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American Gladiators (2026) - Season 1 Episode 8 - Semi-Final 2
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00:00It's a gorgeous night for Gladiating.
00:04The Atlas flame is burning bright as ever,
00:07waiting for new legends to rise.
00:12Gladiator Arena,
00:14give it up for your master of ceremonies this evening,
00:18The Miz!
00:20Gladiator Arena!
00:24Are you ready for the semifinals?
00:31Tonight, four returning contenders from across the country,
00:35two men and two women are back for a shot at the finale
00:39where $100,000, a trophy forged in freedom
00:44and American Gladiator glory,
00:47they'll face the events you know and love,
00:50but with a semifinals twist,
00:53here's Chris Rose with more.
00:55All right, thanks, Miz.
00:56The finals are this close.
00:58The tournament bracket is filling up.
01:01Evan and Ayana have already locked in their spots in the finals.
01:04Now two more are up for grabs,
01:06and by the end of the night,
01:08one man and one woman will claim them.
01:13We say every point matters here in the Gladiator Arena an awful lot,
01:17but that has never been more true than in the men's heat tonight.
01:20It's L.A. stuntman Ben
01:22versus viral workout influencer Michael from Sin City.
01:28Ben and Michael both dominated their events in the prelim.
01:32Oh, no!
01:33The mocked bull!
01:35Another amazing performance!
01:38But it was their eliminator times that were the most impressive.
01:41With only less than a second and a half separating their times,
01:44this is the closest two contenders have ever matched up.
01:48Tonight, the contenders will face off in a new twist on Gauntlet,
01:52Hang Tough,
01:53and the ring.
01:54And with every point worth a half-second head start in the eliminator,
01:58each point has never mattered more.
02:01It could be the difference between nothing or $100,000.
02:08I'm the one in the arena.
02:12I'm the one who will never mind now.
02:17Gladiator Arena!
02:19Are you ready for your first event?
02:23Roxy, tell us about this semifinals edition of Gauntlet.
02:28Thanks, Miz.
02:30In this semifinal, it's the most grueling Gauntlet ever.
02:34Contenders have 45 seconds to charge through four gladiator-packed zones.
02:40It's two points per zone, 10 if you clear them all.
02:43That's not all.
02:45This time, it ends in the impact zone,
02:48where contenders face gladiators with the kind of wrestling resumes
02:52that strike fear before the first bell.
02:55For the men, Bang, a three-time TNT champion and ladder match winner.
03:01And for the women, Hurricane,
03:03a pro-wrestling illustrated top-ten powerhouse
03:06and gold medalist at the Lucha Libre World Cup.
03:10Get any part of the gladiator out of the impact zone,
03:13earn an additional three points.
03:16Stepping into the gauntlet, it's Ben.
03:19Let's go!
03:20He dominated the gauntlet last time out,
03:23but with five gladiators lined up,
03:25he's never pulled off a stunt like this,
03:28especially against gladiators that do their own stunts.
03:32And in another twist,
03:34we have a new gladiator.
03:38He will shock you.
03:42It's Lightning!
03:45At 6'5", 250 pounds,
03:47Lightning comes into the arena
03:49with some serious credentials.
03:51He's served our country
03:52and served the big kids on the football field.
03:54He's used to breaking through lines
03:56and taking on contact.
03:58And here comes the rest.
04:02It's Neon!
04:04Ace!
04:05The Bull!
04:08And in the impact zone,
04:10it's Faye!
04:15Let's go, baby!
04:16Let's go!
04:17Come on!
04:22This is easy work, baby!
04:24This is easy work, baby!
04:28Let's go to the floor
04:29to our head referee, Thomas Taylor,
04:32as always,
04:32joined by Robin DiLorenzo
04:34and Mike Zidara.
04:37Contender, ready!
04:42Gladiators, ready!
04:45Party of four,
04:46angry gladiators,
04:48your table is ready.
04:50You have to leave Bull outside.
04:52We don't allow pets.
04:583, 2, 1!
05:0131-year-old Ben
05:02off and running
05:03for a stop,
05:04Lightning,
05:05making his American Gladiators debut.
05:07Ben gets two.
05:09Now working on Neon,
05:10gets past him.
05:12Oh, you're out!
05:16Ace,
05:16what do you think
05:17you're performing?
05:18Uh, Ace, you're bad.
05:21Okay, so here we go.
05:23One-on-one with Fang.
05:24Three points up for Grahams here
05:25if you can just get
05:26any part of Fang
05:27out of the impact zone.
05:29Ben,
05:30the stuntman.
05:32Hey, Tom Cruise
05:32does his own stunts.
05:34No way he's gonna ever do this.
05:36Fighting a world-class wrestler
05:37used to taking down
05:38opponents twice Ben's size.
05:42Oh, wow!
05:44Nice takedown,
05:45but that's not gonna get it done.
05:48Hey, impressive move
05:50by Ben Calvert.
05:53Three,
05:55two,
05:55two,
05:57three,
05:57three,
05:58come on over.
06:00You know,
06:01if this was amateur wrestling,
06:03you definitely would've
06:04got some points there.
06:05Would I?
