Reviewing the Ultimate Roman Reigns Figure and Mini Title
Two popular desk accessories for the wrestling fan who already has too many t-shirts.
The Bottom Line
While the Roman figure offers premium detail for a steep price, the heavy die-cast plates of the mini title make it the superior display piece for the money.
Acknowledge Your Desk Space
With WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium right around the corner, the itch to pick up some new gear is real. You're probably already gearing up to see Cody Rhodes defend the title on Night 2, or maybe you're just mentally preparing for the inevitable Bloodline chaos.
Either way, sometimes a vintage graphic tee isn't enough. You need something for the shelf, the desk, or the background of your video calls. Today, we're looking at two of the more popular pieces of desk flair: the Mattel Ultimate Edition Roman Reigns and the WWE Championship Mini Replica.
WWE Mattel Ultimate Edition Roman Reigns
There are about a hundred different Roman figures floating around right now. However, this is the one that attempts to capture the definitive Tribal Chief era.
The Good, The Bad, and The Stiff
Right out of the box, the TrueFX facial detailing is undeniably impressive. It actually looks like the guy who has been terrorizing SmackDown for years. You get over 30 points of articulation, plus swappable heads and hands to recreate whatever signature pose you prefer.
It boasts a solid 5.0 out of 5 user rating online, and it's easy to see why visually. Over on the action figure subreddits, it's widely considered the definitive version of the character.
But let's be real for a second. Dropping forty-five bucks on an action figure is a tough pill to swallow for casual collectors. To make matters slightly more annoying, the joints on this thing can be ridiculously stiff straight out of the packaging.
You might feel like you're going to snap his arm off just trying to get him into a Superman Punch pose. It's a premium price tag for something that still requires a bit of careful wrestling to loosen up.
WWE Championship Mini Replica Title
Full-sized replica belts are awesome, but they cost as much as a car payment and take up half a wall. The mini replica tries to solve that space issue.
Die-Cast Details
For fifty bucks, you're getting actual metal plates. The heft of this thing is surprisingly satisfying, and it doesn't feel like a cheap plastic toy you'd find in the checkout aisle.
The engraving on the main plate matches the real television belt really well, earning it a respectable 4.6 rating among collectors. It instantly elevates any workspace.
However, scaling down comes with casualties. The intricate side plate details get a bit muddy because they're simply too small to stamp cleanly. Furthermore, the synthetic leather strap is stubbornly stiff.
If you're hoping it will naturally drape over your shoulder or lay perfectly flat on a shelf, think again. You'll need to work it in quite a bit, or just accept that it's going to hold a weird circular shape for a while.
"The strap on this mini belt is stiffer than a Stan Hansen lariat. Good luck getting it to lay perfectly flat without a fight."
The Verdict: Which Belongs on Your Shelf?
If you're a die-hard Bloodline loyalist and want a highly posable mascot, the Roman figure is fantastic. That is, provided you can stomach the price and carefully heat up those stiff joints first.
But if you just want a classy, heavy display piece that screams pro wrestling without taking over the room, the mini title belt is the smarter overall play. Just don't expect the stiff strap to cooperate immediately.
WWE Mattel Ultimate Edition Roman Reigns Action Figure
This is the definitive Roman Reigns figure, featuring incredible articulation and his iconic Tribal Chief gear. The swappable heads and hands make it perfect for recreating his most dominant poses.
What's Good
- + Over 30 points of premium articulation
- + Includes multiple swappable heads and hands
- + Incredible TrueFX facial detailing
Watch Out
- - On the pricier side for an action figure
- - Joints can sometimes be stiff out of the box
WWE Championship Mini Replica Title Belt
Fans love having a high-quality, die-cast metal replica of the top prize in the industry without having to spend $400+ on the full-size version. It's a fantastic display piece for any man cave.
What's Good
- + Real metal plates give it authentic heft
- + Highly detailed engraving matches the real belt
- + Affordable alternative to full-sized replicas
Watch Out
- - The synthetic leather strap is fairly stiff
- - Smaller size means some intricate details are harder to see
What People Are Saying
"The face scan on the Ultimate Edition Roman is insane, but I almost broke the elbow trying to pose it. Heat it up first!"
"Love the heavy plates on the mini title, but the strap feels like cardboard. Still looks great on my bookshelf though."
"For $45, the Roman figure needs to come with Paul Heyman. Just saying."