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Before I re-assemble the two #Hasbro #WWF rings I'm restoring, here's a thread about production variants between the different rings I've noticed during this project.
As you may know, there are blue post rings and black post rings, but it turns out there are other differences...
As you may know, there are blue post rings and black post rings, but it turns out there are other differences...
In this thread I'm posting comparisons between the following rings:
1) Blue flat post ring that I've owned since December 1991, sold in an English language only box.
2) Black flat post ring I purchased used in 2015, sold in an English/Spanish ("Ring Oficial Del Lucha" box)
1) Blue flat post ring that I've owned since December 1991, sold in an English language only box.
2) Black flat post ring I purchased used in 2015, sold in an English/Spanish ("Ring Oficial Del Lucha" box)
I'd long attributed the difference in ropes between the two rings to the wear and tear my first ring had absorbed over time, thinking maybe they had just gotten loose.
In actual fact, the blue post ropes are thinner and *considerably* less springy than the black post ropes.
In actual fact, the blue post ropes are thinner and *considerably* less springy than the black post ropes.
(I assume those are the original ropes that came with my ring. I have no recollection of somehow sourcing replacement red, white and blue ropes that were just the right size, but then again it has been almost 30 years, so who knows. If they're Hasbro's originals they are *trash*)
Blue post ring has convex raised details on the steps.
Black post ring has concave detailing instead!
Black post ring has concave detailing instead!
Blue post ring has Hasbro, Pawtucket Rhode Island address and (c)1989 Titan Sports copyright info.
Black post ring has no copyright information in this spot, and surprisingly seems to have no stamp anywhere on the mould at all.
Black post ring has no copyright information in this spot, and surprisingly seems to have no stamp anywhere on the mould at all.
Comparison of the monitor-side ring steps. Blue post ring on the left, black post ring on the right.
Black post ring steps appear fractionally larger, but it's almost imperceptible.
Black post ring steps appear fractionally larger, but it's almost imperceptible.
What doesn't show well in photos is the difference in colours between the two rings. The blue post one is a paler shade, the black post one is much bolder, more vivid.
Might be age / light exposure, but it's more likely just different factories and production processes.
Might be age / light exposure, but it's more likely just different factories and production processes.
Ultimately I think aesthetically I prefer the blue post ring just because it looks closer to what you'd see on WWF programming at the time. I'd take either one over that hideous King of the Ring recolour that, laughably, appears to be skyrocketing in value...
