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00:03The arena is live!
00:06The turf is shaking!
00:09And the greatest games on earth are back and bigger than ever!
00:18This is American Gladiators!
00:21And it's Supercharged!
00:25Eight elite men!
00:29Eight fierce women!
00:32That's right, baby!
00:33This is my house!
00:36Here to defend their turf!
00:42And trying to take it?
00:4524 contenders from across the country!
00:50What the heck is happening here?
00:54He's bleeding!
00:55This ain't choreography, it's combat!
00:59The classic games are back!
01:04You ain't never see a big man move this fast!
01:06Big new twists!
01:08The ring!
01:08Trash course!
01:10The edge!
01:11Eagle throws him down!
01:12Rip and rip takedowns!
01:14Oh no!
01:15High flying tackles!
01:16And he gets leveled!
01:18And photo finish races!
01:20High flying tackles!
01:23Daddy's home!
01:25Kick the tires, light the fires, and hold on to your foam fingers, America!
01:30Remember my life!
01:32This is American Gladiators!
01:40From the one and only Gladiator Arena!
01:43Get it going for our American Gladiators!
01:55This is peak America, folks!
02:01Now, give it up for your host, The Biz!
02:15Let's go!
02:18Good evening!
02:20And welcome to the most all-American beatdown ever seen on screen, American Gladiators!
02:28This season, 24 contenders go head-to-head with the most jacked muscle machines on Earth,
02:35your American Gladiators!
02:38And all of our contenders are in the house tonight!
02:45Joining me to keep track of all the wild action is our sideline extraordinaire and co-host,
02:51Roxy Diaz!
03:01Listen to this crowd!
03:03This is amazing!
03:04Thank you so much, Miz!
03:06I am honored to help bring back one of the best sporting events of all time!
03:12This is absolutely wild!
03:15Talk about dreams coming true.
03:17I mean, I know you were a huge fan growing up.
03:20Are you kidding me?
03:21I used to play it!
03:21Pro, Nitro, Malibu, Siren, Sky!
03:25Go on!
03:25Wait a minute!
03:26The best one ever, Gemini!
03:29Gemini!
03:30An American Gladiator!
03:32Hey, Gemini!
03:33Love you!
03:34But before we jump into the action, I'm handing it over to our play-by-play commentator,
03:39Chris Rose!
03:42Thank you very much, Miz!
03:44I'm a huge fan and fired up to be here to help carry on the American Gladiator legacy.
03:49Now, let's talk points.
03:51Our contenders are going to face off against the Gladiators in three events with Black,
03:56Joust, and Powerball!
03:58Every point they rack up over their opponents buys them a half-second head start in the Eliminator,
04:05which decides who moves on and who goes home.
04:08So, if you want the advantage, better start scoring early.
04:11Let's get this party started!
04:15What's first on the agenda?
04:17After 30 years, the legend returns.
04:20And it's more ruthless than ever.
04:24Whiplash!
04:25With 30 seconds on the clock, a contender and the Gladiator grip onto the bone.
04:33It's a brutal game of push and pull.
04:36Toss Gladiator out, that's 10 points.
04:40Survive the clock, 5 points.
04:42Let go or get launched?
04:43Enjoy the view from the mat.
04:47We're kicking things off tonight with our Women's Heat.
04:50Meet Francesca Martinez, who defied a spinal injury as a kid,
04:54and now wants to help those who need it the most.
04:57She's facing off against physical therapist Ayanna Proctor,
05:00the first contender tonight to take on a Gladiator.
05:03Let's get to know Ayanna.
05:05My name's Dr. Ayanna Proctor from Elba, Alabama.
05:09Basketball was my passion.
05:11From a young age, I thought I was gonna go pro.
05:13Elba, Alabama's a small place, but I was one of the top athletes, I guess you can say.
05:18Out of high school, I tried out for University of West Alabama, and I made the team.
05:23However, I was more of a benchwarmer.
05:26My mom did sit me down, and she was like, no, that's a hobby.
05:30I cried, you know.
05:32She said, well, if I were you, I'd be a doctor.
05:35I'm like, every parent wants their kids to be a doctor, you know?
05:37So that's kind of what got me on the road to physical therapy, and I love it.
05:42I love it.
05:45Competing on American Gladiators, this is like a reminder of how much I wanted to be out there, and I
05:50didn't get that shot.
05:50So I'm gonna show her what I got.
05:53I just want her to be proud of me.
05:55I am who I am because of her.
05:57So, yeah.
05:59It's a fun show.
06:01Why are we crying?
06:04First up on Whiplash is Ayanna.
06:06I'm pretty sure Whiplash isn't a part of her usual treatment plan, especially against this gladiator.
06:11Get ready for a weather-beatin'.
