LJN Wrestling Superstars: The WWF Wrestling Figures of the 1980s [Videos]

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" 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.

🏆 WWE Championship History (1963–1997): The Golden Era of Wrestling

🏆 WWE Championship History (1963–1997): The Golden Era of Wrestling

Since 1963, holding the top championship title in the WWE has been a sign of respect and a representation of the wrestling organization. In addition, the holder of the top championship title received the biggest payday and was often seen in the wrestling card's main event. Although there have been "transition champions,*" for the most part the holder of the top title meant a long-term life change for the title holder, as it meant being the highest-paid wrestler in the company.

1. Buddy Rogers, 2. Bruno Sammartino, 3. Ivan Koloff,* 4. Pedro Morales, 5. Stan Stasiak,* 6. Superstar Billy Graham, 7. Bob Backlund, 8. The Iron Sheik,* 9. Hulk Hogan, 10. Andre the Giant*

11. Randy Savage, 12. Ultimate Warrior, 13. Sgt. Slaughter, 14. The Undertaker, 15. Ric Flair, 16. Bret Hart, 17. Yokozuna, 18. Diesel, 19. Shawn Michaels, 20. Sycho Sid 

Retro World Wrestling Federation Newspaper Advertisements (July Edition)

World Wrestling Federation Newspaper Ads from an earlier age...

(1963, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1997)

Bruno Sammartino vs George Steele
July 24, 1963

Bruno Sammartino vs Waldo Von Erich
July 26, 1975

Larry Zbyszko vs Bob Backlund
July 19, 1980

Tito Santana vs Brutus Beefcake
July 18, 1985

Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs Junkyard Dog
July 15, 1986

Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs The Honky Tonk Man
July 1, 1987

Hulk Hogan vs Randy "Macho Man" Savage
July 21, 1987

The Honky Tonk Man vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
July 25, 1987

Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
July 8, 1988

Tito Santana vs Adorable Adrian Adonis
July 29, 1989

The Hart Foundation vs Demolition
July 27, 1990

"Macho King" Randy Savage vs Dusty Rhodes
July 29, 1990

Ultimate Warrior vs Undertaker
July 21, 1991

Hulk Hogan vs Yokozuna
Shawn Michaels vs Mr. Perfect
July 16, 1993

Hart Foundation vs Legion of Doom, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
July 6, 1997

WWE Hall of Fame - Class of 2013

Photo credit: © 2013 WWE. All Rights Reserved.

Mick Foley, Trish Stratus, Booker T, Bob Backlund, and Bruno Sammartino are all part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2013. Donald Trump was also inducted as a member of the Class of 2013 Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Mick Foley - Career Highlights: WWE Champion; World Tag Team Champion; Hardcore Champion; TNA Legends Champion; TNA World Heavyweight Champion, World Tag Team Champion; ECW World Tag Team Champion; WWE Commissioner; Co-General Manager of RAW; General Manager of Saturday Morning Slam; SmackDown commentator; PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year 1993.

Trish Stratus - Career Highlights: WWE Women's Champion; WWE Hardcore Champion; PWI Woman of the Decade (2000–2009).

Booker T (Booker Tio Huffman, Jr.) - Career Highlights: World Heavyweight Champion; WCW Champion; World Tag Team Champion; WCW World Tag Team Champion: WCW Tag Team Champion; Intercontinental Champion; United States Champion; WCW World Television Champion; Hardcore Champion; 2006 King of the Ring; GWF Tag Team Championship; PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year 2000; TNA Legends Champion; TNA World Tag Team Champion; SmackDown color commentator, SmackDown General Manager.

Bob Backlund - Career Highlights: WWE Champion; World Tag Team Champion; NWA Western States Heavyweight Champion; PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year 1977 and 1981; PWI Wrestler of the Year 1982; PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year 1994; NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion.

Bruno Sammartino - Career Highlights: Known as the longest-reigning WWE Champion (for nearly eight years);  WWWF Champion; WWF International Tag Team Champion; WWWF United States Tag Team Champion; PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year 1976; PWI Wrestler of the Year 1974; Member of the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame.

The Baltimore Sun's Top 50 Wrestling Stars

The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck has written a list of the Top 50 wrestling stars on his blog, Ring Posts. While the list can be debated, it seems to be more comprehensive compared to WWE's list officially released in December for their DVD, Top 50 Superstars of All Time.

The Baltimore Sun's Top 50 Wrestling Stars are as follows:

1. Hulk Hogan – The biggest star in the history of the industry and an iconic figure in pop culture, the 12-time world champion’s name has become synonymous with pro wrestling.
2. Lou Thesz
3. Bruno Sammartino
4. Ric Flair – The words “world champion” and “Ric Flair” have been synonymous ever since he won the first of his 16 world titles in 1981. “The Nature Boy” is perhaps the industry’s most complete performer when it comes to combining showmanship, microphone skills and in-ring ability. Flair, who still mixes it up in the ring on occasion, has wrestled in five decades.
5. Andre the Giant – Billed at 7 feet 4 and anywhere from 400 to 500 pounds, he truly was a larger than life figure and one of the most famous wrestlers and top gate attractions of all time.