WWE Retro figures are the spiritual successor to the WWF Hasbro figures of the 1990s. Small, chunky and packed with "action moves," Mattel introduced the line in 2018, creating a nostalgia fix for long-time collectors, while also creating something fun for newer figure collectors.
A menu of reviews for each series in the collection can be found at the bottom of this page. For now, let's take a closer look at what Mattel is calling the Retro 4-Pack Wave Three.
For those unaware... at the end of 2019, the Retro figures by Mattel ceased production and many collectors were clamoring for their return. In January 2022, they were brought back via mail order on the Mattel Creations website (and to be purchased as an entire set), as opposed to earlier waves that were available via retail stores.
This particular set focuses on recreating four Hasbro figures that were never sold for various reasons. Let's take a look at these four tributes:
Doink The Clown was set for WWF Hasbro Series 12 (the "orange card" series that was never produced). Unlike his first Hasbro figure, this one depicted his babyface persona, complete with orange trunks and blue and yellow accents. This is a fantastic figure, full of color and personality.
Tugboat was set to be in WWF Hasbro Series 4, but had turned heel on television at that point and changed his name to Typhoon. So while we got an awesome Typhoon, the only way you see the Tugboat figure was through the Hasbro hockey set. Mattel's Tugboat is the perfect substitute, looking cartoonish yet very reminiscent of the Hasbro figure we knew and loved.
Greg The Hammer Valentine was released in WWF Hasbro Series 3, yet they were going to make a Rhythm and Blues version to rerelease with The Honky Tonk Man. It was advertised in WWF Magazine but never made its way to stores (famously, Matt Cardona purchased the prototype of that Valentine variant several years back). Thankfully, the Mattel version is quite faithful to the missing Valentine, complete with black hair and white leather jacket with music notes all over it.
Finally, Lex Luger debuted with WWF Hasbro Series 8, but much like Doink, he was set to be in the final series as a babyface. Mattel has rescued us again, giving us the perfect "Made In The USA" style Luger, complete with stars and stripes on his trunks.
For Hasbro fans such as myself, this set is really the perfect complement to the series, as we now have versions of many of the unreleased Hasbros. Well done!
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