Could these be the oldest wrestling figures ever?

[TWJT]

I’ve heard the theory that the AWA figures of the mid-‘80s could’ve been the oldest wrestling figures, but could these actually be?

insidetheparkcollectibles.com/1952_rittgers__gorgeous_george__wrestling_trio-lot11642.aspx

They are from the early ‘50s, and even though they technically poke fun at pro wrestling a bit, they were wrestling figures. Does anyone know of any wrestling figures that would go back farther?

[romanthenewyorker]

That could very well take the cake, Bull Marks Sofubi Wrestlers are on paper as the first licensed Wrestling Figures to have been made:

These could very well be the first Wrestling figurines produced, maybe some older wooden toys too

[walter7paisley]

Jun 16, 2023 1:09:15 GMT -5 TWJT said:

I’ve heard the theory that the AWA figures of the mid-‘80s could’ve been the oldest wrestling figures, but could these actually be?

insidetheparkcollectibles.com/1952_rittgers__gorgeous_george__wrestling_trio-lot11642.aspx

They are from the early ‘50s, and even though they technically poke fun at pro wrestling a bit, they were wrestling figures. Does anyone know of any wrestling figures that would go back farther?

Amazing, and truly terrifying.

[akawildfire]

The earliest official figures are sofubi from 1965 or so and then popy from 1981 and then the awa. Those statues are from rittgers and are pretty cool but they are more chalkware statues not figures but are based on wrestlers so some people may classify them as such. There is also a official gorgeous George hand puppet from the 50s but is extremely rare.

[@Chair.Shot]

Very fun find!

I guess it all depends upon your definition of “figures.” As some said, those are closer to statues…but then again, so we’re Galoobs (but those were near impossible to break)!

Here is a fun discussion of early wrestling merch:
wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=148807

[@Chair.Shot]

Bonus images of the Gorgeous George puppet that was mentioned: