…And also the exclusives
The Jakks Pacific WWE Classic Superstars series is legendary for many reasons. It introduced an official line dedicated to legenday talents for the first time. By the time it was finished, almost all major names from the history of wrestling had been covered, and it is remembered fondly, despite some severe parts choices in some cases and some detail errors in others. That was how Jakks rolled, and we loved them for it. This is the sixth in a series of posts covering the Jakks Classic Superstars Series, with checklists, and my opinion of the best and worst in each wave. For today, we’re going back to 2009, and covering Series 26-28.
Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five
Classic Superstars Series 26:
Checklist:
- Dr Death Steve Williams
- Bret Hart
- Junkyard Dog
- The Iron Sheik
- Dangerous Danny Davis
- Giant Machine
- Meng
- Mr. Fuji
- The Sheik
- The Shockmaster
- Matt Hardy (LJN Style)
Note: These were Toys R Us at first.
The Best: Dr Death Steve Williams, but Mr. Fuji is also very good.
The Worst: With limited spaces left in the line, Giant Machine was a waste of a spot. Shockmaster is also very poorly executed.
Series 27:
- Barbarian
- Big Show
- “Evil” Doink
- Goldberg
- Kona Crush
- Sgt. Slaughter
- Steve Blackman
- Sensational Sherri (Ringside Collectibles only)
- Warlord
- No LJN here thank goodness.
Note: I believe these were all at Toys R Us.
Other notes: Crush is ruined by using the same body as Rob Van Dam. This is the second release of Big Show in the odd baggy black outfit. Doink is in his face attire, but is named as “Evil”.
The Best: Sgt. Slaughter. The Warlord would be if they had skipped the face paint and hair, which he didn’t need.
The Worst: Barbarian is a waste of a spot without the extra accessories for his solo look.
Classic Superstars Series 28:
The End.
Tell me a lie and say that you won’t go
Look in my eyes and hold me even though
I realize you had to walk away
No more yesterday
- Bret Hart
- Rowdy Roddy Piper
- Undertaker
- Shawn Michaels
- Triple H
- Rey Mysterio (LJN Style)
Note: This set only appeared online, as Mattel came to change the wrestling figure game forever in 2010.
The Best: None of them.
The Worst: Undertaker has a look that has no basis in reality.
Final Note on Series 26-28:
Series 26-28 is when the Classic Series hit the bottom, in my view. Mattel was coming on the horizon, and Jakks efforts were iffy at best. By the end, they had completely given up. There were still some big names and important looks, but the line was finished.
The Classic Superstars still has a huge legacy despite this, but it was a sad end.
The Exclusives:
Checklist:
- Superstar Billy Graham (Black and white version)
- Superstar Billy Graham (Red tights)
- Superstar Billy Graham (Jeans)
- Superstar Billy Graham (pink tuxedo)
- Superstar Billy Graham (green tights)
- Hulk Hogan (Blue Trunks) Walmart / Canadian Version
- Sunny (ToyFare magazine)
- Ultimate Warrior (1 of 5)
- Rowdy Roddy Piper (Ringside Fest 2004)
- Rowdy Roddy Piper (ToyFare 1 of 100)
- Hillbilly Jim
- Sgt Slaughter (ToyFare exclusive)
- Terry Funk (Toy Fair 2005 exclusive)
- Sgt Slaughter (ToyFare 1 of 100)
- Rowdy Roddy Piper (ToyFare exclusive)
- Hulk Hogan red/yellow (Walmart)/Canadian Exclusive
- Bobby Heenan (NY Toy Fair 2006)
- Jimmy Hart (NY Toy Fair 2006)
- Tazz (Ringside Collectibles)
- Hulk Hogan (tuxedo) ToyFare exclusive
- Hulk Hogan ToyFare 1 of 100
- Eddie Guerrero NY Toy Fair 2008
- Cactus Jack ToyFare exclusive
- Undertaker ToyFare exclusive
- Undertaker ToyFare 1 of 100 exclusive
- Edge ToyFare exclusive
- Sunny ToyFare 1 of 100
- Goldust (Ringside Collectibles)
- Ric Flair (WWE 24/7 Exclusive)
I had some of these, until the great purge of 2018. The best here I think are Tazz and Goldust from Ringside Collectibles. Most of these are very pricey but only necessary if you’re a big fan of that wrestler.
Here’s to the Jakks Classic Superstars line, and happy Hunting!
