Mattel you’re losing my interest and I don’t know why?

[jasont]

Is anyone else struggling to get excited recently with new Mattel stuff? They’re putting out great stuff, I can’t knock them so I just can’t work out why I’m so uninterested. I’m a long term collector - mainly golden/new gen/attitude era but I’ll pick up the occasional current era stuff.

I can’t put my finger on it. I love Coliseum Collection but that’s become like drip torture waiting for waves.

Maybe the line needs a shake up of talent. LOD, Demolition, Sting, Rockers would liven things up a bit.

A WWE hasbro or WCW galoob inspired line would be cool.
Maybe a 1/6 scale line for mega talent like Bret, Hulk, Warrior etc? Something needs to happen.

Anyway, how does everyone else feel?

[Mongo Bears]

I don’t give a crap one way or the other anymore. If something gets made I want I’ll buy it but I don’t want much these days

[voicesinmyhead]

Not at all. Mattel is making some of the best wrestling figures ever made and they keep getting better and better. We are still getting new characters whether it’s legends or current talent and they are doing the best with who they have at their disposal. I am, however, tired of the constant legends requests that we know are not available. There’s no point in mentioning LOD, Sting, etc when we know that it’s not up to Mattel.

[20yearbreak]

I’ve only been back collecting for three years, so I’ve bought a lot of new, but mostly buying older elites from the period I wasn’t collecting. I’m feeling like a lot of the big names of been well represented for their eras. I’d love to see more rare elites be included in the Greatest Hits line or get the Ultimate treatment. I love Hogan, but there’s only Hogan left I want. I feel like Warrior has been represented enough outside maybe one more 96 and the duster WCW one. Prices have gone up and new releases are increasingly hard to find (especially Walmart). I kind of agree that my interest is slightly fading.

[shanieomaniac]

In spending time on this board I've noticed something big.

Most everyone here seems to be legends only collectors.

And thing 2 I've noticed.

There is a LOT of complaining about the figures.

I can't help but think these things are connected. Legends are well represented in the Mattel line... but not recently. Not as far as number of new legends. There's so many legends which haven't seen a single figure in ages or figures we're never getting again. We're probably never getting another Jannetty. LOD seems unlikely at this point. Some guys like the Wild Samoans, I can't imagine would be hard to get under a deal, they just haven't bothered to do so again. Sure we're still getting some FTIL legends but those original legends figures feel so much more diverse. On top of that, flashback figures of signed talent just never seems to happen. Team X-Treme Hardyz. ECW/AE Dudleyz. Sting. Edge and Christian. Did I mention Team X-Treme? You know the words to this song, it gets sung here enough.

Meanwhile, there are a billion Hogans and Warriors and, before he was gone, so dang many Machos as well.

I get that those guys move merch, but it feels like a "quality vs quantity" sort of thing. Rather than having a quality, wide selection of legends, we have the ones that Mattel can make, and then hundreds of those guys alone.

This is NOT Mattel's fault. At all. But for people who collect exclusively flashbacks and legends, I can see how it might make them lose interest in the hobby as opposed to someone who enjoys the current product and collects that stuff.

[Keck Collects]

After the massive amount to buy in July, I don't mind taking a break. I'm able to skip all of Wrestlemania 40, Royal Rumble, and half of Survivor Series, and there are no Elites in the next couple of waves that I need, other than Scott Steiner.

There is a definite slant to Legends on this board, and I'm as guilty as anyone. Unless it's someone special (Gunther, 1st release Cody Rhodes for example) I'm leaving them on the shelf.

[SteveHulk]

Oct 19, 2023 15:46:48 GMT -5 jasont said:

Is anyone else struggling to get excited recently with new Mattel stuff? They’re putting out great stuff, I can’t knock them so I just can’t work out why I’m so uninterested. I’m a long term collector - mainly golden/new gen/attitude era but I’ll pick up the occasional current era stuff.

I can’t put my finger on it. I love Coliseum Collection but that’s become like drip torture waiting for waves.

Maybe the line needs a shake up of talent. LOD, Demolition, Sting, Rockers would liven things up a bit.

A WWE hasbro or WCW galoob inspired line would be cool.
Maybe a 1/6 scale line for mega talent like Bret, Hulk, Warrior etc? Something needs to happen.

Anyway, how does everyone else feel?

