I’m a self-confessed vintage toy nerd. I collect vintage wrestling action figures from the 80’s & 90’s. I started purchasing some vintage toys out of nostalgia. Well, WWE and Mattel sucked me into their new stuff. I now buy a few figures a month. You can view photos of my collection on my Instagram account.
The lineup for WWE Elite series 61 feels a little ho-hum since there are so many recent repeats. I guess the bar was set high after so many great sets to start 2018. This is a set that gets Mattel ready for the Holiday season, since it’s important to get popular guys on the shelves this Fall.
The WWE Superstars included in Elite 61 are AJ Styles, Fashion Police (Fandango & Tyler Breeze, Shane McMahon, Big E and Kevin Owens.
AJ Styles – This is the third AJ Styles elite this year. His figures sell well and there’s no doubt this one will sell out at retail. They should have went with a different attire since this looks similar to his most recent elite. Also, Mattel could have waited a series or two between Styles elites.
Fashion Police (Fandango & Tyler Breeze) – It has been a long time since either of these guys have had elites. Fandango’s first and only elite was wayyyy back in Elite 27 and Breeze’s only elite came in a Wal-Mart exclusive elite set. I love this gimmick and like that they didn’t cheap out on the accessories. I mean, there’s no way they could release the FASHION Police and give them a plastic molded shirt.
Kevin Owens – Owens is another guy with a recent elite that Mattel should have held off a few months. The bright spot is that Owens got a new headscan, but it looks a bit odd. Owens did cut his hair shorter for a short time last Summer, but he grew it back out a little right away. The hair is what people will pick on this figure for, but at least Mattel gave him a new headscan.
Big E – This figure will go with the Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods that came out in Elite 60. I wish Mattel gave Big E a new headscan, as they have used the same one since the New Day Booty O’s three-pack nearly two years ago.
Shane McMahon – This elite isn’t much different than his late elite that came with a breakaway table. I dislike the hair color choice since it makes him look like he’s sixty years old. Shane has a little more dark in his hair than just all-out gray…I need to give Mattel kudos for putting such a huge accessory with an elite (again). The table made the last Shane elite hard to track down.
Elite 61 should be found at retail in September.
Elite 62’s lineup has leaked, but I will write up a post once MOC pictures are released, which should be in the next couple weeks.
You can pre-order everything at RingsideCollectibles.com. I’m not getting paid to plug them (although it would be nice to get a nice discount – wink wink). I just recommend them. I’ve been pleased with every purchase. You can also check out WalkOutWear.com for pre-orders with free shipping.
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.