06:14It's Hurricane!
06:195'10", 160 pounds, and spinning straight out of the south, this climate disaster shows no mercy to contenders.
06:29Hurricane looks pumped up and ready to go.
06:32The game face is on!
06:34Time to send it over to our head referee, Thomas Taylor, joined by Robin DiLorenzo and Mike Sidara.
06:41Thomas!
06:43Contender, ready!
06:45Ayanna's banking on her quick reflexes from her basketball days to give her an advantage here.
06:50Gladiator, ready!
06:593, 2, 1!
07:02For the first time in nearly two decades, American Gladiators is back!
07:06Hurricane trying to body her way in on the doctor.
07:08Proctor getting wheeled around.
07:11So strong in the legs.
07:13So tough!
07:14About a 12-pound difference between the two.
07:17Under 15 to go!
07:19Both gladiator and competitor are down, but not out!
07:22This has turned into a wrestling match!
07:25Oh, she gets thrown off!
07:29With just seconds to go!
07:35That's a category five in my book!
07:38Look at Hurricane in the crowd!
07:40She's still going and going!
07:42The crowd cheering her on!
07:44Oh, come on, let's go!
07:48With Dr. Proctor shut out by Hurricane, her opponent is hoping to put up some big points
07:53on the board.
07:54Let's get to know Francesca.
07:55My name is Francesca.
07:57I'm 31 years old and I'm from Miami.
08:00My culture is my everything, my soul, and my connection to my people.
08:04My family is Cuban and Colombian.
08:06A lot of strong women in my family, fiery and passionate.
08:09We love food.
08:11And my best memories of growing up are dance parties.
08:14When I was a kid, I used to love to dance, but one summer I broke my back.
08:20I had so much pain.
08:22I couldn't sit for long durations, couldn't dance.
08:25That injury has followed me my whole life.
08:28People think that their life is over or they're not able to...
08:33This gets me emotional.
08:35This injury was incredibly impactful for my life and I actually ended up studying exercise
08:39sports science.
08:40It's really taught me to just overcome any challenges that you have.
08:44To represent people that have had these injuries means the world.
08:47I'm going against the best of the best and that makes me feel so excited.
08:51It makes me feel honored to be here, but they're going to underestimate me and I'm going to sneak attack
08:55them.
08:55I'm going to win.
08:57Francesca is looking to see if all that sports experience can handle our next gladiator.
09:03She's fresh out of the furnace and she wants all the smoke.
09:07Blaze!
09:08Coming in hot at six feet, 185 pounds, this wildfire from the Ozarks is impossible to contain.
09:26Francesca earned some serious bravery points. She's given up nine inches and 60 pounds to Blaze.
09:33Contender ready!
09:37Gladiator ready!
09:39Back in the old days, you could only use one hand in this event.
09:42Now you can use two.
09:43There's a lot of pushing and pulling.
09:46Kind of like my marriage. Hi, honey.
09:51Three!
09:52Two!
09:53One!
09:54The 30 second battle is under way!
09:58The gladiator trying to pull the competitor outside the ring!
10:04Francesca's down, but she's not out for the count. Gets back at her feet!
10:08There goes the gladiator! And it is over!
10:11High point for the contender.
10:14Francesca has done it.
10:20Wow.
10:22After a flash, Francesca 10, Ayana nothing.
10:25That means that Francesca would have a five-second head start for the Eliminator,
10:29but there's still two more events where that time could change.
10:34Now let's head on over to the men's team.
10:37This is Exodus Rodgers from the rough part of Sacramento.
10:40He wants to show kids, he mentors, that there is an avenue to success.
10:45He's up against Tavares Chambliss.
10:47At 43 years old, Tavares is actually our oldest competitor this season.
10:52This dude waited nearly 20 years to finally get his call.
10:55Let's find out more.
10:57I'm Tavares Chambliss, 43 years old, from Chicago, Illinois.
11:01And I'm a gym owner.
11:04American Gladiators was the first thing that ever made me want to really be athletic.
11:08My favorite Gladiator was Nitro, because he was one of the smaller Gladiators,
11:12but he was still tough, you know, ready to go at all times, trying to prove himself.
11:15And me being 5'5", I've always had to prove myself.
11:18So this is what got me into fitness.
11:20I tried out 17 years ago.
11:22Just to let you know why I should be the number one contestant on American Gladiators.
11:26And I was sneaking into this gym.
11:27I was working out, tried to do a little bit of everything.
11:30And when I didn't quite make it, I mean, I guess I've had trouble believing in myself.
11:37Dealing with the rejection, you keep your faith and keep it moving.
11:42I just stayed working out at that gym.
11:44That lets me becoming a trainer.
11:46And now I own a gym.
