Macho King thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Macho King

Figure
1991 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wrestling became very popular TV entertainment in the 1980s. It was brought to TV by the WWF, World Wrestling Federation, now known as the WWE , World Wrestling Entertainment. This new kind of wrestling came with a circus-like gimmick. It was big and brash with bright colours, noise and hyped up energy. The wrestlers took on names like Hulk Hogan, The Rock and Jake the Snake. Matches were promoted by Vincent McMahon and his company Titan Sports Inc. His company had great success in generating income through advertising, TV deals and from the merchandise. They sold the rights to companies like Hasbro to make WWF action figures and other accessories that proved to be very popular. Children could buy their favourite wrestling stars. The figures were popular with adult collectors too. WWE is still popular today with shows like Raw and Smackdown but no longer has the public intensity it had in the 1980s.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleMacho King (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Moulded plastic
Brief description
Plastic articulated WWF figure, Macho King, made in China by Titan Sport Inc. (Hasbro Inc) in 1991
Physical description
A plastic WWF figure with jointed waist arms, and neck. The joint at the waist is sprung for exaggerated movement. He wears white wrestling boots with gold laces, gold knee pads and purple trunks with Macho King written on the back with two stars. He has long brown moulded hair and a beard, and is also wearing sunglasses and a crown.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Halina Pasierbska
Production
Made for Titan Sports Inc
Summary
Wrestling became very popular TV entertainment in the 1980s. It was brought to TV by the WWF, World Wrestling Federation, now known as the WWE , World Wrestling Entertainment. This new kind of wrestling came with a circus-like gimmick. It was big and brash with bright colours, noise and hyped up energy. The wrestlers took on names like Hulk Hogan, The Rock and Jake the Snake. Matches were promoted by Vincent McMahon and his company Titan Sports Inc. His company had great success in generating income through advertising, TV deals and from the merchandise. They sold the rights to companies like Hasbro to make WWF action figures and other accessories that proved to be very popular. Children could buy their favourite wrestling stars. The figures were popular with adult collectors too. WWE is still popular today with shows like Raw and Smackdown but no longer has the public intensity it had in the 1980s.
Collection
Accession number
B.54-2004

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Record createdSeptember 16, 2004
Record URL
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