WWF LJN Wrestling Figures
Wrestling Superstars
Many will agree that LJN Wrestling Figures made an amazing wresting decade even better.
The first batch of WWF Superstars was made by a company called LJN. They produced Wrestling Superstars from 1984 to 1989.
Grand Toys in Canada ended up producing the last 6 figures. Grand Toys produced 6 new figures and 13 remakes.
There are 5 types of WWF Superstars. There was the 8″ series followed by bendies, thumb wrestlers, a small 16″ series, and finally stretch wrestlers.
Here we will discuss the LJN 8″ Series Wrestling Superstars of the 1980s.
Please note several links in this post contain affiliate links
8" Series
LJN First came out with the 8″ Series in 1984. Click here to check out WWF Wrestling Superstars Series 1 – 5
LJN Variants
The 8″ Series comes with a tonne of variants. Click here to learn more 8″ Series Variants
LJN Wrestling Figures Value
Ever wonder what LJN Wrestling Figures are worth? Click here to check out LJN Wrestling Figures Values
LJN Wrestling Figures 8″ Series
| 8″ Series | Count |
| Series 1 | 9 |
| Series 2 | 6 |
| Series 3 | 17 |
| Series 4 | 17 |
| Series 5 | 12 |
| Tag Team Box Sets | 7 |
| Total | 68 |
The 8″ series consisted of 6 releases. LJN created series 1 to 5 and series 6 was created by Grand Toys.
Each 8″ Series figure came with a small poster inside (See below Big John’s feet)
There were also 2 accessories which include a wrestling ring, and a steel cage.
Series 1 – 1984
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan is arguably one of the biggest WWE Wrestlers in the 80s.
Who can forget when Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant in Wrestlemania III in a huge crowd at Pontiac Silverdome.
Hulk Hogans real name is Terry Bollea and he was born in Augusta Georgia in 1953.
Hulk Hogan was actually discovered at a bar by Jerry and Jack Brisco. The brothers got Hogan to meet with a promoter and trainer, and then he took up wrestling.
He has won the WWF Championship five times and was the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches.
This action figure comes with Hulk Hogan, the Championship heavyweight belt, and a poster.
“So, let me ask you something brotha!” “Whatha gonna do when the Hulkster Runs Wild on you?”
Andre The Giant with Long Hair
Andre the Giant’s real name was André René Roussimoff. He was born in 1946 in Grenoble France. Andre was billed height was 7″4 and weight in as 520lb. Many would refer to Andre as the “8th Wonder of the World”.
In regards to LJN action figures, there is actually a long and a short hair Andre the Giant Figure. The long hair was released first in series 1.
Outside of Wrestling Andrew was best known as Fezzik, the giant in The Princess Bride.
Big John Studd
John William Minton better known as Big John Studd was born in Butler PA.
He stood at almost 7 feet tall and weighed almost 400 pounds. Big John Studd was managed by Bobby the Brain Heenan.
Notable accomplishments include the WWF World Tag Team Championship and he was the winner of the 1989 Royal Rumble.
Junk Yard Dog
Sylvester Ritter was The Junkyard Dog (JYD). Ritter got the name Junkyard dog because he previously worked in a wrecking yard.
The Junkyard dog entered the ring with his signature dog collar to the music another one bites the dust by Queen.
JYD made the list of original LJN Superstars. The action figure produced a black, silver and red chain variation.
Hillbilly Jim with Hat
James Morris better known as Hillbilly Jim wrestled for WWF from 1984 to 1991.
Hillbilly Jim is a mountain of a man standing at 6 feet 7 foot tall. He is friends with Hulk Hogan and you could purchase the two in a set.
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Piper is hailed from Glasgow he was actually born in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Piper nicknames are “Rowdy” and “Hot Rod”.
If you will notice Piper’s boots are red. There is actually a brown boot variant which is much more expensive.
The Iron Sheik
Sheik is was born in 1942 in Tehran Iran. Hulk Hogan won the title from Iron Sheik triggering Hulkamania.
At the time of this writing, there is an action figure for sale for $800.00. It is considered rare as it has a Hulk Hogan bio on the back instead of Iron Sheik’s bio.
Nikolai Volkoff
Josip Hrvoje Peruzović better known as Nikolai Volkoff is billed from Russia but was born in Yugoslavia.
Volkoff is an ally of the Iron Sheik and you can buy the two in a set.
Jimmy Snuka
James Reiher Snuka better known as Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka wrestled for the WWF in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
Superfly is one of the best “off the top” wrestlers of the WWF.
Jimmy Snuka entered the WWF under Captain Lou Albano.
Series 2 – 1985
- Andre the Giant – short hair
- Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
- George “The Animal” Steele
- Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
- King Kong Bundy
- “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
DID YOU KNOW..
LJN made many variations in its action figures. You can see the first variation in Andre the Giant. In Series 2 he has short hair as opposed to series 1 where he had long hair.