11:49The fact that I finally made it on the show, I'm supposed to be here.
11:54It was God's perfect plan.
11:56So I'm here, baby.
12:00First up, Tavares, who has dreamt of this moment for years.
12:05Can he snag a league with this?
12:07Gladiator trying to take him down.
12:10He's made out of the toughest stuff on earth.
12:13Give it up for...
12:15Steel!
12:21Steel was forged for events like this.
12:27This 5'10", 205 pounder sets off metal detectors just by flexing.
12:36Tom is taking away with the call.
12:39Continue your grip, and we will start on my whistle.
12:43Tavares' mom is here, and he says,
12:45you'll remember the name Tavares Chambliss by the end of this competition.
12:50Contender Rennie!
12:56Gladiator Rennie!
12:58Steel looks like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger,
13:01probably saying,
13:02Tavares, I want you to have a fantastic time here,
13:05but you're going to leave with a bad case of whiplash.
13:07Tavares!
13:08Three, two, one!
13:10We're underway!
13:12The game of push-pull!
13:14Tavares using that leverage to his advantage.
13:17He's on the edge!
13:18Oh!
13:18Steel lost grip before Tavares left.
13:22We have a restart!
13:24Both of the gladiators' hands came off of the bone
13:27before Tavares was outside the boundaries of the ring.
13:30You got to get up.
13:33Oh!
13:34So the referee warns Tavares, you got to get up,
13:37And he says, okay.
13:39Gentlemen, maintain your grip, and we will start on my whistle.
13:47a restart with 22 seconds remaining
13:53we're back underway tomorrow is down on one knee get back up steel trying to whip him out of the
13:58ring
14:05oh the contender has done it
14:14he's showing it doesn't matter about size it's going to heart baby the game is not over
14:19we have premature celebration gentlemen we will be going to the replay booth
14:25we're going to the replay booth baby oh man oh what is going on here's what's going on miz
14:34they're looking to see if tavares had control of the bone during steel's takedown or if he let go
14:39too soon who do you guys think is the winner do you think tavares is the winner
14:48or do you think steel is the winner
14:55let's go to the replay
14:57one hand must remain on the bone until your opponent is outside the plane of the ring
15:03that's the crucial rule in question here
15:07thomas what's the call
15:09after further review the contender still made control
15:12of the bone when the gladiator was out of the ring
15:1510 points to our contender
15:19dreams do come true
15:23the speed sound right now let's go
15:24give it up for devise give it up for steel
15:30up next it's exodus
15:33let's find out more about the man
15:35i'm exodus rogers i'm 38 i'm from sacramento california and i'm a probation officer
15:40i pretty much grew up all over sacramento in the neighborhoods i have violence going on
15:44i saw a lot of stuff that i shouldn't have seen
15:46i was never interested in that life
15:48i have to do my best
15:50when i work in juvenile hall
15:53my role is to be a role model the kids that i work with now are similar to the kids
15:56that i grew up with
15:57i'm able to get into their psyche and understand how they think and implement my childhood experiences into my work
16:04i'm a 24 7 dad i got a son and 200 other kids
16:09i know these gladiators are big but you guys should be shaking in your guttars because i'm ready to battle
16:17it looks ready to throw down but good luck grounding this gladiator
16:22his claws are sharp but his mind is sharper
16:26it's eagle
16:31looks like the bird herd is represented well in the audience tonight
16:35with a 6-4 wingspan and the heart of a hunter eagles an elite soldier with claws like a trap
16:44thomas let's get this going
16:48exodus with two of his good friends in the crowd
16:54maintain your grip don't start maintain your grip and we'll start on my whistle
17:00you'll already see a little tug of war between exodus and eagle
17:06contender ready
17:08he doesn't care that he's given up 50 pounds in this battle
17:12gladiator ready
17:16three
17:17two
17:18one
17:19we're underway eagle swings around exodus and throws him right out of the ring
17:25in less than five seconds
17:28holy smokes did we even start eagle takes care of business
17:33as exodus exits stage left and leaves with zero points
17:42what just happened he's not even breaking a sweat yet
17:46well it's unnecessary
17:49wow
17:52after whiplash tavares has 10 exodus nothing
17:56and remember every point led equates to a half second head start in the eliminated
18:05time for the next event
18:07and if you're sitting on a lead
18:08don't get too comfy
18:10this is the highest scoring event in the arena
18:13powerball
18:18powerball
18:19one minute of pure adrenaline
18:22contenders dodging gladiators while attempting to land balls into scoring pods
18:27two points for pods on the outside three points for the pod in the center blink and you're on your
18:35back
18:37the pod
18:37Francesca and Ayanna look ready
18:39their goal is simple
18:40rack up as many points as possible in those pods
18:43easier said than done with these gladiators standing in their way
18:46she'll rock a lady
18:48and rock a fella
18:50empire
18:51empire is 5'8", 150 pounds of solid concrete
18:57one wrong step and this Brooklyn bad girl will drop you quicker than a New York minute
19:04you can't get her out of your head
19:06because she nearly took it off
19:10Crust
19:10she's 5'6", 170 pounds
19:14and once you meet Crust
19:16you won't get over her
19:19and finally
19:20she's got your scent
19:22it's Huntress
19:24Huntress trains like a lion in the gym
19:26and like a cheetah running track
19:29no skills maker, a predator, no contender escapes
19:36all right Thomas, power is up
19:43Ayanna Proctor is still hoping to score big in front of her mom
19:48Contenders ready!
