Pro-Wrestling Keshi from Japan

Following the success of their original line of Pro-Wrestling figures released
in 1981 "スーパープロレスラ シレス" (Super Pro-Wrestler Series), Japanese
toy company Popy would follow up a year later with a special spin-off line of
"Keshi" figures.


What are Keshi?

Keshi (short for Keshigomu 消しゴム or Eraser Gum) are small, 1-1.5. inch
monochromatic eraser figures made of rubber. In Japan, the Keshi craze has
existed since the early 1970's with figures based on popular Anime, Manga,
video game and movie characters.

   

The first wave of Popy's Pro-Wrestling Keshi figures debuted in 1982. The
name of  Series 1 translates to "最強軍団 スーパープロレス" (Super Pro-
Wrestle Strongest Army) and would feature the biggest names from New
Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling of the era.

The slogan on both packages reads "そっくい!" (rubber! - a reference
to these figures being Keshi). The writing on the top left corner of
package #1 also mentions that these products are "Erasers".


The blue and white writing on both packages "I.K.P.  S.P.-1." is an
acronym for "Ikki Kajiwara PRO Super Pro-Wrestle Series 1"which
is the name of the creator of the Tiger Mask anime Ikki Kajiwara 
(梶原 一騎) and his licensing company  "Kajiwara PRO Approval"
(梶原プロ承認).

Starting in 1981, Ikki Kajiwara had licensed the Tiger Mask character
for merchandising through Popy and as an actual, real-life Wrestling
gimmick that debuted in New Japan Pro-Wrestling the same year.





The packaging also contains the  Japanese "Safety Toy" standards logo
(found on many Japanese figures) and the Popy logo (top right).

The Series 1 Super Pro-Wrestle Keshi series was also sold in gashapon
style blind boxes. The title on this particular packaging reads "トントコ
プロレス"(Tontoko Pro-Wrestle).

The roster on the above packaging reads:


Left column:                                                         Right column:

A. The. Giant (Andre The Giant)                        Terry Funk
A. The. Butcher (Abdullah The Butcher)           Dory Funk Jr.      
Stan Hansen                                                           Antonio Inoki
Tiger Mask                                                             Mil Mascaras
T. Jeet Singh (Tiger Jeet Singh)                            Giant Baba
Series 1 featured 10 Wrestlers to collect:

                                                                         Antonio Inoki

Giant Baba

Tiger Mask

     

Stan Hansen

Terry Funk

Dory Funk Jr.

Mil Mascaras

Andre The Giant

Tiger Jeet Singh

Abdullah The Butcher

How can you spot an official series 1 Keshi?
                          

Conveniently, the Super Pro-Wrestle series 1 figures are the only Keshi
to feature this unique production stamp on their backs.

Again, as Popy had a special licensing agreement with Tiger Mask
creator Ikki Kajiwara, every Keshi comes stamped with Kajiwara's
namesake (K/I).


Closing thoughts and purchase links:

Super Pro-Wrestle Strongest Army was the line of Keshi that started
it all. The initial 10 figure set was the world's very first line of Pro-
Wrestling minifigures ever (not to mention, the world's first Wrestling
Keshi in general).

Wrestlers such as Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Mask received their very

first figures through the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line (with more to
follow in future installments).

The success of the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line inspired Popy (who
had folded back into parent company Bandai by 1983) to create the
extremely popular Kinkeshi (M.U.S.C.L.E.) figures which still have
an incredible, world-wide following to this day!

An included list featuring the first 10 figures. Notice Bandai's early 1980's logo.

Abdullah The Butcher DX figures review

When it comes to incredibly rare and highly sought-after Wrestling figures
from Japan, there are few releases more desirable than Character Product's
Abdullah The Butcher deluxe figure variants.

Released in 2004, Character Product would create two variants of this rare
figure as part of the company's legends line. Other legends featured in this
line were Terry Funk, Mil Mascaras, Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody
among others.


In this blog post, we'll be taking an in-depth at both variants of the
Abdullah DX figure!

                                 

The first variant features Abdullah wearing black pants with a red stripe
on the sides.

If you look closely, you'll even see a fork design at the top right corner
of the packaging!

That stare....

Besides colouring, the biggest difference to this variant is Abdullah's right
hand sculpt which recreates Abdullah's signature "Hell Thrust" (chop to
the throat) attack!

                               

Both DX variants come with Abdullah's classic Arabian entrance hood
accessory which drapes down the Butcher's back.

                               

The second Abdullah DX variant.

This variant features Abby with an alternate hand sculpt; this time, in a fork

stab pose!

Authorized by the Butcher himself!

Abdullah's name is also listed at the very bottom of the clamshell packaging;

signifying that the deluxe variants are officially licensed products.

                                

As with all of Character Product's figures, the back of the Abdullah
DX figure's packaging includes a brief bio in Japanese of Abdullah's
wrestling accomplishments.

A translation of the bio is:

"Real name: Larry Shreeve
DOB: 1936.1.1. (January 1st, 1936)  Billed from: Africa, Sudan (Canada,
Ontario, Windsor)
Height: 186cm  Weight: 150kg Finisher: Elbow Drop

The rest of the bio mentions Abdullah's debut in 1958, his PWF Championship
victory, fighting in Akron, New York against the legendary Ernie Ladd on June
24th, 1972, Butcher's time in the NWF, fighting against Jumbo Tsuruta as well
as stints in WAR and BJW into the 2000's.

                                                   



The same photo used on the back of the Abdullah The Bucther DX figure's packaging.

The fork stab variant switches up the colours of Abby's ring trunks
and entrance hood.

The red stripe along Abdullah's ring pants is switched from black
to red in this variant.

To further stand out from the throat chop variant, Abdullah's boots
also contain red coloured soles.