I think that might be the issue... "collector fatigue". I've been with the line since the start - and after 13 years, not much is really exciting me these days. Even things that were dream items (like the Hogan and Foley 3-packs), I'm nowhere near as excited as I would have been years ago.

I think the Ultimate Edition line (and Coliseum Collection) have added a much-needed boost for the line... that's where my main interest is at the moment.

[tigerlillysingh]

There’s just too much for the majority who would also be invested in many other IPs & interests that prohibits getting most if not all that comes out.
It’s a great time if you have an endless pot of money - I may have bought a handful of elites this year total… I used to buy whole sets but just can’t keep up with life and other interests. It has reached the point where I look at new reveals and shrug knowing I won’t get them anyway.
For me that’s where I’m at, I have to make choices and it’s damn too easy to pass on WWE for the time being, used to have bad fomo but it’s passed on. The fomo I have for Pokémon tcg & TMNT necas is nuclear so priorities.

[marino13]

Not even a lil. Loving it now more than ever.

[RavenRulz]

It’s the lack of care that’s making me lose interest, getting the simple things wrong with attires, heights and scans etc then still signing off the product to be made. It rubs off, if they aren’t interested then why should I be.

[kinnikuman]

Oct 19, 2023 15:46:48 GMT -5 jasont said:

Is anyone else struggling to get excited recently with new Mattel stuff? They’re putting out great stuff, I can’t knock them so I just can’t work out why I’m so uninterested. I’m a long term collector - mainly golden/new gen/attitude era but I’ll pick up the occasional current era stuff.

I can’t put my finger on it. I love Coliseum Collection but that’s become like drip torture waiting for waves.

Maybe the line needs a shake up of talent. LOD, Demolition, Sting, Rockers would liven things up a bit.

A WWE hasbro or WCW galoob inspired line would be cool.
Maybe a 1/6 scale line for mega talent like Bret, Hulk, Warrior etc? Something needs to happen.

Anyway, how does everyone else feel?

I'm selling my entire collection but I've been iffy on Mattel for a long time. The face printing is hit or miss, the skinny legs drive me insane, the long legs drive me insane, the love for the 80s/90s and lack of FTIL drives me insane, the cheap attires drives me insane, and so on and so on. I will give them torsos though ... best plastic in the game.

[Crossfit Jesus]

Think ur in the minority

[LA Times]

There might be a drought at times, but I am looking forward to

Bruno Sammartino in green
Summerslam 1991 UE Ultimate Warrior
Legends 21? Thunderlips Hulk Hogan
British Bulldog/Shawn Michaels 2pack

Edit: I am also interested in the Hulk Hogan Wrekkin Slam Cycle, but other than a distant picture from SDCC, I have not heard any news about its release.

[kutzheels]

I’m a hardcore collector and I’m losing interest in WWE figs as well. I’m still heavy into MOTU, Super7, NECA and a couple others. As a huge legends collector, mainly it’s the store exclusives that have turned me sour- Walmart especially. I shouldn’t have to turn to scalpers to get figures I want. In 2023, Walmart should easily be able to sell their figures online. Excluding the Brother Love set, it’s been easy and stress free getting the Legends, Fan Takeover UE and multipacks from Target online I blame Mattel more than Walmart and that has just started to turn me off.

[jacobl18]

Other no name toy companies are making figures that us old school legends actually want. Godwins, Booger, Mountie, Adam Bomb, Jarret ect. Heck the new Todd Pettengill retro is a cool figure.

Mattel just seems to make the same ol figs over and over. If you’re a fan of Hogan, Warrior and Macho then Mattel is for you. If you want rare fun throwback figs you have to look elsewhere now.

[Flair Forever]

Well I can't speak for everyone.....

But my collection has simply become too large. I have so much stuff I can't display it all. I've been collecting for nearly 30 years! I have boxes of Hasbros.... bins filled with JAKKS stuff..... bins filled with Mattel stuff....walls covered with autographed stuff.... I get so excited to buy something new & shiny.... and then it goes into a box. And my wallet becomes lighter.... I love this stuff but I'm just at a breaking point as far as SPACE goes....

Since I'm lacking on space, and often budget - - - I've resorted to only buying stuff that I really, really want to add to my collection. The good stuff!