06:06That is a big man right there.
06:08I mean,
06:08you took down Fang.
06:10You didn't get him out,
06:11but you took him down.
06:12I mean,
06:12that's gotta be
06:13some sort of pat on the back.
06:15Listen,
06:15I give him all the respect.
06:17He gave me some good shoves.
06:18I respect him,
06:19uh,
06:20even stepping in the ring
06:21with me.
06:22making his gladiator debut
06:25for the first time
06:26that we get to check him out.
06:28It's lightning!
06:30I saw some of your football techniques
06:32out there in the start.
06:33Yeah,
06:34I was just trying to, uh,
06:34confuse him,
06:35get in his head a little bit,
06:36play a two-week mind game with him,
06:37make him feel me
06:38to be a little more aggressive
06:39and just have fun.
06:39I wanna have fun
06:40with our competitors
06:40and just enjoy it.
06:41I love that.
06:41Well, welcome to the family,
06:43Lightning.
06:43We love seeing you out here.
06:45Everybody give it up for Ben,
06:47who scored 10 points
06:48in the gauntlet Leveled Up.
06:51And Lightning made his debut,
06:53and as always,
06:54Fang!
06:59Ben picks up 10
07:00here in the semis.
07:02Looks like Bull and Ace
07:03are warming up for Michael,
07:04who's up next.
07:06Michael's fiance
07:07and their girlfriend
07:08looking on tonight.
07:09Bit of an interesting situation
07:10going on there.
07:11Let's see what it's all about.
07:13If I win American Gladiators,
07:15I'm gonna put a lot of it
07:17into the wedding.
07:17I wanna make it absolutely perfect.
07:19So I met my fiance,
07:21the love of my life,
07:22at a party for,
07:23let's call it,
07:24like-minded adults
07:25for lack of a better word.
07:27My version of marriage
07:28is a little bit different
07:30than the norm.
07:30So instead of a monogamous
07:32relationship,
07:32we are both polyamorous.
07:34Currently,
07:35Rook has a girlfriend.
07:36So there is another aspect
07:38coming into our relationship.
07:41I can understand
07:42that this lifestyle in particular
07:43may not resonate with others.
07:46I just want people out there
07:47to understand that
07:48we treat our relationship
07:50just like they would.
07:541-0-3-71,
07:57the fastest male
08:00eliminator time
08:01in a season.
08:02I'm just gonna repeat
08:03what has been working.
08:04Stay positive.
08:05Whatever game I get,
08:07just accept it
08:08and have fun.
08:13All right, Thomas,
08:14let's do this.
08:16Contender,
08:17Riddly!
08:18Okay,
08:19Michael's turning the gauntlet.
08:21Ben's at the bar
08:22at 10 points.
08:23Time to find out
08:23what Michael's made of.
08:26Gladiators, Riddly!
08:323, 2, 1!
08:36Ben already with 10.
08:37Michael already
08:38with his first two.
08:39Gets past Lightning.
08:40Spins on Neon
08:41who pins him
08:42against the wall.
08:42Let's go, Neon!
08:43Let's go!
08:43Referee Thomas Taylor
08:44says, let him go!
08:45Get another two points.
08:46This is where Michael
08:47had trouble in the prelims.
08:49Ah, he gets in his own three.
08:51Pass the ball.
08:51And pass Ace as well.
08:53In the impact zone,
08:55he's got 24 seconds
08:56for a battle
08:57with a professional wrestler.
09:00He's got to move
09:02265-pound Fang out.
09:04And Fang's got
09:05the upper hand on Michael.
09:09All right, he's got Fang!
09:11And all he has to do
09:12is drag a 265-pound beast
09:15onto the red
09:16to get three more points.
09:19But Michael,
09:20the man who's always smiling,
09:24can't do it.
09:27Both Michael and Ben
09:29pick up 10 points
09:31out of the gate
09:31in the gauntlet.
09:32Come on, let's go!
09:34Let's go!
09:35Woo!
09:39I feel like I earned
09:40my stripes on that one.
09:42But that extra level
09:44is no joke.
09:46I'm exhausted.
09:47Hey, kudos to Michael,
09:49though.
09:49I got his beast, all right?
09:50That's what brings
09:51American Gladiators
09:52is competition
09:53and the best of the best!
09:55I'm going to see you, guys.
09:56Get out!
09:58We have never seen a match
10:00quite like this.
10:01So after one event,
10:02the men are all tied up at 10.
10:04Now let's move on
10:05to the women.
10:07It's Bailey,
10:08the CrossFit instructor mom,
10:09looking to make her son
10:10and all of her CrossFit students proud,
10:13versus Michelle,
10:14the owner of a health
10:15and wellness company
10:16with a second chance
10:18at redemption tonight.
10:19Bailey comes in confident
10:21after earning her semifinal spot
10:23by overcoming a massive
10:2410-second deficit
10:26on the Eliminator
10:27in the prelims,
10:28whereas Michelle
10:29is out to prove
10:30she belongs
10:30after earning
10:31her semifinal spot
10:33thanks to a
10:34Travelator DQ.
10:36Which one of these two
10:37has what it takes
10:38to go all the way
10:39in the gauntlet?
