PowerTown Wrestling Figures

[@Chair.Shot]

Something interesting from the article:

“As for who could be in Series 2, Rosenthal declined to share the featured talent but said it could be focused on tag teams. Figures will be sold as a set of six, in 2-packs and individually but will be limited-edition.”

Curious which teams they would choose to go with first.

Unless these guys are way further ahead than they are letting on, I’m extremely skeptical of this next quote:

“The first wave of Power Town figures — Kerry Von Erich, Magnum T.A., Ted DiBiase, Stan Hansen, Vern Gagne, and Lou Thesz — are expected to be in collectors’ hands by late November, just in time for Christmas. However, a lot depends on factories in China remaining open amid another COVID-19 variant, Rosenthal said.”

We haven’t seen any sculpts, prototypes, packaging, etc. It isn’t impossible but it is worrisome. It brings to mind issues with quality control, rushed approval, etc. I really hope I’m wrong and these guys have me singing their praises. It would earn me their trust and my money.

Also, I was gifted this belt over a year ago and haven’t really had anyone to put it on. I might pick up a Gagne just for that purpose. My only wish is that they made him look older. If this line is a success, I’m sure we’ll see that version eventually.

[IceDragon]

Apr 12, 2022 11:22:53 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:19:57 GMT -5 IceDragon said:

I'm just giving examples of wrestlers who are from vastly different eras than the ones presented for wave 1. Although someone did mention earlier that Blood Hunter mentioned that he was getting a figure with them later on and I said I hope he was joking.

I haven't heard anything about it, but I'd hope he doesn't given that Rosenthal said they're focusing on classic talent.

Fingers crossed that it pans out that way. I know some people want an offering of all eras and areas that Mattel and Jazwares won't cover but I'm not one of those people. I guess none of this matters until we see the first prototype. Not sure about your thoughts on proportions? I know it's already been stated that these will be in scale but that doesn't necessarily mean that their proportions will be in the more realistic Mattel/Jazwares proportions.

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2022 11:28:08 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Something interesting from the article:

“As for who could be in Series 2, Rosenthal declined to share the featured talent but said it could be focused on tag teams. Figures will be sold as a set of six, in 2-packs and individually but will be limited-edition.”

Curious which teams they would choose to go with first.

Unless these guys are way further ahead than they are letting on, I’m extremely skeptical of this next quote:

“The first wave of Power Town figures — Kerry Von Erich, Magnum T.A., Ted DiBiase, Stan Hansen, Vern Gagne, and Lou Thesz — are expected to be in collectors’ hands by late November, just in time for Christmas. However, a lot depends on factories in China remaining open amid another COVID-19 variant, Rosenthal said.”

We haven’t seen any sculpts, prototypes, packaging, etc. It isn’t impossible but it is worrisome. It brings to mind issues with quality control, rushed approval, etc. I really hope I’m wrong and these guys have me singing their praises. It would earn me their trust and my money.

Also, I was gifted this belt over a year ago and haven’t really had anyone to put it on. I might pick up a Gagne just for that purpose. My only wish is that they made him look older. If this line is a success, I’m sure we’ll see that version eventually.

Magnum said they've been in development since June of last year. It's plausible they're deep into development and heading into production, but I'm skeptical until we see actual pictures of the figures and not renders. They've undergone changes due to fan feedback according to Magnum, so that is probably gonna push back any sort of release unless Rosenthal pulled up with a Brinks truck full of some Scrooge McDuck money to get whatever factory they're using to produce these figures at warp speed.

As for the tag teams? My guess would be Vachons, Koloffs and maybe Greg Gange and Jim Brunzell? You know Greg is gonna find his way into the line ar some point.

Hoping Nick Bockwinkel makes an appearance in the line sooner rather than later, as well.

That's a really cool belt, btw!

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2022 11:29:21 GMT -5 IceDragon said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:22:53 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

I haven't heard anything about it, but I'd hope he doesn't given that Rosenthal said they're focusing on classic talent.

Fingers crossed that it pans out that way. I know some people want an offering of all eras and areas that Mattel and Jazwares won't cover but I'm not one of those people. I guess none of this matters until we see the first prototype. Not sure about your thoughts on proportions? I know it's already been stated that these will be in scale but that doesn't necessarily mean that their proportions will be in the more realistic Mattel/Jazwares proportions.

Haven't heard anything about proportions yet. They're claiming these will be compatible, but so did Super7. I'm hoping they get these as close as possible.

[IceDragon]

Apr 12, 2022 11:28:08 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Also, I was gifted this belt over a year ago and haven’t really had anyone to put it on. I might pick up a Gagne just for that purpose. My only wish is that they made him look older. If this line is a success, I’m sure we’ll see that version eventually.

Given that a lot of the wrestlers in these eras wore pretty basic attire, a swappable aged alt-head for the likes of Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz could probably do the trick and not sure but it could be the first in a wrestling line to do it if they did?

[@Chair.Shot]

That’s what I’m thinking/hoping for. I can’t think of anyone else who has done it. I would probably pick up the Verne to support the line/FOMO that this is my only chance. I moved to the Midwest a few years ago and would like to have a little extra way of connecting with it via a display.

