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.
1984
LJN Wrestling Superstars Commercials
1984/1985
LJN WWF Superstars Commercial
with Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, and The Iron Sheik
Narrated by Vince McMahon
1984/1985
LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial
with Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik, Big John Studd
1986
LJN WWF Superstars Commercial
with Junkyard Dog, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper,
Brutus Beefcake, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine,
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, George "The Animal" Steel
Narrated by Vince McMahon
1987
LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial
with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Miss Elizabeth,
S.D. Jones, Kamala, and The Killer Bees
1989
Grand Toys WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial
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" HeenanBruno Sammartino
Captain Lou Albano"Classy" Freddie Blassie
Corporal Kirchner
Davey Boy Smith
Dynamite Kid
Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Jimmy Hart
"Macho Man" Randy SavageMagnificent Muraco
Mean Gene OkerlundMr. 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" NeidhartKen Patera
Kamala
King Harley RaceKoko 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 BigelowDemolition Ax
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk ManHulk Hogan
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant
One Man GangReferee
Rick Martel
SlickTed 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 GiantBig Boss ManDemolition Ax"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk HoganRandy "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 BulldogsDream Team
Hart FoundationKiller 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.