10:41Bailey's up first,
10:43five gladiators
10:44stand in her way.
10:45Who are they?
10:47They call themselves
10:48the Fright Club.
10:50It's Crush,
10:52Empire,
10:55Voltage,
10:56Huntress,
10:58and in the Impact Zone,
11:00it's Hurricane!
11:04Bailey's about to learn
11:05why the first rule
11:07of Fright Club is
11:08we don't talk
11:09about Fright Club.
11:20Pull him on!
11:25Thomas,
11:27Contender,
11:28ready!
11:29During the prelims,
11:30this was the only event
11:32in which Bailey scored
11:33any points.
11:34Gladiators,
11:35ready!
11:36But she literally
11:37has to get through
11:38a gauntlet of Crush,
11:39Empire,
11:40Voltage,
11:41Huntress,
11:42and then finally,
11:43Hurricane.
11:46Three,
11:48two,
11:49one!
11:50Here we go!
11:52Oh my gosh!
11:53She delivered
11:53an elbow to Crush!
11:55She's got two points!
11:57Spinning past
11:58that fire,
11:59easy pass voltage,
12:01see how much this
12:02Bailey charges
12:03into battle
12:04against pro wrestler
12:05Hurricane.
12:06And now in the Impact Zone,
12:08showing her muscle!
12:09She's got 25 seconds
12:11to get her
12:12on any part of the red
12:13to earn
12:14an additional three points!
12:18Bailey,
12:19already with 10 points
12:20in her pocket!
12:21She's giving up
12:22about 10 pounds here!
12:25She used to be
12:26hanging out,
12:27eating chips,
12:28watching anime
12:29in her bedroom!
12:30Now she's going
12:31muscle to muscle
12:32with Hurricane!
12:34Hurricane's gonna survive,
12:35but a great start
12:36for Bailey!
12:38She picked up
12:3910 out of a possible
12:4113 points
12:42here in this
12:43semi-final matchup!
12:46We know you're exhausting!
12:48Must be very hard
12:50to walk all the way
12:51down here
12:52in the Impact Zone.
12:53It's a little different,
12:54isn't it?
12:54That's a lot of fun!
12:56Yeah, that's definitely
12:57a little bit different
12:58coming out of that
12:59full sprint through
13:00a wall of people!
13:02Now, I know
13:02that you actually
13:03have a wrestling background.
13:05How did it feel
13:06kind of getting back
13:07in the ring like that?
13:08She came through
13:09that Zone 4
13:10really quick,
13:10so I had to stay low
13:12and get ready for her,
13:12and I had a good time.
13:14I had a good time
13:14rolling around with her!
13:15I enjoyed it, so...
13:16Like a pig in mud, baby!
13:2010 points
13:21out of 13
13:22for Bailey!
13:24Congratulations!
13:25Give it up for Bailey
13:26and Hurricane!
13:27Great job!
13:34Michelle's up next.
13:35She only qualified
13:36for the semis
13:37because her opponent
13:37got disqualified.
13:39Let's see how
13:40she earned her spot.
13:42Michelle,
13:43she is stuck
13:44on the cargo net.
13:45Fallon crawled
13:46off to the side.
13:47That is illegal.
13:50Fallon,
13:51you are disqualified.
13:52It was bittersweet.
13:53People might be saying,
13:54like, maybe she doesn't
13:54really deserve it,
13:55but I'm here
13:56to prove people wrong,
13:57and that's what
13:58I'm gonna do.
14:01I grew up watching
14:02American Gladiators,
14:03so it was good
14:04to see people
14:06doing these cool obstacles,
14:08you know,
14:08and even more so
14:09seeing, like,
14:10black women do that.
14:11Having that representation
14:12to me matters so much,
14:13and to be here,
14:14I just hope to show
14:16that, you know,
14:17women are way stronger
14:19and are way more capable
14:20to do things
14:21that they never thought
14:22that they could,
14:23and if you push through,
14:24you have to finish
14:26what you start.
14:28Michelle has got her
14:29game face on.
14:32Contender,
14:33ready!
14:34Michelle says
14:35this is her best event.
14:37She outweighs
14:38four of the five
14:39Gladiators.
14:40She's about to try
14:40and run over.
14:42Gladiators,
14:43ready!
14:46No one came in here.
14:47No one.
14:51Three, two, one!
14:55Michelle Keith,
14:56she works in health services
14:58in Atlanta.
14:59You're on, Gladiators!
15:00She's trying to
15:01bruise these Gladiators.
15:03You're on, Gladiators!
15:03She's already passed
15:04the first three.
15:06And now Michelle squares up
15:08against the decorated
15:09veteran wrestler
15:10with 30 seconds
15:11on the clock
15:11for Michelle Keith
15:12to try and get the Gladiator
15:14out of the impact zone.
15:17Hurricane, though,
15:18nice little reversal there.
15:19If this were a wrestling match,
15:21she would have picked up
15:21a couple points.
15:24Michelle still has
15:2512 seconds.
15:26One more good run at it.
15:28She's trying to get low,
15:29but great job by Hurricane
15:31to tackle Michelle.
