What Do You Guys Want To See At Ringside Fest!!!

[kiloinnorcal]

Nov 15, 2023 18:26:10 GMT -5 RSCTom said:

I have been trying to think of a fresh take - or even a replacement - for the Q&A for a long time. It's a bit of 'comfort food' for us but it's starting to be more like 7-11 pizza than anything else. It's been clear to me that Q&A's are stale and would work best maybe once a year, but until I can come up with something better, it's what we have. For the record I also miss in-person Ringside Fest...it feels more natural, it's more fun and obviously Caroline's was a legendary setting, but unfortunately that's gone for now. Who knows what next year holds.

It is an absolute waste of time, more so than what we already have, to rifle off a list of 90% of the fan questions (when are we going to get Pedro Morales) because the answer is the same. I know some people want this just to feel affirmed regardless, even if it's a no, but I'm just not doing it like we used to.

I am also never, ever going to ask any distribution question or controversial dig or anything like that. It's not beneficial for anyone. I understand people's frustrations but that avenue is not the place for that question. Really it's better to pester Wal Mart.

So we're down to asking about tech updates, things like updates on the Nitro Stage (which we already know the answer to and also have heard previously) and a various Macho Man situation here and there.

What else can be done? I'm a professional with a lot of experience in a lot of different things but I'm admittedly stumped with this. I don't really know what else we could provide that isn't too far behind the curtain, doesn't upend obvious marketing strategy or necessary secrecy (many, many people forget the level of approvals toys go through right up to their final production run) other than give it a break and do it less often which has been my suggestion lately.

Also it's no secret it puts me in a tough spot just as a person with a job as a lot of you who know me know I absolutely hate to 'game show host' my way through things since actual wrestling began for me all those years ago but Ringside Fest requires it, perhaps more than anything else. So people can save their comments calling me 'cringey' because I get it and I do my best to avoid it.

I'm going to continue thinking on it and seeing what we things can be presented with a little more freshness but I hope many here will appreciate what they get at least in terms of reveals and semi-transparent discussions because it definitely doesn't happen with other toy lines like it does here. And that's just on the Ringside side. Keep in mind as was referenced in the end of the video, we are still 'beholden' to Mattel, and I mean that in the nicest and most polite way possible, and what they are able and unable to reveal, so there's a whole other side of what's ultimately going to be shown or discussed at ANY of the many reveal situations that no one has any control over other than the toy company itself.

That said, I understand disappointment with high hopes and expectations (I still want Hardcore and Crash Holly myself, I can relate) and hope things feel more substantial for some of you in the future. I'm open to suggestions and I'm always going to be as transparent as possible so feel free to meet me in the middle if there's something more direct you'd like to say that I can try to get done.

Honestly, a safe and vanilla Q&A is essentially pointless, when Steve answers a lot of the tougher questions year-round on the thread here. Maybe just do away with it and focus more on the pre-orders and reveals.

[cableV]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czr8rzBxW3V

[CM Tusk]

That Asuka is perfect

[RSCTom]

I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions. I think what some seem to miss is that despite our Q&A being 'vanilla' and Steve having a major presence here, there are definitely people beyond the boards that watch or see this with almost no window into what we have going on or see on a regular basis so it has it's audience, though it may be exhausting for WFigs. But to that point even they are getting repeat questions a lot of times.

Something can be nailed down eventually

[J-MANN]

[J-MANN]

[J-MANN]

[J-MANN]

[Crane]

Those 3 look great, def gonna grab all those. Asuka will definitely be first lmao

[airbud]

Roman has the hogan torso. That’s fine i guess

[GreyHaze:Big Bad Booty Daddy]

Nov 15, 2023 16:57:22 GMT -5 triplehpotter7 said:

Nov 15, 2023 16:51:53 GMT -5 J-MANN said:

What do we think about the updated Roman torso?

Pass. He still looks short and dumpy. I'm fine with the swole UE14.