19:50Francesca trying to build on her 10-0 lead over Dr. Proctor
19:55Gladiators ready!
19:59Average weight of these three Gladiators over the 150 pounds
20:033, 2, 1
20:07Francesca staring down at two Gladiators
20:09jukes from a distance, wouldn't have counted anyway
20:13Ayanna jukes around Crust for an easy two
20:16Dr. Proctor gets on the board with an easy deuce
20:19now she's one on one against Crust and gets another two
20:23Francesca, she gets pushed out of bounds and has lost the ball
20:26she's gotta go to the other end
20:28she doesn't know
20:29Dr. Proctor getting wrapped up by Crust
20:32Can she work her way in?
20:34She's close!
20:35Crust!
20:36Crust!
20:37Crust is the doctor
20:38Francesca!
20:39Oh!
20:40Ribbon out!
20:41Crust gets a revenge against Ayanna with a huge takedown
20:44over here
20:46Francesca one on one
20:47she gets in and on the board
20:49it's 4-2
20:50Dr. Proctor's lost a little steam
20:53under 20 to go
20:56Dr. Proctor takes another huge hit from Crust
21:05I hope her mom's got some ibuprofen handy
21:07under 5 to go
21:09Francesca one last shot from a distance
21:11no good
21:14Ayanna wins Powerball 4-2 the final
21:22Those ladies kind of gave you a run for your money a little bit Empire
21:27I walk like this when I took the train in New York City
21:29I'm gonna give it to her
21:30she was a little firecracker she was cute but
21:33come on now I'm sexy
21:36Huntress you guys really really really gave them no chance out there
21:40I mean they were good but I think the best part about us is that we're a team and we're
21:43a family
21:44it was all about communication we had a plan and we stuck to it
21:46I love it and what was that plan can you share it
21:49I can't tell you the gladiator secret
21:51alright fine tell me later girl
21:53the secret is we just destroy we crush you know
21:56I love that one more time Empire Crush and Huntress
22:02After Powerball Francesca leads Ayanna 12-4
22:06if that lead holds it's a minor 4 second head start for Francesca come eliminator time
22:11but there's still one event left before the finale
22:15okay let's take it back to the men's heat now
22:18Exodus Rogers is doing this for his three year old son Moises
22:23my son's going on three years old right now
22:25and he's the best thing that's ever happened to me
22:28I'm a heavily involved father a hundred percent
22:30now I got meal plans for him we got workouts
22:33I got him a little punching bag
22:34he watches me emulates me we work out
22:37becoming a dad motivated me more than anything could motivate me
22:41I want to be a superhero to my son so he has something to look up to
22:45and maybe strive to go above
22:48Exodus and Tavares are hoping to capitalize on this high scoring opportunity
22:53but who are the gladiators ready to take our contenders down
22:57at the speed of light
22:58it's Neon
23:02at six tooth and 220 pounds Neon is the life of this pummel party
23:09one lights up the room and the other one leaves it an absolute mess
23:14give it up for mayhem
23:20six five 240 pounds of psycho mercy ain't in his vocabulary
23:28and returning to this event
23:30it's EGLE
23:36Thomas let's do this
23:45Contenders ready
23:47Reminder that the contenders can score as many points as possible
23:52there are no limitations
23:53Gladiators ready
23:55Beyond Eagle and Mayhem
23:58average weight almost 245 pounds
24:02and they've got quickness as well
24:04three
24:04two
24:05one
24:06Exodus one on one with EGLE out of the gate
24:10sidesteps a tackle and gets two
24:19oh no
24:20oh no
24:21Tavares gets thrown down
24:24Exodus rim it out
24:26no shot there
24:27release Gladiator release release
24:29closing in on 30 seconds
24:31plenty of time to make a move
24:33Tavares looks like he cut his lip
24:35but that doesn't seem to be stopping him
24:41Tavares my goodness
24:44this Powerball match is brutal
24:47under 20 to go
24:49uh oh
24:50both contenders in the same area against
24:52oh Tavares that's two
24:54so does Exodus
24:57and look at this strategy
24:58Exodus
24:59hangs back
25:00he lets Tavares take the lead
25:02and the hits
25:03Tavares gets double teamed
25:04which clears the way for Exodus
25:06to snag an easy two points