15:33She's the aggressor.
15:35Quite a few seconds.
15:37So Michelle,
15:38just like Bayley,
15:39will settle for the 10 points
15:41as she worked her way
15:42through the gauntlet.
15:43But then her dream
15:44stopped in the impact zone.
15:47And that means
15:48no contender
15:49won the battle
15:50in the impact zone.
15:51Oh, man!
15:53Gauntlet is leveled up.
15:56And how hard
15:57is that impact zone?
15:59That impact zone is crazy.
16:01That was a fight.
16:02I got my 10 points.
16:03I wanted to get the
16:05other points, but...
16:07I'm gonna just let you know,
16:08any of y'all watching at home
16:09think you're gonna be a Gladiator?
16:11No one is gonna get me
16:13in that impact zone.
16:14Period.
16:15Not gonna happen.
16:17Great job, Michelle!
16:19Great job, Hurricane!
16:21America Gladiators, baby!
16:23We in the semifinal!
16:25Bayley and Michelle
16:26pick up 10 points apiece
16:28in the gauntlet.
16:29Our next event
16:30is not only
16:31an ultimate test of toughness,
16:33but I'm considering it
16:34for the title of my memoir.
16:36Roxy, tell them about
16:38Hang Tough.
16:39Contenders have 60 seconds
16:40to make it across the arena
16:41using nothing but the ring.
16:43All while Gladiators
16:44try to knock them down.
16:46Reaching the red rings
16:47and holding on to the end
16:49earns them five points.
16:51But if they can make it through
16:52and make it all the way
16:53to the opposite platform,
16:55that's 10 points.
16:56It's all about grip,
16:57control, and courage.
16:59One mistake
17:00and it's a long way down.
17:02With 10 points up for grabs,
17:04Bayley is ready to try
17:05Hang Tough
17:06for the first time.
17:07She'll face a Gladiator
17:09that eats, sleeps,
17:10and breathes competition.
17:12It's Crush!
17:19For Bayley,
17:20it's time to see
17:21what's been fueling her fight
17:22through the semifinal round.
17:24Enzo, my son,
17:26is two years old
17:27and he is the love of my life.
17:29I thought I loved
17:31before having Enzo
17:32and I did not realize
17:33how much love you can have
17:35for another human being.
17:36Let's go, let's go.
17:38He doesn't realize it,
17:40but he provides me
17:41so much support
17:41and I want to do so much for him
17:43and show him
17:44how hardworking, you know,
17:46a mom could be,
17:47a woman could be.
17:49Winning would mean
17:51everything to me.
17:52It would be a means
17:53to be able to provide
17:55back to my family financially.
17:57It means everything to me
17:58because they mean everything to me.
18:03Contender, Rene!
18:07Gladiator, Rene!
18:10The last time Crush
18:11was on the rings
18:12was against Jordan Sheffs.
18:14Bye, Crush.
18:16And now she's ready for revenge.
18:19Three, two, one!
18:24Bayley gets it going.
18:2760 seconds for Bayley
18:29to cover the 40-foot distance.
18:31Crush eyeing the competitor.
18:33Bayley staying in the middle.
18:35Here comes Crush.
18:36Oh, she's got Crush's back
18:38turned to her.
18:39Let's see if Bayley
18:40can take advantage.
18:42Bayley, oh no!
18:44She's got Crush
18:44wrapped all around her!
18:46Bayley used to do workouts
18:48with her two-year-old son,
18:49Enzo, attached to her body.
18:51Oh, but this is like
18:52an extra 170 pounds!
18:54And down goes Bayley.
18:57No points for the contender.
19:05You really like ripping their hands
19:07off of those rings.
19:09You got to.
19:10These girls are strong.
19:11And also, I really feel bad
19:12I was coming out
19:12for a little vengeance this time
19:13because I've had some,
19:14you know, some moments on this one.
19:16So, sorry girl.
19:17Had to, had to do it.
19:18For people at home,
19:19just for you to visualize this, okay?
19:20Look at her thigh
19:22matched to my head.
19:24A lot of meat!
19:25Jeez!
19:26It must have been leg day
19:28today at the gym, Crush.
19:29I am leg day!
19:31Nobody likes leg day.
19:32Nobody, except for Crush.
19:35Give it up for Crush
19:36and Bayley!
19:41That'll do it
19:42for the former God Queen.
19:43She picks up zero points
19:45in Hang Tough
19:46and Crush certainly feeling better
19:48this time around
19:49on Hang Tough.
19:54Next, it's our board game
19:56buff Michelle's
19:57first ever crack
19:58at Hang Tough.
19:59Can she strategize
20:01her way past this gladiator?
20:03Shocker!
20:04She's back again.
20:06It's voltage!
20:12It's voltage!
20:13Contender, Ritty!
20:16Chance for Michelle Keith
20:17to grab the lead
20:18in the semifinal
20:20for the very first time.
20:22Lady and Ritty!
20:27Three, two, one!
20:30The health services worker
20:32from Atlanta, Georgia,
20:34off and moving.
20:35Full 60 seconds
20:36to cover the 40-foot distance
20:38between the podium.
