How To Clean Ljn Wrestling Figures

The eighties may have been the peak for playable action figures for kids. Action Figures like He-Man, G.I. Joe and Stars Wars lead the way in popularity but the hidden gems had to be the LJN Wrestling figures that debuted in 1984. If you grew up as a kid in the eighties and were into wrestling at the time of it's golden era then you most defiantly had to get your hands on these rubber lifelike figures.

Every Christmas or Birthday I could always count on getting the latest wrestler or the one I needed to complete a series collection. The LJN figures themselves were as hard as rock and stiff as a lead jab but man were they fun to play with. They were so fun to toss around and bash into each other that if you are an adult now you likely regret it. They can be highly collectible nowadays if you have any in mint condition or still in the box but it is rare because of the wear and tear we use to put these bad boys through.

Each LJN WWF figure came with a poster of the wrestler and a file card on the back almost like how GI Joe figures use to be packaged. To find a figure today still in the box with the poster is very rare but there are a few gems out there that are highly sought after. Here is a complete list of every LJN wrestler figure produced from 1984 to 1989 when the final series of wrestlers were produced.

1984 LJN Wrestling Figures – Series One

Andre The Giant
Big John Stud
Hillbilly Jim
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Junkyard Dog
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
Nikolai Volkoff

Andre The Giant

The series 1 version of Andre the Giant is a poor representation of Andre's likeness in my opinion. They didn't quite capture the size of the biggest man in wrestling back then and his arms and legs are too spindly.

Original Figure Look
Hair: Dark Brown, Shoulder Length
Trunks: Blue
Shirt: None
Boots: Blue
Variations: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Has sold for as high as $200
Mint Condition, No Box – can vary from $25 to $50
Good Condition, No Box – can vary from $5 to $25

Big John Stud

Big John Stud has the same shape as Andre but is much better captured in the 1984 series one figure. They nailed the likeness of his hair and beard combo and he is in his classic white paints with blue stars.

Original Description
Hair: Light Dirty Blonde, Medium Brown Beard
Trunks: White with blue stars down the side
Shirt: None
Boots: Dark Red
Variations: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – No recent sales of in box Big John Stud's available
Mint Condition, No Box – can vary from $20 to $30
Good Condition, No Box – can vary from $5 to $15

Hillbilly Jim

I wasn't the biggest fan of Hillbilly Jim myself growing up but his 1984 LJN figure is pretty darn accurate in terms of looks. The figure itself was one of the most solidly built and he didn't have many movement options which made it pretty durable. Most Hillbilly Jim's today have some paint wear but the other than that most have stood the test of time and our in good condition. The rarest ones you can find come with his brown farmer bucket hat that was easily lost back in the day.

Original Description
Hair: Dark Brown with a full Dark Brown Beard
Trunks: Blue Overalls
Shirt: Red Undershirt
Boots: Black
Variations: None
Accessories: Brown Bucket Hat

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Can sell as high as $200 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $20 on average
Mint Condition, with hat – $25 to $35 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $10 on average

Hulk Hogan

The main star of the eighties, the man who told us to say our prayers and take our vitamins. This was likely the most sought after figurine for so many Hulkamaniacs back in the day that there are certainly a lot of them still in circulation. The main defect is usually tears in the rubber behind the Hulkster's knees, likely due from all those legdrops we tried to re-enact as kids.

Original Description
Hair: Light blonde hair and classic handlebar blonde moustache
Trunks: Yellow with Red Kneed Pads
Shirt: None
Boots: Yellow
Variations: None
Accessories: Championship belt, White Headband and White Wristbands painted on

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Can sell as high as $450 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $35 to $45 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $10 to $15 on average

Iron Sheik

Quite possibly the best heel of all time, Iron Sheik is a legend in WWE lore. His LJN figure is a great likeness right down to his famous pointed boots. Finding one in mint condition is rare because most kids put a beating on his figure with other wrestlers because he was hated so much.

Original Description
Hair: None
Trunks: Long blue pants with a yellow pattern and Iran printed on his right leg
Shirt: None
Boots: Right is red, Left is Grayish
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Can sell as high as $150 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $50 to $100 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $15 to $20 on average

Junkyard Dog

The man with all the dance moves in the ring, JYD was a fan favorite alright. His LJN figure came with his trademark dog chain and collar. If you are lucky enough to still have those accessories with Junkyard Dog's figure in decent condition that could grab you a nice premium on the market. His LJN figure is perfectly positioned to sweet powerslams.

Original Description
Hair: Short black hair
Trunks: Long red pants
Shirt: None
Boots: White
Variations: None
Accessories: Dog collar with silver dog chain

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Can sell as high as $430 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $35 to $45 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $10 to $13 on average

Roddy Piper

The "Hotrod" Rowdy Piper LJN figurine was one of the most popular to get a hold of as a kid in the eighties. Piper was at the height of his popularity and everyone had to have his figure to play with. The LJN figure came with his trademark Scottish kilt, that if you somehow managed not to lose as a kid more power to you because that can add a ton of value to your collectible.