And the good stuff is so hard to find! I find myself driving from Walmart to Walmart... hoping to find something I'm looking for..... and 90% of the time, I leave disappointed..... the store shelves are often empty and it's frustrating. And soon we'll be looking for Monday Night Wars stuff, and to be honest? I'm dreading it. Back in the old days, the hunt was fun - these days I find myself wasting hours driving around and coming home empty-handed.

So I'm becoming very selective & picky..... I have almost zero interest in current talent. The current legends pool is probably the weakest it's been in several years - No Ric Flair, no Sting, no Macho Man, which are three of my FAVORITES. I have wayyyy more Ultimate Warriors than I feel like I should have. I have a zillion Undertakers.... I love Hogan but I also feel like there aren't a ton more Hogans that I need either. I am VERY excited for the Target 3-pack and the upcoming WCW Hulkamania Jimmy Hart!

None of this is a knock on Mattel. I think they're mostly doing a great job with the names they have to work with....a few quality/accuracy issues here & there. A few stumbles (Mr. Perfect's rubber singlet, Ultimate Eddie Guerrero's huge torso)..... but overall mostly great products. As time passes - - - we are getting further and further away from that "Golden Era" and I don't feel the same affection for the newer "Legends" as I do for the names I've listed.

I feel like I'm getting old and it's becoming harder and harder for Mattel to continue to impress me - and that's not their fault.

Aside from a bigger house (which I can't afford right now) to display my stuff better, the injection of new names that would excite me (maybe)? These are all just my own wish list - this is just the basic stuff that I feel like my collection is missing:

Doctor of Style, Slick
New Bobby The Brain Heenan figures
New Ric Flair figures with Robes
Rock & Roll Express
Jim Cornette
Mr. Fuji
The Mountie
Glacier / Mortis
Bad News Brown
More Sting figures (especially Surfer Blonde Sting with soft goods jackets).
Earl Hebner
A proper Million Dollar Man (maybe an Ultimate). Mattel hasn't done him justice yet.
Melina
Steve "Mongo" McMichael and Debrah
Woman (Nancy Benoit, yes I know it won't happen and probably shouldn't. I'd buy it though).
Dino Bravo
Rugged Ronnie Garvin
Harley Race (as a WCW manager of Lex Luger and Vader).
WCW Ravishing Rick Rude (with US Title, short hair, appropriate tights).
Fifi The Maid (needed for my Flair collection, yes).
Hollywood Blondes Brian Pillman
Sweet Sapphire (Dusty Rhodes manager)

There are a few others, but my brain is tired, long day.

[J-MANN]

The only thing I’m sour on is all the Walmart exclusives.

[azraelms]

For me I do think Collector Fatigue is part of it. I have been in this for 20+ years, back to the Jakks CS days, and except for first time in the line figures, for the most part, I am not all that excited. I am getting a decent amount of things coming up, but as far as 'excitement' goes, I don't think there is much that excite me.

For me personally, I think I started getting more disillusioned with the failure of the Nitro stage. The is THE thing I was very excited for, and we don't need to rehash the positives and negatives here, that did take a lot of wind out of my sales. As it is, I am still really looking forward to the Monday Night Wars line, and hope that that distribution is better than the recent Walmart exclusive lines.

[The Madness]

I mostly collect the 1985-1995 era. My biggest problem is that the pool of Legends keep dwindling, and never seems to grow.

I’ll never get tired of Hogan and Warrior, but I hate that we could be getting so many great figures of Flair, the Road Warriors, Crush, Pillman, Tito Santana, the Rockers, etc., etc., when we just keep getting the same dozen or so names over and over and over.

Even with some of the wrestlers we do keep getting, it seems like Mattel is avoiding the versions everyone wants. How do we only have an outdated basic of Warrior in his green and pink promo pic attire? Blue trunks, white singlet, and Ichiban Hogan before Python Power? 13 years into the line and we still don’t have Andre in blue trunks and blue boots?

[kiloinnorcal]

It's because ALL toy lines MUST eventually end, go dormant for a while, or be rebooted and rebranded.

There needs to be an eventual endpoint so we know the beginning to the end.

When a line keeps going, 13 years in this case, which is abnormal, it's tough to get excited for the 15th version of the same 20 wrestlers honestly.

One of the most popular toylines ever, the original Masters of the Universe, lasted a total of 6 years in its entire run.