20:39Looks like she wants
20:40the meat voltage
20:41right in the middle.
20:42Come on!
20:43Let's go!
20:44Let's go!
20:45Oh, no!
20:45She's got a hand
20:47on a ring
20:47and that is it.
20:51She has done it
20:5218 seconds
20:53after making a feline
20:55to the gladiator.
20:56An interesting strategy
20:57with disastrous results
20:59for Michelle.
21:01What was the strategy
21:02on Hang Tough
21:03because it felt like
21:04you just went
21:04right towards voltage.
21:06Is that a good strategy?
21:08That wasn't the plan.
21:09That wasn't the plan, miss.
21:10What was the plan?
21:12I was trying to get
21:13to the outside
21:13but I didn't get there
21:14quick enough, clearly.
21:15She was quicker
21:16than I thought, so.
21:17Give it up for voltage
21:19and Michelle.
21:20It is tied right now.
21:22Let's go!
21:24Both Bailey and Michelle
21:25shut out in Hang Tough.
21:27We are all even.
21:29Ten points apiece.
21:32Now it's the men's turn
21:34to Hang Tough.
21:36Ben's grip strength
21:37is off the charts
21:39so the hanging
21:40won't be a problem.
21:41it's that this gladiator
21:43has all the right moves.
21:46It's neon!
21:50Ben Galfer has dreams
21:51of going from stuntman
21:53to leading man one day.
21:54Let's take a closer look.
21:57When I work in stunts
21:58I often portray
21:59a bad guy.
22:01It is not who I am
22:03as a normal person.
22:04I am very nice
22:05but maybe it's because
22:07I'm a Gemini
22:08and have two sides to me
22:09that when I do get on stage
22:11it's easy for that
22:12bad alter ego
22:13to come out.
22:14One day I would like
22:15to venture out of stunts
22:17and get into acting.
22:19I would love to be
22:20Tom Cruise one day.
22:21Well,
22:22I don't want to be him
22:23I'm Ben Galper
22:23but I would love to do
22:25what he does.
22:25Action hero
22:26and then do all your own stunts.
22:28That is the dream.
22:29The money would be nice
22:30but I want to prove to myself
22:33that I truly am the strongest.
22:35I will be the last man standing.
22:40Thomas,
22:41it's hang time.
22:45Contender Riddler!
22:51Regulator Riddler!
22:53Leon getting his first crack
22:55at hang tough this season.
22:56He looks like he's ready
22:58to light it up.
23:00Three,
23:01two,
23:02one!
23:04Ben the stuntman
23:05from L.A.
23:07Wow.
23:08He's moving.
23:09He's shaking.
23:10Which is a good idea
23:11because that's the best way
23:12to move forward
23:13in this sport.
23:14He's kind of twisting around though.
23:17Oh no!
23:18Leon is falling!
23:19The Gladiator's going!
23:22Oh,
23:23look at Ben!
23:24He's mocking him!
23:25He's got a ten point layup
23:27right in front of him!
23:29There it is!
23:31And in less than 30 seconds,
23:34Ben Galper makes it across
23:35and tough.
23:37And now he's going back.
23:39What?
23:39Just to rub it in his face!
23:42Neon!
23:42He's still up there, Neon!
23:44He's still snooking up!
23:46He's having a blast!
23:48He's doing curls!
23:49What is he trying out
23:50for the 2028 Olympic Games
23:52in L.A.?
23:53Do the Iron Cross with me!
23:55Do it!
23:55See how good I am at this?
23:57What happened?
23:59I was dancing
24:00so much beforehand.
24:02My hands were sweating
24:03a little bit
24:03and I got up on there
24:04and it just slipped off.
24:05Go regroup, Neon!
24:06Sorry, Neon!
24:08Go green!
24:08Wow, Neon!
24:09Go give him a hug, Ben!
24:11Give Neon a hug!
24:17Next up, Michael.
24:20After scoring the fastest
24:21eliminator time
24:22in the prelims,
24:24Michael's got a big target
24:25on his back.
24:26And when this gladiator
24:28sees a target,
24:30he doesn't miss.
24:31It's Eagle!
24:33At 6'4", 250 pounds,
24:35he towers over his competition,
24:37but it's his 74-inch wingspan
24:40that makes him even more dangerous
24:41in the air on Hank Tuff.
24:44Thomas, bring us the action.
24:49Contender Riddle!
24:51Huge event for the party boy
24:53from Vegas.
24:54Michael has his work
24:55cut out for him.
24:56He needs a perfect game here
24:57if he wants to stay
24:58even with Ben.
25:01One-hander, Riddle!
25:03Eagle is undefeated
25:05and it hanged up.
25:06Can Michael break that streak?
25:14Three, two, one!
25:17Michael said he was really
25:19looking forward to this event.
25:21You know, he's one of the
25:21heavier contenders this season,
25:23but he said
25:24this is his jam.
25:26We saw Eagle
25:28in the regular season.
25:29wrap up a contender
25:30just like this,
25:31but Michael shakes him off.
25:33And now they're doing
25:34a little footsie battle.
25:35No kick!
25:35No kick!
25:36No kicking!
