You're standing in the aisle at a Five Below or digging through the bottom shelf of a chaotic Walmart clearance section. Your hands are literally covered in dust. Suddenly, you see a flash of red and yellow—or maybe the neon green of a "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio box. You check the price. It’s a fiver. You might think WWE action figures for 5 dollars are just the leftovers that nobody wanted, but honestly, that's where the real game is played.
Collecting wrestling figures in 2026 is an expensive hobby. If you’re hunting for those high-end "Ultimate Edition" figures or the latest "Elite Series 124" drops, you’re usually looking at $25 to $40 a pop. But there is a massive subculture of "budget hunters" who refuse to pay retail. They know that if you wait long enough, or look in the right weird corners of the internet, the five-dollar find is very much alive.
It’s not just about saving money. It's about the hunt.
✨ Don't miss: Days of our Lives Peacock: Why This Move Changed Soap Operas Forever
The Reality of Hunting WWE Action Figures for 5 Dollars
Let's get real for a second: you aren't walking into a Ringside Collectibles or a Target and picking up a mint-condition "Main Event" Roman Reigns for five bucks on release day. That’s just not how the market works.
To score at this price point, you have to understand the "Clearance Cycle." Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target have limited peg space. When the new "Elite Series" waves come in, the old ones have to go. I’ve seen figures like the "Monday Night War" series or even "Top Picks" Randy Orton sit on shelves until the manager gets fed up and slaps a yellow sticker on them.
Where the Five-Dollar Deals Hide
- Five Below: This is the most consistent spot. They frequently carry the "WWE Superstars" figurines or the "Beast Mode" blind boxes. Occasionally, they even get "Basic" series figures that are a few waves old.
- Dollar General: Usually, they stock the 6-inch "Main Event" series or the smaller, less articulated 3.75-inch figures. These are basically designed to be $5 to $7.
- The Walmart "Hidden" Clearance: You've gotta use the app. Sometimes the shelf says $12.99, but the barcode scans at $5.00 because the system has already phased them out.
- eBay "Loose" Listings: If you don't care about the box, buying "loose" (out of package) is the secret. Collectors who buy lots to get one specific figure will often dump the extras for $5 plus shipping.
Why "Basic" Series Aren't Trash
There's a lot of elitism in the collecting world. People look down on the "Basic" or "Main Event" lines because they don't have the "Elite" articulation—meaning no torso crunch or double-jointed elbows.
But here’s the thing. If you’re buying these for a kid, or if you’re a "fixer" who likes to customize figures, the $5 Basic is a godsend. Most of the head sculpts on the $5 figures are the exact same ones used on the $30 ones.
Think about that. You’re essentially getting the same likeness for a fraction of the cost. I know guys who buy WWE action figures for 5 dollars just to pop the heads off and put them on more expensive "Elite" bodies they found elsewhere. It’s a cheap way to get an updated look for a character like Cody Rhodes or Seth Rollins without buying a whole new premium set.
The Resale Myth: Is a 5 Dollar Figure Worth Anything?
Most of the time? No.
If you’re buying a figure for five bucks at a discount store, it’s probably a "peg warmer." That’s collector-speak for a character that everyone already has or nobody wants. Think about how many Baron Corbin or Miz figures have sat in those bins over the years.
However, there is an exception. "Short-packed" figures or legends that end up in budget lines can occasionally spike in value. For example, some of the "Basic" series legends—like a retro Hulk Hogan or a rare variant of Bret Hart—might be undervalued in a clearance bin today but could hit $20 on the secondary market once that specific wave is no longer in production.
💡 You might also like: Jonestown: Paradise Lost—Why This Documentary Still Haunts Us Decades Later
Don't buy them as an investment, though. Buy them because you like the wrestler.
The "Lot" Strategy
If you really want to stock up, look for "Bulk Lots" on Mercari or Facebook Marketplace. I’ve seen parents selling their kid's entire collection of 20 figures for $100. Do the math. That’s exactly five dollars per figure.
Sure, some might have a bit of "play wear" (missing paint on the boots or loose joints), but for a customizer or a casual fan, that's the peak of efficiency.
Spotting the Best Budget Figures in 2026
Mattel has gotten surprisingly good at the budget lines. The "Main Event" Series #162, for instance, has some decent paint apps. You might find a John Cena or an Uncle Howdy in that line.
Keep an eye out for these specific traits to ensure you aren't buying total junk:
👉 See also: One Tree Hill Nicki: Why This Messy Character Still Grinds Fans' Gears
- Face Printing Technology: Even the cheap figures now use the digital "TrueFX" face printing. If the eyes look wonky, skip it. If it looks like the actual person, it's a win.
- Accessories: Most $5 figures won't come with much. If you find one that includes a title belt or a chair, grab it immediately. Those accessories alone are often worth $3 to $5 on the replacement market.
- Paint Errors: Since these are mass-produced and sold cheap, check the logos. A Cody Rhodes figure with a blurry "Nightmare" tattoo is just a bummer.
Actionable Next Steps for Budget Collectors
Stop paying full price for every single release. It's a trap that burns through your wallet. Instead, try this the next time you're out:
- Scan the Barcode: Use the Target or Walmart app to scan figures that look like they've been sitting there for months. The price on the tag is often wrong.
- Check the "Toy" Aisle Endcaps: Don't just look in the wrestling section. Check the random clearance endcaps near the bikes or the electronics.
- Join a Local "Waffle" or Trade Group: Often, local collectors will trade a handful of basic figures for one Elite. If you have one "chase" figure you don't want, you can easily turn it into five or six $5 figures.
- Visit Five Below on Shipment Days: Usually, this is a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you get there when the boxes are being opened, you can snag the best characters before they're picked over.
Building a massive roster doesn't require a massive bank account. It just requires a little bit of patience and a willingness to dig through some dusty shelves.
Next Steps for You: Start by checking your local Five Below's website to see if they have any "WWE Superstars" figurines in stock. If they do, head over and scan the pegs for any older Mattel Basics that might have been "cross-loaded" into their inventory—it's a common shipping quirk that leads to the best $5 finds.