I have a feeling it’s the torso they might use the on upcoming UE nWo Hogan rerelease. I’m just surprised we never got any renders of the UE Bret Hart, besides the physical one at SDCC. No pictures without his jacket, or glasses… Other than that Bret, Piper and maybe this upcoming Bischoff which is going to cost about $160ish. Not much stuff of interest for me. That $160 is really bothering me 😭 I’ll probably cave in though…

[J-MANN]

I just wish this Roman had updated heads.

[Crossfit Jesus]

I love the asuka and cora Roman looks good too. The torso looks a little skinny idk what it is.

[HHH316]

I have only one negative comment, and it’s directed at Tom.

Twice, you mentioned Santa in regards to Mick Foley. You had me thinking, “This is it. This in the moment we finally get Santa Foley!”

Nothing.

I held a glimmer of hope we’d hear something today. You hurt me, man. I think I know know how New York Jets fans feel.

[Action Figure Attack]

Nov 15, 2023 18:26:10 GMT -5 RSCTom said:

I have been trying to think of a fresh take - or even a replacement - for the Q&A for a long time. It's a bit of 'comfort food' for us but it's starting to be more like 7-11 pizza than anything else. It's been clear to me that Q&A's are stale and would work best maybe once a year, but until I can come up with something better, it's what we have. For the record I also miss in-person Ringside Fest...it feels more natural, it's more fun and obviously Caroline's was a legendary setting, but unfortunately that's gone for now. Who knows what next year holds.

It is an absolute waste of time, more so than what we already have, to rifle off a list of 90% of the fan questions (when are we going to get Pedro Morales) because the answer is the same. I know some people want this just to feel affirmed regardless, even if it's a no, but I'm just not doing it like we used to.

I am also never, ever going to ask any distribution question or controversial dig or anything like that. It's not beneficial for anyone. I understand people's frustrations but that avenue is not the place for that question. Really it's better to pester Wal Mart.

So we're down to asking about tech updates, things like updates on the Nitro Stage (which we already know the answer to and also have heard previously) and a various Macho Man situation here and there.

What else can be done? I'm a professional with a lot of experience in a lot of different things but I'm admittedly stumped with this. I don't really know what else we could provide that isn't too far behind the curtain, doesn't upend obvious marketing strategy or necessary secrecy (many, many people forget the level of approvals toys go through right up to their final production run) other than give it a break and do it less often which has been my suggestion lately.

Also it's no secret it puts me in a tough spot just as a person with a job as a lot of you who know me know I absolutely hate to 'game show host' my way through things since actual wrestling began for me all those years ago but Ringside Fest requires it, perhaps more than anything else. So people can save their comments calling me 'cringey' because I get it and I do my best to avoid it.

I'm going to continue thinking on it and seeing what we things can be presented with a little more freshness but I hope many here will appreciate what they get at least in terms of reveals and semi-transparent discussions because it definitely doesn't happen with other toy lines like it does here. And that's just on the Ringside side. Keep in mind as was referenced in the end of the video, we are still 'beholden' to Mattel, and I mean that in the nicest and most polite way possible, and what they are able and unable to reveal, so there's a whole other side of what's ultimately going to be shown or discussed at ANY of the many reveal situations that no one has any control over other than the toy company itself.

That said, I understand disappointment with high hopes and expectations (I still want Hardcore and Crash Holly myself, I can relate) and hope things feel more substantial for some of you in the future. I'm open to suggestions and I'm always going to be as transparent as possible so feel free to meet me in the middle if there's something more direct you'd like to say that I can try to get done.

I personally don’t think the Ringside Fest Q&A is fully targeted at the users of this forum anymore. I’m pretty active here so the feedback from forum members is largely accounted for.

To Tom’s point, it’s really for those who don’t visit these forums and may not be in the weeds as much as many of you.

[crush]

There’s a very distinct line between constructive criticism and purposefully trolling/whining. It’s also very easy to tell the difference.

[Fighter Hayabusa]

Nov 15, 2023 21:35:15 GMT -5 HHH316 said:

I have only one negative comment, and it’s directed at Tom.

Twice, you mentioned Santa in regards to Mick Foley. You had me thinking, “This is it. This in the moment we finally get Santa Foley!”

