Kings of Action Figures

From the always talented Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

In Brief: Many wrestlers have used the “king” moniker over the years. Some have won the crown in a tournament, others have simply made it a part of their act. Here’s a look at some of the most popular toys of wrestling’s kings of the ring.

(5) King Mabel Jakks Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Series 18. Mabel’s victory at the 1995 King of the Ring tournament is a perfect snapshot of what was wrong with the WWF at that time. With Mabel defeating Savio Vega in the finals of a tournament that also included Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, it’s no wonder the Philadelphia crowd changed “ECW! ECW! ECW!” and wrestling fans flocked to WCW Monday Nitro just a few short weeks later.

This figure has Mabel in a big gold jumpsuit and comes with a red crown similar to the one that Jakks had packaged with King Booker around that same time. 

(4) King Booker Mattel WWE Elite Series 14. After five years in WWE, Booker T acquired a crown, a big gold belt, a main event slot, and a bad English accent, all within a few short weeks. Booker T became King Booker after defeating Bobby Lashley in the finals of a Smackdown King of the Ring tournament in 2006, then conquered Rey Mysterio for the World Title.

Mattel made its first Booker T action figure after he returned in 2011. The figure comes with a crown, cape and scepter, and over the last 18 months has increased in value substantially. Packaged figures now sell for around $50, with loose figures commanding around $30. 

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3) “Macho King” Randy Savage Hasbro WWF Series 2. Savage won the WWF’s pre-pay-per-view King of the Ring event shortly after a babyface turn in 1987, but it wasn’t until the fall of 1989 that he showed the world his scepter. After losing the WWF Title to Hulk Hogan, Savage defeated Hacksaw Duggan and went from “Macho Man” to “Macho King.”

Hasbro made a toy of the “Macho King” in its second series of WWF figures, complete with removable crown and scepter. They’re still pretty affordable, with packaged figures only selling for $25-30. 

(2) Jerry Lawler Mattel WWE Elite Series 18. Long before the WWF stuck a crown on Harley Race, Haku or Jim Duggan, Jerry Lawler was wrestling’s king. After a lengthy career in Memphis that also included a run as AWA World Champion, he arrived in the WWF in 1992 and engaged in a feud with Bret Hart after the “Hitman” won the first King of the Ring pay-per-view tournament.

Mattel released its first (and, to date, only) Lawler toy right after “the King” suffered a heart attack on national TV. Lawler’s Elite figure started out hot and has since cooled off, but Elite figures like this seem to pick up in value once the initial supply has dried up after a couple years. Loose and packaged figures can usually be found for under $30.

(1) Harley Race LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Series 4. Fans of the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion never could stomach Harley Race in a crown and regal robe on WWF TV. Nonetheless, the first toy of a wrestling “king” is still one of the most popular.

Race is dressed in a purple jacket (instead of a robe), purple kneepads and blue trunks and boots. He also came with a removable crown that many kids and collectors lost over the years. A loose complete figure in good condition will usually sell for anywhere from $50-75, while packaged figures are almost impossible to find.