Wrestling Empire Mod Packs Vol. 1.

Stepping away from the scope of Puroresu collectibles for just a moment, I wanted
take a moment to share a recent project of mine now available in the Steam Workshop.

With the release of cult grappling simulator Wrestling Empire, I have been working
away at adding characters to Empire's mod suite roster. 


Blog #263 - Wrestling Empire Mod Packs Vol. 1.

For those that are unaware, Wrestling Empire is a 3D Wrestling title that was published
by independent game developer Mat Dickie (often shortened to simply 'MDickie') back
in 2019.

For close to three decades, MDickie's games have earned a reputation in the gaming
community for their wacky, off-the-wall humour, hundreds of recognizable faces (cu
Wrestling and otherwise), and innovative gameplay features not found in any other
Wrestling title from the genre.

To date, I've released over one hundred characters to the Steam Workshop. Many of which are
inspired by various pop culture icons from the world of movies, video games and TV Shows.

This seven character pack features prominent staples from the hit TV show Trailer Park
Boys. Ricky, Julian, Bubles, Mr. Lahey, Randy, J-Roc and even Green Bastard are all
represented.

This ten character pack is a nostalgic nod to the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon
of the late 1980's.

With other mod packs currently in the works, you can check out the full collection of
downloadable mods here: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198300785269/myworkshopfiles/?appid=1620340

16d Collection Terry Funk figure review

 
Outside of the realms of WWE merchandising, Terry Funk has been included in numerous
figure lines over the years. Most prominently, the lion's share of those depictions can be
found overseas exclusively in Japan.

From POPY's iconic Superstars figure line to Clockworks' Beyond The Mat movie exclusive,
BoFord's Martial Arts Box collection, and even Bandai's seemingly endless assortment of
keshigomu eraser figures, fans of the Texas Bronco have plenty of figures to choose from.

Today, we'll be taking a look at the newest Terry Funk depiction from Japan. Blog #262
laces up against the 16d Collection Terry Funk sofubi figure.

Legendary rivals reunite in the 16d line.

While most of the Terry's figures veer towards the tail-end on the Dirty Funker's career as a
hardcore legend, this particular figure is based on Terry's late 1970's - early 1980's run in All
Japan Pro-Wrestling.

At the time, Terry and his brother Dory Funk Jr. were considered two of the promotion's top
foreign babyfaces.

Terry's name is written on the front of his jacket. Though, if collectors want to appreciate the
writing clearly, they'll have to rotate Terry's arms. Like the 16d Giant Baba figures, I found
moving Terry's arms to be very quite tedious at first. Though, with a little persistence, it is
possible.

Another thing I discovered that the GoodSmile shop doesn't tell you is that Terry's wrists are
also articulated; both being able to rotate a full 360 degrees.

In terms of articulation, Terry features movable arms, wrists, neck and waist.

'Texas Broncos' is written on the back of Terry's entrance jacket.

In the world of Puroresu, The Funks' bomber jackets from this era are considered holy grails
among collectors. Often times selling for thousands of dollars to diehard fans.

The Great Kabuki himself was gifted one of these jackets by Dory Funk Jr. himself, along with
one of Stan Hansen's iconic cowboy hats. Two treasures the legend displays in his BIG DADDY restaurant in Japan.





Like most 16d figures, the sole of Terry's boots contains a copyright from the Wrestler himself.
In Funk's case, the license is a posthumous one; being the first figure released after Terry's
passing.

The side of the packaging reveals Terry's profile:

D.O.B.: July 30th, 1944
Birthplace: America, Indiana
Debut: December 9th, 1965
Height/Weight: 188cm (6'2), 118kg (260lbs)
Signature moves: Spinning Toe Hold, Rolling Cradle, Texas Clover Hold
(Texas Cloverleaf).


Closing thoughts:

After years of waiting, it's nice to see Terry finally added to the 16d line. Like a majority
of HAO's craftmanship, I feel the 16d figure depiction is one of the most realistic representations
of Terry to date. Terry's resemblance is spot-on in soft vinyl form.

Here's hoping we'll get Dory Funk Jr. (who just earned the distinction of being the oldest Wrestler
to Wrestle at the age of 83) along with other gaijin legends added to the 16d line in the future.

HUMAN Club 1993 Extra Issue review

HUMAN Club 1993 Extra Issue
known in Japan as: ヒューマンくらぶ1993号外
July 1993.

One of my newest acquisitions is a very rare promotional piece that was issued to members
of HUMAN Entertainment's fanclub back in1993. This particular issue features information
regarding two of HUMAN's upcoming titles that were set to be released on the Super Famicom:
Super Fire Pro-Wrestling III Final Bout, and Human Grandprix 2.