Nothing.

I held a glimmer of hope we’d hear something today. You hurt me, man. I think I know know how New York Jets fans feel.

I did get a glimmer of hope when he said Santa was entering the chat

[humbruh]

Nov 15, 2023 18:26:10 GMT -5 RSCTom said:

I am also never, ever going to ask any distribution question or controversial dig or anything like that. It's not beneficial for anyone. I understand people's frustrations but that avenue is not the place for that question. Really it's better to pester Wal Mart.

But it's not a "Walmart issue" here in Canada for Hasbro exclusive stuff and their Target exclusives are available at most Toys R Us stores here. Now I could see it being a Mattel issue overall in the international market. But maybe the Elite team could help us fans have a different avenue to get this figures like a Mattel Creations? or at the very least they are trying to rectify changing this? All we ask for is a fair shot at exclusives even if we have to wait a little longer and not have to go to EBay to pay the ridic inflated prices. 

[Nivro™]

Nov 15, 2023 21:42:31 GMT -5 Action Figure Attack said:

Nov 15, 2023 18:26:10 GMT -5 RSCTom said:

I have been trying to think of a fresh take - or even a replacement - for the Q&A for a long time. It's a bit of 'comfort food' for us but it's starting to be more like 7-11 pizza than anything else. It's been clear to me that Q&A's are stale and would work best maybe once a year, but until I can come up with something better, it's what we have. For the record I also miss in-person Ringside Fest...it feels more natural, it's more fun and obviously Caroline's was a legendary setting, but unfortunately that's gone for now. Who knows what next year holds.

It is an absolute waste of time, more so than what we already have, to rifle off a list of 90% of the fan questions (when are we going to get Pedro Morales) because the answer is the same. I know some people want this just to feel affirmed regardless, even if it's a no, but I'm just not doing it like we used to.

I am also never, ever going to ask any distribution question or controversial dig or anything like that. It's not beneficial for anyone. I understand people's frustrations but that avenue is not the place for that question. Really it's better to pester Wal Mart.

So we're down to asking about tech updates, things like updates on the Nitro Stage (which we already know the answer to and also have heard previously) and a various Macho Man situation here and there.

What else can be done? I'm a professional with a lot of experience in a lot of different things but I'm admittedly stumped with this. I don't really know what else we could provide that isn't too far behind the curtain, doesn't upend obvious marketing strategy or necessary secrecy (many, many people forget the level of approvals toys go through right up to their final production run) other than give it a break and do it less often which has been my suggestion lately.

Also it's no secret it puts me in a tough spot just as a person with a job as a lot of you who know me know I absolutely hate to 'game show host' my way through things since actual wrestling began for me all those years ago but Ringside Fest requires it, perhaps more than anything else. So people can save their comments calling me 'cringey' because I get it and I do my best to avoid it.

I'm going to continue thinking on it and seeing what we things can be presented with a little more freshness but I hope many here will appreciate what they get at least in terms of reveals and semi-transparent discussions because it definitely doesn't happen with other toy lines like it does here. And that's just on the Ringside side. Keep in mind as was referenced in the end of the video, we are still 'beholden' to Mattel, and I mean that in the nicest and most polite way possible, and what they are able and unable to reveal, so there's a whole other side of what's ultimately going to be shown or discussed at ANY of the many reveal situations that no one has any control over other than the toy company itself.

That said, I understand disappointment with high hopes and expectations (I still want Hardcore and Crash Holly myself, I can relate) and hope things feel more substantial for some of you in the future. I'm open to suggestions and I'm always going to be as transparent as possible so feel free to meet me in the middle if there's something more direct you'd like to say that I can try to get done.

I personally don’t think the Ringside Fest Q&A is fully targeted at the users of this forum anymore. I’m pretty active here so the feedback from forum members is largely accounted for.

To Tom’s point, it’s really for those who don’t visit these forums and may not be in the weeds as much as many of you.

If you were to guess, what % of fans/collectors out there that arent members of the boards but would watch a Ringside Fest Q&A annually?

[hbkowns]

That Roman looks great with the hogan torso.