October 22, 2025 • 10 mins
Have you ever wondered what went wrong with WCW Galoob figures in the 90's? Well Matt Cardona and Brian Myers tell you exactly what happened in this new podcast!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everybody, Welcome to the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast YouTube channel.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Brian Myers and I'm Matt Cardona and welcome to
the rise and Fall of Galub's WCW toy line, a.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Wrestling figure retrospective.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Are you ready to fight and step into the ring
and take on stage?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
There's me and my arrival, Rick Flair, and.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
There's a total package Lex Luger.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Check out the toughest tag.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Team around, the Seiner Brothers. These WCW Action figures are.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Just as tough and has mean as we are. Wicks
for the knee drop, He's sting escape Oh Tennis him
up with the bloody slam.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
The WCW wrestlers each sold separately from Galoup.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
My darny better to take us on.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Tity is just as tough and mean as the stars
they depicted. Lewis galub Toys World Championship Wrestling Action Figures
may have been short lived, but over time they've become
cult favorites. But how did this unique line of toys
fall so quickly from store shelves?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Were they doomed from the start. Let's tick a deep
dive into the surprise story of a toy line that
tried to supplex its way into kids' hearts, but tapped
out far too soon.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Wock hew, I'll never put the whammy on you again,
mister Lugar and.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Robinson WCW figures from Globe.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Are You Ready to Fight?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Founded in nineteen fifty seven, Lewis Galub Toys was a small,
family owned import business based in San Francisco, California. Initially,
the company distributed toys and novelty items as a regional
wholesaler with limited original product development.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
In nineteen seventy, Lewis Galube became too ill to continue
as president, and his twenty one year old son, David,
dropped out of the University of Southern California to take
over his family business. By nineteen seventy six, alongside his
brother Robert, David had grown the company into a one
million dollar enterprise. But their big break would come with
Micromachines line of miniature vehicles that helped make Gloub the
(02:02):
third largest US toy manufacturer by nineteen ninety eight.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
With the explosion of professional wrestling in the nineteen eighties,
Galub attempted to acquire the toy license for Titan Sports
World Wrestling Federation Following success with their eighteen line, they
offered twenty five thousand dollars to Titan Sports. In nineteen
eighty four, despite a handshake agreement, LJN Toy swooped in
and outbid them with a whopping two hundred thousand dollars offer,
(02:27):
eight times what Galube had on the table, leaving Galub
out of the squared circle for now.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
In nineteen eighty eight, Medium Mobile Ted Turner purchased Jim
Crockett Promotions and rebranded it as World Championship Wrestling. By
nineteen ninety, ww was positioning itself as a serious competitor
to the WWF with stars like sting, Rick Flair and
Lex Luber. Meanwhile, HASWRO had already secured the WWF toy license.
Galub saw an opening and signed a deal with Broose
(02:55):
ww action figures, playsets, and accessories. But the clock was
ticking and the product fast.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Revealed that the nineteen ninety one American International Toy Fair
were stars Lex Luger and the Steiner Brothers on hand.
The loops Core WCW line featured four and a half
inch non articulated figures made of solid PVC plastic. Unlike
Hasmo's dynamic WWF action figures with spring loaded wrestling moves.
These were more akin to statues, miniature likenesses frozen in time,
(03:24):
and yet kids found ways to play through Donkey doink
impacts and storytelling driven play. Last time we partnered with
Garage Beer, things got a little out of hand. But
this time we're doing things more professional, classic, more class.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
These guys, guys, what can't we enjoy them?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
More polished, good idea. It's a crisp, refreshing partnership. Hilton
integrity on teamwork.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
And focus. The first assortment of World Championship Wrestling Action
Figures included six single packed action figures of wire wrestlers
Rick Flair, arn Anderson, Sting, Lex Luger, Rick Steiner, and
(04:36):
Scott Steiner, with each including a w S Championship title
belt accessory fastened around their waist for added play value.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Eventually, Sting appeared in multiple color variants, arn Anderson's bald
spot came in way, and even the belt fasteners were
changed during production.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
The second assortment introduced six new figures Barry Windham, sid Vicious,
Ron Simmons, butch Red, Flying, Brian Pillman, and Tom's Inc.