25:09both contenders on the board
25:13Tavares gets double teamed and down
25:15one on one
25:15Exodus
25:16dragged down by an EGLE
25:17under 10 to go
25:19Tavares
25:20dragged down by Neon
25:21drops his ball while he's at it
25:23Exodus
25:24working against Mayhem
25:25oh no
25:26oh no
25:28and that's gonna do it
25:30Exodus wins 4 to 2
25:32in what was an absolute melee in Powerball
25:36there's two of you big boy
25:37Tavares
25:38is this the dream or is it a nightmare man
25:41there were some big boys out there
25:43and they move fast as hell
25:44and Exodus
25:45you used to keep in peace
25:47but that was pure chaos
25:48oh yeah
25:49I gotta use some force on these guys
25:51look out on the Giants
25:52was it too violent out there
25:53I mean we gladiators
25:55what do you expect
25:56well you're contenders
25:57those guys are gladiators
25:59I feel like you had a little bit of
26:02deja vu neon
26:03cause you were playing football out there
26:05I think you forgot about gladiators for a little bit
26:07I grew up watching American gladiators
26:10and Powerball specifically was the one event that I saw that inspired me to play football
26:14well congratulations fellas
26:16eagle
26:17neon
26:18mayhem
26:20so that'll do it for Powerball
26:22Tavares leads Exodus 12 to 4
26:25Tavares' 5 second head start in the eliminator has been trimmed to just 4 seconds
26:30heading into the joust
26:34Roxy where are we going next?
26:36for the first time in 20 years
26:39Joust
26:40armed with fusel sticks
26:42contenders square off against gladiators on 8 foot platforms
26:47stay up for 30 seconds to earn 5 points
26:50knock the gladiator off for 10
26:52but if you don't stand your ground
26:54you don't stand a chance
26:57first up on Joust it's Ayana hoping to make a big move
27:01but that plan may go up in smoke against this gladiator
27:05treading her matchstick for a pugil stick
27:07it's
27:09blaze
27:14contender ready
27:15wonder what sort of exercise the doctor would prescribe to get ready for the joust
27:21radiator ready
27:23going against the physical specimen blaze 6 feet 185
27:273
27:292
27:301
27:31blaze a swing and a miss and a good shot by the doctor
27:34altering Father
27:36blaze great
27:36blaze trying to go with the backhand and then the forehand
27:38now here comes the doctor with one and two
27:41Oh, no, it's one big Blaze shot.
27:44Have a nice trip.
27:48Game is over.
27:50Gladiator's winner.
27:52No points awarded.
27:55The doctor blanked in this event
27:58as Blaze heads to Gloryville.
28:01Wow.
28:02Oh, crap.
28:03Come on over here, Blaze.
28:05Goodness, how you feeling over there?
28:07You all right?
28:08I'm all right.
28:09I really needed those points.
28:11But, you know, lift it by another day.
28:13I'm looking forward to the Eliminator.
28:14Talk about the back-and-forth hits.
28:16I mean, she was going left, right,
28:17and then she got that one.
28:19It happened so fast.
28:21I think I ate a couple good hits, though.
28:22And I think you ate a couple good hits, too,
28:24wouldn't you say?
28:25Okay.
28:25I was like, are we at Yankee Stadium?
28:27Because the way you were winding up that pugil stick,
28:29I was like, you're hitting it out the park.
28:31The wind-up.
28:32The wind-up.
28:33How do you feel about your performance, Blaze?
28:35I feel so good.
28:37Number one, she is strong.
28:39She is tough.
28:41She is wonderful, but I got that good left hook,
28:44and no one's ready for that.
28:46So props to her, really.
28:47Wow.
28:48You did great.
28:49You did amazing.
28:49All right, give it up for Ayanna and Blaze!
28:55Next up on Joust, Francesca.
28:58Hoping to put up a 10 spot here,
29:00but there's a gladiator ready to blow that dream away.
29:04Hurricane!
29:06All right, Thomas!
29:09All right, Thomas!
29:09Joe Stein!
29:11Contender ready!
29:13Francesca told me she's going to use rotational power
29:17to take it to the gladiator.
29:19Gladiator ready!
29:20And she's going to need it because Hurricane outweighs her opponent by 35 pounds.
29:26Three, two, one!
29:30Francesca giving up a ton of weight in this,
29:32but she's startled to Gladiator.
29:34Has Hurricane bouncing back?
29:36Hurricane!
