to their popular "The Pro-Wrestler" (ザ。プロレスラ) series.
The left side of this booklet displays the 10 figures available in the set
(which are shown painted - a popular hobby for both kids and adult
collectors in Japan). The five gaijin Wrestlers appear as silhouettes
in the background.
The right side of the booklet contains a matchup between legendary
shoot fighter Akira Maeda and Yokozuna turned Wrestler Hiroshi
Wajima.
The 10 figures in this lineup are:
"The Immortal" Hulk Hogan! The Kanji written on the right side of
Hogan's trunks says "一番" ("Ichiban" which means "Number One"
in Japanese).
There's no doubt in my mind that Bandai used the POPY 1981 Hulk
Hogan figure mold to create this Keshi.
The Ichiban emblem is a reference to Hogan's pre-Hulkamania years
as a star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Hogan's trunks says "一番" ("Ichiban" which means "Number One"
in Japanese).
There's no doubt in my mind that Bandai used the POPY 1981 Hulk
Hogan figure mold to create this Keshi.
The Ichiban emblem is a reference to Hogan's pre-Hulkamania years
as a star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair with classic "RF" initials on his trunks.
Perhaps the only (or very, very few) Ric Flair figure from Japan.
Whether you call them the Legion of Doom or The Road Warriors:
Road Warrior Hawk
...and tag partner Road Warrior Animal.
If you loo closely, you'll see the intricate lines used to create Animal's
facepaint.
As to my knowledge, these are the only known Keshi of the Road
Warriors.
If you loo closely, you'll see the intricate lines used to create Animal's
facepaint.
As to my knowledge, these are the only known Keshi of the Road
Warriors.
My absolute favorite Keshi from The Wrestler series is "King Kong"
Bruiser Brody.
From Brody's stern facial expression to his gnarly gig mark scars,
this is easily the most realistic (sorry, Character Product) likeness
Bruiser Brody.
From Brody's stern facial expression to his gnarly gig mark scars,
this is easily the most realistic (sorry, Character Product) likeness
of Brody ever created.
It's just a shame Brody's tag partner Stan Hansen is nowhere to
be found.
Let's take a look at the five Japanese Wrestlers:
It's just a shame Brody's tag partner Stan Hansen is nowhere to
be found.
Let's take a look at the five Japanese Wrestlers:
All Japan legend: Jumbo Tsuruta (sorry for the cropping).
Jumbo also comes sculpted with his signature elbow pad.
Jumbo also comes sculpted with his signature elbow pad.
New Japan legend: "The Dragon" Tatsumi Fujinami!
Another figure first: fellow NJPW legend: the innovator of the Sasori-
Gatame (Sharp Shooter to Western audiences) ...Riki Choshu!
One of the most sought after figures from the Japanese Wrestlers
portion of this set, the first ever figure of UWF legend and Fighting
Network RINGS founder: Akira Maeda.
The last figure of the set is Yokozuna turned Pro-Wrestler: Hiroshi
Wajima.
Sadly, Wajima had just passed away on October 10th, 2018; making
this Keshi Wajima's first and only figure ever created.
Scale-wise: The Pro-Wrestler series are also in scale with Bandai's
popular M.U.S.C.L.E./Kinnikuman Keshi; standing about 1.5.".
Closing thoughts:By 1987, Bandai had finished releasing the original series of Kinniku
-man/M.U.S.C.L.E. figures in Japan. 1987 would also mark the end of
officially licensed Pro-Wrestling Keshi in Japan as the popularity for
Keshi in general was becoming increasingly unpopular.
Bandai would attempt to resurrect the Kinnikuman series four years later
in 1991, but the "Keshi revival" wouldn't take off again until 1998 (and in
the early 2000's from outside of Japan).
Bandai's 1986 wave of "The Pro-Wrestler" figures are, in my opinion, the
most detailed, officially licensed Pro-Wrestling keshi ever released by the
company (they were also the largest Keshi based on real-life Pro-Wrestlers
at the time).
With an appealing lineup of top Japanese and American talent (not to
mention, many likenesses being made into figures for the very first time)
and due to the fact that this 10 figure set came out at the end of the 1980's
Keshi craze in limited numbers, it's easy to see why these figures are also
some of the rarest and most expensive to find.
A single figure from the set in good condition can fetch upwards of $70.
A complete 10 figure set with original booklets and packaging can be
worth just as much as an unreleased M.U.S.C.L.E. rarity (hundreds
and hundreds of dollars)!
More figure reviews coming soon!
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