LJN Wrestling Superstars: The WWF Wrestling Figures of the 1980s

Growing up in the 1980s, few toys captured the excitement of professional wrestling quite like LJN Wrestling Superstars. Long before highly detailed collectibles and endless articulation points became the standard, these oversized rubber figures ruled toy aisles and bedroom floor main events across America. Featuring many of the biggest WWF stars of the era—from Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage to Jake "The Snake" Roberts and The Hart Foundation—LJN figures felt larger than life.

But the LJN line was more than just a collection of toys—it became a snapshot of the WWF's explosive rise during the Rock ’n’ Wrestling era. Between 1984 and 1988, five series of figures were released in the United States by LJN, capturing the changing landscape of the WWF roster as new stars arrived and legends emerged. Then, after LJN’s run came to an end, one final chapter remained: a last series released in Canada in 1989 by another company, giving fans one more chance to add a few final superstars to the toy box.

LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars
Complete Series Breakdown

Between 1984 and 1988, LJN released five major WWF Wrestling Superstars series in the United States, chronicling the rapid rise of Hulkamania and the changing WWF landscape. After LJN’s run ended, the line received one final curtain call in Canada in 1989 through Grand Toys. Looking back today, each series almost serves as a time capsule of its era.

1984 – Series 1

The debut wave introduced many of the stars who launched the national expansion era of the WWF.

Andre the Giant
Big John Studd
Hillbilly Jim
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
Junkyard Dog
Nikolai Volkoff

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

1985 – Series 2

The second wave expanded the roster as Hulkamania continued to grow.

Andre the Giant
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
George "The Animal" Steele
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
King Kong Bundy
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

1986 – Series 3

By 1986, WWF had become a pop-culture force. This wave expanded significantly and included managers, announcers, and personalities in addition to wrestlers.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Bruno Sammartino
Captain Lou Albano
"Classy" Freddie Blassie
Corporal Kirchner
Davey Boy Smith
Dynamite Kid
Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Jimmy Hart
"Macho Man" Randy Savage
Magnificent Muraco
Mean Gene Okerlund
Mr. Fuji (with cane)
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Special Delivery Jones
Terry Funk
Tito Santana

1987 – Series 4

With WrestleMania now firmly established, the line reflected a changing roster and featured future legends.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Billy Jack Haynes
B. Brian Blair
Bret "Hitman" Hart
"Cowboy" Bob Orton
Elizabeth
Hercules Hernandez
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
"Jumping" Jim Brunzell
Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Ken Patera
Kamala
King Harley Race
Koko B. Ware
Outback Jack
Ted Arcidi
Vince McMahon

1988 – Series 5

The final U.S. LJN release closed out the original era.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Bam Bam Bigelow
Demolition Ax
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant
One Man Gang
Referee
Rick Martel
Slick
Ted DiBiase
Tito Santana

1989 – Series 6 (Grand Toys Canada / Black Card Series)

LJN’s final chapter came north of the border. Produced by Grand Toys in Canada, these figures have become some of the most recognizable and collectible releases in the line.

Andre the Giant
Big Boss Man
Demolition Ax
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
Randy "Macho Man" Savage
"Ravishing" Rick Rude
Ultimate Warrior
Warlord

Tag Team Two-Packs

Tag team sets featuring some of the WWF’s most memorable duos were also released:

British Bulldogs
Dream Team
Hart Foundation
Killer Bees
Strike Force
Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff
Hillbilly Jim & Hulk Hogan

Whether they stood proudly on bedroom shelves or battled for tiny plastic championships, LJN Wrestling Superstars became more than action figures—they became many fans’ first true wrestling collection.

Decades later, in 2025, WWE helped bring the spirit of Wrestling Superstars back to a new generation by reintroducing retro-style figures inspired by the classic LJN designs. From toy store shelves in the 1980s to collector displays decades later, LJN Wrestling Superstars continue proving that legends never truly retire—they just make another entrance.

Owen Hart's Infamous WWF Slammy Award Speeches [Videos]

By the mid-90s, Owen Hart was money on the mic as a classic pro wrestling heel. Whether he was accepting a Slammy in 1996 and thanking absolutely nobody but himself or stealing the spotlight in 1997 as the presenter and taking the award for himself, Owen’s timing and personality made these moments unforgettable.

1996 WWF Slammy Awards

Anaheim Marriott

USA Network

March 30, 1996

1997 WWF Slammy Awards

Westin Hotel in Chicago

USA Network

March 21, 1997

WWF 1994: Diesel’s Royal Rumble Run to Championship Gold [Videos]

At the Royal Rumble, held on Saturday, January 22, 1994, at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island, Diesel (Kevin Nash) didn’t just make an impact—he took control from the outset. After storming the ring and quickly eliminating Scot Steiner, Bart Gunn, Owen Hart, and Kwang, the tone inside the arena began to shift. What started as a dominant heel performance quickly turned into something far more unusual—the crowd began to rally behind him.

Over the next several minutes, Diesel ran through the field with authority, racking up seven eliminations and imposing his will on the match. Rather than resisting him, the audience grew louder with each elimination, turning his run into one of the most memorable appearances of the night. Even Vince McMahon acknowledged the unexpected support on commentary.

When Diesel was finally eliminated after nearly 18 minutes, the crowd responded with chants of his name as he made his way to the backstage—a rare and telling sign that something had changed.

That night didn’t end with Diesel as the winner, but it marked the turning point. Three days after the Survivor Series on November 26, 1994, he had completed the climb, capturing the WWF Championship at Madison Square Garden and cementing one of the quickest rises of the era.

WWF Royal Rumble

January 22, 1994

WWF SUPERSTARS

Aired November 26, 1994

Non-televised WWF Championship Match

Bob Backlund vs Diesel

November 26, 1994

WWF Champion Diesel's Promo on Bob Backlund

WWF SUPERSTARS

Aired December 3, 1994