WWE Elite Collection Series 95: Shotzi

Just in time for tonight's WWE NXT Vengeance Day Premium Live Event, we take a look at Shotzi's very first WWE Elite Collection figure. 

Shotzi (Blackheart) is one of my favorite female wrestlers. I first started following her when she was in NXT, particularly one of the In Your House shows. Maybe it was the bright neon green hair that caught my attention, or just her high flying wrestling style, she was a lot of fun to watch. This figure is based off her more modern look, prior to her shaving her head in support of her sister who was going through cancer treatments. The only thing missing to complete this figure is her TCB (Taking Care of Business) tank she uses on her ring entrances.

This figure is so striking, from her outfit to her detailed tattoos to the likeness Mattel was able to capture of her. Shotzi is long hair that drapes over her shoulders over onto her back. It's one molded piece and detailed. Her mouth is sculpted open with her tongue sticking out, appropriate for her. I kind of wish she had another head included with her mouth closed. Shotzi has worn a few different ring attire, but this one with the yellow lightning bolt is her signature ring gear. Like most of the woman wrestlers, she has hose printed on her legs and there are several places where the netting is tore.

Other than Shotzi's green hair, she's known for her tattoos. I've seen a lot of wrestling figures' tattoos before, but not a figure with this many. Both arms are wrapped in tattoos, even her chest and stomach! Mattel has done a fantastic job capturing all of this detail. Even better the colors on these tattoos pop, making them look that much better.

I knew she was a fan of horror pop culture so I had fun carefully looking at her various tattoo. I especially like the 'creature from the black lagoon' on one of her shoulders.

Check out that elaborate spider/web tattoo on her belly! While I think it looks great, I can't but help think of how painful that must've been!

Shotzi comes with three accessories, her signature horned helmet and an additional pair of hands. Out of the package she had an open posed hand and one "devil horns" hand. Articulation is your standard fare for an Elite figure. The double jointed elbows were super tight on mine. The rubber knee pads hinder the leg/knee articulation. You can slide them up and down on the leg/thigh a little to increase the range of movement, but not enough to bend the knee to a 90 degree angle.

Over all this is a fantastic figure and it's one of my favorite. The level of detail captured from head to toe is excellent. Sometimes a wrestler's first Elite figure can leave a lot to be desired, but not in this case. This is a solid figure and highly recommended if you are a fan of hers.

WWE Elite Collection Series 94: Wes Lee

Series 94 was the debut of Wes Lee, the current NXT North American Champion. This figure is based off his tag team with Nash Carter, MSK. They were a great tag team and were a lot of fun to watch, however that team didn't last long as Nash Carter ran into some trouble from what I understand. Wes has gone on to do more in the singles division than I thought he would and has become a favorite of mine.

Wes is one of the smaller wrestlers so his figure is on the smaller side as well. While his ring gear has changed now that MSK is no longer a team, the style of wrestling trunks remains the same. They remind me of what a boxer would wear, the sides are arched giving them a unique look. This particular gear sports the MSK colors and logo on the rear. Packaged with the figure is an alternate set of hands, almost closed fists, as pictured above. The stock set of hands are more open and good for posing like during the ring entrance.

Some wrestlers have more ink than others and Wes Lee is one of those. His whole back is covered, as is his upper chest and both arms. I've never really been able to get a good look at his tattoos on TV, but now that I can see them I like them. The large angel wings on his back, the crown of thorns and the "King of Kings" at base of his neck stand out to me. Each of the tattoos are pretty clean. It amazes me how Mattel is able to capture so much detail.

Wes may wear his hair slightly different now, but the head sculpt is still great and captured the then look. His signature mutton chops and goatee help complete the look.

Wes' other accessory is his jacket. It's made of a very soft plastic and buttons up on the front with three rectangular snaps. Its not the easiest to get the jacket on and off the figure as you really have to bend one arm back pretty far, however once you get it one and snap it up it fits really well. Like his wrestling trunks, the faux hooded jacket contains the MSK colors. I'm not a fan of soft goods so this is a nice inclusion.

Overall I found this figure to be pretty good and I'm glad they worked him into the Elite Collection, however now I'm looking forward to his next figure. Perhaps if he holds onto that North American Championship belt a little longer his next figure will come packaged with it?

WWE Elite Collection Series 92: Charlotte Flair

 

The only figure I bought from Series 92 of the WWE Elite Collection is Ric's daughter, Charlotte Flair. I thought this was one of the best looking figures of Charlotte to date, if not women's wrestling figures. She must have sold the best in this series because I never saw her at retail, but found plenty of her wave mates. I had to resort to purchasing her online, but I'm glad I did because this is a great figure.

Charlotte is sporting her purple wrestling gear and white boots. Her hair sculpt looks great, draped over the sides of her shoulder and resting on her back. This is one of the better hair looking hair sculpts I've seen in some time. The silver paint apps on her gear are nicely applied and match the real gear. The sides of her boots sport her initials in purple paint.