29:37The overhead smash!
29:39She's got that just off!
29:40Oh, no!
29:44It's been stopped!
29:45Referee Thomas!
29:47Gladiator touched the contender's podium.
29:50Gladiator is disqualified.
29:53Ten points awarded to the contender.
29:55You heard it.
29:56Thomas Taylor, our referee,
29:58said Hurricane blew in the wrong direction,
30:01ended up on Francesca's podium,
30:03and the competitor gets a cool ten points.
30:09Check out Francesca.
30:10Almost falls off at one point,
30:12regains her balance,
30:13then Hurricane touches Francesca's podium,
30:16and it is over.
30:18That's on me.
30:19I saw Francesca.
30:21She's tinier.
30:22I took her a little bit too lightly there.
30:23I did.
30:24So, nice job.
30:25Francesca, you went up there,
30:27and you just came out swinging.
30:29Oh, yeah.
30:30I came in hot,
30:31had some Cuban coffee this morning,
30:32and even though she almost knocked me off balance,
30:34I stayed focused.
30:35And going up against a girl like Hurricane,
30:37that doesn't intimidate you at all?
30:39No, she's cute.
30:41Well, that she is.
30:43Give it up for Francesca and Hurricane!
30:48After joust, Francesca has 22 points,
30:52and Dr. Proctor has four.
30:54That is an amazing nine-second head start for Francesca
30:57heading into the Eliminator.
31:02Next up, it's Exodus.
31:05Remember, every point matters.
31:10Everyone, don't freak out.
31:14What is that?
31:16Maybe freak out a little.
31:24Contenders, run!
31:26Give award!
31:27Gladiator Arena, welcome to Bang!
31:31Oh, my God.
31:33My goodness.
31:36Bang weighs in at 265 pounds,
31:39and with his wrestling chops,
31:40he's less man and more mountain on joust.
31:45Can't wait to see this.
31:46Thomas, let's go!
31:52Contender, run!
31:54Exodus Rodgers giving up about 65 pounds
31:58to the Gladiator.
31:59Gladiator, run!
32:01You just saw his entrance down the wall.
32:04We call that the Fang Hang.
32:05Three, two, one!
32:09Exodus trying to get quick out of the gate instead.
32:12He's taking shot after shot.
32:13Delivers a toughie to the Fang, man!
32:16Bang!
32:16First shot!
32:17Oh, no, Exodus!
32:18Oh, no, no!
32:24So, Exodus doesn't pick up any points,
32:26but he almost stopped the landing.
32:28Whoa!
32:30Fang, a triumphant debut
32:33here on American Gladiator.
32:36I mean, do we give points for front flips?
32:39Where did that come from?
32:40Yeah, that's how to improvise.
32:41Even on a loss, you still look great.
32:43He hit me with a good shot.
32:45Man, he's strong.
32:46These guys are big.
32:47Fang, I know you are a man of little words,
32:51so what would you like to tell America, Fang?
33:01Give it up for Exodus and Fang, wherever he is!
33:08Next up, it's Tavares,
33:10who's ready to light up that scoreboard with 10 points,
33:13and he's facing Neon!
33:20Oh, man.
33:22Oh, man.
33:22Hey, baby, did it?
33:23What are you doing?
33:23Oh, my God.
33:25Oh, my God.
33:25Oh, my God.
33:25Contender, ready!
33:27Tavares, one of our smallest male competitors this season,
33:31stands at 5'5".
33:33Go, team!
33:33Ready?
33:33Ready, the winner!
33:35Oh!
33:36The height difference in this one.
33:39Three, two, one!
33:42Here we go!
33:44A barrage of hits coming from both ways already.
33:47Neon, that wasn't up.
33:48Oh, Tavares loses his balance.
33:52Down goes the Contender.
33:59A great effort by the Contender,
34:02but he has literally nothing to show for it
34:04and earns zero points.
34:07How about the anticipation from Tavares?
34:09He was expecting Neon's first blow.
34:11Ducks quickly goes on the attack,
34:14but he gets a little too excited,
34:16ends up on the map.
34:17Hey, impressive flip.
34:19Shame about the points.
34:20It's been a dream.
34:22It's been a dream.
34:23Joust, it's iconic on American Gladiators.
34:25You got to just do that.
34:27What was it like?
34:28Man, it's been 17 years I've been waiting to do this.
34:30Was Joust everything you thought it was going to be?
34:33If I would have won, it would have been.
34:35So give me another chance.
34:36Let's do it again, Neon.
34:36Oh, God.
34:37We got to give it up for Tavares
34:39because he came out here
34:40and he gave me a great fight,
34:42but the better man won today.
34:44I'll let you have this one,
34:46but next time I see you, it's home, brother.