Original Description
Hair: Short brown hair
Trunks: Short red trunks with black belt
Shirt: White "HotRod" t-shirt
Boots: Red with white trim and red kneepads
Variations: None
Accessories: Scottish Kilt

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – No Recent Sale history, with box is very rare for Piper
Mint Condition with Kilt, No Box – around $100 to $145 on average
Good Condition, No Box, No Kilt – around $30 to $50 on average

Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka

The highflying Fijian was one of the most entertaining wrestlers during his time. I would say his LJN figure was not one of the most popular ones to have and therfore they are likely more rare to find today. His likeness is one of the best captured out of series one right down to his trademark leopard trunks.

Original Description
Hair: Long black curly hair with leopard headband
Trunks: Small leopard print
Shirt: None
Boots: No boots
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $799 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $35 to $50 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $15 to $20 on average

Nikolai Volkoff

The classic heel character Nikolai Volkoff is one of my favorite LJN figures in series one. His likeness is great and the USSR outfit is a rare retro throwback to a moment in time. If you managed to hold onto his Ushanka hat then that will get you a nice premium on the market.

Original Description
Hair: Short, brown
Trunks: Small red
Shirt: Red "USSR" t-shirt
Boots: Red boots and knee pads
Variations: None
Accessories: Black Russian Hat

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $399 and up
Mint Condition with hat, No Box – around $49 to $69 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $5 to $15 on average

1985 LJN Wrestling Figures – Series Two

Brutus Beefcake
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
Greg "The Animal" Steele
King Kong Bundy
Paul Orndorff
Andre The Giant

Brutus Beefcake

Brutus was not one of my favorites in the ring nor as an LJN figure. You really could not do much with his thumb point posture except maybe go for an eye poke. He does come decked out in a classic pair of flamboyant Beefcake trunks but he never came with a his trademark clippers which was very disappointing.

Original Description
Hair: Short, brown
Trunks: Long purple pants with black stripes and leopard like spots
Shirt: None
Boots: Black with silver zippers
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $350 and up
Mint Condition with hat, No Box – around $45 to $50 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $10 to $15 on average

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

The Hammer is a classic character of 80's wrestling and his LJN figure captures him in a perfect pose. He looks ready to lay down the "Hammer" with his powerful forearm which he did so often in the ring.

Original Description
Hair: Long blonde mullett style
Trunks: Short, black
Shirt: None
Boots: Black
Variations: Possible different hair colors
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $299 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $25 to $40 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $5 to $15 on average

Greg "The Animal" Steele

What can you say about George Steele? Maybe WWF's most bizarre, odd character of all time. The man famous for eating turnbuckles is perfectly captured in his figure with trademark green tongue and covered in hair body.

Original Description
Hair: Bald
Trunks: Long black tights
Shirt: None
Boots: Red with red kneepads
Variations: It is said some figures had painted body hair
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $299 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $25 to $40 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $5 to $15 on average

King Kong Bundy

Bundy was one of my favorite LJN wrestling figures back in the day. His likeness is great and he is so big and heavy that you could easily smash all the other figures with great pleasure. Unfortunately, most of his figures have lots of paint wear and tear for this reason.

Original Description
Hair: Bald
Trunks: Black singlet
Shirt: None
Boots: Black with black kneepads
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $299 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $15 to $30 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $5 to $10 on average

Paul Orndorff

Mr. Wonderful was a very underrated character for the WWE. One of the most charismatic wrestlers of all time I think. His 1985 LJN figure isn't missing any muscles that's for sure. His figurine has muscles on top of muscles and he is in the classic bicep pose.

Original Description
Hair: Brown, shoulder length
Trunks: Small, red
Shirt: None
Boots: Red
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $299 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $20 to $40 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $5 to $15 on average

Andre The Giant

Andre makes an appearance once again in the 1985 Series 2 release of WWF LJN figures. I think his likeness was so bad in Series 1 that they had to due him justice and re-make his action figure. This time Andre appears with short hair and this version is a much sought after collectors piece.

Original Description
Hair: Brown, shoulder length
Trunks: Small, red
Shirt: None
Boots: Red
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Sales have been as high as $700 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $50 to $100 on average
Good Condition, No Box – around $25 to $35 on average

1986 LJN Wrestling Figures – Series Three

Bobby Heenan

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan has got to be the best or at the very least top 3 wrestling mangers of all time. His LJN figure is outfitted with a classic Bobby outfit right down to the insignia on the sweater.

Figure Notes:
Variations: Scrolls on the sleeves of his shirt
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Around $150 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $20 to $40 on average

Bruno Sammartino

The living legend got his own legendary LJN figure in series 3 and it's a decent representation of Bruno himself. Nothing fancy just plain blue trunks and an open hand ready to slap his opponents.

Figure Notes:
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – Around $110 and up
Mint Condition, No Box – around $25 to $40 on average

British Bulldog

The British Bulldog figurine is a bit of a miss for me from series 3. I don't think his image was quite captured here and his pose could have been a lot better for such a popular wrestler of the 80's.

Figure Notes:
Variations: None
Accessories: None

Price Ranges
Mint in Box – No comps
Mint Condition, No Box – around $20 to $40 on average