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.

WWF Wrestling Challenge: September 28, 1986 [Videos]

WWF Wrestling Challenge

Introduction

The fall of 1986 marked a fascinating stretch in the World Wrestling Federation’s rapid national expansion, where polished production began to blend with the gritty remnants of its territorial roots. This episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge, originally airing on September 28, 1986 (taped September 17), captures that transition in motion—delivering a mix of emerging personalities, established stars, and the kind of studio-driven storytelling that defined weekend wrestling television for a generation.

Anchoring the broadcast is a notable shift at the commentary desk, as Bobby “The Brain” Heenan makes his debut alongside Gorilla Monsoon on WWF Wrestling Challenge, replacing the rotating presence of Ernie Ladd and Johnny Valiant. The chemistry is immediate, adding a sharper edge to the broadcast while enhancing the personality-driven tone that would soon become a staple of WWF programming.

The episode also offers several memorable character moments that would echo far beyond this single airing. A fresh-faced Honky Tonk Man makes his television debut—still presented as a fan favorite and even endorsed by WWF Champion Hulk Hogan—while Jake “The Snake” Roberts hosts Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and Jimmy Hart on the Snake Pit, spotlighting a tag team quietly on the rise. Elsewhere, viewers are treated to unique vignettes and promos, including a Wrestler’s Rebuttal featuring Slick, Nikolai Volkoff, and the Iron Sheik, as well as an offbeat segment showcasing Sika and the Wizard deep in the jungles of Samoa.

In the ring, the action delivers as well, highlighted by a spirited tag team clash between the British Bulldogs and the formidable duo of the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. Taken together, this episode stands as more than just a collection of matches—it’s a snapshot of the WWF finding its identity during one of its most important growth periods.

"The Birdman" Koko B. Ware vs. The Gladiator

By late 1986, Koko B. Ware was carving out a role as one of the WWF’s most energetic and crowd-friendly performers, bringing a colorful presentation that stood out even in a personality-driven roster. This episode marks the first televised appearance of his soon-to-be signature companion, Frankie the parrot. The introduction of Frankie would become inseparable from Koko B. Ware’s WWF identity, elevating his presentation from standard babyface to something far more memorable. Frankie might’ve been the smallest “manager” in the WWF—but instantly one of the most unforgettable.

The Gladiator was professional wrestler Charles Sprott, who had competed under several ring names since the late 1950s, including Buddy Sprott, Ricky Hunter, The Spartan, and the Super Gladiator. Although he held the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship in 1968, by 1986 he was nearing the end of his career.

Slick, Nikolai Volkoff, and The Iron Sheik

Promo on the WWF and America

"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff vs Luscious Brown

In the fall of 1986, Orndorff was firmly entrenched as one of the WWF’s top heels following his high-profile fallout with Hulk Hogan. Across the ring, Luscious Brown—later known to fans as Virgil—was making his first appearance in the World Wrestling Federation, stepping into a classic enhancement (aka Jobber) role during a period where new talent was constantly being cycled in.

Bobby Heenan, as Orndorff's manager delivers an insert promo prior to the bout, reinforcing Orndorff’s elite status, while Johnny Valiant briefly fills in on commentary. In a pointed touch, Orndorff utilizes Hogan’s “Real American” theme—an ongoing flex and reminder of their heated rivalry.

Ricky Steamboat Interview

The Honky Tonk Man vs Terry Gibbs

This bout marks the WWF television debut of the Honky Tonk Man, initially positioned as a charismatic, Elvis-inspired babyface. At this stage, the persona leans more toward crowd-pleasing showmanship—well before the attitude shift that would redefine him as one of the company’s most effective heels.

During the match, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan delivers an insert promo, enthusiastically endorsing Honky as a rising star. On commentary, Gorilla Monsoon frames Honky as a unique addition to the roster, while Bobby Heenan remains predictably skeptical.

"Leaping" Lanny Poffo Interview

"The Natural" Hacksaw Butch Reed vs Mike Kelly

This match marks the WWF debut of Butch Reed, arriving with immediate credibility and alignment under the guidance of Slick. Branded as “The Natural,” Reed enters the company positioned as a powerful, no-nonsense heel with a strong athletic pedigree.

