WrestlingFigs.com's newest columnist "The Toy Boy" Van Ray gives you his thoughts on the 2006 Toy Fair!

I take great pride in being a wrestling dork. I’ve been one for ten years, and the collection of action figures surrounding the perimeter of my bedroom solidifies my place in the world of dorkdom. So, you can imagine my wide-eyed, kid-in-a-candy store, debatably-still-a-lonely virgin euphoria as I surveyed the JAKKS Pacific suite at Toy Fair 2006.

            Among the highlights were, well, everything. From the new Classics, featuring such additions as pineapple-headed Rocky Miavia, a freshly-mulleted debut-style Undertaker, and the most overdue action figure to ever brand the JAKKS name, Mr. Perfect. Each figure looked fantastic, as has become standard with all of JAKKS’ efforts, right down to Sabu’s sassy satin pants. In addition to the Classics, JAKKS debuted several newer superstar additions including The Boogeyman (sans worms, unfortunately), Mr. Kennedy, Cade & Murdoch, and a noticeably floppier Ric Flair. JAKKS VP Jeremy Padawer was on hand to answer questions, and dropped a few names regarding which superstars we can expect in the next few batches of Classic releases. Are you ready for this? The Mountie! Keep your fingers crossed that the shock stick is included, and that he has moveable digits so that, if JAKKS ever makes a Bossman figure, he can flip  it the bird (a la their “jailhouse match” at SummerSlam 1991). Jeremy also added that we’re in for a slew of Ultimate Warrior variations, and that, while nothing is finalized, progress is moving forward on the long-awaited Owen Hart figure.

            Hard as it is to believe, the figures weren’t the stars of the show. That honor belonged to Toy Fair’s special guest commentator, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Like a verbal stunt pilot, Heenan never missed a chance to take a shot at a former colleague, or fire off a witty drop-in, just as if he were commentating a match. He was even kind enough to show up in the exact same attire seen on his Classic Superstars action figure, complete with red pocket hankey. Heenan candidly answered every question, even the ones about his tenure in WCW. “I don’t have a finger long enough to shove in my mouth,” claimed the Weasel. After reading about his battle with throat cancer, I was skeptical as to the condition Heenan would be in when he appeared, but his comments about the late Gorilla Monsoon were enough to lay those thoughts to rest. “Monsoon was like a best friend, a father, and a big brother to me. I miss him everyday,” said a thoughtful Heenan as he clutched the six-inch likeness of his friend. “What’s his name again?”

            At the close of the show, Heenan was as friendly as could be, signing autographs and taking pictures for more than an hour. Both he and Jeremy took time to answer some on-camera questions from the Ringside Collectibles correspondents as well, which you can view here. All of the Toy Fair participants were also lucky enough to get an exclusive Bobby Heenan “Weasel” figure which, if you want, you can probably buy for $4 billion on eBay by now.

            Toy Fair 2006 gave figure enthusiasts something to appreciate in the appearance of Bobby Heenan and something to look forward to in the revelations of all the new figures coming out. If us figure dorks have to be lonely, at least we can do it in the company of a six-inch Colonel Mustafa.