The debut ToyBiz WCW Smash ‘N Slam line in 1999 stands as one of the most fascinating—and telling—snapshots of late-era WCW merchandising. Arriving at the height of the Monday Night War, this line wasn’t just about action figures—it was about attitude, playability, and capturing the chaotic energy of WCW/NWO programming in plastic form.

A Bold Introduction to WCW Figures

ToyBiz, best known for its Marvel figures, approached WCW very differently than the more traditional wrestling figures of the time. Instead of static poses, Smash ‘N Slam emphasized action features, accessories, and playsets, leaning heavily into kid-friendly chaos—breakable props, slam mechanics, and even “opponent” accessories.

As an introductory line, it worked extremely well. It gave fans:

Recognizable stars
Over-the-top gimmicks
Immediate play value out of the package

It wasn’t about realism—it was about recreating Nitro in your living room.

Rare Prototype Territory: The “Screening Copy” Kevin Nash

One of the most obscure and fascinating pieces tied to the Smash ‘N Slam line is the “Screening Copy” Kevin Nash—a figure that sits in a completely different category from standard retail releases.

According to figure documentation, this version was produced in 1999 as part of a limited or pre-release batch, often categorized alongside exclusives and special-edition items.

But what makes it truly special isn’t just scarcity—it’s what it represents.

Heavy nWo Influence

One of the most defining aspects of the first Smash ‘N Slam wave is just how nWo-heavy it is. This reflects WCW’s booking at the time, where the nWo dominated TV—and, naturally, the toy shelves.

Core nWo representation included:

Hollywood Hogan (multiple versions)
Kevin Nash
Scott Hall
Lex Luger (nWo variant)
Sting (Wolfpac-style red/black variants)

This emphasis made the line feel current, but also slightly unbalanced.

Where Were the WCW Stars?

Interestingly, only two true WCW “homegrown” babyface stars made the cut in the first lineup:

Goldberg
Diamond Dallas Page (DDP)

That’s it.

While names like Sting blur the line (given his nWo affiliations), the reality is that WCW’s own identity took a backseat to the nWo brand dominance. It’s a fascinating reflection of WCW in 1999—where even their toy line reinforced who really ran the company.

Smash ‘N Slam Checklist (1999)

Here’s a breakdown of the core figures and variants from the first wave:

Main Roster

Diamond Dallas Page (shirt / no shirt variants)
Goldberg (with masked wrestler accessory – red or blue variation)
Hollywood Hogan (standard + nWo shirt variants)
Kevin Nash (with referee accessory)
Lex Luger (standard + nWo variant)
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (red/black & black/white variants)
Scott Hall (black/white & red/black variants)
Sting (black/white & red/black variants)
The Giant (with Rey Mysterio Jr. mini figure)

This lineup highlights the mix of variants and repaint-heavy releases, which became a signature of ToyBiz’s WCW run.

Playability Over Accuracy

One standout feature of the line was the inclusion of “bonus” figures or props:

Goldberg came with a generic masked opponent
The Giant included a mini Rey Mysterio Jr.
Nash included a referee

These weren’t always scale-accurate (or respectful—poor Rey), but they added a ton of replay value and helped kids instantly recreate matches.

Variations & Collectibility

Collectors quickly noticed that Smash ‘N Slam wasn’t just a single set—it was a variation-heavy line, including:

Different color schemes (Hall, Sting, Savage)
Attire swaps (Hogan, Luger)
Accessory differences (Goldberg’s masked opponent colors)
Minor paint and packaging changes

These variations gave the line unexpected depth and replay value, while also laying the groundwork for future ToyBiz collecting crazes.

The K-B Toys Exclusive Goldberg

One of the most sought-after pieces from the line is the K-B Toys exclusive Goldberg.

Featured unique packaging and accessories (notably a barbell)
Exclusive to K-B Toys retail stores
Produced in more limited quantities than standard releases

Sears 1999 Mail-Away Set

Another hidden gem from this era is the Sears 1999 Mail-Away set, a promotion that rewarded fans who engaged beyond retail shelves.

While details vary depending on region and promotion specifics, these mail-away offers typically:

Bundled figures or exclusive packaging
Required proof-of-purchase submissions
Were produced in far smaller numbers

That scarcity has made them highly collectible today, especially for completionists chasing every variation of the Smash ‘N Slam line. The set included Diamond Dallas Page, Goldberg, Sting and Hollywood Hogan.

Final Thoughts

The first ToyBiz WCW Smash ‘N Slam line is more than just a toy series—it’s a time capsule of WCW in 1999.

It perfectly captures:

The dominance of the nWo
The rise of Goldberg and DDP
The shift toward more interactive, toyetic wrestling figures

As an introductory line, it succeeded by being fun, chaotic, and accessible, even if it sacrificed roster balance and realism.

Today, it stands as one of the most nostalgic and creatively bold wrestling figure lines ever produced—where smashing, slamming, and storytelling mattered more than perfect accuracy.

For me personally this set is what really kicked off my love for wrestling action figures. I had a few SF Toy Makers WCW Figures but when I saw these in the store for the first time I was hooked. The first one my mother purchased for me was Kevin Nash. I still have it to this day and it will hold a special place in my collection forever.

Image Credit: The Wrestling Figure Database