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2022 11:35:43 GMT -5 IceDragon said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:28:08 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Also, I was gifted this belt over a year ago and haven’t really had anyone to put it on. I might pick up a Gagne just for that purpose. My only wish is that they made him look older. If this line is a success, I’m sure we’ll see that version eventually.

Given that a lot of the wrestlers in these eras wore pretty basic attire, a swappable aged alt-head for the likes of Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz could probably do the trick and not sure but it could be the first in a wrestling line to do it if they did?

The Elite "Superstar" Billy Graham had one head that was him in his prime and one that was him from his 1987-1988 run with Don Muraco.

[IceDragon]

Apr 12, 2022 11:44:32 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:35:43 GMT -5 IceDragon said:

Given that a lot of the wrestlers in these eras wore pretty basic attire, a swappable aged alt-head for the likes of Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz could probably do the trick and not sure but it could be the first in a wrestling line to do it if they did?

The Elite "Superstar" Billy Graham had one head that was him in his prime and one that was him from his 1987-1988 run with Don Muraco.

Ah yes, true. That's a pretty recent one, too.

[Deleted]

Stop deleting posts

[oldschoolfool]

Not planning on supporting their kickstarter but if these do end up being available afterwards I would probably get some to use the heads on Mattel bodies since they're supposedly going to be in scale with them.
It just seems like they're promising way too much too soon.

[oldschoolfool]

Apr 12, 2022 11:31:51 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:28:08 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Something interesting from the article:

“As for who could be in Series 2, Rosenthal declined to share the featured talent but said it could be focused on tag teams. Figures will be sold as a set of six, in 2-packs and individually but will be limited-edition.”

Curious which teams they would choose to go with first.

Unless these guys are way further ahead than they are letting on, I’m extremely skeptical of this next quote:

“The first wave of Power Town figures — Kerry Von Erich, Magnum T.A., Ted DiBiase, Stan Hansen, Vern Gagne, and Lou Thesz — are expected to be in collectors’ hands by late November, just in time for Christmas. However, a lot depends on factories in China remaining open amid another COVID-19 variant, Rosenthal said.”

We haven’t seen any sculpts, prototypes, packaging, etc. It isn’t impossible but it is worrisome. It brings to mind issues with quality control, rushed approval, etc. I really hope I’m wrong and these guys have me singing their praises. It would earn me their trust and my money.

Also, I was gifted this belt over a year ago and haven’t really had anyone to put it on. I might pick up a Gagne just for that purpose. My only wish is that they made him look older. If this line is a success, I’m sure we’ll see that version eventually.

Magnum said they've been in development since June of last year. It's plausible they're deep into development and heading into production, but I'm skeptical until we see actual pictures of the figures and not renders. They've undergone changes due to fan feedback according to Magnum, so that is probably gonna push back any sort of release unless Rosenthal pulled up with a Brinks truck full of some Scrooge McDuck money to get whatever factory they're using to produce these figures at warp speed.

As for the tag teams? My guess would be Vachons, Koloffs and maybe Greg Gange and Jim Brunzell? You know Greg is gonna find his way into the line ar some point.

Hoping Nick Bockwinkel makes an appearance in the line sooner rather than later, as well.

That's a really cool belt, btw!

WWE owns the AWA footage, the High Flyers were an AWA tag team. So unless they did an All Japan tour at some point, its not likely they're going to make Brunzell and Gagne as a team.

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2022 15:04:27 GMT -5 oldschoolfool said:

Apr 12, 2022 11:31:51 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Magnum said they've been in development since June of last year. It's plausible they're deep into development and heading into production, but I'm skeptical until we see actual pictures of the figures and not renders. They've undergone changes due to fan feedback according to Magnum, so that is probably gonna push back any sort of release unless Rosenthal pulled up with a Brinks truck full of some Scrooge McDuck money to get whatever factory they're using to produce these figures at warp speed.

As for the tag teams? My guess would be Vachons, Koloffs and maybe Greg Gange and Jim Brunzell? You know Greg is gonna find his way into the line ar some point.

Hoping Nick Bockwinkel makes an appearance in the line sooner rather than later, as well.

That's a really cool belt, btw!

WWE owns the AWA footage, the High Flyers were an AWA tag team. So unless they did an All Japan tour at some point, its not likely they're going to make Brunzell and Gagne as a team.

Well, they both actually did work for Baba. Unless WWE owns the trademark for "High Fliers" (and i don't think they would) i don't really see how they could prevent figures of Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell, especially if they're not under legends deals. I know Jazwares is staying away from stuff WWE owns the footage of, but I think WWE is far more likely to mess with their competitor's toy company making a WCW Sting than a small company making AWA Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell.

Magnum is clearly based on footage that WWE owns and there's no issues with him. You could argue WWE owns footage of Thesz in his prime since there's some on the Network as hidden gems, but that's probably not going to stop this figure from being made. Kerry probably wore that attire in footage WWE owns, same with Hansen. As long as they're not using things WWE actually owns the trademarks and designs for, they're probably fine.

