The PopCulteer
March 13, 2026

The PopCult Toybox

Just to be clear about the headline, “Big Rubber Guys” is a line of action figures from Major Toys, inspired by the 1980s LJN wrestling figures.

LJN made the first WWF action figures, and they had zero points of articulation. They were essentially semi-soft rubber statues. That made them ideal for kids to smash into each other in mock wrestling matches. Having no joints they were nearly impossible to break, and being larger than the average action figure of the day, they could be more detailed and look more like the actual wrestlers.

A lot of kids grew up with these figures, and the nostalgia for them is tremendous. Over the years the LJN style of figure has been copied by Jakks Pacific’s WWE line, AEW’s action figure line, and currently, with the LJN trademark under license, by Mattel and WWE for figures sold exclusively at Target.

In 2019, the revived LJN brand was used on a set of pre-AEW figures of The Young Bucks that made their way into that year’s PopCult Gift Guide.

Major Toys (AKA Major Bendies) is a toy company started by former WWE stars, Matt Cardona and Brian Myers (Cardona has recently returned to WWE after six years away). The duo hosted a podcast devoted to wrestling action figures, and when they were released from WWE, they started their own company, at first to make Bendie figures, but they later branched out to Big Rubber Guys, in the style of the LJN figures.

And that’s where my interest was piqued. See, I did NOT watch wrestling in the late 1980s. I never cared for Hulk Hogan or the “Rock and Wrestling” era. I was familiar with the toys from my mother’s day care, but I had little interest in them.

When I started watching wrestling around 1999, and paid attention to the LJN figures, I saw that they had their own inherent charm. I don’t really care for the initial wave of LJN figures, save for Roddy Piper, but over the years I’d pick up a few of the odd “throwback” figures done in that style, like Trish Stratus, C.M. Punk, and a few other that I was able to get cheap. They were sort of the non-articulated version of “ReMego” figures, which are made in the style of classic MEGO figures from the 1970s.

In the beginning, Major Toys was sticking with classic and indie wrestlers, but now they’re branching out into movie licenses with figures already out based on Kevin Smith, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone movies. They’ve also got a deal with MLB to do licensed figures of mascots, and Macho Man Randy Savage in gear inspired by different Baseball teams. A

Shotzi!

I’ve been keeping an eye on what Major Toys has been doing, and when they signed on to do a Big Rubber Guy (Gal?) of one of my favorite recently-released WWE Superstars, Shotzi Blackheart, I pre-ordered it.

It arrived, and I was sort of hooked. Mel got me a Danhausen figure for Christmas (and he recently debuted for WWE) and since then I’ve picked up a few more, including “Monster in my Pocket” limited edition tributes of Shotzi and Danhausen made in solid colors.

At Toy Fair, Major Toys announced upcoming deals to produce figures based on The Princess Bride, Flash Gordon, The Phantom and The Blues Brothers. lso at toy Fair, they announced a series of figures based on AEW stars, like Toni Storm.  With the future of AEW’s action figure line from JazWares unclear, these might be the only AEW figures available after July.

The Big Rubber Guys are around eight inches tall, very well-sculpted and have terrific paint detail.  The figures display well with MEGO figures and Adventure Command. They run around fifty bucks each, which is not bad at all considering the very limited runs of figures they’re doing. The shipping is quick and customer service is great. They know that these are collectibles, and not an impulse buy, and they go the extra distance with resealable display packages and top-flight design.

Also, these are built like a tank. If they shelf-dive, you can be sure that they’ll survive completely intact.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of them, shall we?

WWE’s newest Superstar, Danhausen, who will arrive at your door shipped in a sturdy crate, if you’re lucky enough to get him before he becomes the property of Mattel.

Check out the very nice sculpting detail, and very evil paint operations.

The solid red Danhausen, a tribute to the mono-color 1980s “Monster in my Pocket” toys. This was limited to 300, and if you didn’t get one, YOU ARE CURSED!

Close up Shotzi in the package. I have not cracked open this Shotzi yet, but I will.

I did open the Big Rubber Monster version of Shotzi, because without the paint you can really see how great the sculpt is.

A closer look, and until the photo shoot, I didn’t know her helmet was removeable.

Another unopened (as yet) figure, Ethan Page, who is currently chasing the NXT title.

Very Adventurous/ Very Evil. A size comparison to The Adventure Command. AC guys are a bit taller than MEGO, so you can see the possibilities of a crossover here.

He’s thinking that she might be a little green for Adventure Command.

Not a Major Big Rubber Guy, this AEW version of CM Punk was made by JazWares, before WWE snapped up the rights to use the LJN trademark. He will fit right in with the Major guys.

So there you have it, a quick look at a toy line that I really don’t need to start collecting…but have already surrendered to. I’d like to get a few of the WWE/Mattel/Target LJN figures, but they seem to be designed to be sold only to scalpers.

And that is this week’s PopCulteer. Be sure to check back for fresh content every day, and all our regular features.