But again production compromises followed unauthorized Nike swooshes, deco reductions,
(05:12):
and figures based on reference photos of stars and sweatbants
instead of ring gear.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Tag Team two packs included the Steiner Brothers, Doom Dudes
with Attitudes and the Four Horsemen, adding slight variations to
the Sting figures.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Once again, to complement the figures, Glub released the ww
Slam Action Wrestling Arena, a compact playset with springboard ring steps,
catapulting ring posts, steel cage, and even a working ring
belt complete with hammer. A deluxe fourteen inch figure Sortman
was also introduced, featuring Sting, Lex Luger, Rick Flair, and
(05:51):
Said Vicious, this time with limited articulation. A role play
child size belt rounded out the initial nineteen ninety one offerings.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Galoobs WCW products first hit Kmart and sales were reportedly strong,
but that success proved to be a double edged sword.
By the time Toys, r US and other retailers placed
large orders, most WCW fans had already bought what they
wanted and demand had dried up.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
The figures began appearing.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
In discount chains like KB Toys and the US line
was quietly discontinued within the year.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To make matters worse. In June nineteen ninety one, David
Glube was outed as president and CEO. Within months, key
team members, including national sales manager Robert Kanoff and Executive
vice president of Marketing and Development Saul Jodell, also exited.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Although Gloob's WCW line effectively flopped in the US, the
bell hadn't rung just yet.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
In nineteen ninety.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Two, Galube distributed a second wave of remaining WCW products
overseas through the United Kingdom through distributor Hornby Hobbies.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
The first assortment redecorated ten of the twelve figures from
NI nine one with new ring gear. The next assortment
brought in seven fresh sculpts and five new characters, Dustin Rhodes,
Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin, Big Josh, and El Yanting.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
UK two packs once again featured the teams of the
Steiner Brothers, the Four Horsemen, and the Dudes with Attitudes.
For this time, they swapped out Doom for the Fabulous
Freebirds plus The Slam Action Wrestling Arena playset got a
revamp with the sound Slam and action ring, which included
four real wrestling sounds thanks to a new sound module
(07:40):
to make playtime even more exciting for kids. The sound
module was also available separately for those who already owned
the original Arena playset, and it came bundled with the
Fabulous Freebirds too.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Behind the curtain, even more was planned. Prototypes for unreleased
figures like PM News, Diamond Studd, and Ricky Morton exist.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
There were concepts for a talking Sid Vicious, and possible
electronic figures of Brick Flair, Lex Luger, the Steiner Brothers,
and Moore.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
There was even ideas for WW wrestling rods micromachine style
vehicles emblazoned with wrestler logos.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
In early nineteen ninety two, David Galub, alongside Kanoff, Jodell
and inventor Rand Sigfried, formed the original San Francisco Toy Makers,
eventually producing WCW toys again later that decade. In nineteen
ninety eight, Lewis Glub Toys, Inc. Was acquired by Hasbro, Inc.
Absorbing its legacy into one of the largest toy empires
in the world.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Despite its short shelf life, the Glub WW toy line
has gained cult status today, these figures are beloved relics
of the nineties wrestling nostalgia. Their bright colors, rigid poses,
and unique charm have found new life in the hands
of collectors worldwide.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Fans appreciate the craftsmanship, even if the articulate was non existent.