34:47Okay, bet.
34:48Everybody give it up for Tavares and Neon.
34:53After Joust, the men's heat, unchanged.
34:57Tavares 12, Exodus 4.
34:59That means that Tavares has a four-second head start
35:02heading into the Eliminator.
35:07We couldn't ask for a better kickoff
35:09to the return of American Gladiators.
35:11Our brave contenders have battled the entire night,
35:14but there are only two spots up for grabs in the semifinals.
35:17We're starting this competition with 24 contenders.
35:21The top six men and the top six women
35:24will advance to the semifinal.
35:25And only one man and one woman
35:28will win the $100,000 and the ultimate prize,
35:32American Gladiator glory.
35:36All right, we're headed down the home stretch.
35:40A shot at $100,000 on the line.
35:42It's Eliminator time.
35:46Roxy, here is the rundown.
35:49The Eliminator, a brutal race to the finish
35:52that'll leave even the toughest contenders win it.
35:55Two of them must power through hurdles,
35:57scale ropes, and navigate a pesky set of monkey bars.
36:01After a daring trapeze leap,
36:03they'll climb a tangled cargo net
36:05and shoot down the zipline.
36:07Next, a sprint across the balance beam
36:10and a final charge up the legendary Travelator.
36:13That's a 35-degree angle running at top speed,
36:1610 miles per hour for the men,
36:18eight for the women,
36:19before a daring rope swing through the finish line.
36:21It all comes down to this.
36:24Francesca and Ayana are the first
36:25to take on the all-new Eliminator.
36:28Francesca scored big in the first three events tonight,
36:31earning 22 points over three events tonight,
36:34while Dr. Proctor was only able to get
36:37her prescription filled for four points.
36:39That difference gives Francesca
36:41a major nine-second head start in the Eliminator.
36:44After scoring in every event tonight,
36:46could she make it a clean sweep?
36:49Contenders, ready!
36:51Nine-second head start for Francesca Martinez.
36:55That is huge!
36:58Three, two, one!
37:01Francesca off and running.
37:12Ayana Proctor is off and running.
37:15Francesca already up on the monkey bars.
37:17Where she falls off, she'll incur a 10-second penalty.
37:20Dr. Proctor gets to the top of the rope climb
37:22and now onto the monkey bars.
37:24Francesca already at the trapeze.
37:27Swings across and makes it!
37:28Now onto the cargo net as she wildly jumps onto that thing.
37:33Dr. Proctor unleashing the trapeze.
37:35She gets across, too.
37:36She's made up a little bit of time.
37:38Eyes the cargo net.
37:39A berth of the semifinals at stake.
37:42Huge jump by Dr. Proctor.
37:44Francesca Martinez almost to the top.
37:51It'll be Martinez first.
37:53Ayana Proctor having a little trouble.
37:55Someone stuck in neutral.
37:57Here comes Francesca Martinez.
38:00Both competitors dreaming of $100,000
38:02if they can win the whole thing.
38:04But first, a stop in the semifinals at stake.
38:08Oh, look at Martinez.
38:09Beautifully on top of the balance beam!
38:13Oh-ho!
38:14She gets across.
38:15Just the travelator stands between Francesca Martinez
38:19and a berth in the semis.
38:21In the meantime, now the zipline is Ayana Proctor.
38:25Martinez is... is...
38:27Oh!
38:29Back down the travelator.
38:31Oh, Ayana Proctor used her hand.
38:33She has to restart on the balance beam.
38:34Oh! Face first is Martinez!
38:37If Ayana Proctor can get across the balance beam...
38:40Oh, she falls off and has to restart.
38:42Francesca Martinez, a third try!
38:44She's almost...
38:45No!
38:47Francesca Martinez cannot get up there.
38:49This is the woman that has so injury-prone.
38:52When she was 12 years old, she broke her back.
38:55Now the question is,
38:57does she have a broken spirit at the travelator?
38:59Dr. Proctor has made it across the balance beam.
39:03Francesca Martinez, a fourth try!
39:05She cannot do it!
39:06Dr. Ayana Proctor getting some deep breaths.
39:09One strong push could land her in the semifinals.
39:12Here she goes!
39:14Oh, she goes down!
39:15The travelator traveling at 8 miles an hour
39:18at a 35-degree angle.
39:21Moving this travelator from the beginning to the end.
39:25Pure genius!
39:25Both competitors out of breath.
39:28They are exhausted.
39:30Who can push through?
39:42It's not Martinez this time.
39:45Dr. Proctor now has a chance to overtake Francesca.
39:48This would be an insane come-through behind victory.
39:51Does she have what it takes to make her to the top?
39:54Here goes Dr. Proctor!
40:01Is it enough to pitch her to the top?
40:05It is!
