[RETRO] Grapplers & Gimmicks by Hasttel Toy

[drnickriviera995]

Oct 5, 2024 11:55:06 GMT -5 Scotty Flamingo said:

It really seems like all of his looks have been covered by now in some way by now except for his 99 return in the jeans. It is time to start focusing on trying to get some new talent out in the line we don’t have.

Not WCW, I think alot of collectors would really like that one. Jeans maybe some people want it, not me though, I'd buy pretty much any attire besides jeans.

[drnickriviera995]

Any speculation or wishes for NYCC? Pretty much confirmed he'll show off Jake, but how many versions?

Any other signings you guys are hoping for?

I'd love to see Johnny B. Badd or really anything WCW

Bob Backlund is also one of the last missing pieces IMO. Do we know for sure if he's locked to WWE yet?

[@Chair.Shot]

Oct 5, 2024 20:07:57 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Any speculation or wishes for NYCC? Pretty much confirmed he'll show off Jake, but how many versions?

Any other signings you guys are hoping for?

I'd love to see Johnny B. Badd or really anything WCW

Bob Backlund is also one of the last missing pieces IMO. Do we know for sure if he's locked to WWE yet?

I think he said he is doing one reveal each week leading up to NYCC. Probably has more stuff to show there as well. Jake is exciting; I hope he gets it right!

I would love to see Mitch try his hand at doing an Andre. Epic still has yet to show off their new mold for Andre. Zombie’s was still good but not quite perfect.

Backlund has to be my #1 want. I’ve reached out to each company but Mattel didn’t comment nor did Zombie. The others claim not to have the license. It seems like I brought this up before so forgive me if I am repeating myself. There was an autograph signing with Bret Hart recently where it was mentioned Bob had to move in with his sister in Florida as he is suffering from dementia. If that is correct, it may be a long while before we get a retro. My hope is that his family is able to sign him to as many deals as possible and that he is able to use the money to assist in his care and lighten the burden on his family.

[westhejobroni]

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

[@Chair.Shot]

Oct 5, 2024 23:58:51 GMT -5 westhejobroni said:

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

There could be a number of reasons including what you mentioned about them signing guys in-between deals.

One possibility is that he is hoping that it will fly under the radar.

Another possibility is that not all contracts are the same. For example: Jake Roberts and Billy Gunn are both under contract with AEW yet they have the ability to have WWE merchandise made of them.

Like the second possibility, the third one is simply that they are non exclusive. British Bulldog is a perfect example! WWE is making him, Majors, Hasttel, King Momma, La Toonie, Epic, etc. Same with Andre the Giant. Not sure why Macho Man’s estate isn’t getting in on that but maybe it is related to PowerTown?

With Tatanka it seems like he signed a number of deals prior to his legends deal or between legends deals. For example: Hasttel announced Tatanka nearly two years ago. Not sure how these things work legally but if his figure was “in the works” prior to signing a WWE deal, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has to cancel it. Good example is ZST with his CM Punk figure.

[kanik89]

Oct 5, 2024 23:58:51 GMT -5 westhejobroni said:

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

[@Chair.Shot]

Oct 6, 2024 9:09:14 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 5, 2024 23:58:51 GMT -5 westhejobroni said:

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

Good to know. I’ve never dealt with this myself but always wondered: if the star is not under contract with anyone and they agree to do a figure with you, is there a legal issue with using a look that they only used in another company?

I don’t want to single anyone out with that question so I’ll use this as an example: AEW has had many legends under contract for Jazwares to make figures of, but they have yet to make a figure of anyone using their looks from WWF/E, WCW, or ECW. Having done this for a while now, do you think that is likely done to avoid any legal issues?

[kanik89]

Oct 6, 2024 9:46:34 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Oct 6, 2024 9:09:14 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

Good to know. I’ve never dealt with this myself but always wondered: if the star is not under contract with anyone and they agree to do a figure with you, is there a legal issue with using a look that they only used in another company?

I don’t want to single anyone out with that question so I’ll use this as an example: AEW has had many legends under contract for Jazwares to make figures of, but they have yet to make a figure of anyone using their looks from WWF/E, WCW, or ECW. Having done this for a while now, do you think that is likely done to avoid any legal issues?

Theres a Chris Jericho and Sting.... They're not gonna do MOX in WWE gear when their goal is to push and promote current product

[biggerbetterbadder]

Oct 6, 2024 9:09:14 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 5, 2024 23:58:51 GMT -5 westhejobroni said:

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

Perhaps some guys signed to legends deals can simultaneously sign with other companies. Some wrestlers have this option like Andre and Macho Man.

[@Chair.Shot]

Oct 6, 2024 10:05:54 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 6, 2024 9:46:34 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Good to know. I’ve never dealt with this myself but always wondered: if the star is not under contract with anyone and they agree to do a figure with you, is there a legal issue with using a look that they only used in another company?