This match also marks an early televised appearance for Mike Kelly, who would later gain recognition as Shane Douglas, adding a subtle layer of historical interest.

The Snake Pit with host Jake "The Snake" Roberts

and Guests

The Hart Foundation

(Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, & Jimmy Hart)

The Wizard and Sika on the Island of Samoa

The British Bulldogs vs The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff

Volkoff’s pre-match anthem immediately draws heavy crowd heat, setting the tone before the bell. A rare loss for the Bulldogs on television—and a reminder that in 1986, one well-timed distraction could change everything.

Slick, Nikolai Volkoff, and The Iron Sheik

Second Promo

WWF Interview Archive: Victory’s Corner — Before Piper’s Pit (1983–1984) [Videos]

Vince McMahon appearing on Victory's Corner

From November 1983 through January 1984, Robert Debord hosted a short-lived interview segment known as Victory’s Corner (later simplified to Victory Corner). Filmed at live WWF events and featured across the company’s television programming, the segment emerged during a pivotal transitional period in the promotion’s evolution.

Following Rogers’ Corner—the interview platform created by Vince McMahon and hosted by former WWWF Champion Buddy Rogers—Victory’s Corner served as a bridge between the old guard and the emerging, personality-driven format that would soon define WWF television with the arrival of Piper’s Pit and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

Despite its brief run, Victory’s Corner holds historical significance for featuring the only known sit-down televised interview with controversial reigning WWF Champion The Iron Sheik, which aired in January 1984. As such, these segments offer a rare glimpse into the WWF’s early experimentation with interview-driven storytelling at the dawn of its national expansion, featuring appearances by Vince McMahon, Gorilla Monsoon, and a newly arrived championship contender, Hulk Hogan—who would soon come to define the Golden Age.

Gorilla Monsoon

December 1983

Vince McMahon

December 1983

World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion

The Iron Sheik

with Manager and Mentor Ayatollah Blassie

January 1984

Hulk Hogan

January 1984

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

January 1984

🔥 WrestleMania III – A Full Breakdown

🏟️ WrestleMania III – A Full Breakdown

By Vince, of Pro Wrestling Resource
March 29, 1987 – Pontiac Silverdome – 93,173 Fans
“The irresistible force meets the immovable object” – Gorilla Monsoon

🎤 The Opening: Vince McMahon & Aretha Franklin

It all begins with Mr. McMahon himself, pacing the ring like a general before battle. His booming declaration: “Welcome to WrestleMania III!” hits like a thunderclap.

And then — Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul, seated at a piano, belts out “America the Beautiful.” No lip sync, no frills. Just power and grace. The camera pans across the Silverdome, showing an ocean of humanity — fans with giant foam fingers, flashbulbs, and denim jackets for days. A goosebumps moment from the jump.

🎙️ Hot Tag Note: The patriotism was real. Not the jingoistic or chauvinistic kind Just pure spectacle-meets-soal-meets-America. It felt big because it was big. Vince McMahon and his team made it that way. 

🎧 Commentary Dream Team: The Gorilla & "The Body"

From the jump, Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura bring instant chemistry. Gorilla plays the straight man with gravitas, while Jesse hammers heel commentary in style — rocking gold sunglasses and an all-black outfit like a Bond villain.

Their banter shapes the entire show. No spoilers, no insider terms — just sports-style announcing with classic lines like:
👉 “This place is going bananas!”
👉 “Would you stop?”
👉 “I call it like I see it, Gorilla.”

🎙️ Hot Tag Note: In 2025, it still feels fresh. No hashtags needed. Just two professionals at their best, reunited after some time apart. Two voices guiding a 3-hour thrill ride of professional wrestling in 1987. 

 

👕 Crowd Vibes – 1987 in Living Color

Look at that crowd through modern eyes — it’s a time capsule.

• Moustaches for miles.

• Wrestling headbands, sunglasses indoors, and more satin jackets than a Cobra Kai dojo.

• Homemade signs on poster board with electrical tape lettering.

• The crowd moved as one. No phones. Just pure, in-the-moment energy.

