1986 The Pro Wrestler Keshi figure review

In 1986, Bandai added a new wave of Pro-Wrestling Keshi figure erasers
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.

"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.

                               

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

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:

All Japan legend: Jumbo Tsuruta (sorry for the cropping).

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!

Georgia Coffee - All Japan Pro-Wrestling Figure Collection

In late 2004, Japanese Coffee brand Georgia (owned by Coca
-Cola) held a special promotion where select cans of Georgia
Coffee contained randomly inserted figure and ring sets.

The secret Abdullah The Butcher figure with it's original booklet and Georgia
"Emblem Black" flavor mystery pack.

                           

Each figure came with a mini ring corner base with peg holes
that would connect each figure and it's matching turnbuckle.
If you look closely, you can see the Coca -Cola logo written
on the right turnbuckle post.

The complete 11 figure set.

While Coca-Cola promoted the figures along with the Georgia
Coffee brand, the figures themselves were manufactured by the
Japanese company BoFord and distributed to Japanese conven
-ience stores such as Circle K Sunkus and LAWSON. As the
title of this series implies, this collection of figures were based
on select legends from the All Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion
with a total of 10 figures to collect plus one secret figure. The
figures in this collection are:

Giant Baba in a "two-for-one" big boot and chop pose along with
Jumbo Tsuruta in his signature "Ooo" taunt.

Scale-wise, Giant Baba's figure is the largest in this collection.

To accommodate his big boot pose, Giant Baba's ring base is
the only base in the set that has a peg hole placed on the right.

Dare to step in the ring against these two?

Two more of Baba's long-time rivals are legendary masked
man The Destroyer and Stan "The Lariat" Hansen.

                        

The Destroyer's ring mask even comes with a simulated
lace-up design while Stan Hansen's figure contains a mini
Bullhorn & rope along with Hansen's signature "Texas
Longhorn" taunt and Cowboy hat.

                          

Masters of the Spinning Toe Hold: Dory Funk Jr. and
brother "The Texas Bronco Terry Funk.

                              

Continuing the collection's theme of legendary Wrestlers
these two figures are a homage to the Funk brother's early
All Japan run where the duo were one of the first Gaijin
talent to become popular in Japan as pre-hardcore babyfaces.

Speaking of legendary tag teams:

What a Coffee RUSH!

The Road Warriors: Hawk and Animal!

                                        

As one of the few Road Warrior figures released in Japan,
this particular variation is based on the duo's pre-Legion of
Doom days with pure-black ring tights.

Hardcore legends: the Saber-slashing Tiger Jeet
Singh with The (Original) Sheik - Ed Farhat!


                             

As a fellow pioneer of the hardcore style, The Sheik
comes with his Arabian entrance headress, chair and
signature fireball attack!

                       

The final (and secret) figure to this collection is an adorable
recreation of "the Madman from Sudan" & hardcore pioneer:
Abdullah the Butcher!

                 

As a secret figure, the odds of finding Abdullah The Butcher
were estimated at about 1 in 30 cans during the Georgia Coffee
promotion and is based on Abdullah's 1978 PWF Championship
victory.


Overall, the Georgia Coffee All Japan figures are a great throwback
to the golden age of Professional Wrestling in Japan. From their
cartoonish charm to simplistic designs and mini-accessories: it's very
easy to see why these figures were quite popular when they were
first released.

I just wish Georgia Coffee secured the rights to have included Bruiser
Brody in this set as well. With legends like Tiger and Abdullah (not to
mention, Brody's famous tag partner Stan Hansen), it just feels like a
missed opportunity.