I don’t want to single anyone out with that question so I’ll use this as an example: AEW has had many legends under contract for Jazwares to make figures of, but they have yet to make a figure of anyone using their looks from WWF/E, WCW, or ECW. Having done this for a while now, do you think that is likely done to avoid any legal issues?

Theres a Chris Jericho and Sting.... They're not gonna do MOX in WWE gear when their goal is to push and promote current product

Thank you for the response. I hope you know these are all just things I’ve wondered about but never been in a situation where I could ask someone who would know. So truly, I do appreciate when people go out of their way to answer questions.

Jazwares/AEW was the best example I could think of at the time. Sting and Jericho were kind of gray area figures which I took into consideration (it was a flawed example). To the best of my knowledge, the Jericho look is something he used outside of those major companies (specifically in Mexico and Japan). Blade Runner Sting predates WCW. The recently announced yellow or white figures might be mashups but I’m far from an expert on his many looks.

[micco]

Oct 6, 2024 9:09:14 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 5, 2024 23:58:51 GMT -5 westhejobroni said:

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here, but how is Mitch allowed to make figures of Tatanka and presumably Jake if they are under legends deals? Wonder if there was a small window for Mitch to sign these guys in-between deals, or have legends deals changed where they aren't just exclusive to mattel? Seems a little off but happy to see more figures of both. Big dropping of the ball by mattel not getting a heel Jake out considering we have had 10 waves made/announced since the return of retros

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

Since you’re familiar with the particular details of their contracts I guess you’re saying that Mattel has exclusive rights to produce “retro style/scale” figures of Tatanka. Was the asylum tatanka done illegally too? Mattel uses the same form factor. Or are you saying it’s the specific look/gear that’s in breach since it’s a wwe ip?

[walter7paisley]

I'm going in on my first few G&G figures. Can anyone tell me how durable these things are? Do they feel sturdy in hand like the Chella/Epic figures have been. How about the paint?

[@Chair.Shot]

Oct 6, 2024 13:27:03 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

I'm going in on my first few G&G figures. Can anyone tell me how durable these things are? Do they feel sturdy in hand like the Chella/Epic figures have been. How about the paint?

The newer ones feel the same to me as Epic’s and FC’s. I haven’t experienced paint transfer. My experience is primarily figure photography and then placing them on display so not much “playing” has taken place. I did have one weird occurrence but I never found the source of it. There was a paint smudge on one of my Canadians while I did photography. It wasn’t there when I unboxed it so I have no idea what he would have touched to receive that. It came off easily but there is nothing in that room that I could find that would have caused that other than another figure. If that were the case then it would be that other figure causing the issue.

[taserface]

Oct 6, 2024 13:27:03 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

I'm going in on my first few G&G figures. Can anyone tell me how durable these things are? Do they feel sturdy in hand like the Chella/Epic figures have been. How about the paint?

I’ve bought a total of 5 different G & G now. 4 have been flawless The latest Bulldog ‘95 I’ve got had two pant smudges on them (in the package). Small enough for me not to worry about returning or anything. All I do is display them, so not a huge deal I guess

But as far as play, have no idea

[kanik89]

Oct 6, 2024 11:19:09 GMT -5 micco said:

Oct 6, 2024 9:09:14 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

i’m aware of these individuals contracts and I can assure you he’s not allowed to sign them and certainly not allowed to use WWE IP. He’s hoping his illegal activity flies under the radar. But it presents a bad look on all independent companies to the WWE now. And may cause issues for everyone. I’m sure some fans are happy about getting these figures but it’s a very bad move for the community. Hopefully other companies don’t follow his lead and continue to do things legally and ethically.

Since you’re familiar with the particular details of their contracts I guess you’re saying that Mattel has exclusive rights to produce “retro style/scale” figures of Tatanka. Was the asylum tatanka done illegally too? Mattel uses the same form factor. Or are you saying it’s the specific look/gear that’s in breach since it’s a wwe ip?

In short, you can’t make a product of someone that has a legends contract. They signed their likeness and name to the wwe for X amount of time that includes a clause for toys. you definitely can’t use a name like Papa Shango in marketing since that was a wwe grown product. That’s like if someone made a figure of mickey mouse with out the disney rights. Asylum was done illegally as well.

[@Chair.Shot]

That’s all very interesting. I thought maybe they had found a workaround or agreement with Charles having filed for the TM in 2023. Some toy makers have talked about having to rush, limit, cut off the sales or pre-orders of certain wrestlers due to them signing WWE deals but I have no idea how that would work if any of this actually went to court.

I know there was some static a few days ago, Mike. I sent you an apology and really want to try and put that behind us. There are more questions I would like to ask but I don’t want to cause any agitation. Is that cool with you?

