Mattel and WWE just announced that their partnership will continue, and more figures will be offered for years to come. Even better, last year the brand became the #1 top seller in action figures, which you can read about here. The Legends line focuses on essentially that, all the 1980’s and 1990’s superstars of the ring during this era in a variety of outfits and appearances, and is offered outside the mainstream line in which you may also see these characters appear.
Junkyard Dog is inspired from his appearance from Saturday Night’s Main Event in the 1980’s, and probably from January 3, 1987. The references that I could find from this night has him wearing the crown and dancing around the ring wearing it, and the cape that he took from King Harley Race. I had reached out to a contact and was told that this version of JYD was from Saturday Night’s Main Event, but was unclear from what year. So what that helpful tidbit, I was able to lock up what match he is potentially inspired from. That match has him wearing the trademark white trunks with the stars, but that is the only match I can find of him wearing the crown. Both the red and blue trunks offered in Legends Series 12 was also inspired from matches in the 1980’s, but I could not find any references of him wearing the crown wearing either one of those colors. The red trunks is the regular release, and the blue trunks is the chase variant of the wave.
JYD is one of the most remembered superstars in history and joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, which unfortunately he could not attend as he sadly passed away in a car accident in 1998. JYD was known for his classic movies such as a headbutt and upper body strength, which he used to bodyslam large wrestlers in the ring. The word “thump,” is referred to his powerslam move, and is displayed on the back of his trunks.
Thank you to Mattel for providing WWE Legends Series 12 Junkyard Dog (red tights version) for review. The blue tights version was found by me to include in the review.
Availability: October 2021 – Target Exclusive
Junkyard Dog is packaged in the standard Elite Collection window box, with artwork as seen throughout the Legends line, including images of him in the front, sides, and back. The back of the card also includes a description, and a look at additional wrestlers in the wave, including Rowdy Pipper, Kevin Nash and Billy Gunn.
Junkyard Dog is an essential part of the golden age of wrestling, and is most remembered for his part in the late 1970’s, 1980’s and early 1990’s. Junkyard Dog is inspired from his appearance in Saturday Night’s Main Event, and most likely from January 3, 1987 as that is the only match that I could find him wearing the crown that is included with him. As far as the red and blue tights, this is what he wore in matches from the 1980’s, which both versions are offered in this wave. The white trunks version is what he wore when dancing around the ring wearing the crown, but finding reference material of him wearing the red or blue tights wearing the crown from a Saturday Night’s Main Event match could not be found.
While the white trunks might be his most remembered appearance, the red and blue trunks are right up there and make great variants to bring him back into the line. On both of these has has the words JY Dog on the sides in white, with white boots, and revered blue and red pattern and stars on the boots. On the back of the trunks is the word “Thump,” which is referred to his powerslam wrestling move.
The head sculpt and facial details look great and they captured a great likeness. He includes sculpted hair with a texture, including a beard and mustache.
Junkyard Dog includes his chain with the dog collar attached, which can wrap around his neck, and he can hold the chain in his open grip hands.
The crown is also included, and is painted mostly in purple, with gold, red, and white with black lines around it on the bottom. The crown fits perfectly on his head and will not fall off too easily. He also includes two sets of hands, including closed fisted and open grip.
JYD is also fully articulated, including a ball jointed head, ball hinged shoulders, swivel biceps, hinged elbows, swivel-hinged wrists, ab crunch, swivel waist, ball jointed hips, swivel thighs, double-hinged knees, swivel calves, hinged and rocker ankles.
Overall, JYD is an essential part of any wrestling line and always a pleasure to see a new release of him. Getting the white and blue trunks versions is long overdue, and fans are surely going to want to add these to their WWE Legends collection. Mattel is continuing to do such great work with the brand and it’s always great to see another 80’s superstar back into the line.
Purchase:
Target
Additional figures can be ordered at Entertainment Earth, BigBadToyStore, and Amazon.
