My Top 15 Elite Style Figures of 2023
So, I had to have a think about this and I don't mean the choices but which figures to consider. So, you have the regular Elite line plus the PPV series, so they will feature, also, we saw the Defining Moments figures return this year but where I was torn was whether to include the figures from the Legends series, we have had 4 sets this year, probably 20 figures or so, but I think I will leave them for a separate blog.
Just before we start, I don't collect full Elite waves, I literally only pick a few of them, sometimes only a single one.
15. Stardust (Elite 103) - I have never owned any of the previous Stardust figures and at first, I wasn't going to get this one but I opted for it in the end. Good figure, I think I may have heard the other day that it isn't a new head sculpt but same as one that has been used before, not sure to be honest, let me know in the comments or on my socials
14. Edge (Elite 102) - So, I am not an 'Edge guy' never really got it with him but have seen plenty of his matches from his hey day, in fact, from his early WWF days from when he used to team with Christian and had those matches with the Hardy Boys and The Dudleys but when he broke from the pack so to speak and was pushed hard as a singles, not so much, I actually stopped watching WWF in 2002 religiously, I would catch it here and there but unlike back in the day like 1990 until then when I used to watch everything from WWF, WCW, ECW, Japan and everything in between. Anyway, onto the figure, I didn't get it first time round, I do have some other Edge figures but funnily enough, it was after he signed for AEW I decided to get this figure.
13. Seth Rollins (Elite 99) - This one has great attire, I'll say that out the gate but the head scan that came with the figure was really poor, was so refreshing when we got the Ultimate Edition Rollins as I was able to use one of the spare heads on the figure, it looks, literally, 100% better. There have been tons of Rollins figures and I own a lot of them and this one is right up there as one of the very best......now it has a new head scan on.
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| This is the scan it came with originally |
12. Dominik Mysterio (Elite 105) - His original Elite release didn't really appeal to me and I see it goes for quite a bit on the secondary market. This one is pretty decent, not much else to say really, good figure.
11. Shawn Michaels (Defining Moments) - Interesting choice in the list this one, many will say it doesn't belong as the head scan is poor and the entrance gear doesn't look great but, it is in my list as I have wanted a figure of Michaels in his Royal Rumble Texas inspired gear for years.
10. Cody Rhodes (Defining Moments) - When the Elite 101 came out, I wasn't overly impressed then I saw this and thought the added touch of the bruise he got in the match against Rollins this figure was based on made it a must have, full disclosure, I collect all Defining Moments figures so it was being bought regardless, good figure this.
09. Jerry 'The King' Lawler (Survivor Series) - The head scan on this is amazing, other than the jacket, the attire is similar to what we have had before, his last Elite figure (1993 Summer Slam) is by far, his best ever figure but I really like this one too.
08. Scott Steiner (Elite 105) - As collectors, we have wanted a Scott Steiner (and Rick) action figure from Mattel in forever, when they went in the hall of fame many of thought it would finally happen guessing that they would have signed a legends deal too. This Elite 105 figure may not have been the ideal first Scott Steiner figure most collectors would choose but beggars can't be choosers as the old saying goes. It's a good figure, hopefully many more to come.
07. Virgil (Royal Rumble BAF) - The choice of Mattel moving away from BAF's being just suited ones is great and this one is outstanding really. Virgil of course was well-known as the Million Dollar Man's man servant for lack of a better term but he broke away from him and had a short career as a wrestler and this is the attire based on when he first did.
06. Gunther (Elite 102) - Just an outstanding figure, I have the first Elite he had made of him, in fact I have 2 as the original came with 2 left feet so I had a replacement sent my Mattel. This Elite 102 one with slimmer torso, updated head scan, red robe/attire, just an outstanding figure.
05. Bron Breaker (Elite 104) - Breaker was the chase in this series too, I have that one as well but I prefer this one with him wearing the gear his dad also did back in the day, really like this one.
04. Hulk Hogan (Summer Slam) - We have had many Hogan figures since Mattel have had the licence to make WWE figures, some say too many but I say more the merrier, I have all his Elite and Ultimate Edition figures and I even bought his last basic figure and I don't buy basic figures. This was is based on his spring/summer of 1991 run when he was feuding with Sgt Slaughter after he took the title from the then Iraqi sympathiser at Wrestle Mania VII. The choice to go out the box with this design to make it different to other Hogan figures was amazing.
03. 'Stunning' Steve Austin (Elite 100) - When I first saw this announced/shown in 2022, I knew I'd be all over it. I don't usually buy figures based on watching the wrestlers in matches, but back in 1991 I vividly recall watching Austin on WCW TV after he had come in from the Texas based WCCW and was always impressed. Austin we know would go on to be 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and make a shed load of money for himself and the WWF back then and he has had loads of figures based on that look but like with when the Hollywood Blondes Austin came out, which is another great figure and I am not sure it gets the credit it deserves, this one was a great nod to the past and a brilliant choice from the design team.
02. Rick Steiner (Elite 104) - Like with his brother, this may not have been the first choice from collectors for a Rick Steiner figure but it is what it is and based on that, this is a very good figure. With the jacket on, the legs may look a tad too skinny but displayed without the jacket it looks very good. It may be the last figure of his we get of his from Mattel, as there was some controversy with him at a convention some months back but we shall see if this was the first and last Mattel figure of him.
01. Mr America (Chase or Regular, Elite 101) - Again, we have had a lot of Hogan figures, like with the Summer Slam series one, Mattel went out the box with this one, these figures, I have both, are just great. I had to hunt them down, they were not released by the likes of Smyths here in the UK but they were well-worth paying that little extra to have them in the collection.
So that's it guys, I know you won't agree, feel free to leave me any feedback and send me your top 15 Elite figures of the year.
Thanks for reading and if i don't do the Top Legends figures blog of 2023 before the end of the year, have a great Christmas and top new year.
All the best, Stu
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