📸 2025 Flashback Lens: It is amazing to see pro wrestling before the "smartphone era." The fans were living it, not recording it. Everyone dressed like they should at a 1987 pro wrestling match — like they were from circa 1984-1986 and ready to hit a bar or roller rink after Hogan's match with the Giant.

📼 WrestleMania III – Match-by-Match Breakdown

1️⃣ The Can-Am Connection vs. Ace “Cowboy” Bob Orton & Don Muraco (w/ Mr. Fuji)

Winners: The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel & Tom Zenk)
Finish: Double dropkick sets up a sunset flip for the win.

📝 Hot Tag Note: The opening match with The Fink on the mic. A fast-paced, feel good opener. Martel and Zenk were pure babyface (good guy) energy, bouncing around like WWF gymnasts. The Ace and "The Rock" were allowing the Canadian-American team of Martel and Zenk to shine. A great start to get the crowd hyped.

2️⃣ Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules (w/ Bobby Heenan)

Result: Double count-out
Post-Match: Hercules locks in the full nelson with the chain — brutal!

📝 Hot Tag Note: There was no clowning around from these pro wrestlers. Two powerhouses with ready to fight. This was less about work rate and more about brute strength. Heenan's involvement added real heat.

3️⃣ Hillbilly Jim, Little Beaver & The Haiti Kid vs. King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo & Lord Littlebrook

Winners: Hillbilly Jim’s team by DQ
DQ Spot: Bundy bodyslams and elbow drops Little Beaver!

📝 Hot Tag Note: A bit of a comedy match with an edge. The crowd gasped when King Kong Bundy  — the man who faced Hulk Hogan in the Main Event at WrestleMania 2  — crushed Little Beaver. Gorilla Monsoon was not happy: "That's despicable!" 

4️⃣ Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan & "The Queen" The Fabulous Moolah) vs. Junkyard Dog

Stipulation: The loser must bow to the winner.
Winner: Harley Race
Post-Match: JYD crowns himself and walks tall.

📝 Hot Tag Note: The crowd loved JYD. This was classic WWF storytelling — even in defeat, the fan favorite got the last laugh. The Junk Yard Dog may have lost the crown, but he won the crowd!

5️⃣ The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) vs. The Rougeau Brothers

Winners: The Dream Team
Post-Match: Beefcake is abandoned by Valentine & new manager Dino Bravo!

📝 Hot Tag Note: This was the quiet beginning of Brutus Beefcake's solo run. A subtle but key turning point.

6️⃣ Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (Hair vs. Hair Match)

Winner: Roddy Piper
Finish: Piper reverses the sleeper with help from Beefcake (!), then shaves Adonis bald.

🔥 Hot Tag Moment: Piper smashes the mirror in Adonis’s face

📝 Hot Tag Note: Piper’s “retirement” match and an electric crowd moment. The pop when he wins is insane. Beefcake’s transformation begins right here.

7️⃣ The Hart Foundation & Danny Davis (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The British Bulldogs & Tito Santana

Winners: The Harts & Davis
Finish: Davis gets a cheap pin with the megaphone!

📝 Hot Tag Note: An all-action trios match. Danny Davis was heat personified. Tito and Dynamite Kid were flying all over. 

8️⃣ Butch Reed (w/ Slick) vs. “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware

Winner: Butch Reed
Finish: Reed grabs the tights for the win.

📝 Hot Tag Note: Short and punchy. The real heat came after the match when Tito Santana ran out and took it to Slick. The crowd loved it.

9️⃣ Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth)

Winner: Ricky Steamboat – NEW Intercontinental Champion
Finish: Savage goes for the ring bell, but George “The Animal” Steele intervenes. Small package for the win!

🏆 Match of the Night: Savage vs. Steamboat

📝 Hot Tag Note: This is it — the masterpiece. 20+ near-falls, athleticism, drama, and emotion. Savage was in rare form. Steamboat wrestled like a man possessed. Even by 2025 standards, this holds up as one of the greatest matches ever.

🔟 Jake “The Snake” Roberts (w/ Alice Cooper) vs. The Honky Tonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Winner: Honky Tonk Man
Finish: Honky uses the ropes for a cheap pin. Post-match: Damien gets revenge.

