As a collector of wrestling figures and a huge ECW fan, I've always been disappointed by the lack of wrestlers from said legendary hardcore wrestling company from Mattel. Sure we've had guys like Cactus Jack, Terry Funk, and Rob Van Damn. But, ECW originals who didn't do a whole lot or did nothing at all within the WWE, itself, were in serious lacking. So, it made me super happy when the beer drinking, cigarette smoking, cane wielding badass that is the Sandman was gonna be released.
This seems to be his year, with Dark Side of the Ring doing a great episode on him and WWE releasing a new tee of his. That's on top of this figure! Anyway, I got my pre-order through Entertainment Earth, and it came in a few days ago. Here is my review of him (NOTE: This is the common release, as there is a chase variant with red, white, and blue pants):
Packaging- The packaging is the typical for current WWE Elite releases. It has a pic of the Sandman on the left side with a see-through window on the right displaying the figure and his accessories. Below him is the current WWE logo.
Right side of the packaging has his name while left has that same pic of him and the number of the Elite series, that he is part of, 111.
The back has a badass pic of the Sandman and tells a little bit about him, even mentioning, somewhat indirectly, the Metallica song he used to come out to, "Enter Sandman". Below that is a cross cell with the other wrestler in the 111 series.
Top and bottom have the usual bits of info and legal stuff you expect to find.
First Impressions & Articulation- Wow! This figure looks so cool! I simply love the bard wire wrapped around his waste and back of his neck. 
Combined with the white ECW shirt, it's a great look that they picked and used for him. The shirt is removable. But, as far as I can tell, you'll have to snap off the head and arms to take off the bard wire and the shirt. I don't plan to do that, so if you do please tell me how it looks/ went for you in the comments section below.
He has a painted on tank top underneath the tee. As I said, before this is the common version with black and white pants. They look great!
The face is a good likeness to him, and I love the sneer/ look they gave him! There is some nice detail in his hair.
He has excellent and full shoulder, elbow, and wrist articulation.
There is limited side to side movement in the head, but good up and down movement.
The waist has full movement. But, leg movement at the crotch is limited, as are the ankles. But, the rest of the leg has excellent articulation.
Accessories- This figure comes with the things you would want/ expect him to come, save for a cigarette. But, I think that would've been pushing it, for a Mattel toy. So. it's not like anybody would've expected that to be included.
I love the singapore cane! It looks great and ready to smash upside someone's head with it.
He also comes with four beer cans and a pair of alternate hands that are wider open to hold them. The cans are plain and all silver (Coors Light?) and have no label. But, we know it's beer, cause it's the freaking Sandman! Also, again this is Mattel, so it ain't gonna say beer on the can. Not that it really matters that much, cuz honestly they just add to the coolness of the figure!
Final Thoughts- This is a really fun and cool figure. It's a great representation of the Sandman, in particular when it comes to his face and accessories. This makes it a definite must for fans of his and tECW. Let's hope this is the start of us getting more ECW originals from Mattel. For now make some space for the Sandman and cue up that Metallica track for him! Also, let me know if you are getting him in the comments section below.
Final Score- 
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