                            


                                  
Removing the Butcher's entrance hood.

                               

This statue-like figures (in my humble estimation), has the absolute
BEST Abdullah head sculpt ever created!
                               


The Butcher's crazed stare and infamous gig marks are both
well represented.


Closing thoughts:Character Product would only release one single wave of
legends figures for a short period of time during the mid 2000's before the
company folded. Each of which were produced in very small numbers only
to sell out almost immediately.

Due to his incredible popularity in Japan, the Character Product Abdullah
The Butcher DX figures are the hardest of which to find from this obscure
line. An unopened example in excellent condition? A treasure in itself.

Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure review

Continuing our coverage of the popular HAO Collection line, our next feature figure
is of the beast himself: Bob Sapp!

Even Sapp's packaging is intimidating!

Right from the get go, the packaging of the Bob Sapp HAO figure immediately
jumps out at you with large, intimidating graphics of Sapp shouting.

                  

"Bob Sapp Figure Limited model"

                            
The front and back of the packaging state that this figure is a limited edition.
It is also worth noting that this figure was only released in Japan.

                                

As a exclusive from the first wave of HAO figures, this rarity was licensed by
the K-1 mixed martial arts promotion (which Bob competed for at the time).

                                 

Jumbo Bob Sapp trading card, anyone?

As with other HAO figures, the cardboard backing can be slipped off easily
(without damaging the packaging) revealing a large, full colour graphic of
Sapp that can be displayed on it's own.
                          

"What did you say about the Longest Yard?!"

The Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure is made of soft vinyl and features
Sapp sculpted with his signature (and terrifying) stare!  
                      
                          

All in the (nick)name.

                           
The back of Sapp's ring trunks prominently display Sapp's nickname in black font.
The same font is also used on the front of the packaging.

Ready for a stompin'

The Bob Sapp HAO figure also features MMA styled foot taping.

A master on the dance floor, too!

                               
The Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure includes articulation at the neck, arms, wrists
and waist.

When placed next to the Bob Sapp action figure (by Character Product).

Closing thoughts:            

Just like the man himself, the HAO Collection Bob Sapp figure is larger than life.
Standing just under 8 inches (20cm) tall; this figure literally towers over most
Wrestling (especially Japanese) and mixed martial arts collectibles!

In their original six year run, HAO would only release one Bob Sapp soft vinyl
figure as part of their HAO Collection line; making this limited edition, Japanese
exclusive a considerable collector's item. "GAHHHH!"

INSPIRE 1/6 Scale 12" Great Muta figure review

In the early 2000's, Japanese toy maker INSPIRE would release a series of large-
scale, super-deluxe figures based on famous Japanese Pro-Wrestlers and shoot
fighters exclusively in Japan.

These figures stood just under 12 inches (30+cm)  in height, included various
accessories, and in many cases, featured removable fabric clothing!



Today, we'll be looking at one of the most famous and sought after figures
from the 12" INSPIRE line; the ideologist of darkness: Great Muta!

Released in 2003, the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features Muta dressed
in his early 2000's All Japan Pro-Wrestling era attire.

                           

This particular Jason X-inspired design was worn by Muta for his match
against Bob Sapp on November 17th, 2002 in Yokohama, Japan.

Notice Muta's poison-mist coloured lips?          

The Japanese Kanji on Muta's mask is textured and raised up in red colouring.

                             

Muta's spider-web, "FANTASY OF MUTA" decals have been faithfully
recreated in great detail. The Katakana on Muta's ring pants (above)
read "GREAT MUTA".


                           

Articulation-wise: the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features articulation at
the head, upper arms, forearms and waist.


Originally, the Great Muta INSPIRE figure was sold and endorsed by
Keiji Mutoh himself through Mutoh's own LEG LOCK company
website. You can check out remnants of the now-defunct LEG LOCK
website HERE

When compared to the 6 inch HAO Collection Great Muta figure.

Incredible scale! When placed next to Mattel and NJPW figures.

Closing thoughts:    

The INSPIRE 1/6 scale Great Muta figure is without question, one of the
largest (if not, THE largest) Great Muta figure ever released to date. It's also
one of the most hardest to find Great Muta figures in general.  

          

Tiger Jeet Singh KING OF TOY figure review

Tiger Jeet Singh KING OF TOY figure review


In the mid 2000's, Japanese toy company KING OF TOY released
a small line of figures based on legendary Pro-Wrestlers exclusively
in Japan.

the KING OF TOY figures were made of soft vinyl material, stand
about 6" in height and feature incredible detail.

Today, we'll be looking at one of the exclusive KING OF TOY
variants based on the bloodthirsty tiger himself: Tiger Jeet
Singh!

 This particular variant features Tiger dressed in his classic NJPW
attire with green trunks, black Wrestling boots, green/white socks
and a special. brown coloured turban!

Tiger's entrance turban is made of real cloth fabric that can be unraveled
and re-wrapped however the collector desires.

What's even cooler is Tiger's famous Saber sword accessory. The Saber's
blade is bendable and fits perfectly between Tiger's teeth and fingers!

Recreate Tiger's fearsome saber-slashing, blade-biting entrance ritual in style!

Remove Tiger's turban and saber accessories and he's ready to apply his
patented Cobra Claw technique on an unfortunate opponent!

                            

                             

Tiger includes articulation at the waist, arms, neck and wrists.     





The Tiger Jeet Singh figure was licensed by Japanese Wrestling promotion
IWA Japan.


Closing thoughts:
________________________________

From the fully-poseable cloth turban, ultra-cool, bendable saber
sword and Tiger's vicious facial expression,  the KING OF TOY

Tiger Jeet Singh figure is simply awesome in it's own right.

Quite simply, this is the most detailed and LARGEST Tiger
Jeet Singh figure ever released!