Everyone is a Mark for Something

Everyone, not matter their age or gender, are what is known in the professional wrestling business as a “mark.” Whether you are a fan of LeBron James or Spongebob Square Pants and anything or anyone in between, you are a “mark.” Each of us has our own huckleberries and professional wrestling just happens to be mine.

I have been collecting pro wrestling swag since I was barely able to walk and have taken over 30,000 photos over the course of my career, I have thousands of magazines, programs, action figures, results, t-shirts and other assorted memorabilia that many may find unique as is it strange. My most prized item in my collection are the Assassin masks that were worn by Randy Culley when he was with Jody Hamilton as the famed tag team that were given to me by WWWF superstar Charlie Fulton.

Dr. Mike Lano, one of the most renowned photographers in professional wrestling has a set of “Gorgeous” George Bobby Pins that are autographed and framed along with a photo of the old Legend Stadium that were given to him by his grandfather. Even some wrestlers have a favorite piece of memorabilia including autograph photos of people they worked with, their own books which were little more than a labor of love, or ring used gear that has been signed.

One particular item that is a rarity these days are banners depicting the name and sometimes likeness of a particular wrestler. Some of the most scarce are of NWA Legend Buddy Rogers and Johnny Valentine that are worth upwards of $250 or more depending on the condition. “Irish” Johnny Griffin has a website devoted to pro boxing and pro wrestling memorabilia at www.ringmemorabilia.com and showcases a number of these banners, listing a few of them for sale. The Original Sheik banner is available for $125 right now and can only appreciate in value over the next 10-15 years.

Posters are another item that is genuinely valuable, especially from the 50s and 60s with some of the signs that adorned many arenas going for $450 or more depending on the shape and condition and the participants involved. A Dick the Bruiser v. Lou Thesz from the City Auditorium is a limited quantity item that can fetch up to $400. Many of the posters from yesteryear are very scarce and posters in good condition are even more difficult to find.

A popular item right now, especially for the old school fans are action figures. Many action figures are available in many different variations. Jakks Pacific set the standard for their line of WWE figures and that standard has been lost as Jakks lost their contract with the WWE. Mattel is now producing the WWE action figure line and in my honest opinion they are not at the level of the Jakks Pacific line. Jakks Pacific has moved on to creating UFC/MMA figures and are expected to have a line of NWA Legends before the end of the year.

Some of the rarest figures that have been produced recently include a figure of football great and pro wrestling star Ernie Ladd whose figure can garner up to $70 or more if it is new in the original packaging. The Original Sheik action figure is at $25 right now for a new figure and loose figures, depending on their wear and damage can go for the original price of $10. Many of the old school fans gobble up the legends figures, my Freebirds three pack featuring Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy can eke up to $30 but can be found in limited quantities for as low as $15. As Roberts and Hayes continue to move on with their careers and lives, the figures will appreciate in value.

The figures, such as the Ernie Ladd, which were shipped in limited quantities, will slowly become more difficult to find and therefore increase their value. Figures of legends like Killer Kowalski can still be found for as low as $10 and are not as in-demand simply because of their production numbers and they can be found in earnest. The AWA action figures, which were some of the first made available figures and were made by Remco are getting very hard to find. Remco produced four series of the then AWA stars in 1985 and 1986 and included The Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane/Steve Keirn), Shawn Michaels, Marty Jeanetty, The High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell) which are very hard to find, Stan Hansen, Nick Bockwinkle, Baron Von Raschke, Steve Regal (Indiana version of the wrestler, not the WCW wrestler) which I would like to have, and a number of others.

The Remco figures, if they are still in the original packaging can get up to $100 depending on the star and how rare the item is. Doug Somers, The Road Warriors, Buddy Rose, Paul Ellering and Adnan Al-Kassie are all very rare and difficult to find, even loose.

No matter the item or what it represents, we all “mark” for one thing or another. There is no crime in being a “mark” for anything you support or believe in whether it be a person or cause or even a favorite TV show that has not been on for 40 years. I still love to grab my “Green Acres” DVDs and waste a weekend watching what I consider one of the most underrated comedies ever. So go on, go out and buy something from someone that means something to you because you just never know what it may mean to the person who receives it after you.

As always I am Jerry Wiseman and then the bell rings.

(Editor’s Note: Special thanks to “Irish” Johnny Griffin for help with this article and thank you to Dr. Mike Lano and “Beef Stew” Lou Marconi for sharing their favorite items. Some of the information on the Remco action line came from Wikipedia.)