February is Figure February here at Wresting Merchandise and Memories, where we celebrate all things related to wrestling action figures.
While LJN's Wrestling Superstars line isn't the very first line of toys in the genre (Remco's AWA figures, M.U.S.C.L.E. and Japan's POPY line all came out earlier), it is certainly the first one to have international mainstream appeal, and is recognized as a forefather for what has turned to be a staple in department and toy stores aisles for the past four decades.
It's also the first of (many) wrestling figures that Canadian Bulldog owned, and we even introduced the Canadian Bulldog's World LJN Wrestling Figure Hall of Fame back in 2014 to celebrate the line.
In selecting the Top 50 LJN Wrestling Superstars, Wrestling Mechandise and Memories.... well, we just picked according to personal preference. There's no real criteria in this particular list and anyone's opinion is frankly just as valid as ours is.
Questions? Feedback? Comments? As always, we want YOU to be a part of the conversation! Leave a comment below, or let us know on Twitter (@CanadianBulldog) using the hashtag #Top50.
Ready? Here we go!
50.
Superfly Jimmy Snuka
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Superfly Jimmy Snuka with leopard print trunks and headband, black knee and wrist pants and of course, bare feet.
48.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, Hacksaw Jim Duggan had black trunks and white boots and came armed with a removeable 2 x 4.
46.
Luscious Johnny Valiant
Introduced in 1988 as part of the fifth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Luscious Johnny Valiant was dressed up in a purple and grey blazer, tie and rock and roll shades.
44.
Vince McMahon
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wresting Superstars, Vince McMahon (spelled McMann on the package) was decked out in a rather loud red, grey and blue three-piece suit.
42.
Bruno Sammartino
Introduced in 1986 as part the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Bruno Sammartino was seemingly a throw-back figure for older wrestling fans, decked out in blue trunks and plain black boots.
40.
Harley Race
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, King Harley Race was regally dressed in a purple and white coat (mimicking his actual robe) and a removeable crown.
38.
Corporal Kirschner
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Corporal Kirschner wore green army fatigues and was available in bearded, stubbled and clean-shaven variants.
36.
Classy Freddie Blassie
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Classy Freddie Blassie wore a red and yellow outfit and a removeable cane to hit opponents with.
34.
Dynamite Kid
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Dynamite Kid was also dressed as one of The British Bulldogs (no relation), only slightly less muscular and with short hair.
32.
Greg Valentine
Introduced in 1985 as part of the second series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Greg Valentine had long blond hair and black ring gear, looking much like The Hammer did -- only sporting huge bug eyes.
30.
Nikolai Volkoff
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Nikolai Volkoff wore red gear with "USSR" across his chest, and came with a removeable black Russian fur cap.
28.
Haku
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, Haku is barefoot, muscular and wearing Polynesian trunks. He does not, however, come with the crown as illustrated.
26.
One Man Gang
Introduced in 1988 as part of the fifth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, One Man Gang is massive, mohawked and wearing a denim jacket over his black shirt (as well as black boots and pants).
24.
Big John Studd
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Big John Studd is fairly accurate with white trunks and red boots, bent at the knees so as not to tower over Andre The Giant.
22.
Koko B. Ware
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Koko B. Ware wore a white jacket, red trunks and sunglasses, and also came with his macaw Frankie (which was removeable).
20.
Jesse The Body Ventura
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Jesse The Body Ventura was ready to wrestle in psychadelic pink trunks, baby blue boots and do-rag and rock star sunglasses.
18.
Jimmy Hart
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Jimmy Hart is wearing his white jacket with music notes and a non-removeable megaphone.
16.
Kamala
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Kamala is barefoot with an orange tribal skirt and war paint. And unlike his Hasbro figure, the moon belly isn't a rarity here.
14.
Jim The Anvil Neidhart
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Jim The Anvil Neidhart is wearing pink (or purple depending on the variant) Hart Foundation gear and his famous goatee.
12.
Captain Lou Albano
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Captain Lou Albano is the spitting image of his real-life counterpart, complete with rubber bands.
10.
Demolition Ax
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, Demolition Ax has studded black leather gear and facepaint. Unfortunately, there was never a Demolition Smash figure.
8.
The Honky Tonk Man
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, The Honky Tonk Man has long sideburns and his hair slicked back, plus a blue jumpsuit and a removeable guitar.
6.
Bam Bam Bigelow
Introduced in 1988 as part of the fifth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Bam Bam Bigelow has a black outfit with flames on it and tattoos across his skull, with a nasty, scowling look on his mug.
4.