📝 Hot Tag Note: Alice Cooper with the snake? YES. The finish gave heat to Honky, but Jake still felt like a star. The crowd loved the post-match snake spot.

  The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff (w/ Slick) vs. The Killer Bees

Winners: The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff via DQ
Finish: Hacksaw Jim Duggan interferes with his 2x4!

📝 Hot Tag Note: Duggan’s surprise run-in got a big pop. The match was filler, but the crowd loved the U-S-A energy. The Killer Bees didn't want to win that way.

🏁 Main Event: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. André the Giant (WWF Heavyweight Championship Match)

Winner: Hulk Hogan
Finish: The bodyslam heard ‘round the world, followed by the leg drop.

📝 Hot Tag Note: It was all about mythology. André was immovable until this night. Before the slam heard 'round the world, did The Giant get a three-count on the champion? "Two count only," said Gorilla Monsoon. Hulk Hogan slamming André was pro wrestling’s version of Babe Ruth’s home run. The place exploded. And this was the first pro wrestling match that I recall watching from start to finish. 

🎤 Final Word:

WrestleMania III wasn’t just a wrestling show. It was a cultural milestone. From Aretha to André, from Savage vs. Steamboat to Piper’s goodbye — this was the night that made WrestleMania feel truly immortal.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin during the lead up to his WWF Royal Rumble victory [Videos]

In May 1996, an incident known as the "Curtain Call" involving Hunter Hearst Helmsley—later known as Triple H—led to changes in booking plans, removing him from the finals of the 1996 King of the Ring tournament. As a result, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin took his place in the finals, where his victory sparked the legendary "Austin 3:16" promo.

"..Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"

Austin carried that momentum into an excellent match against Bret "The Hitman" Hart at the 1996 Survivor Series on November 17. In the months that followed, anticipation built for the next "major" pay-per-view, the WWF Royal Rumble, where the winner would earn a shot at the WWF World Championship at WrestleMania 13. However, due to backstage drama, beyond Austin's control involving Shawn Michaels, Austin wouldn’t receive his title match until WrestleMania XIV the following year.

Despite this, Austin showcased his talent and made a major impact at the 1997 Royal Rumble, controversially eliminating the "rightful" winner to claim victory. This set the stage for one of the most iconic matches in WrestleMania history—his No Disqualification Submission Match against Hart at WrestleMania 13. A match that would later be honored at the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame with the inaugural WWE Immortal Moment award.

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs "The Stalker" Barry Windham

Filmed on November 19, 1996

Aired on USA Network on December 15, 1996

Springfield, Massachusetts

IN YOUR HOUSE 12

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Goldust (Dustin Rhodes)

December 15, 1996

Palm Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Vader

Aired on December 16, 1996

Tampa, Florida

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Jason Ahrndt

Aired on December 22, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin in a Two-on-One Handicap Match

Aired on December 29, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

Bret Hart & Savio Vega vs Steve Austin & Faarooq

Aired on December 30, 1996

Albany, New York

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

Filmed on December 30, 1996

Aired on January 6, 1997

WWF SUPERSTARS

Appearance by The Iron Sheik

Filmed on December 17, 1996

Aired on January 12, 1997

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

The British Bulldog vs The Rock

with "Stone Cold" Appearance

Aired on January 13, 1996

Albany, New York

Commentary: Vince McMahon and Bret Hart

WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING 09/09/91 [Videos]

On September 9, 1991, Ric Flair made his historic World Wrestling Federation (WWF) television debut with the World Heavyweight Championship on an episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling, after a long successful career with rival promotion NWA/WCW.

Below is a good example of an episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling which aired on the USA Network from the end of the so-called "Golden Age" of Professional Wrestling, showing the excellent production values of the WWF compared to other wrestling promotions at the time. WWF Prime Time Wrestling primarily served as a recap program, showcasing quality matches and interview segments from WWF syndicated programs and pay-per-views. WWF Prime Time Wrestling was replaced in January 1993 on the USA Network, with the premiere of  WWF Monday Night Raw.