25:37No kicking!
25:40Wow.
25:42The Eagle
25:43trying to reach out
25:44with that 6'5'' frame.
25:46Michael's broken left.
25:48He is now
25:49on the lead side of things.
25:50So if he hangs out
25:51for the next 20 seconds,
25:53he'll at least pick up
25:54five points
25:54as far as he's on a red ring.
25:57Michael
25:58trying to get this!
26:00And he goes!
26:04Michael
26:05goes bird hunting,
26:07takes down the Eagle,
26:09and is tied up
26:10the second semi-final
26:12at 20 points apiece.
26:16Yes!
26:18Yes!
26:18How did he do it?
26:21It was quite a grind
26:23for Michael
26:23to earn those 10 points.
26:25Michael
26:26slid off,
26:27had an opening.
26:28Would Eagle
26:29beat him to the spot?
26:30He did not.
26:32Michael
26:33and Ben
26:34are giving us
26:35a classic
26:36here in this
26:36second semi-final.
26:38Tied at 20,
26:39heading into the third
26:40and final event
26:41in the ring.
26:43We've really put
26:44our semi-finalists
26:45through the ringer tonight.
26:46Now,
26:47we're gonna put them
26:48through the ring.
26:49Short of word,
26:50same punishment.
26:51Roxy,
26:52tell us about
26:53the ring.
26:54In the ring,
26:55contenders have
26:5660 seconds
26:57to take on Gladiators
26:58in a head-to-head clash.
27:00Every touch
27:01of the ring
27:01scores two points,
27:02but holding your ground
27:04against the Gladiator
27:05is the real victory.
27:08Bailey and Michelle
27:09looking focused
27:10as they enter the arena.
27:11They're all tied up
27:12at 10.
27:14During the prelims,
27:15Bailey had the second
27:17fastest eliminator time,
27:19so it's of the utmost
27:20importance
27:21that Michelle scores
27:23some big-time points
27:24in the ring.
27:26The ring
27:27could swing the scoreboard
27:28big time,
27:29but these Gladiators
27:30won't give away points
27:32without a fight.
27:36It's Supernova!
27:39At 5'11
27:40and 170 pounds,
27:42her background
27:43in wrestling
27:43makes her tailor-made
27:44to stop contenders
27:46from getting to the ring.
27:49And it's Blaze!
27:51She stands
27:52six feet tall
27:53and weighs in
27:54at 185 pounds.
27:57This former volleyballer
27:58is looking to spike
27:59a few contenders
28:00to the mat
28:01in the ring.
28:03Thomas,
28:04take it away!
28:07Contenders ready!
28:09Points so valuable
28:11in this final event.
28:13Gladiators ready!
28:15Blaze will be attached
28:18to Bailey,
28:20Supernova
28:20against Michelle.
28:23Three,
28:25two,
28:26one!
28:27Two points
28:28every time
28:28a contender
28:29touches the button.
28:31Blaze ripping away
28:32Bailey,
28:32and Michelle
28:34gets there!
28:36She gets the first two.
28:37Bailey still working away.
28:39She gets two as well!
28:41Two-two
28:42in the early going.
28:43Oh, look at that!
28:44You can use your feet!
28:45Michelle trips right over.
28:48Bailey
28:49gets two as well.
28:51It's 4-4.
28:53Blaze,
28:54she's holding on
28:54to Bailey.
28:55She can still
28:56crawl toward the button.
28:58Michelle
28:58trying to backhand
28:59and lay in!
29:00She takes
29:00a six-four leap!
29:01Bailey evens it
29:03at six!
29:05Both contenders
29:06exhausted.
29:08Michelle breaks three!
29:09She falls!
29:12She spins!
29:13Left-handed tap!
29:158-6 lead!
29:17Final ten seconds!
29:19Bailey
29:19trying to get in there
29:21to tie it!
29:21Michelle!
29:22She gets a 10-6 lead!
29:27Bailey gets in there!
29:29Final few ticks!
29:31And Michelle Keith
29:33wins the ring
29:3410-8 over Bailey.
29:36She's fired up!
29:38She's lost her head!
29:40A crucial victory
29:41she needed against Bailey
29:43if she wants any chance
29:44at the Eliminator.
29:46Michelle feeling it out here!
29:48She's loving the ring!
29:50Give her some more!
29:51Yeah!
29:54Yeah!
29:54She just scored
29:5410 points
29:55in the ring!
29:57Yeah!
29:58Yeah!
29:59Yeah!
30:00Yeah!
30:00Eight points
30:01for Bailey.
30:02Michelle,
30:02you will have
30:03a one-second head start
30:04in the Eliminator.
30:06What does that mean to you?
30:08One second
30:08is all I need.
30:09I feel like
30:10you get that one second,
30:12that could mean the difference,
30:13so I'm gonna take
30:14full advantage of it.
30:15All right, give it up
30:16for our Gladiators
30:19and our Contenders!
30:22Michelle takes a 20-18 lead
30:25going into the Eliminator.
30:27That means she'll get
30:28a one-second head start
30:29against Bailey.
30:31Next up,
30:32it's the Men's Heat.