These figures captured a moment in wrestling history, even if
they couldn't pose for it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So what was your favorite WCW item that was produced
by galoub.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Do you own any of the rare UK releases?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Which prototype do you wish I'd seen the light of day?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Let us know the comments below and don't forget to like,
subscribe and smash that notification bell. For more wrestling figure
history from the Major Wrestling Figure podcasts.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Check out the video on screen for even more information
on Glob's ww figures featuring personal stories for myself Brian Myers,
mst Maccardona and producer smart Mark Sterling.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Thanks for watching as always, scratch that figure Itch. Join
the community at majormarks dot com and get access to
exclusive content, behind the scenes footage.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
I become a member of the Major family, you get
bonus episodes on our careers, wrestling figure history and exclusive
interviews with our friends and legends in the business. Each month.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You also get early access to YouTube videos and of
course the weekly podc cast, ad free and breaking news updates,
brand news shows featuring Oh Baby and You. Each month
you could interview someone in the wrestling business with the
Captain's log.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Also by selling trade in our exclusive Facebook community where
people have become friends in real life.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Certain memberships include merch like monthly trading cards and quarterly
mystery gifts. Become a major mark at joinmajormarks dot com
today
Hey, everybody, Welcome to the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast YouTube channel.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Brian Myers and I'm Matt Cardona and welcome to
the rise and Fall of Galub's WCW toy line, a.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Wrestling figure retrospective.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Are you ready to fight and step into the ring
and take on stage?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
There's me and my arrival, Rick Flair, and.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
There's a total package Lex Luger.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Check out the toughest tag.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Team around, the Seiner Brothers. These WCW Action figures are.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Just as tough and has mean as we are. Wicks
for the knee drop, He's sting escape Oh Tennis him
up with the bloody slam.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
The WCW wrestlers each sold separately from Galoup.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
My darny better to take us on.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Tity is just as tough and mean as the stars
they depicted. Lewis galub Toys World Championship Wrestling Action Figures
may have been short lived, but over time they've become
cult favorites. But how did this unique line of toys
fall so quickly from store shelves?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Were they doomed from the start. Let's tick a deep
dive into the surprise story of a toy line that
tried to supplex its way into kids' hearts, but tapped
out far too soon.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Wock hew, I'll never put the whammy on you again,
mister Lugar and.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Robinson WCW figures from Globe.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Are You Ready to Fight?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Founded in nineteen fifty seven, Lewis Galub Toys was a small,
family owned import business based in San Francisco, California. Initially,
the company distributed toys and novelty items as a regional
wholesaler with limited original product development.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
In nineteen seventy, Lewis Galube became too ill to continue
as president, and his twenty one year old son, David,
dropped out of the University of Southern California to take
over his family business. By nineteen seventy six, alongside his
brother Robert, David had grown the company into a one
million dollar enterprise. But their big break would come with
Micromachines line of miniature vehicles that helped make Gloub the
(02:02):
third largest US toy manufacturer by nineteen ninety eight.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
With the explosion of professional wrestling in the nineteen eighties,
Galub attempted to acquire the toy license for Titan Sports
World Wrestling Federation Following success with their eighteen line, they
offered twenty five thousand dollars to Titan Sports. In nineteen
eighty four, despite a handshake agreement, LJN Toy swooped in
and outbid them with a whopping two hundred thousand dollars offer,
(02:27):
eight times what Galube had on the table, leaving Galub
out of the squared circle for now.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
In nineteen eighty eight, Medium Mobile Ted Turner purchased Jim
Crockett Promotions and rebranded it as World Championship Wrestling. By
nineteen ninety, ww was positioning itself as a serious competitor
to the WWF with stars like sting, Rick Flair and
Lex Luber. Meanwhile, HASWRO had already secured the WWF toy license.
Galub saw an opening and signed a deal with Broose
(02:55):
ww action figures, playsets, and accessories. But the clock was
ticking and the product fast.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Revealed that the nineteen ninety one American International Toy Fair
were stars Lex Luger and the Steiner Brothers on hand.
The loops Core WCW line featured four and a half
inch non articulated figures made of solid PVC plastic. Unlike
Hasmo's dynamic WWF action figures with spring loaded wrestling moves.
These were more akin to statues, miniature likenesses frozen in time,
(03:24):
and yet kids found ways to play through Donkey doink
impacts and storytelling driven play. Last time we partnered with
Garage Beer, things got a little out of hand. But
this time we're doing things more professional, classic, more class.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
These guys, guys, what can't we enjoy them?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
More polished, good idea. It's a crisp, refreshing partnership. Hilton
integrity on teamwork.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
And focus. The first assortment of World Championship Wrestling Action
Figures included six single packed action figures of wire wrestlers
Rick Flair, arn Anderson, Sting, Lex Luger, Rick Steiner, and
(04:36):
Scott Steiner, with each including a w S Championship title
belt accessory fastened around their waist for added play value.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Eventually, Sting appeared in multiple color variants, arn Anderson's bald
spot came in way, and even the belt fasteners were
changed during production.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
The second assortment introduced six new figures Barry Windham, sid Vicious,
Ron Simmons, butch Red, Flying, Brian Pillman, and Tom's Inc.
