WWE Legends Series 18 – Fatu and Samu – Headshrinkers review

Whenever Mattel’s WWE team works up a smart variant/chase set up for any of its lines I really appreciate it. Especially when a slight deco change is all that’s needed to capture a wrestler/wrestlers look in various eras/promotions. I was hyped to see that Fatu and Samu were joining the line and Mattel went the extra step of releasing them in the Legends Series 18 in both their Samoan Swat Team (NWA/World Class) attire as well as their Headshrinkers (WWF) gear.

I’ve already taken a look at the SST versions and while this review won’t be too different, I figured it made sense to look at the Headshrinkers as a separate breakdown. There won’t be much by way of surprises since the accessories are all the same, but I wanted to match them up against their WWF contemporaries this time. At least the available ones.

Packaging:  The Legends line provides a very classy presentation in showcasing the stars of yesterday with the gold, brown and yellow color combinations. I really like the artwork used for the Samoans as it really captures their personalities well.

While mixing up the bios between the Headshrinkers and SST would have been a welcome additional step, they’re written in a way to incorporate both of their gimmicks.

Likeness: Mattel truly nailed the likeness of the Samoans although I wouldn’t have minded if they’d also included alternate portraits with more subdued expressions for both. The default intense head sculpts were absolutely the way to go for a one and done choice.

Their base bodies utilize the thicker torsos that still allow for good movement. Again, the butt sections of both should be wider and thicker, but it’s a lot to expect the Headshrinkers to get dedicated lower butts and thighs for their physiques. The barefoot molds are solid allowing for a stable base, which is certainly appreciated.

While Samu rarely wore elbow pads during his SST days, he did as a Headshrinker so these should be kept on for this version.

Scale:  Of the two, Samu was taller at 6’4″ and Fatu was 6′. Mattel used the same mold for both of them, but Samu’s head could sit higher up and Fatu’s head could sit deeper in the neck joint. They match up pretty well with opponents like the 6’8″ Diesel and 6’1″ Shawn Michaels.

Paint: Mattel usually doesn’t have paint issues with figures unless they have highly intricate detailing or blending an extremely light color like white or yellow against a darker dominant color.

The Headshrinkers attire presents that kind of challenge with the right leg white burst effect and the Samu and Fatu lettering along the left leg. Fortunately, the black doesn’t bleed through too much, but another couple of paint apps would have helped make for a brighter white.

Samu’s SST figure had a lighter brown hair paint deco, which was a very nice touch. For his Headshrinker look, his hair is appropriately jet black.

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Articulation:  While thicker than most of their opponents, Samu and Fatu moved around the ring pretty well utilizing a variety of shock impact power moves like thrust kicks, power slams, big clotheslines and splashes.

This mold made hitting those poses no problem at all. These bodies allowed for pretty good range of quick strikes though I wish it were easier to pull off a convincing headbutt, which was one of their big impact moves.

Samu and Fatu have:

• neck
• bicep
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbows (double-jointed)
• wrists
• wrist hinge
• torso
• waist
• hips
• thighs
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: The Headshrinkers wore matching gear to the ring. Mattel could have added necklaces and headgear, but the sarongs and leg wraps were the most common accessories.

Both come with an additional set of grasping hands, which are useful for nerve vice submission holds and chokes.

They do have X-harnesses with four rings that snap on and off with no trouble.

Finally, they come with bamboo sticks. These are fairly lengthy and make for good weapons just in general as I can’t remember the Headshrinkers using them very often in their matches.

Worth it?  WWE figures are now $22.99. But as usual, I always advocate for waiting on sales or clearances for basically everything these days. Samu and Fatu are currently on clearance for $11.99 in stores and have been as low as $16.99 on Target.com. Given the accessories and ease of play/posing they’re certainly worth $17 each and are a tremendous value at $12.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Ideally, Mattel could get the scale better on these guys, but it’s great to have both NWA and WWF versions of Samu and Fatu in the Legends line.

Where to get it?  Legends Series 18 is only in Target since they have an exclusive to the line.

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