By Michael Moore, PWTorch Collectibles specialist

This is the second installment of a special action figure spotlight looking at the top stars of WrestleMania. This column looks at wrestlers who had standout moments from WrestleMania 15 to 28.

WrestleMania 15

The wrestler: The Rock

WrestleMania moment: The two biggest stars of the Attitude Era begin their best of three WrestleMania series. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was the most popular star in wrestling and well on his way to becoming the biggest draw in wrestling history. The Rock was the corporate champion, but already the second most popular guy behind Austin. This wasn’t the best of their three WrestleMania matches, but it took place at a time when WWE was white hot.

Cool figure: Jakks-Pacific WWE Deluxe Classic Superstars Series 1. Jakks made several Rock figures from 1997 to 2002, but surprisingly few were produced when Jakks eventually settled on its popular Ruthless Aggression style of figures. Some collectors prefer the deluxe versions of the Classic Superstars, which feature many more points of articulation. This particular figure comes with a classic WWF title belt and features Rock in his black Brahma bull trunks.

WrestleMania 2000

The wrestler: Triple H

WrestleMania moment: Triple H retains the WWF title in a four-way match. The future Mr. Stephanie McMahon did something that had never happened in the previous 15 years: he became the first heel to walk out of WrestleMania as the company’s top champion, standing tall to close the show.

Cool figure: Triple H Mattel Toys R Us WrestleMania Exclusive. Jakks and Mattel have made an abundance of Triple H figures since 1997, most of which feature him in a plain pair of trunks or a DX t-shirt. This cool figure – which has become extremely tough to find in just a few short months – comes complete with the mask, crown, and robe that Triple H donned before his classic WrestleMania 27 bout with the Undertaker.

WrestleMania 17

The wrestler: Christian

WrestleMania moment: Christian grabs the WWF Tag Title belts in a brutal tables, ladders, and chairs match. Edge and Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz had clashed in a tables match at the previous WrestleMania, then upped the ante with the first TLC match at that year’s Summerslam. But, when fans think TLC, this is the match that most often is remembered. It all came to an end when Rhino hoisted Christian onto his shoulders and raced up a ladder to grab the belts.

Cool figure: Christian Mattel WWE Elite Series 3. Because he wrestled in TNA for most of 2005 to 2008, Christian doesn’t have as many Jakks figures as some of his contemporaries. Mattel released a cool Elite figure of Christian in 2010, complete with removable black and silver jacket and pants.

WrestleMania 18

The wrestler: Hulk Hogan

WrestleMania moment: Two generations collide as Hulk Hogan and the Rock square off. Hogan was in full “Hollywood” heel mode at the start of this match, but you’d never know it by listening to the crowd. The fans in Toronto turned against Rock and gave Hogan one of the biggest ovations ever as he returned to compete in his first WrestleMania in nine years.

Cool figure: “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan Jakks-Pacific Classic WWE Superstars Series 12. This figure is considered by many to be one of the best Jakks figures ever made. It features Hogan in black and white pants, a removable NWO t-shirt, black beard, and bandana.

WrestleMania 19

The wrestler: Brock Lesnar

WrestleMania moment: Lesnar botches a shooting star press. Lesnar headlined his very first WrestleMania, defeating Kurt Angle with an F5 to capture the WWE Championship. Moments earlier, Lesnar narrowly avoided a serious neck injury when he botched a shooting star press and landed on his head.

Cool figure: Brock Lesnar Jakks-Pacific Ruthless Aggression. Even though Brock was one of WWE’s top stars, his run with the company was very short. He debuted after WrestleMania 18 and was gone right after WrestleMania 20, so Jakks didn’t have time to make a lot of action figures. This is one of his best wrestling toys, and also one of the earliest Ruthless Aggression style of figures.

WrestleMania 20

The wrestler: Chris Benoit

WrestleMania moment: Benoit wins WWE’s World Title. Long considered one of the best wrestlers in the world, Benoit was finally given the chance to main-event WrestleMania. He defeated Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a classic match that, if not for the tragic events of 2007, would probably be remembered as one of the top five matches in WrestleMania history.

Cool figure: Chris Benoit Jakks-Pacific WrestleMania XX. For several years Jakks produced a wave of figures of WrestleMania winners. This particular figure, released in mid-2004, features Benoit in the tights he wore during his big victory and also comes with a World Title belt.

WrestleMania 21

The wrestler: Batista

WrestleMania moment: Batista wins the World Title. John Cena and Batista both rose to prominence at WrestleMania 21, but it was Batista who closed the show. Shortly after WrestleMania, Batista was drafted to Smackdown, while Cena began his seven-year run on Raw.

Cool figure: Batista Jakks-Pacific Limited Internet Exclusive. Batista was one of WWE’s top stars when Jakks was cranking out as many figures as possible, so he has a lot of figures available. This is one of the cooler ones, as it features Batista’s ribs and shoulder wrapped in bandages. Batista also comes with World and Tag Team Title belts.

