Following the success of the popular All Japan Wrestler collection prize series
in 2004 (which was inserted into canisters of Georgia Brand coffee for a limited
time), Japanese toymaker BOFORD decided to release a follow up series, this
time, however, made for retail.
For blog #128, we'll be looking at BOFORD's Martial Arts Pro-Wrestling
Figure Collection.
Each figure set came packaged in blind box fashion. You didn't know which
figure set you got until you opened a box!
In total, there are 9 sets to collect plus one "secret" set.
Like other minifigure assortments during the era, there was also a "Closed Box"
(hobby box) assortment available that contained multiple, randomly selected blind
boxes - for stores and completionists in mind.
Collection 1 features Dory Funk Jr. applying his finishing move the "Spinning
Toe Hold" on the villainous Tiger Jeet Singh.
Dory's "never quit" mentality is present as he applies the submission hold on
Tiger.
Tiger doesn't look too happy with his current predicament!
Each of the 10 figure sets are organized by "Collection". Collection 1 reads
"SPINNING TOE HOLD
______________________
Dory Funk Jr.
VS Tiger Jeet Singh"
Each figure set is removable from the included ring base. Collection 1, in particular,
features a peg on Tiger's back.
BOFORD made good use of their licensing agreements with each Wrestler
by including alternate variants with even more signature attacks!
Now it's Tiger's turn to slash Dory with Tiger's sabre sword (which Tiger would
famously enter the ring with - cutting the air as he walked through the crowd)!
With one eye closed and arms raised, Dory is trying his best to defend himself.
Collection 2 reads:
"SABRE ATTACK
_________________
Tiger Jeet Singh VS Dory Funk Jr.
Collection 3 includes the second half of the legendary Funks tag team Terry
Funk vs fellow hardcore legend "The Phantom of Arabia" The Sheik Ed Farhat!
Complete with era-accurate red headband, Terry is sculpted performing his
signature "Texas Jabs" attack.
The Sheik does a great job of selling Terry's punch!
There's definitely a charm to the Martial Arts Collection and it's assortment
of Chibi-fied legends.
Collection 3 reads:
"TEXAS JAB
_____________________
Terry Funk VS The Sheik"
The tables have turned with Collection 4 where The Sheik attempts to injure
Terry Funk with The Sheik's patented fireball!
Collection 4 reads:
"FIRE ATTACK
______________
The Sheik VS Terry Funk"
This time, Terry's on the receiving end of some heel punishment.
Notice how BOFORD switched up the raised arm and closed eye for
Terry's mold (in comparison to Dory Funk Jr. in Collection 2)?
Along with his fireball, The Sheik also comes holding a weapon in his left hand.
In this case, a pencil - which the Sheik would famously stab into many a foe!
Collection 5 kicks off (no, literally) with "The Mystery of the Orient" The
Great Kabuki vs fellow All Japan veteran "The Demon of the Mic" Rusher
Kimura!
Rusher is on the receiving end of Kabuki's patented "Thrust Kick" (also known as
the "Super Kick").
Before Rusher was made famous for his off-the-wall and hilarious mic skills,
Rusher was considered a hardcore innovator (even being referred to as "the
demon of the steel cage").
The Rusher figure's scarred forehead is a testament to Rusher's hardcore years.
Collection 5 reads:
"THRUST KICK
______________
The Great Kabuki
VS Rusher Kimura".
Collection 6 switches things up once again with Rusher Kimura taking the
house mic for some trash talk!
Collection 6 reads:
"MIC APPEAL
_____________
Rusher Kimura
VS The Great Kabuki"
The Great Kabuki comes dressed in his armored shinobi-inspired Ninja hood
and robe complete with nunchuks!
Both Rusher Kimura and The Great Kabuki are exclusive to the Martial Arts
Collection.
Along with each figure, the included turnbuckles are also removable from the
ring base.
Collection 7 contains another exclusive figure not available in BOFORD's All
Japan coffee prize series: "Mr. Puroresu" Genichiro Tenryu!
For Collection 7 Genichiro Tenryu is applying his Powerbomb finisher to
fellow All Japan rival Jumbo Tsuruta.
Collection 7 reads:
"POWERBOMB
______________________________
Genichiro Tenryu VS Jumbo Tsuruta"
Collection 8 depicts Jumbo Tsuruta applying his Backdrop finisher to
Genichiro Tenryu.
Since the early 1980's, both Tenryu and Tsuruta would have quite a history in
All Japan Pro-Wrestling. As tag team champions and frequent rivals. The Martial
Arts Collection pays tribute to both legends and their historic feuds.
Thanks to the peg in Tsuruta's boot, both Tsuruta and Tenryu can lean back
into a proper Backdrop pose!
Collection 8 reads:
"BACKDROP
____________
Jumbo Tsuruta VS Genichiro Tenryu"
Quite possibly the most popular collection from the set is Collection 9 which
features yet another hardcore legend - Abdullah The Butcher vs Terry Funk.
Abdullah is sculpted holding Terry in a headlock while being repeatedly
stabbed by Abdullah's fork!
You can even see the blood trail down underneath Terry's headband!
Personally, I would have removed Terry's headband for this figure set;
just because the blood blends in too much colour-wise with it.
Collection 9 reads:
"FORK ATTACK"
_______________
Abdullah The Butcher
VS Terry Funk".
The final and "secret" collection of the set is Collection 10 which features Terry
Funk (who makes his fourth appearance - the most in the set) applying another
Spinning Toe Hold on Abdullah The Butcher!
The secret collection 10 set includes special gold ring ropes and a gold frame
around the ring.
Collection 10 is another reference to a famous (and incredibly successful) feud
which took place in All Japan Pro-Wrestling during the 1970's: The Funks vs
Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik.
The Funks (who are considered one of Japan's most famous gaijin babyfaces -
and also one of the first gaijins to get over in Japan. in general) would shed
blood at the hands of The Sheik and Abdullah's heel tactics.
While bloody brawls have existed in Japan (Rikidozan vs "Classy" Freddie
Blassie comes to mind) years before hand, it was the Funks vs The Sheik
and Abdullah feud which is considered the prominent hardcore match in
Japan; helping to reshape Terry's image as a Hardcore legend years later.
Collection 10 reads:
"SPINNING TOE HOLD
____________________
Terry Funk
VS Abdullah The Butcher".
You can even stack ring sets from the Martial Arts Collection on top of each other!