But again production compromises followed unauthorized Nike swooshes, deco reductions,
(05:12):
and figures based on reference photos of stars and sweatbants
instead of ring gear.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Tag Team two packs included the Steiner Brothers, Doom Dudes
with Attitudes and the Four Horsemen, adding slight variations to
the Sting figures.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Once again, to complement the figures, Glub released the ww
Slam Action Wrestling Arena, a compact playset with springboard ring steps,
catapulting ring posts, steel cage, and even a working ring
belt complete with hammer. A deluxe fourteen inch figure Sortman
was also introduced, featuring Sting, Lex Luger, Rick Flair, and
(05:51):
Said Vicious, this time with limited articulation. A role play
child size belt rounded out the initial nineteen ninety one offerings.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Galoobs WCW products first hit Kmart and sales were reportedly strong,
but that success proved to be a double edged sword.
By the time Toys, r US and other retailers placed
large orders, most WCW fans had already bought what they
wanted and demand had dried up.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
The figures began appearing.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
In discount chains like KB Toys and the US line
was quietly discontinued within the year.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To make matters worse. In June nineteen ninety one, David
Glube was outed as president and CEO. Within months, key
team members, including national sales manager Robert Kanoff and Executive
vice president of Marketing and Development Saul Jodell, also exited.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Although Gloob's WCW line effectively flopped in the US, the
bell hadn't rung just yet.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
In nineteen ninety.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Two, Galube distributed a second wave of remaining WCW products
overseas through the United Kingdom through distributor Hornby Hobbies.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
The first assortment redecorated ten of the twelve figures from
NI nine one with new ring gear. The next assortment
brought in seven fresh sculpts and five new characters, Dustin Rhodes,
Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin, Big Josh, and El Yanting.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
UK two packs once again featured the teams of the
Steiner Brothers, the Four Horsemen, and the Dudes with Attitudes.
For this time, they swapped out Doom for the Fabulous
Freebirds plus The Slam Action Wrestling Arena playset got a
revamp with the sound Slam and action ring, which included
four real wrestling sounds thanks to a new sound module
(07:40):
to make playtime even more exciting for kids. The sound
module was also available separately for those who already owned
the original Arena playset, and it came bundled with the
Fabulous Freebirds too.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Behind the curtain, even more was planned. Prototypes for unreleased
figures like PM News, Diamond Studd, and Ricky Morton exist.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
There were concepts for a talking Sid Vicious, and possible
electronic figures of Brick Flair, Lex Luger, the Steiner Brothers,
and Moore.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
There was even ideas for WW wrestling rods micromachine style
vehicles emblazoned with wrestler logos.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
In early nineteen ninety two, David Galub, alongside Kanoff, Jodell
and inventor Rand Sigfried, formed the original San Francisco Toy Makers,
eventually producing WCW toys again later that decade. In nineteen
ninety eight, Lewis Glub Toys, Inc. Was acquired by Hasbro, Inc.
Absorbing its legacy into one of the largest toy empires
in the world.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Despite its short shelf life, the Glub WW toy line
has gained cult status today, these figures are beloved relics
of the nineties wrestling nostalgia. Their bright colors, rigid poses,
and unique charm have found new life in the hands
of collectors worldwide.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Fans appreciate the craftsmanship, even if the articulate was non existent.
These figures captured a moment in wrestling history, even if
they couldn't pose for it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So what was your favorite WCW item that was produced
by galoub.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Do you own any of the rare UK releases?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Which prototype do you wish I'd seen the light of day?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Let us know the comments below and don't forget to like,
subscribe and smash that notification bell. For more wrestling figure
history from the Major Wrestling Figure podcasts.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Check out the video on screen for even more information
on Glob's ww figures featuring personal stories for myself Brian Myers,
mst Maccardona and producer smart Mark Sterling.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Thanks for watching as always, scratch that figure Itch. Join
the community at majormarks dot com and get access to
exclusive content, behind the scenes footage.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
I become a member of the Major family, you get
bonus episodes on our careers, wrestling figure history and exclusive
interviews with our friends and legends in the business. Each month.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You also get early access to YouTube videos and of
course the weekly podc cast, ad free and breaking news updates,
brand news shows featuring Oh Baby and You. Each month
you could interview someone in the wrestling business with the
Captain's log.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Also by selling trade in our exclusive Facebook community where
people have become friends in real life.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Certain memberships include merch like monthly trading cards and quarterly
mystery gifts. Become a major mark at joinmajormarks dot com
today
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.