SERIES 3
Randy Savage was one of the most intense, charismatic, and unforgettable performers in wrestling history. Driven by obsession and an unshakable belief in his own greatness, Savage rose through the ranks proclaiming himself the “Cream of the Crop,” destined to rise to the very top. But he never forgot how fleeting success could be, reminding the world that time in the spotlight was never guaranteed - just “a cup of coffee in the big time.”
Blending unmatched promo energy with elite in-ring ability, Macho Man turned every match into a moment and every word into spectacle, cementing his legacy as one of wrestling’s true icons.
SERIES 3
At WrestleMania VII, Jake Roberts and Rick Martel brought one of the most personal and unsettling feuds of the era to its breaking point. Martel, most infamously blinding Jake with his noxious arrogance - turned the rivalry into a battle of revenge rather than championships. With Damian at his side and vengeance on his mind, Jake sought retribution against the self-proclaimed “Model” in a clash driven by emotion, psychology, and spectacle. Though often overshadowed on a stacked card, their confrontation remains a defining example of how character and storytelling could elevate a WrestleMania grudge match.
SERIES 3
Jimmy Valiant vs The Great Kabuki represents one of the most striking culture-clash rivalries of wrestling’s late-70s and early-80s era. Valiant’s wild brawling energy and defiant charisma collided with Kabuki’s eerie presence, brutal strikes, and theatrical menace, creating matches charged with tension and unpredictability. Their encounters blended raw emotion with spectacle, pitting crowd-favourite chaos against cold, calculated intimidation. Long after their battles ended, the rivalry remains a vivid reminder of an era when personality, presentation, and pure animosity could make every showdown feel unforgettable.
SERIES 3
Sgt Slaughter & “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan brought unmatched patriotism and intensity to the world of professional wrestling, standing as proud defenders of the red, white, and blue. Sgt Slaughter’s Drill Instructor persona is known for his powerful & commanding presence. His fierce rivalries, along with capturing many Universal titles, including the prestigious WWF Championship made “Sarge” a grappling icon. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, with his trademark 2x4 and battle cry of “Hooo!”, rallied fans with his blue-collar toughness and infectious energy. Together, they represented the spirit of American resilience during the golden era of wrestling. Their legacies continue to inspire generations of fans and future superstars alike.
SERIES 3
The Road Warriors, were one of the most dominant and influential tag teams in professional wrestling history. Comprising Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis, they quickly rose to fame in the early 1980s, capturing multiple championships across various promotions including the AWA, NWA, and WWF. Their hard-hitting style and powerful presence made them fan favourites and legends in the wrestling world. The Legion of Doom were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing their legacy as trailblazers in tag team wrestling.
Series 2
Thanks to everyone who collected the Series 2 Mat Maniacs!
Series 2 Figures have now shipped with some Series 1 & 2 Box sets still available at The Nerd Closet.
SERIES 2
The Road Warriors, were one of the most dominant and influential tag teams in professional wrestling history. Comprising Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis, they quickly rose to fame in the early 1980s, capturing multiple championships across various promotions including the AWA, NWA, and WWF. Their hard-hitting style and powerful presence made them fan favourites and legends in the wrestling world. The Legion of Doom were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing their legacy as trailblazers in tag team wrestling.
SERIES 2
Demolition, one of the most formidable and enduring tag teams in professional wrestling, made a significant impact in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Initially consisting of Ax (Bill Eadie), Smash (Barry Darsow), they became three-time WWF World Tag Team Champions, setting the then record for the most combined days as champions with title. Their powerful, aggressive style and menacing persona made them the dominant forces in the division. Though their reigns ended, Ax and Smash reunited in 2007 for special appearances, further solidifying their place as legends in wrestling history.
SERIES 2
The Powers of Pain were a monster tag team emerging in the late 1980s, brought together by manager Paul Jones in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Comprised of The Barbarian (Sione Vailahi) and The Warlord (Terry Szopinski), the two had initially feuded after The Warlord arrived in the NWA in 1986. Their rivalry became a partnership and The Powers of Pain made their mark, not just in the NWA, but as a destructive force in the WWF tag team division.