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Rowdy Roddy Piper has a white "Hot Rod" shirt, red boots and trunks and a removeable plaid kilt.
2.
King Kong Bundy
Introduced in 1985 as part of the second series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, King Kong Bundy is a phenomenal tribute to The Walking Condominium himself, complete with massive frame, bald, eyebrowless face and black tunic.
49
Cowboy Bob Orton
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Cowboy Bob Orton wore a removeable cowboy hat and sported a fringe vest. Oddly, he didn't have his trademark cast!
47.
Andre The Giant
There were three different versions of Andre The Giant in the series, although we are going with the first long-hair version introduced in 1984. While it didn't look flattering, the figure was huge!
45
Paul Orndorff
Introduced in 1986 as part of the second series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Paul Orndorff wore red gear and was the most muscular figure in the line - a suspect physique even for the steroid-ridden 80s.
43.
Brutus Beefcake
Introduced in 1985 as part of the second series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Brutus Beefcake was wearing his pre-Barber gear, including purple and black leopard-print trunks and studded full-length gloves.
41.
Hillbilly Jim
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Hillbilly Jim had a removeable floppy hat and wore blue overalls over top of a red sleeveless T-shirt.
39.
Special Delivery Jones
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, jobber to the stars Special Delivery Jones was produced in both yellow floral and solid red shirt variants... for some reason.
37.
Tito Santana
There were two different versions of Tito Santana in the series, although we are going with the first version (purple trunks) that came out in 1986. Unfortunately, Santana's face appears to be constipated.
35.
Davey Boy Smith
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Davey Boy Smith was dressed as one of The British Bulldogs (no relation), complete with curly hair and red trunks.
33.
Slick
Introduced in 1988 as part of the fifth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars (oddly not listed as a "Manager"), Slick had a grey and black three-piece suit and came with a removeable black fedora.
31.
Bobby Heenan
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Bobby The Brain Heenan wore a blue jacket with his initials on the front and black track pants.
29.
Hercules Hernandez
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Hercules Hernandez wore a brown gladiator-style outfit and had long hair (prior to his more popular incarnation).
27.
Mean Gene Okerlund
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Mean Gene Okerlund is holding a microphone, shrugging his shoulders and wearing a black tuxedo.
25.
The Warlord
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, The Warlord is muscular and reverse-mohawked, wearing menacing face paint and black boots and trunks.
23.
George Steele
Introduced in 1985 as part of the second series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, George The Animal Steele is about as accurate a depiction as one could hope for, except with unpainted chest hair.
21.
Jake The Snake Roberts
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Jake The Snake Roberts was wearing green trunks with purple snakes on them, and also came with a removeable Damien.
19.
Terry Funk
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Terry Funk came with two accessories - a cowboy hat and a branding iron. He was also wearing green chaps and red trunks.
17.
Miss Elizabeth
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Miss Elizabeth is the only female in the line, wearing a pink outfit and in gold and pink dress variants.
15.
Ricky Steamboat
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is wearing black trunks and boots and is striking his best karate pose for good measure.
13.
Bret Hitman Hart
Introduced in 1987 as part of the fourth series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Bret Hart (Brett Hart on the package) is wearing either pink or purple Hart Foundation gear and black sunglasses.
11.
Mr. Fuji
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars "Manager" subset, Mr. Fuji was also an impressive likeness, complete with tuxedo, bowler hat and removeable cane.
9.
Big Boss Man
Introduced in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys version of Wrestling Superstars, Big Boss Man is decked out in blue and black prison guard gear - and is the one LJN figure Canadian Bulldog never owned!
7.
Junkyard Dog
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, Junkyard Dog comes with a removeable dog collar and chain, and wears red trunks with THUMP across the back.
5.
The Iron Sheik
Introduced in 1984 as part of the first series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, The Iron Sheik wears blue patterned pants and curly-toed boots, perfect for breaking his opponents' back and humbling them.
3.
Randy Savage
Introduced in 1986 as part of the third series of LJN Wrestling Superstars, "Macho Man" Randy Savage comes with sunglasses, his iconic pink trunks with white stars on them and yellow boots.
1.
Hulk Hogan
No, not the "anorexic" 1984 version of Hulk Hogan, but the version released in 1989 as part of the Grand Toys line. Wearing either a red or white "Hulkamania" shirt, this figure is a near-flawless depiction of The Hulkster.
Which LJN Wrestling Superstars didn't make the cut?
-
Adrian Adonis
-
Andre The Giant (1985 and 1989 versions)
-
Hulk Hogan (1984 version)
-
Referee
-
The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase
-
Tito Santana (1988 version)