[@Chair.Shot]

I don’t think them owning the video library/company rights would necessarily mean they have the exclusive rights to everyone’s looks from that time period - especially if they worked elsewhere as others have mentioned. Besides, I don’t think WWE ever went after the F the T and the C for doing that.

[IceDragon]

Apr 12, 2022 16:43:37 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Apr 12, 2022 15:04:27 GMT -5 oldschoolfool said:

WWE owns the AWA footage, the High Flyers were an AWA tag team. So unless they did an All Japan tour at some point, its not likely they're going to make Brunzell and Gagne as a team.

Well, they both actually did work for Baba. Unless WWE owns the trademark for "High Fliers" (and i don't think they would) i don't really see how they could prevent figures of Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell, especially if they're not under legends deals. I know Jazwares is staying away from stuff WWE owns the footage of, but I think WWE is far more likely to mess with their competitor's toy company making a WCW Sting than a small company making AWA Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell.

Magnum is clearly based on footage that WWE owns and there's no issues with him. You could argue WWE owns footage of Thesz in his prime since there's some on the Network as hidden gems, but that's probably not going to stop this figure from being made. Kerry probably wore that attire in footage WWE owns, same with Hansen. As long as they're not using things WWE actually owns the trademarks and designs for, they're probably fine.

I think that Brunzell and Gagne looked generic enough that they could get away with it even if they didn't use the actual name "High Flyers". I think High Flyers is probably too generic to be trademarked but even if it was, I'd be content with them coming with purple jackets that had their names on the back if it was a big deal. The tights they wore, white with some weird blue tie dye bleach thing and plain white boots, probably not going to stir up the WWE legal department.

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2022 19:00:42 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

I don’t think them owning the video library/company rights would necessarily mean they have the exclusive rights to everyone’s looks from that time period - especially if they worked elsewhere as others have mentioned. Besides, I don’t think WWE ever went after the F the T and the C for doing that.

Or Storm. Or Chella or Zombie to my knowledge.

[Di-Di-Dis-Distribution Problem]

Gotta say Majors were clownin’ because a lot of it is just downright fiction.

Zack kept saying guys I hope I’m wrong, but when someone is trying to sell you something too good to be true, you stretch the fibers of truth far enough that you can fit Greg Gagne’s gargantuan cranium through the gape…

[oldschoolfool]

Apr 12, 2022 19:00:42 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

I don’t think them owning the video library/company rights would necessarily mean they have the exclusive rights to everyone’s looks from that time period - especially if they worked elsewhere as others have mentioned. Besides, I don’t think WWE ever went after the F the T and the C for doing that.

Maybe but seems as if they're clearly avoiding mid-south, which I believe wwe owns that footage. Otherwise theyd be able to make a Randy Savage not a Randy Poffo. And they wouldn't have to do an oddly specific All Japan DiBiase instead of something based on him from the first half of the 80s, when he had the loaded glove gimmick.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2022 7:14:13 GMT -5 oldschoolfool said:

Apr 12, 2022 19:00:42 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

I don’t think them owning the video library/company rights would necessarily mean they have the exclusive rights to everyone’s looks from that time period - especially if they worked elsewhere as others have mentioned. Besides, I don’t think WWE ever went after the F the T and the C for doing that.

Maybe but seems as if they're clearly avoiding mid-south, which I believe wwe owns that footage. Otherwise theyd be able to make a Randy Savage not a Randy Poffo. And they wouldn't have to do an oddly specific All Japan DiBiase instead of something based on him from the first half of the 80s, when he had the loaded glove gimmick.

If you take the entrance gear off of DiBiase, he's wearing the same gear he wore in Mid South, minus the black glove. Savage could be done as "Randy Savage" regardless because he wrestled as Savage in Memphis and ICW, neither of which WWE owns the footage to. Chella are even doing a WCW Savage figure in the BCW line.

[oldschoolfool]

Apr 13, 2022 10:15:51 GMT -5 @jabulio said:

Apr 13, 2022 7:14:13 GMT -5 oldschoolfool said:

Maybe but seems as if they're clearly avoiding mid-south, which I believe wwe owns that footage. Otherwise theyd be able to make a Randy Savage not a Randy Poffo. And they wouldn't have to do an oddly specific All Japan DiBiase instead of something based on him from the first half of the 80s, when he had the loaded glove gimmick.

If you take the entrance gear off of DiBiase, he's wearing the same gear he wore in Mid South, minus the black glove. Savage could be done as "Randy Savage" regardless because he wrestled as Savage in Memphis and ICW, neither of which WWE owns the footage to. Chella are even doing a WCW Savage figure in the BCW line.

Assuming Dibiase's headband is removable and not part of the sculpt then yeah that would work.
The article mentions that they're making him as Poffo but I suppose its going to be Savage no matter what they call him. As long as they dont go too specific and have people asking wtf.Anyway, he might be a special instance like Andre where usage of his likeness is non-exclusive.

[Rock-Is-King]

Never heard of these before this thread….does anyone have pics? … In particularly one of Magnum TA