Series 3 – 1986
- Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
- Bruno Sammartino
- Captain Lou Albano
- “Classy” Freddie Blassie – with cane
- Corporal Kirchner – no beard, stubble or painted
- Davey Boy Smith
- Dynamite Kid
- Jesse “The Body” Ventura
- Jimmy Hart – hearts or no hearts on megaphone
- “Macho Man” Randy Savage
- Magnificent Muraco
- Mean Gene Okerlund
- Mr. Fuji – with cane
- Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
- Special Delivery Jones – Hawaiian shirt or red shirt
- Terry Funk – with hat and branding iron
Tito Santana – purple trunks
Series 4 – 1987
- “Adorable” Adrian Adonis
- Billy Jack Haynes
- Bret “The Hitman” Hart
- B. Brian Blair
- Cowboy Bob Orton
- Elizabeth
- King Harley Race with crown
- Hercules Hernandez
- Jake “The Snake” Roberts with snake Damien
- Jumping Jim Brunzell
- Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
- Ken Patera
- Kamala
- Koko B. Ware with parrot Frankie
- Outback Jack
- Ted Arcidi
- Vince McMahon
Series 5 – 1988
- Ax
- Bam Bam Bigelow
- Hacksaw Jim Duggan
- Honky Tonk Man with acoustic guitar
- Hulk Hogan
- One Man Gang
- Referee
- “Luscious” Johnny Valiant
- Rick Martel
- Slick
- Ted DiBiase
- Tito Santana
Wrestling Superstars Tag Teams
- British Bulldogs – Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid
- Dream Team – Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
- Hart Foundation – Bret “Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
- Killer Bees – B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell
- Strike Force – Rick Martel and Tito Santana
- Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
- Hillbilly Jim and Hulk Hogan
WWF LJN Accessories
LJN released a wrestling ring. You could also purchase steel cage bars as an additional accessory.
WWF LJN Variants (8″ Series)
Andre The Giant
- In series 1, Andre the Giant was released with long hair and in series 2 he was released with short hair.
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
- There are variations on Bobby Heenan shirt. He has been released with or without Swirls on his shirt
Bret “The Hitman” Hart
- Bret the Hitman Hart was released in series 4. His variation can be seen in the colour of his tights (pink or purple).
Captain Lou Albano
- Captain Lou Albano comes with two variations. Both figures wear a blue vest and a white t-shirt. The difference is found on the lapel of the t-shirt. In one variation you can see the red lapel. In the other variation, you can see the white lapel.
Corporal Kirchner
- There are three variants of Corporal Kirchner. The variants can be found on his face (beard, stubs, and clean-shaven).
Stubble
Beard
Clean Shaven
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
- Greg Valentine was released with and without a belly button.
Hulk Hogan
- Hulk Hogan was released in the first series with the championship belt. He was re-released in series 5 with either a white or red t-shirt.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts
- The variation in Jake Roberts can be seen in his tights (glossy or matte tights).
Jessie “The Body” Ventura
- There are several variations of Jessie Ventura. There are variations in his hair (blonde and brown) and colors in his mustache (brown and blonde), and finally his tights (neon and a dull neon).
Jimmy Hart
- In series 3 you can find a Jimmy Hart variation on his megaphone (with or without hearts)
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
- Jim Neidhart was released in series 4. His variation can be seen in the colour of his tights (pink or purple).
Magnificent Muraco
- Magnificent Muraco variant can be seen on his shirt. He has either large or small text on his shirt.
“Mean” Gene Okerlund
- Gene Okerlund was released in series 3. The variation is in his microphone (WWF Logo or no logo).
Macho Man Randy Savage
- The Macho Man variation can be seen in his shorts (pink shorts, purple shorts, or no stars on his shorts).
Referee
- The referee variation can be seen in a blue or white shirt.
S.D. Jones
- Special Delivery Jones comes in either a red or tropical shirt.
The Iron Sheik
- The Iron Sheik has an orange or yellow pant decoration.
The Killer Bees
- The variation can be seen in their trunks (tan skin color, non-tan skin color)
Tito Santana
- Tito Santana pants have two colors. In series 3 he has purple pants, and in series 5 he has strike force pants.
Rare LJN Wrestling Figures
Rank #1
- Price: $4000.00
- Figure: Davey Boy Smith (individual)
- Series: 3
- Date Sold: August 2020
Rank #2
- Price: $2400.00
- Figure: Hulk Hogan white shirt
- Series: 5
- Date Sold: March 2020
Rank #3
- Price: $1800.00
- Figure: Corporal Kirchner with Beard
- Series: 3
- Date Sold: July 2020
How much are LJN WWF figures worth?
- All LJN Wrestling figures in a box in relatively good condition are worth money.
- Figures that were autographed sold for around $800 USD
- According to our research, the average unopened LJN Wrestling Figure sells for #350.00 USD
Conclusion
An unopened toy from one’s childhood such as WWF Superstars, Masters of the Universe, or Transformers, etc is the perfect gift for him.
This is the perfect gift because not only is it recreating happy childhood memories, but an unopened action figure can also be considered an investment.
So what do you think? What Vintage LJN wrestling Figures would you buy? Do you think it would be a great gift for him?
Please comment below as we would love to hear from you.
Thanks, Audra Tulloch for giftideasforhim.ca