30:38Ben and Michael
30:39have put on
30:40one of the greatest
30:41head-to-head displays
30:42in the history
30:43of American Gladiators,
30:44and I'm talking about
30:45going to the old school
30:47as well.
30:49These two warriors
30:50are even at 20 points apiece,
30:52and remember,
30:53Michael had the best time
30:54on the Eliminator,
30:56Ben had the second-fastest time,
30:58so every point
30:59is gonna matter
31:00in the ring.
31:10Ben and Michael
31:11are stepping into the ring,
31:13but standing in their way,
31:14they're an unstoppable duo.
31:17It's lightning
31:18and mayhem!
31:21We talked about
31:22how these contenders
31:23are evenly matched,
31:24but how about
31:24these two Gladiators?
31:25Both come from the gridiron,
31:27but in the ring,
31:28it's gonna be less
31:28about touchdowns
31:29and more about takedowns.
31:36Michael,
31:36we got a baby!
31:38We got a baby!
31:41This is why
31:42y'all lost Gladiators.
31:43He's lost.
31:45Lightning will strike
31:46against Ben.
31:48Mayhem will be attached
31:49to Michael.
31:50You'll remember,
31:51Michael and Mayhem
31:52had a little bit of a rivalry
31:53with one another
31:54in the prelims.
31:55shoving him
31:56into the side
31:57of the half pipe
31:57and now down
31:58on the ground.
31:59Great job by Mayhem.
32:01Delivered a shot
32:02right to Michael's grill
32:03and that will do it.
32:04You know what?
32:05Guaranteed,
32:05I'm winning this next event.
32:07What do you think, Mayhem?
32:08Be ready, Michael,
32:09because these ain't like
32:10them parties in Vegas.
32:11Boy, you better be ready.
32:13This is the first time
32:14they've seen each other
32:15since that gauntlet.
32:17All right, Thomas,
32:18let's do this.
32:21Contenders winning!
32:23In the women's heat,
32:25Michelle and Bailey
32:25racked up 18 combined points
32:27against the Gladiators.
32:28Let's see if the men
32:29can follow suit.
32:31Gladiators winning!
32:33Oh!
32:36The old lightning leap
32:38to get us going.
32:42Three, two, one!
32:4560 seconds to score
32:47as many points as possible.
32:48Michael, he's got
32:49a rugby background.
32:51Mayhem shoves him out.
32:53In the meantime,
32:53Ben can't get past lightning.
32:56Michael's gonna give it
32:57another shot.
32:58Yeah, former rugby star.
33:01Mayhem asks,
33:02hey, how'd that rugby
33:03taste in down there?
33:04Nothing scored so far
33:06in the first 20 seconds.
33:07Ben with a big spin
33:09and he runs right
33:09into the back of Mayhem.
33:11Mayhem picks Michael up
33:12and says,
33:13get back to your room,
33:14young man.
33:15Michael,
33:16oh, held down.
33:18Less than 30 to go.
33:20Ben, who's given up
33:21nearly 90 pounds
33:22to lightning,
33:23can't get anywhere
33:24near that button.
33:26Michael making a move.
33:27Can he get past Mayhem?
33:32Lightning's not even
33:33breaking a sweat.
33:35Ben ain't even sniffing
33:37the red ring
33:38outside of the button.
33:39Ten seconds left.
33:41The Gladiators
33:41mocking the contestants
33:43trying to pitch a shutout.
33:45Ben dragged down
33:46by lightning.
33:47Mayhem.
33:49That'll do it.
33:53What a performance
33:54by our American Gladiators.
33:57Two evenly matched
33:59contenders going up
34:00against two almost
34:00identical Gladiators,
34:02and it's the Gladiators
34:04that come away
34:04with a pair of shutouts.
34:06Folks,
34:06it doesn't get more
34:07even than that.
34:09Michael and Ben,
34:11welcome to the ring.
34:13My gosh.
34:16The coldest pillow.
34:18You don't know,
34:19you better go ask somebody.
34:20You're gonna find out
34:21real quick.
34:23And if that's good,
34:24ever do it, baby,
34:25let's go.
34:27Woo!
34:28Woo!
34:28Yeah,
34:29Woo is right.
34:31Mayhem and lightning
34:32were all over you guys.
34:35Could you do anything
34:37in there?
34:37No,
34:38that's like fighting
34:39a brick wall.
34:40He was, uh,
34:42all over me
34:43every step of the way.
34:44I literally got pushed
34:45back ten feet
34:46one time.
34:48And Ben,
34:49is there any type
34:51of strategy
34:52going into this
34:53thinking,
34:54all right,
34:55I got lightning.
34:56What do I do?
34:57Do I just
34:58think about thunder?
34:59I try to use my speed.
35:01I try to come at him,
35:02do a little,
35:03do a little maneuvers.
35:05He,
35:06nothing could work.
35:08Ben,
35:08it looked like
35:08he was tucking you
35:09into bed.
35:10He just had one arm
35:11where he just
35:11swung you out.
35:13I was like,
35:14wow,
35:14there was no shot.
35:16Not gonna lie,
35:17it was comfortable.
35:18It was comfortable.
