Pin Down the Best WWE Action Figures: 2024 Buyer’s Guide

1 comment Oct 08, 2023

WWE is the biggest brand in wrestling. It’s given the world some of the biggest superstars of all, from past greats like The Rock and Stone Cold to current-day stars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. With so many years of crazy clashes, wild events, and larger-than-life characters, it’s no surprise that WWE has millions of die-hard fans all over the globe.

Many of those fans like to watch not only WWE events like WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble but also to collect WWE-related merchandise, including superstar action figures. From young children looking to live out their own imaginary wrestling matches to hardcore action figure collectors, wrestling fans of all ages enjoy collecting these toys.

But, with such a vast action figure catalog to choose from, it’s important to pick the very best WWE action figures. The best WWE figures are detailed, flawlessly made, easy to articulate, and fun to either play with or display as part of an extended collection. This guide will highlight some cool WWE action figures that every collector should consider.

IN THIS ARTICLE

The Evolution of WWE Action Figures|
Key Features to Consider When Buying a WWE Action Figure|
Care and Maintenance of WWE Action Figures|
Where to Buy Authentic WWE Action Figures|
Step Into the Ring With ToyShnip|
FAQs|

The Evolution of WWE Action Figures

Just like how the WWE has evolved over the ages, with legendary performers of the past like Bret Hart and Steve Austin making way for the next generation, WWE action figures have also changed a lot. Fortunately for lovers of the wrestling business, modern-day figures have many advantages over their classic counterparts.

Various toy manufacturers have also taken on the role of producing pro wrestling action figures over the decades. First up was LJN, which launched the first wrestler toys back in 1984. That was back when WWE was still called WWF, and classic superstars like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Rowdy Roddy Piper headlined each event.

In the ‘90s, Jakks Pacific took over the mantle, signing a deal to become the official toy WWE provider for over 10 years. The Jakks figures were more detailed and realistic than the old WWE figures. Jakks had the chance to immortalize many legendary wrestlers in action-figure-form like The Rock, Steve Austin, X-Pac, and Kevin Nash.

From 2010 right up to the present day, Mattel has been the name behind the action figures of Vince McMahon’s WWE empire. All new WWE action figures are made by Mattel and are some of the most detailed of all. Mattel is able to use the most modern materials, molds, and production techniques to provide the realistic toys the action figure community demands.

Top WWE Action Figures

All of the WWE’s huge stars have been recreated in action figure form over the years, but some figures are definitely better than others. The list below highlights some of the finest figures for wrestling fans and merchandise collectors to consider.

WWE Elite Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is one of the biggest names in wrestling right now, and he’s the perfect superstar to kick off this list. This Mattel Elite version of Roman Reigns is part of the Top Picks range, priced at $23.94 and suitable for ages eight and up. It comes with two sets of interchangeable hands, as well as an alternative head and chest to get the look you want.

WWE Elite Randy Orton

Randy Orton is another legend of the WWE, boasting more world championship reigns than almost any other wrestler in history. The Mattel Elite Randy Orton is another excellent example of why Mattel is such a good manufacturer, with excellent tattoo detailing and some alternate hands to swap in. It’s priced at $54.90 and suitable for ages eight and up.

WWE “Macho Man” Randy Savage

“Macho Man” Randy Savage is a favorite classic wrestler from the past, beloved by old and new generations of fans alike. Mattel’s WrestleMania Celebration Randy Savage perfectly captures Randy Savage’s distinctive look, with life-like detail on the face. It’s designed for ages six plus and costs $24.97.

WWE Ultimate Edition Undertaker

More than a few wrestling fans shed a tear when the legendary Undertaker left the ring for the final time in 2020. But you can bring this iconic star back for more battles with the Mattel WWE Ultimate Edition Undertaker. Suitable for ages eight and up, it costs $43.97 and comes with multiple heads and hands, along with ‘Taker’s cloak which he wears as he makes his way to the ring.

WWE Elite John Cena

John Cena has consistently been a fan favorite since bursting onto the WWE scene way back in 2002. The Mattel Elite John Cena is one of the best action figure versions of this superstar. It comes with an alternate outfit and a set of interchangeable hands with Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture. It costs $24.97 and is suitable for ages eight and over.

WWE Elite Cactus Jack

Mick Foley was one of the greatest superstars to ever appear under the WWE name, incarnating multiple characters and personas, from Mankind to Cactus Jack. The WWE Elite figure captures Foley’s personality, with excellent detail on his shirt and face. It’s priced at $45, suitable for ages eight and higher, and features 25 points of articulation.

WWE Ultimate Edition Hulk Hogan

If you love the legends of wrestling, your collection can’t be complete with the WWE Ultimate Edition Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Priced at $41.97 and suitable for ages eight and up, this figure comes with a large assortment of interchangeable accessories, including additional heads, hands, and a championship belt.

WWE Elite Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar proved he was one of the toughest real-life fighters in the game when he briefly left WWE to compete in UFC. Now, he’s back with WWE, and the WWE Elite Collection Series Brock Lesnar is one of the best figure versions of this massive star. It’s for ages eight plus, costs $24.97, and comes with plenty of articulation points for precise posing.

