Does this problem seem familiar to you? You have a relative who is a fan of wrestling and you want to get them a gift with the holidays coming up, but you’re having trouble figuring out what’s good or not. You don’t want to ask them what they want and spoil the surprise, but you also don’t want to shop blind and end up getting them something they don’t like. It’s a problem that occurs every year. Especially between parents and their children. Nobody likes getting a gift they don’t really like, and certainly, nobody enjoys being the giver of said gift. Well, your days of rooting around in the proverbial dark are over, as I have the solution to this problem. I have compiled a wrestling fan holiday gift guide for fans of various ages and preferences. It will be chronicled here over the coming weeks. No matter what your loved one enjoys, there will be something in these lists to sate them.
For the readers’ convenience, this series will be broken up into 3 different articles; one for children and pre-teens, one for teens and adults, and one for gifts that are universal. So without further ado, let’s get into the first edition. Today we will be focusing on gifts for children and pre-teens.
Wrestling Fan Holiday Gift Guide Part 1: Children and Pre-Teens
As has been the truth for a couple of decades now, WWE is the most easily accessible wrestling company. Chances are if the recipient of the gift is under 14 they’re more familiar with WWE than anything else. This applies to its merchandise as well. You can find WWE merchandise in chain stores and Walmarts, making them the most appealing to parents and aunts/uncles looking for gifts. Still, this doesn’t make the task of trying to pick something out less daunting. The aisles look like veritable treasure troves of toys, action figures, and toy belts covering the shelves like walls. Luckily for you, I have the information that you need.
Model Rings
The first thing you want to do is avoid any sort of wrestling ring set. If it’s a plastic wrestling ring, don’t buy it for young children. They don’t last long and you’ll be buying them another one next year. Don’t get me wrong, the rings make for great memorabilia and would make excellent gifts for collectors or older fans. Young children are obviously a bit more rugged with their things though, and something so fragile isn’t a great idea. If you are deadset on getting one, get a cheap, simple one without any cages/cells/ladders or other accessories. The accessories increase the price, but the ring is just as flimsy, so you’ll be paying extra for something that will break just as fast as anything else.
There is a somewhat out of left field option for rings though if you want something a little more rugged. If you’re a woodworker or know someone who is one, there’s always the option of building one. It may seem like a bit of a stretch, but it is actually more cost-effective than buying one. The materials it would take to make a model ring cost about the same as the cheapest plastic rings, which is about 20-30 dollars for something that will last years instead of a few months. If you’re determined to buy one though, here’s a couple of affordable options that won’t break the bank.
Action Figures
This may seem a little redundant, but kids love action figures. Always have and always will. The problem isn’t knowing they want action figures, it’s knowing which ones they want. Again, you could ask them which one is their favorite, but that’s a little too transparent. If you really want to surprise them with a great gift, you wouldn’t want to tip them off.
Firstly, don’t go for any of the toys that have their own “wind-up” action or similar features. Also, be wary of knock-off type action figures. You want to aim for the traditional action figures. The figures are like the figures you may have had when you were a kid, with moveable arms and legs. Don’t get them anything too fancy as it is probably not popular anymore. Also, stay away from any toy that moves and plays by itslef. Get them a full-on action figure with mobility that they can actually play with. Kid’s who want wrestling figures only want them for one reason; to pretend they’re wrestling. So keep it simple. As a starter, here are a few options of wrestlers who most younger fans love, and would love to have an action figure of. I will also include the company they have most recently worked for so you can know what logo or company name to look for in stores.
- Jeff Hardy, WWE
- John Cena, WWE
- AJ Styles, WWE
- Kenny Omega, AEW
- Roman Reigns, WWE
- CM Punk, AEW
- “Hangman” Adam Page, AEW
- Liv Morgan, WWE
- Bianca Belair, WWE
- Britt Baker, AEW
- Sting, AEW
- Becky Lynch, WWE
- Rey Mysterio, WWE
- All 3 members of the New Day, (Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods) WWE
There are several others but this is a good starter list. Chances are if the recipient is a fan of either WWE or AEW, they’re also a fan of one or more of these wrestlers. Stay tuned to Last Word on Pro Wrestling for the next edition of the wrestling fan holiday gift guide.
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