I've made mention in several other WWE reviews that Mattel has done a great job with matching the wrestler's likeness with the head sculpts and Charlotte Flair is no exception. In fact, I believe this is one of the best looking likenesses they've been able to capture. If you look carefully just above her chin you can even see her mole (?). I love the cocky smirk on her face too as it matches her persona to a T. Just a great looking figure.

Another thing that Mattel has done well with in the Elite Collection is also capturing the wrestler's tattoos. Charlotte doesn't have a lot of ink, but she does have a tattoo on her ribs (ouch!) as you can see here.

Charlotte comes with a Women's Tag Team Championship belt. As I write this however I'm having a hard time remember who her tag partner was that she won gold with. Charlotte isn't exactly a team player after all. Its been awhile since I've purchased a figure that was packaged with a title belt. This one isn't too bad and fits around her waist or across her shoulder just fine. She also comes with an alternate set of hands, as pictured above. The hands that come attached to the figure in the package are more unique looking, as depicted in the picture below.

I feel this figure is the complete package. It's got a great overall sculpt, fantastic head sculpt and a nice championship belt. Women's figures seem to be hit and miss, but this version of Charlotte is a must buy.

WWE Elite Collection Series 90: Big Boss Man

I was more of a WCW guy back in the day, however I always liked the Big Boss Man. I was glad to see him included in series 90 of the Elite Collection and quickly added him to my Amazon shopping cart upon his release. I'm not sure what happened to the packaging, but mine arrived with a big ol' rip on the back of the packaging. Good thing I open my toys!

My first impression out of the package was mostly positive. I like big, hefty, chunky figures and Big Boss Man fits that mold. The light blue Police shirt looks good, as do the patches on the shirt. The pants aren't anything special, but works well with the rest of the uniform. They even left the top two buttons of his shirt unbuttoned to expose his chest hair as so often was the case. Where I feel this figure falls a little flat is the head sculpt.

Mattel has been hitting it out of the park when it comes to head sculpts, but there is just something off about Big Boss Man's capture. Maybe it's the smile? Or maybe the hair...I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I'm just having a hard time getting behind this head sculpt.

Packaged with the figure a few accessories. Two extra set of hands are included, one set of closed fists and one set of pointing hands, a hat, billy club and a set of handcuffs. I'm not too sure about this hat however. It fits snugly on his head, but it also makes his head look really large. Ever seen the movie Mega Mind?

I was so excited going into opening this figure, but now that I've had him in hands for a bit I'm a little disappointed. I don't think it's a bad figure, believe me I've see far worse, but it's not quite living up to my expectations. Maybe said expectations were too high to begin with? I'm not looking to sell the figure at this time, rather I'll add him to my WWE Legends subcollection, but I'm secretly hoping Mattel will take another stab at the Big Boss Man in a future series.

WWE Elite Collection Survivor Series (2022): Becky Lynch

The 2022 Survivor Series line once again was a Build-a-Figure wave and contained 4 figures. Rick Rude would be the figure you could build in this series. I had aspirations to pick up all the figures in the wave, but ultimately passed as I just didn't care for the others. I still may get around to picking up AJ Styles, but the young Drew McIntyre and Ultimate Warrior do nothing for me. Even Rick is a little lack luster in my book, especially when compared to some of the other BAFs released in the recent past.

On to our subject, Becky Lynch. When I first saw the solicitations for this figure I couldn't wait to show my daughter. Like I thought, she wanted it and ended up putting Becky on her Christmas list. I can't remember now who purchased this for her, but I ended up buying it off of her as she got so many figures for Christmas I guess this one fell out of favor with her for whatever reason. After I finally got her open recently, maybe she knew something about this figure that I didn't?

Becky's Survivor Series gear was different, especially those large diamond shaped knee pads. She had a look all her own that night and Mattel did a pretty good job capturing that even in toy form. Her ring gear is fairly simple being a long sleeved red top and briefs, red boots and of course the knee pads. Her hair is sculpted over her shoulders and back, which does effect the head articulation, but looks good. Fish net stockings are painted on her thighs...it's a good looking figure, but there was just something about it as I first held it in hand that I couldn't quite get.

The head sculpt is pretty spot on for miss Rebecca Quinn. This is an area where I feel Mattel is excelled. They do a great job capturing the wrestlers' likeness and this figure is no exception. Good paint apps and hair go a long way in helping with the overall look. Her facial expression is a different, but perhaps that's why this figure stands out from the other Becky Lynch figures.

The only accessories included with the figure (outside the BAF parts) are a set of extra closed fists, which I prefer the look of these hands on the figure. Articulation is standard fare here, nothing to really complain about. I feel like I should like this figure more, but there is something about it that I can't put my finger on. I wanted to gush over how great this figure is, but I can't. I won't. I don't want to be that type of fan that never has anything negative to say. This isn't a bad figure, it really isn't, but this version of Becky just doesn't quite do it for me. Your mileage however may vary.