WWE Championship Showdown Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley

You get two figures for the price of one with the Championship Showdown Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley double-pack. Featuring two of the top female wrestlers of recent years, this set also includes a super display stand you can use to show off your toys in a range of poses. It’s designed for ages eight and over and is priced at $25.97.

Bret Hart

Bret Hart is another icon of the wrestling business, and he’s been made in action figure form many times over the years. The WWE WrestleMania 2022 Elite Bret Hitman Hart figure is a must-have for collectors, capturing Hart’s WrestleMania 2022 look to perfection. It also comes with a piece of the Vince McMahon Build-a-Figure and it costs $27.97. Suitable for ages eight and up.

Key Features to Consider When Buying a WWE Action Figure

Whether you’re looking for a realistic Rey Mysterio, a classic Randy Savage figure, or a Mattel Elite Daniel Bryan to add to your action figure catalog, there are several key factors to take into account.

Articulation

Articulation essentially refers to how flexible a figure is. Elite figures tend to have lots of different points of articulation, with around 25 points in total. Standard wrestling figures, in contrast, typically have around 15-18 points of articulation.

That means you’ll be able to move WWE Mattel Elite figures into a wider range of specific positions. This might be favorable for those who plan on playing with their figures or displaying them in realistic fighting poses.

A Mattel WWE basic action figure won’t be quite as flexible. However, some people might still prefer the simpler option, as too much articulation can make a figure feel less stable.

Paint and Detailing

Part of the fun of wrestling is all the cool, colorful costumes and iconic attire that everyone’s favorite stars wear to the ring. And wrestling fans tend to want their figures to look just like the real thing, with life-like detail and precise, appealing paint jobs.

Unfortunately, some figures suffer painting mistakes, like paint bleeding, where one color flows over into an area where it shouldn’t be. Lower-quality figures or fakes often have poor paint jobs or colors that aren’t quite accurate when compared to the real thing.

Detail is very important for collectors, so you have to be sure that the figures you buy are properly painted and look just right. This is particularly relevant for superstars who have very distinctive looks, like the hairstyle of Matt Hardy, the masks of Rey Mysterio, or the pink shades of Bret Hart.

Scale and Proportions

To add to their realism, WWE figures are also usually created with specific scales, and proportionate arm, length, and torso sizes to match the real-life wrestlers like AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Accurate scaling is crucial for a life-like appearance, especially for collectors who want to show them off.

Even for people who play with their figures, it makes sense to have a set that all follow the same scale and sizes. Otherwise, you could have an 8-inch Rey Mysterio battling against a 6-inch Matt Cardona, which would look a little odd, to say the least.

The modern Mattel WWE figures all tend to be 6 inches tall, but past manufacturers have made other sizes. LJN made 8-inch figures, for instance, and oversized models exist for certain stars. Bigger toys can be more fun to play with for children with small hands, but also take up more space.

Accessories

Plenty of the WWE’s most popular performers have their own iconic accessories. Rey Mysterio, for instance, always wears his colorful masks. Al Snow always used to bring a mannequin head to the ring. And many wrestlers like using chairs, tables, and ladders to deal damage to their foes.

Thankfully, WWE’s love of props crosses over into the world of figures. Many of the best WWE Mattel and Jakks figures, for instance, come with a selection of accessories. This can include everything from championship belts to chairs, interchangeable hands, and more.

Props and interchangeable accessories add value and usefulness to any figure. If you want to play with them, the accessories let you enjoy more engaging and varied sessions. Meanwhile, if you plan on displaying your collection of toys, the accessories let you pose each figure in unique ways.

Care and Maintenance of WWE Action Figures

Like any other toy, WWE figures also require a certain level of care and maintenance. This is particularly important for collectors who want to preserve their figures and keep them in pristine or like-new condition for as long as possible, without marks or signs of wear and tear.

A simple way to keep your figures clean is to prepare a big bowl of warm water mixed with hand soap or dishwashing liquid. Soak the figures in the water for a few minutes, and then use a small brush, like a toothbrush, or cloth to scrub away any dirt or marks. Make sure to let your figures dry thoroughly afterward before playing or displaying them.

However, if you want to keep them in the very best condition and maintain the maximum resale value, it’s best to keep your toys in their original packaging. Store them in display cases out of direct sunlight.

Where to Buy Authentic WWE Action Figures

There are plenty of fake wrestling figures out there. To ensure you’re buying real WWE Mattel products and other genuine brands, it’s best to buy from official, trusted retailers.

You can order from the comfort of your own home at an online toy store, as well as leading retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Target, or the Mattel online shop. WWE figures also tend to be sold at wrestling conventions and similar events, such as Comic Con.

If you see wrestling figures that seem to be suspiciously cheap or don’t have official WWE logos and branding on the packaging, they are most likely fakes. Be sure to inspect each product carefully to ensure you buy only authentic toys.

Step Into the Ring With ToyShnip

Clearly, there are lots of terrific WWE action figures to choose from, and the best toys can be lots of fun to both play with and collect. If you’re looking for a great gift for a wrestling fan, or something new for your own collection, check out the range of WWE toys for sale at ToyShnip.