Introduction:
The Fabled Orange Card Hasbro Series from 1995 was rumored to be a UK exclusive, with the rumored lineup of Doink, Mo, Mabel, Bastion Booger, Diesel, Owen Hart, Lex Luger, and Jeff Jarrett. Prototype heads of Jarrett, Mo, Mabel, and Diesel have appeared, and prototype figures of Doink the Clown (in orange) and Lex Luger (In USA attire, except with red trunks) surfaced and were sold in 2018. To date, there have been no carded examples to confirm Orange cards, just years of rumors.
On the Major WF Podcast, the guys kicked around the idea of a Hasbro Black Cards series, to follow the Orange cards. The timeline, if following the path of the Green Cards (mid 1993) and Orange Cards (late 1993-early 1994), would put these at late 1994 early 1995. The timeline refers to when the wrestlers were in those looks/personas. So taking from the Black Cards idea, here is my proposed list:
The British Bulldog
Davey Boy Smith had a release back in series 4, with his 1991 look. In 1994 he had a different hairstyle and short trunks, so an update was well due. Some customs out there have the same Bulldog upper body with the Texas Tornado lower body to incorporate the boot tassels.
King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy was a long time upper card and main event heel for the WWF, and had returned in the fall of 1994. His inclusion is an easy choice, and the Earthquake body is perfect for him.
Bam Bam Bigelow
One of the hallmarks of the Hasbro line was that there were very few direct repaints. Unfortunately, by 1994, the roster was a bit thin, so Bam Bam gets an update here. He was last seen in the Red Cards of series 8. Black attire with Blue and red flames would fit the period.
Bob Holly
A debut in the line here, as Thurman “Sparky” Plugg made his debut in the 1994 Royal Rumble, and later switched up to Bob “Spark Plug” Holly. The Hasbro line always had colorful characters, and his would be no exception. This would probably be a case for the Mr. Perfect body, with purple attire and checkered flag trim.
The Undertaker
There has to be a main eventer in the wave, so Undertaker gets the draw. 1994 saw an update to his look, as PurpleTaker debuted at Summerslam 1994. For this one, I’d like to see the purple gear on the existing Undertaker body, with a new head minus the hat that series 4 and 8 had.
Jerry The King Lawler
The King debuted at the end of 1992, and definitely warranted a figure in the Hasbro line. He was a part time commentator, and part time wrestler, but the King is a must have for the 1994 line. A cape would be a stretch, but we would need a crown here.
Bret Hart
Just like Undertaker, there needs to be an anchor for the set. In 1994, Bret Hart was the guy. He was the WWF champion from Wrestlemania X to Survivor Series, and was firmly entrenched as a main eventer. For Bret #3, I would go back to black top and pink bottoms, with accurate stars and hearts where needed.
Hasbro Black Cards Honorable mentions:
Razor Ramon – Last seen in series 10
123 Kid – Last seen in series 11
Kama
IRS – No change from his series 7 version
Tatanka – Close call with his heel turn, but he was just in series 9
Lex Luger – Just in series 12
Quebecers – fits late 1993, early 1994, but this series would in theory be late 1994 early 1995
Jim the Anvil Neidhart – possible, but a lot of heels in that lineup.
Bob Backlund – same as Neidhart
Not happening:
Aldo Montoya, Mantaur, The Blu Brothers, Heavenly Bodies, Barry Horowitz, Nikolai Volkoff. Sorry guys.