40:07She has made it to the top!
40:10She bursts through the caper!
40:14Ayana Proctor erases a nine-second deficit for the win.
40:18Next up, the semifinals!
40:22What should America know about American Gladiator?
40:25It is no joke, and this is the real deal, baby.
40:28Thank you very much, Francesca.
40:30Ayana, congratulations.
40:32You're going to the semifinals.
40:33You have a chance to play for $100,000.
40:37What do you want to say to your mom?
40:38Yo, Mommy, I love you.
40:39You're my superhero.
40:41My mom is a gladiator at life.
40:44She inspires me every day,
40:45and I just wanted to make her proud today.
40:47I really did, and I tried my best.
40:49I love you, baby!
40:53She got me.
40:55Are you crying?
40:57There's no crying.
40:58There's no crying in American Gladiators!
41:00There's no crying in American Gladiators!
41:04We're about to find out who in the men's heat
41:06is going to be moving on with Ayana.
41:08Tavares enters the eliminator with a dozen points.
41:10That eight-point lead gives Tavares
41:12a moderate four-second head start
41:14in the eliminator,
41:15but one slip-up can make that vanish,
41:18so do not count Exodus out.
41:20Thanks, Chris!
41:21Let's see which one of these guys
41:22wants it most.
41:24Thomas, take it away.
41:30Contenders ready!
41:33One of these two men
41:35is about to claim a coveted spot
41:36in the semifinals.
41:38The only question is,
41:39who's it going to be?
41:41Three, two, one!
41:44Nearly 20 years ago,
41:46Tavares Chambliss dreamt
41:48of competing on American Gladiators.
41:50Now he's got his shot.
41:51Oh, and here goes Exodus
41:52trying to close the gap.
41:54He's already at the rope.
41:55Now onto the monkey bars for Tavares.
41:58He gets across.
41:59No problem.
42:01Exodus still pushing through.
42:04Tavares now onto the cargo net,
42:06which has historically been
42:08the great equalizer in the eliminator.
42:10Exodus gets over there.
42:12Takes a big lead.
42:13First competitor up the cargo net
42:15has to go to the further
42:16of the two zip lines
42:17before cascading down.
42:21Tavares off to the zip line.
42:23Exodus having a little issue.
42:24He's doing this with all the kids
42:26he mentors back at the detention center
42:28in Sacramento.
42:29Ritter moves on to the semifinals
42:31where the reward is getting beaten up
42:32by the Gladiators all over again.
42:34Tavares is now onto the balance beam
42:36where he cannot use his hands
42:38or he will have to restart.
42:41Exodus trying to push through.
42:44Tavares balanced.
42:46Now he's at the travelator
42:47going 10 miles an hour.
42:4943-year-old Tavares Chambles
42:52is up and through
42:53and off to the semifinals.
42:58Let's go!
43:01Yes!
43:02You dreamt of this moment
43:03for how long?
43:05It's been over 17 years!
43:07Let's go!
43:08The dream of being a great contestant
43:11on American Gladiators
43:12is complete!
43:16Exodus, amazing, amazing, amazing job.
43:17What do you think tripped you up?
43:19That little head start,
43:19but I caught him.
43:20You know, this is what it is.
43:22And no excuses.
43:24One minute, nine seconds, 0.52.
43:27That is a fast eliminator.
43:29I'm gonna do better next time.
43:30Let's go.
43:30And you have a next time
43:32because you're going to the semifinals.
43:34Give it up for Tavares and Exodus!
43:38Two contenders are headed to the semifinals
43:41and are one step closer
43:42to winning that $100,000 prize.
43:46Are you not entertained?
43:48Rhetorical question, of course.
43:50We've got a wild season ahead.
43:52Let's take a look.
43:55Yeah!
43:57Buckle up,
43:58because this is only the beginning.
43:59We're gonna give him a shot!
44:02Oh, and he gets ripped down!
44:05Hits are gonna get harder.
44:07Steel, whoa!
44:08Some people are saying,
44:10hit of the season, I don't know.
44:13The challenge is bigger.
44:15She is out!
44:17And the Gladiators,
44:18they're just getting warmed up.
44:20The electricity is flowing through me!
44:2224 contenders from across the country.
44:24I'm doing this for my son.
44:25I mean, I thought I am a 16-year veteran.
44:28I'm a firefighter out of Florida.
44:30I am here to seek generational revenge.
44:33My dad and I used to watch this show growing up.
44:35This is the first time I was able to compete in 11 years.
44:38How are you feeling?
44:39So happy.
44:40Just shot after shot right to the dome.
44:43I will see every one of you down here.
44:46The new era of American Gladiators is here.
44:51Are you ready?
44:55Are you ready?
44:57I don't know.