by Dave Weinbrecht
Hype is an interesting thing. Often things fail to live up to it. When they do, however, something magical happens. In the toy collecting world, this magical moment leads to something we rarely see. Sure, you see it around the holidays for whatever has taken the mantle of “this year’s Cabbage Patch Kids.” But how often do you see it in August? During a global pandemic?
Monday, August 3rd. That was finally going to be the day. The new hot brand is All Elite Wrestling. The commercial that aired during AEW Dynamite set the table. Head to your local Walmart for the first wave of the first new major wrestling figure brand in decades. The collecting community was beyond ready. Especially because the Ringside Collectibles exclusive Chris Jericho had already arrived for those who pre ordered, and it was awesome. Especially because Jazwares has Jeremy Padawer involved, who innovated the genre at Jakks. Especially because AEW has been great so far. Ringside Collectibles was even shipping preorders as soon as they arrived on August 1st. Excitement was at an all time high.
Cut to 7 AM on Monday, August 3rd. Most Walmarts had empty shelves, save a few AEW rings and championship belts. Very few collectors found figures. Word started to spread that someone said “maybe later in the week,” or “maybe next week,” or even the dreaded “nothing new is coming.” Hype quickly turned to disappointment. Thankfully, Jeremy Padawer provided the community with an amazing level of transparency. Not only would they be coming, but a really awesome shipper would be coming. Commence hype!
As the days and weeks went by, single cases and eventually shippers began to arrive at stores. Collectors of all ages were dialing in to walmart.com or their favorite inventory checker of choice for figure availability, lining up before 7AM with the hope of being able to purchase these new wrestling figures. Just like our parents did whether we were part of the LJN, or Hasbro, or Jakks generation of collectors. Just as our parents before us, supply did not necessarily meet demand.
The chase was on in an almost cinematic fashion. People power walking to aisles in the middle of the day. That was how I met a father looking to pick up the wave for his child’s birthday. Yes, I really was going to defer to him if the figures were actually available. They were not. That’s also how I met this week’s guest on the Podcast, Zombie Sailor. Same day. Different Walmart. You can hear all about it on this week’s episode. Cheap plug aside, I finally saw the figures the next morning. I was 4th in line to see one case go to the people ahead of me. The figures looked awesome, though. The packaging is great and reminiscent of the Jakks Classic Superstars.
I finally found them a couple of weeks later, early on a Saturday morning. I found Cody, Jericho, and Kenny Omega at one store. I found the Young Bucks at another store. That was a good story too. I asked an employee if they were in. He said he’d look. Another employee had told me they weren’t in stock. Just as I was about to leave, the employees told me don’t go anywhere because they found them. It was awesome to see a full shipper. I snapped a picture for the Instagram, grabbed the Young Bucks figures, and called it a morning.
The level of excitement around the AEW Unrivaled collection is, well, unrivaled in the modern days of collecting. It’s awesome to see the collecting community of all ages looking for these figures. And with the chases out there, the hunt will always be on. Don’t let your excitement turn to frustration, the figures are out there. Thank you to AEW, Jazwares, Jeremy Padawer and everyone involved for making an awesome product. I’m looking forward to more waves, more accessories, and more fun.
Subscribe to the Adventures in Collecting Podcast wherever you listen
Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts
Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram and Twitter or join us on our Facebook Page