a great Ringside set! Dudleys Heyman Funk Mysterio Guerrero I’ll add to that: Cactus Jack Pillman Obviously there are more names they “could” do but probably never would in Retro form (Steve Austin for example). |
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drnickriviera995
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Joined on: Jul 25, 2010 23:58:50 GMT -5
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Jul 18, 2024 6:09:14 GMT -5
@ drnickriviera995 that's a GREAT set-up. Is that the Mattel Luger or a better custom? I also love your Owen custom. Who did that and the Diesel one? And yes -- it would be great to have a good Backlund figure, ideally with a cloth robe (again - wish we could pay more for higher quality figures). Diesel and Luger were done by Darren Sedgewick. I think the Mattel Luger is terrible. Diesel is all Mattel parts (head and vest off an elite) just painted by him. Owen was from a guy in Germany, forget his name, thought it was a site called Hasbromaniacs or something. Yeah, we need a backlund from some company, I'll pass on the robe though, as I just don't care for softgoods on these. Just in his blue trunks from 94/95 would be ideal for me. |
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Post by Flair Forever on Jul 18, 2024 9:23:08 GMT -5
Can someome remind me who we're waiting on? Dare I say it... Dare I say it.... do they give us a Retro Eric Bischoff? I think I'd have to buy that.... A WCW Series would be fantastic, with an updated Ric Flair.... a Blonde Surfer Sting.... Great Muta? Terry Funk? Cactus Jack? Ricky Steamboat? What about Cody Rhodes? Is his story finished without a Retro? |
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mrh
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Joined on: Sept 1, 2018 0:11:53 GMT -5
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Post by mrh on Jul 19, 2024 0:23:25 GMT -5
@ drnickriviera995 that's a GREAT set-up. Is that the Mattel Luger or a better custom? I also love your Owen custom. Who did that and the Diesel one? And yes -- it would be great to have a good Backlund figure, ideally with a cloth robe (again - wish we could pay more for higher quality figures). Diesel and Luger were done by Darren Sedgewick. I think the Mattel Luger is terrible. Diesel is all Mattel parts (head and vest off an elite) just painted by him. Owen was from a guy in Germany, forget his name, thought it was a site called Hasbromaniacs or something. Yeah, we need a backlund from some company, I'll pass on the robe though, as I just don't care for softgoods on these. Just in his blue trunks from 94/95 would be ideal for me.
I knew the Luger was WAY too good for Mattel...
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