For Blog #261, let's take  a look at the HUMAN Club 1993 Extra issue pamphlet.

In Japanese culture, these items are known as パンフレット (pamphlet), which is a commonly
-used umbrella term for print materials such as event programs and arcade flyers.

 

The pamphlet comes in a sturdy presentation folder. The Japanese text reads "HUMAN AMUSEMENT".

The same text and logo is identical on the back of the folder.

 

Like the Human Super F2 CD compilation, the cover of this particular item features the game
artwork for both Final Bout and Grandprix 2.

The Japanese text reads at the top reads "HUMAN Club 1993". The yellow text in the middle
roughly translates to "urgent alert".

Page 2 covers Human Grandprix 2.

Never being a fan of the genre, I have yet to play any of HUMAN's racing games.

The back of the pamphlet includes illustrations submitted by readers, along with thoughts from
the editor Itaru Shiraishi.Shiraishi reported that HUMAN's involvement with the Nintendo Space
World '93 was a huge success, and that Final Bout's Edit mode was a welcomed addition to the franchise.

The bottom of the pamphlet includes a contest, where readers can submit mascot illustrations for
a chance to win a phone card featuring graphics of HUMAN Baseball.

Included with the pamphlet is a detached "Human Club Member Recruitment" form.

The form states that by signing up to the Human Club, members received:

1. The Human Club Newsletter delivered to their mailbox.

2. Contests where players could win "HIP tickets" and "HIP goods", which when collected, can
be used to receive original Human Entertainment goods. I'm guessing HIP must be some sort of acronym HUMAN were using at the time in the style of the Nintendo Club or Capcom's Fighter's
Edge.

3. Members would be presented with a Human Club Member membership card containing their
name.

4. Members would receive a birthday card from the club on their birthday.

When compared to a regular Super Famicom guidebook, the Human Club issue is gargantuan scale-wise!


Closing thoughts:

well, folks, that wraps up another very rare piece of Fire Pro memorabilia. This was my first issue of the HUMAN Fan Club (which, up until now, I only read about while scanning the Fire Pro guides here). To have an original item from the club itself is pretty cool, and the size of these pamphlets make for great display pieces.

Over the last few months, I spotted another pamphlet for Combination Tag (but wasn't able to snag it). If more of these pamphlets become available, I'll certainly grab them.

While Final Bout was listed as the last entry in the Fire Pro series, we as fans have come to know otherwise. Like Wrestling retirements in general, you can't keep a legend down long, and even now, fans eagerly await the return of the world's greatest Wrestling simulator.

Utsugiyo Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures review

Continuing to share obscure Japanese Wrestling collectibles with the world, I present blog
#260 which squares off against Utsugiyo's Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures.

The Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures are a line of soft vinyl figures that were released
by Japanese toymaker Utsugiyo in 2015.

Each figure stands about 4.5 - 5 inches (which is less than half the size of older Sofubi figures
released in Japan). The design of the figures are meant to resemble the traditional Bullmark
sofubi figures from the 60's and early 70's.

Design-wise, Utsugiyo states that the Champion Series two-pack features two protagonists:
Larry Blackhole and Bear the Ted.

Personally speaking, I think Larry is based on Thunderlips. The hat and handlebar mustache,
plus IGWP-inspired belt seem reminiscent of Hulk's likeness. Additionally, I feel Bear the
Ted is a tribute to Tiger Mask and Bruiser Brody (note Ted's furry boot coverings).




The Champion Series two-pack originally sold for 14,000 yen ($117 USD), which also came
with a colouring book and poster. The poster's design was meant to replicate the look of classic Puroresu posters from the 1960's (specifically, the JWA).

Just like Thunderlips in Rocky III, Blackhole also features a cape of his own.

Only 27 sets were created, and anyone who didn't pre-order by May 7th had to be entered into
a lottery in hopes of bagging the pair.

If you thought $117 for two miniature sofubi's was a tad much, be prepared to feast your eyes
on the following:

         

Utsugiyo released a special variant set that was only available over the weekend.

Unlike the original Champion Series set, this special two-pack included multiple
removable accessories. Teddy's vest chains and beard look reminiscent of Bruiser
Brody here.

Released in 2018, this special set was sold for a jaw dropping 49,999 yen ($367 USD
plus shipping!). Welcome to the expensive world soft vinyl 'designer art toys'.

The only known photo I could find of the packaged Black Friday version. I wonder if the
extra accessories are tucked away inside the packaging, or were removed at the last second?
We may never know.

At 1 to $400+, would you consider hunting down these designer art Wrestling figures?