The LJN WWF line was the first major figure brand in the US. In July 1984, WWF and LJN signed a licensing agreement for the production of wrestling figures. Each basic series figure came with a poster as well as a collectors card on the back of the package. There has been lots written about possible variants of figures and it is very difficult to prove what is and isn't a variant. Were they genuine variants or colour damage or simply mistakes in one individual figure that blew up into a variant? I have made an attempt to use the resources on the internet to try and show 'established' variants whilst offering other theories too.
Series 1 - 1984
The first release of this series saw the figures come with plastic stands. In terms of variants, the JYD figure came with one of three different coloured dog chains - black, red and grey. The Piper figure had a variation of boot colour, with one with red boots and one with darker red boots. There was also a variation in his kilt. Finally, a lot has been written about possible variations in the colour of the Iron Sheik's patterns on his tight - some people state that some figures had yellow patterns and some orange patterns.
The June/July 1985 WWF Magazine ran an article by LJN about the first series of LJN figures. The images can be seen below:
The June/July 1985 WWF Magazine ran an article by LJN about the first series of LJN figures. The images can be seen below:
The figures were advertised in magazines and available from LJN directly through mail order:
Series 2 - 1985
The second series was much smaller. There have been plenty of rumours about possible variants included a painted-on hair Steele and different hair colours and belly buttons on the Greg Valentine figure. Some collectors don't consider these to true variants. These figures, as well as those from Series 1, and the soon to be released short-hair Andre were advertised in the 1986 LJN Toy Catalogue:
Series 3 - 1986
17 figures were released in this series. More importantly, this series had some of the most famous variants. SD Jones had an hawaiian shirt and red shirt variant. Bobby Heenan came with and without scrolls on his arms. Jesse Ventura came with a blonde and brown moustache. Jimmy Hart cam with and without harts on his megaphone. Corporal Kirschner came clean shaven or with a beard, with some saying that there was a third variant with stubble. Captain Lou Albano came with red and white lapels on the image of himself on his t-shirt. Gene Okerlund came with and without WWF logos on his microphone. Tito Santana came in both white and purple versions.
Some of these figures were promoted in the catalogue page which can be found attached to series 4 below.
Some of these figures were promoted in the catalogue page which can be found attached to series 4 below.
Series 4 - 1987
Series 4 was another big set with a further 18 releases. Variants this time included Elizabeth with two different coloured skirts and the Hart Foundation with both pink and purple cards. This series also included the first animals in the set with Koko B Ware coming with Frankie and Jake Roberts coming with Damien.
The advert below shows some unreleased prototypes, including Adrian Adonis with a robe on and Koko B Ware with blue trunks:
The advert below shows some unreleased prototypes, including Adrian Adonis with a robe on and Koko B Ware with blue trunks:
Series 5 - 1988
This would be the last set produced by LJN as Grand Toys took over production of the 6th and final series. In terms of variants the referee came in both white and blue shirts and Hogan came with a red or white shirt. Tito Santana was a repaint of the series 3 figure, but this time in white.
Series 4 and 5 were advertised as available by mail order in the 'Apter' magazines as seen in the advert below:
Series 4 and 5 were advertised as available by mail order in the 'Apter' magazines as seen in the advert below:
Series 6 - 1989
In 1989 LJN went out of business, and Grand Toys, a Canadian toy company, took over the production of the last series. These figures were only available through mail order through an ad in the 'Apter' mags - PWI etc and in Canadian retail stores. An example of the ad can be seen below:
This set saw six original figures being released and a series or re-releases of old figures. Some have suggested that this was because Grand Toys inherited large supplies of previously released figures which they were trying to shift. This was also the only series produced on black carding.
Tag Teams
Value Packs
Unproduced prototypes
As with all figure series, sometimes figures appear in adverts but when they are released they are different to the original pictures. In the case of the LJN line this went as far as the backing to figures. Below is an image of the back of an LJN figure. You can see the following figures that were never released in the style they were shown here:
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Mailaway
16" Figures
Bendies - singles
2-Packs
Ring Figures
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