WrestleMania 22

The wrestler: Rey Mysterio

WrestleMania moment: Mysterio wins the World Title in a three-way match with Randy Orton and Kurt Angle. The build-up to the match was hideous, as WWE used Orton to exploit Eddie Guerrero’s death. The aftermath was almost as bad, with Mysterio booked to look weaker than any other champion in WWE history. But, for one night, wrestling fans got to see something they never thought possible: Rey Mysterio winning one of WWE’s top titles.

Cool figure: Rey Mysterio Mattel WWE Entrance Greats. With his cool mask and colorful costumes, Rey Mysterio has plenty awesome action figures. This one depicts Rey exactly as he appeared on the night he won the big gold belt, complete with Aztec headdress and entrance gear, along with a stand that plays a portion of his theme music.

WrestleMania 23

The wrestler: Umaga

WrestleMania moment: Umaga represents Vince McMahon in the Battle of the Billionaires. While WrestleMania 23 featured two pretty good title matches, the entire event was built around the feud between McMahon and Donald Trump. Lashley, who represented Trump, won the match but was soon gone from WWE. He’s become a forgotten man, and fans have little to know interest in his collectibles.

Cool figure: Umaga & Vince McMahon Jakks-Pacific WWE Adrenaline Series 28: Umaga’s first figure was released in the summer of 2007 and was an immediate hit with collectors. There is still a decent amount of interest in Umaga’s toys, due in part to his untimely death in 2009.

WrestleMania 24

The wrestler: Ric Flair

WrestleMania moment: Flair’s legendary career comes to an end. A day after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Flair battled Shawn Michaels in an outstanding, memorable match. A superkick from Michaels ended the career of arguably the greatest wrestler of all time – at least until he showed up in TNA.

Cool figure: Ric Flair Jakks-Pacific Ringside Collectibles Exclusive. To commemorate Flair’s retirement and Hall of Fame induction, Ringside Collectibles offered an exclusive Jakks-Pacific figure of the “Nature Boy.” The figure came with a Hall of Fame plaque and the same glorious robe that Flair wore to the ring at WrestleMania.

WrestleMania 25

The wrestler: C.M. Punk

WrestleMania moment: Punk wins his second consecutive Money in the Bank ladder match. Punk won the same match a year earlier, which led to a forgettable run as a babyface World Champion. Although Punk was still a babyface when winning this match, he transitioned into a heel after cashing in and beating Jeff Hardy. Punk became the leader of the Straight Edge Society and did some of the best work of his career.

Cool figure: C.M. Punk and Randy Savage Mattel WWE Battle Packs Series 14. Punk has had some cool figures, including a Ringside Collectibles exclusive from his days as leader of the Straight Edge Society. In 2011, Punk paid tribute to the “Macho Man” by wearing similar tights and boots, and adopting Savage’s flying elbow into his repertoire. Mattel captured that moment by producing a two-pack of Savage and Punk dressed in matching ring gear.

WrestleMania 26

The wrestler: John Cena

WrestleMania moment: Cena defeats Batista to regain the WWE Title. Five years after both men won their first major titles at the same WrestleMania, Cena and Batista met for the WWE Title. Batista and Cena put on a match that was better than almost anyone was expecting. Cena emerged victorious in what turned out to be Batista’s last WrestleMania match to date.

Cool figure: John Cena Mattel WWE Tribute to the Troops. As you would expect, Jakks and Mattel have produced a plethora of figures of WWE’s top star. This figure, available exclusively from Kmart, comes with accessories that are usually reserved for the more expensive Elite figures, including a Tribute to the Troops hat and dog tags. In addition to the usual jean shorts, Cena is also wearing red, white, and blue wristbands and armbands.

WrestleMania 27

The wrestler: Edge

WrestleMania moment: Edge defeats Alberto Del Rio to retain the World Title. Edge and Del Rio opened the show, marking the first time either of the big belts has been on the line in the opening match at WrestleMania. Most fans thought for sure that Del Rio – the winner of the 2011 Royal Rumble – would emerge victorious. Edge – accompanied by longtime friend and tag team partner Christian – retained the title in what would turn out to be his swan song.

Cool figure: Edge “Rated R Superstar” Jakks-Pacific WWE Ringside Collectibles Exclusive. Edge’s first action figure was released by Jakks in 1998, and Mattel is still cranking them out in 2012. This particular figure comes with a removable black trench coat and the “Rated R” version of the WWE title.

WrestleMania 28

The wrestler: Daniel Bryan

WrestleMania moment: Bryan and Sheamus wrestle for the World Title. King Sheamus and U.S. champion Daniel Bryan were scheduled for a match at WrestleMania 27, but were dumped from the show. They wrestled in a dark match that quickly turned into the annual get-everybody-on-the-show battle royal. One year later, Royal Rumble winner Sheamus and World Champion Daniel Bryan were wrestling for the World title.

Cool figure: Daniel Bryan Mattel WWE Elite Best of Pay-Per-View Toys-R-Us Exclusive: This Toys R Us exclusive is made to resemble Bryan as he appeared at Summerslam 2010, when he returned to WWE to help John Cena’s team defeat the Nexus.

Do you have a question about wrestling collectibles? Contact Michael Moore at michaelmoorewriter@gmail.com.

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