In 2003, Jakks Pacific continued to dominate the WWE action figure market, largely defined by its popular Ruthless Aggression series and the ongoing use of Real Scan head technology. This year saw a consolidation of existing lines and the early anticipation for future innovations.
Key Figure Series of 2003
- Ruthless Aggression: This was the flagship line, with multiple series released throughout the year. Figures featured contemporary WWE superstars like Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena in their early WWE careers. These figures generally offered a standard level of articulation for the time.
- Adrenaline Series: These two-pack sets remained a staple, pairing rival wrestlers or tag teams. Popular pairings often included top stars and were sought after for their combined value and playability.
- Backlash Series / Pay-Per-View Specific Lines: Jakks Pacific produced figures tied to specific PPV events, often featuring unique attires or accessories relevant to those shows. Examples include figures from series themed around events like WrestleMania XIX and SummerSlam.
- Finishing Moves Series: These figures incorporated action features designed to replicate signature wrestling maneuvers, adding an interactive play element.
- DraftPicks / Ring Rage: While names and themes varied, these assortments often provided a mix of mid-card and main event talent, sometimes with slightly different deco or accessories compared to the main Ruthless Aggression line.
Defining Characteristics and Notable Aspects
Jakks Pacific’s WWE figures from 2003 generally shared several characteristics:
- Scale and Sculpting: Figures were typically in a 6-7 inch scale. While sculpting quality varied, the “Real Scan” technology was heavily marketed for providing more realistic facial likenesses. Body sculpts aimed to represent the diverse physiques of WWE superstars.
- Articulation: The standard articulation model included joints at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists (sometimes), waist, hips, and knees. This allowed for basic posing and play.
- Accessories: Many figures came with character-specific accessories such as championship belts, entrance gear (like fabric shirts or plastic vests), and occasionally weapons like chairs or sledgehammers.
- Collectibility: Chase figures or variants were less common in the main lines compared to later years, but certain figures of top stars or those with unique attire were highly sought after by collectors. The anticipation for the Classic Superstars line, which would debut its first series towards the very end of 2003 or early 2004, also began to build excitement among long-time fans.
Overall, 2003 was a solid year for Jakks Pacific WWE figures, building upon established lines while consistently delivering figures of the era’s most popular wrestlers to a wide audience of children and collectors.
