American Made Hulk Hogan and Classic WWF Championship Belt

American Made Hulk Hogan

Mattel - Ringside Collectibles

Another Hulk Hogan variant made before the scandal that did more damage to Hulkamania than No Holds Barred and McCinsey's Island combined.  While the mass-released Mattel figures disappeared from shelves within months, this one survives as an internet exclusive to Ringside Collectibles.  It's still available at around $22-24, and its a must-have variant for any wrestling collection.  

 

While the body, pads, necklace and shirt are reused from the Defining Moments figure, you get an all-new paint scheme, bandana, and head sculpt.  The American Made paint up is great, but it may not have been enough to get me to buy into this figure.  It's the head that really sold it. 

It's a really wide-mouthed, crazy-eyed Hogan.  You know, the look you'd get after a couple of failed punches into a "Hulking Out" drive.  Yeah... right before the finger waggling and point but before winding up to the big boot.  It also reminds me of some mugging to the camera moment's in "Suburban Commando." I wonder if Mattel had plans to reuse this head before everything went south?

This figure has no accessories other than the 24-inch pythons.  C'mon, Mattel... pretty close to the Defining Moments mold, but you couldn't throw use a spare championship belt?  Not even a flag?  It's just a plastic stick with a big sticker!  How many fractions of a cent could that have cost?  Oh well, still a great figure.  Maybe the bonus is him being that close to a Rip custom?

 

As a bonus, I'm throwing in this kid-sized, classic winged-eagle championship belt replica.  I believe it was a Target exclusive.  A set of gold panels have been left off on the sides due to it's size, but it still looks decent enough on the shelf next to the classic figures.  This is one example where the vac-metal finish looks good.  If only it were era-accurate with the logo...damn panda bears.

Hollywood Hogan

Hollywood Hogan

Storm Collectibles - Ringside Collectibles Exclusive

Storm Collectibles and Ringside have joined forces to bring you the most controversial action figure since "Math Class is Tough" Barbie.  Yes, the WWE and Mattel might have tried to erase the legend, but there are still Hulkamaniacs out there runnin' wild and there's money to be made!  Hulk's bad guy, New World Order turn made it as far as prototype designs before the scandal pulled the plug on any current and future merchandise.  How well does this figure fill that gap in the collection?  Pretty good, if you ask me, brother! As you can see above, he stands in scale perfectly with Mattel's figures. 

The paint and articulation is better than you would get from other companies (which might make him stand out too much amongst your Mattel figures.)  Double-jointed elbows, upper torso ball joint, and "butterfly" shoulders can give you more and better classic Hulk posing than ever before.  Also, something else he has going over Mattel:  he has nipples!  Why don't most wrestling figures have nipples?  They will go out of their way to flock George "The Animal" Steele with faux body hair but not give him nipples?!  Weird.

Check out the apps on the boots and tights!

He also has more accessories than your standard Mattel Elite figure.  You get an extra set of gripping hands and several removable clothing items: bandanna, sunglasses, cross necklace, black and white "feather" boas, weight belt, and shirt.

There are a few nitpicks about this otherwise awesome figure.  The crotch section is just a rubber piece that kind of floats over the t-joint legs.  Because of that, it takes some readjusting when posing to cover up the floating look between the waist and torso.  And while you do get better articulation, paint, and accessories, it does all come at a slightly higher price than a Mattel Elite.  Hollywood Hogan runs wild at $35, which is about $15 more.  I think it's worth it for the quality, let alone the uncertainty that we'll ever see Mattel get to do a take.  Don't miss your chance to fill this important gap in your collection.  It's just too sweet!

NWO for life!