SERIES 2
The Hardy Boyz, brothers Jeff and Matt Hardy, are one of the most innovative and celebrated tag teams in professional wrestling. They began their journey in 1993 on the independent circuit before signing with the World Wrestling Federation in 1997. Known for their high-flying, risk-taking style, they became fan favorites during the Attitude Era. The Hardys are the only team to have held the WWE, WCW, TNA, ROH, Raw, and SmackDown Tag Team Championships, solidifying their legacy as pioneers of modern tag team wrestling. Renowned for their thrilling ladder and TLC matches, the Hardy Boyz are recognised as of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history.
SERIES 2
The Major Players—the dynamic tag team of Brian Myers and Matt Cardona—have built a legacy in professional wrestling that spans nearly two decades. Known for their time in WWE as Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, the duo captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships twice and later made an impact in Impact Wrestling, where both held the Impact Digital Media Championship.
Series 1
Thanks to everyone who collected the Series 1 Mat Maniacs!
Series 1 OG Figure sets! Many thanks to customers who purchased our first series!
SERIES 1
The Legion of Doom, also known as the Road Warriors, were one of the most dominant and influential tag teams in professional wrestling history. Comprising Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis, they quickly rose to fame in the early 1980s, capturing multiple championships across various promotions including the AWA, NWA, and WWF. Their hard-hitting style and powerful presence made them fan favourites and legends in the wrestling world. The Legion of Doom were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing their legacy as trailblazers in tag team wrestling.
SERIES 1
The Steiner Brothers, Robert "Rick Steiner" Rechsteiner and Scott "Scott Steiner" Rechsteiner, debuted in 1989 after wrestling as amateurs at the University of Michigan and competed in ECW, NJPW, WCW, and WWF, winning 11 world tag team championships and one United States Tag Team Championship. They are the first tag team to hold the WWF World Tag Team Championship, the WCW World Tag Team Championship, and the IWGP Tag Team Championship, and are considered one of the greatest tag teams in professional wrestling history.
THE GOLDEN ERA OF WRESTLING
Celebrating the art, spectacle and nostalgia of professional wrestling’s greatest era. Through animation, illustration and design, The Golden Era of Wrestling pays tribute to the larger-than-life characters that inspired a generation of fans.
Several of the designs featured here have been produced as officially licensed Mat Maniacs action figures, available from The Nerd Closet and Rock and Roll Collectibles.
Heroes wear Spandex
Growing up in the 1980s and ’90s, heroes didn’t all wear capes. But they did wear fluorescent spandex, face paint, and occasionally snakes. This was the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling in the United States, if not the Universe.
Perhaps Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan’s brand of kid-friendly, larger-than-life WWF stars were your thing? Or maybe you were a fan of Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and their unique brand of NWA / WCW blood-soaked hot-dogging?
Well, 10-year-old Fraser Davidson was a sucker for it all, every last drop. The music, the neon, and of course, the toys. The huge volume of toys. The Golden Era of Wrestling project is an attempt to create a nostalgic series of ‘action figure style’ renders, paying homage to the greatest epoch of ‘Sports Entertainment’.
Throughout the era, Hulk and his pals would take on a cavalcade of villains and a few notable heroes! Here you can find carefully curated renders of the Stars of the Golden Era!
HULKAMANIA
Hulkamania was born on the 23rd of January 1984 at Madison Square Garden, NY to Florida man Terry Bollea and local promoter Vincent Kennedy McMahon. The Greatest Power in the Universe would reign over the WWF for most of the next decade as Hulk Hogan took on all comers.
THE CHARACTERS
Throughout the era, Hulk and his pals would take on a cavalcade of villains and a few notable heroes! Here you can find carefully curated renders of the Stars of the Golden Era!
THE 3D Models
Lockdown 2020 brought with it a chance to learn a few modeling and rendering techniques. Resorting back to my muse, this project gave me the perfect opportunity to create these fun characters. All artwork has been created in Cinema 4D with Redshift.