[taserface]

Oct 6, 2024 16:53:10 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 6, 2024 11:19:09 GMT -5 micco said:

Since you’re familiar with the particular details of their contracts I guess you’re saying that Mattel has exclusive rights to produce “retro style/scale” figures of Tatanka. Was the asylum tatanka done illegally too? Mattel uses the same form factor. Or are you saying it’s the specific look/gear that’s in breach since it’s a wwe ip?

In short, you can’t make a product of someone that has a legends contract. They signed their likeness and name to the wwe for X amount of time that includes a clause for toys. you definitely can’t use a name like Papa Shango in marketing since that was a wwe grown product. That’s like if someone made a figure of mickey mouse with out the disney rights. Asylum was done illegally as well.

Billy Gunn must be a unique case, as he has current AEW figures along with current Mattel figures being made

And with everybody and there brother doing Davey Boy, including Mattel. Every deal must not be the same

[MKSavage]

Oct 6, 2024 16:53:10 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

Oct 6, 2024 11:19:09 GMT -5 micco said:

Since you’re familiar with the particular details of their contracts I guess you’re saying that Mattel has exclusive rights to produce “retro style/scale” figures of Tatanka. Was the asylum tatanka done illegally too? Mattel uses the same form factor. Or are you saying it’s the specific look/gear that’s in breach since it’s a wwe ip?

In short, you can’t make a product of someone that has a legends contract. They signed their likeness and name to the wwe for X amount of time that includes a clause for toys. you definitely can’t use a name like Papa Shango in marketing since that was a wwe grown product. That’s like if someone made a figure of mickey mouse with out the disney rights. Asylum was done illegally as well.

What if the wrestler signed a contract with him a year or so ago and he's in progress of making the figure, then the wrestler signs a legends contract with the WWE, is he still allowed to release the figure he was working on? If a wrestler signs with one of these smaller companies, is there a timeline that the figure (or figures) has to be released?

[drnickriviera995]

Oct 6, 2024 20:24:16 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

Oct 6, 2024 16:53:10 GMT -5 kanik89 said:

In short, you can’t make a product of someone that has a legends contract. They signed their likeness and name to the wwe for X amount of time that includes a clause for toys. you definitely can’t use a name like Papa Shango in marketing since that was a wwe grown product. That’s like if someone made a figure of mickey mouse with out the disney rights. Asylum was done illegally as well.

What if the wrestler signed a contract with him a year or so ago and he's in progress of making the figure, then the wrestler signs a legends contract with the WWE, is he still allowed to release the figure he was working on? If a wrestler signs with one of these smaller companies, is there a timeline that the figure (or figures) has to be released?

Would be interesting to know the inside details of that stuff. It does kinda seem like as long as wrestler signs deal with an indy company while they are out of contract with WWE, seems good even if it takes a while for production.

Remembering back to the Hasbro days, it seemed like it took about a year from design to final product making it to shelves. Hence why whatever figures were coming out in a given year tended more to represent the roster of about a year ago.

They even had figures coming out when guys were already over in WCW. Jakks too with most notably Diesel and Razor figures, and that 2 pack with the yellow Razor, that came out way after they were gone.

[MKSavage]

Oct 6, 2024 20:57:56 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Oct 6, 2024 20:24:16 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

What if the wrestler signed a contract with him a year or so ago and he's in progress of making the figure, then the wrestler signs a legends contract with the WWE, is he still allowed to release the figure he was working on? If a wrestler signs with one of these smaller companies, is there a timeline that the figure (or figures) has to be released?

Would be interesting to know the inside details of that stuff. It does kinda seem like as long as wrestler signs deal with an indy company while they are out of contract with WWE, seems good even if it takes a while for production.

Remembering back to the Hasbro days, it seemed like it took about a year from design to final product making it to shelves. Hence why whatever figures were coming out in a given year tended more to represent the roster of about a year ago.

They even had figures coming out when guys were already over in WCW. Jakks too with most notably Diesel and Razor figures, and that 2 pack with the yellow Razor, that came out way after they were gone.

Yeah, I don't see how a company can sign a guy to a contract and while working on the figure in the usual timeframe, the guy signs with another company, and they just have to stop the entire process and everything they put into the production. Granted, legal issues are different. But if the wrestler owns the likeness and IP, not sure what else can be done. But like you said, it would be interesting to hear some inside stuff from someone who knows. 

I think Steve mentioned it a while back in the Mattel section that it still takes about a year from start to finish to produce figures today. I think he said in some cases they can rush it a bit, but it still takes 9-10 months. 

I remember the Dusty Rhodes figure being in both Series 2 and the Summer Slam series of 1991. He had left by January of 1991 and was already back in WCW. But maybe they were still able to release the Dusty Rhodes figure since it was so far into production. Or maybe because Dusty went back to WCW but not as an on-screen performer. Maybe he didn't have a merchandise deal with WCW at the time.