35:19Going into the eliminator,
35:21Ben and Michael,
35:22you are tied.
35:24Right now.
35:25What do you want
35:25to say to Ben?
35:27I hope he gives me
35:28his best run.
35:28I know I'm shooting
35:30for a new fast time.
35:31I better hope
35:32he wants the same thing.
35:34Ben,
35:34is there anything
35:34you want to say
35:35to Michael?
35:35I love this man.
35:36We've been through it all.
35:37We just got wrecked
35:38by these two giants.
35:39But,
35:40I'm gonna go sub 60.
35:43Sub 60
35:44in the eliminator.
35:46Michael,
35:46you think you can go
35:47sub 60 in the eliminator?
35:48I want 55.
35:50We're going 60 feet back.
35:51We've got a little
35:52rivalry going here.
35:54Let's go.
35:5520 to 20.
35:56They are tied right now.
35:58They are going
35:58to the eliminator
35:59and they are going
36:00sub a minute.
36:01I've never seen
36:02that before.
36:04Ben and Michael
36:05tied up
36:06this second
36:07semi-final.
36:09Ben and Michael
36:10put up the top
36:10two eliminator times
36:12in the prelims.
36:13And they both think
36:14they can do it
36:14in under 60 seconds.
36:16Well,
36:17to win this,
36:17they might have to.
36:21Our semi-finalists
36:23have made it
36:24through the fire.
36:25But one final test
36:26stands between them
36:28and the finals.
36:29The eliminator.
36:31The ultimate test
36:33of speed,
36:33strength,
36:34and willpower.
36:35The punishing hurdle.
36:36The rope climb.
36:38Those monkey bars.
36:39They'll then take
36:40a leap of faith
36:41on the trapeze swing.
36:42Scramble up
36:44the tangled cargo net
36:45and race down
36:46the zipline.
36:47Then,
36:48it's a dash
36:49across the balance beam,
36:50a relentless sprint
36:52up the world-famous
36:53travelator,
36:54and one final swing
36:55to the finish.
36:56One man
36:57and one woman
36:58will secure
36:59their place
37:00in the finals
37:00for a shot
37:01at $100,000
37:03and gladiator glory.
37:06This semi-final
37:07has been an absolute
37:08master class
37:09in heart,
37:10hustle,
37:11and how they
37:12just do that thing.
37:14When I'm on
37:15a competition
37:15or event,
37:16the hate
37:17and drive
37:18for wanting
37:19to embarrass
37:20another person
37:21really comes out.
37:22So,
37:22I am a fierce
37:24competitor
37:24that's not meant
37:25to be messed with.
37:27I'm here
37:28to prove people wrong
37:29and sticking
37:30with my strategy
37:30within myself
37:31and just believing
37:32in myself,
37:33knowing that I have
37:34the strength
37:34to get through
37:35anything,
37:36that's what
37:37I'm gonna do.
37:39for Bayley
37:40and Michelle,
37:41it all comes
37:42down to this.
37:44One dream
37:45will live
37:45to see the finals
37:46and one dream
37:48will end tonight.
37:49Thomas,
37:50take it away.
37:55Contenders,
37:56ready!
37:58Michelle has racked up
37:5920 points
38:00and Bayley
38:00with 18.
38:01That gives Michelle
38:02a one-second head start.
38:04That's a blink
38:05of an eye.
38:06Three,
38:07two,
38:08one!
38:10Michelle is off.
38:11Bayley is off
38:12as well.
38:13Bayley loves
38:14this part of the game.
38:16That one-second lead
38:17of Michelle's
38:18has evaporated.
38:20Michelle having
38:21a little trouble
38:21out of the gate
38:22and Bayley
38:23has passed her.
38:24She's off
38:25to the monkey bars.
38:26Michelle struggling
38:27to get up,
38:28pulling,
38:28and finally getting there.
38:30But Bayley
38:31has a several-second
38:32head lead
38:32as they get
38:33to the trapeze.
38:35The former
38:36goth girl
38:36turned athlete.
38:39Now onto
38:40the cargo net.
38:41Great jump
38:42to get it started.
38:43Michelle Keith
38:44has got some work
38:44to do.
38:46And she gets across.
38:48Can she make up
38:49some time
38:49in the cargo net
38:50that gave her
38:51treasure in the free lens?
38:52What jump there.
38:54Uphill battle
38:55for Michelle Keith.
38:57Bayley gets
38:58to the top,
38:59gets over
39:00to the zip line.
39:01Michelle Keith
39:02not even halfway
39:03up the cargo net.
39:05That's not good.
39:07With her husband,
39:08Brian,
39:08and her two-year-old
39:09son, Enzo,
39:10looking on.
39:16Michelle Keith
39:17struggling to get up
39:18the cargo net still.
39:20The woman
39:21who shows
39:22the heart
39:22of a Pennsylvanian
39:23gets up
39:25the balance beam.
39:28Bayley falls off
39:29and has to restart.
39:31Keeping her balance.
39:33Gets halfway across.
39:35Whoa.
39:35A little trouble.
39:43for Bayley.
39:44For Bayley.
39:44A sprint
39:45at the trial
39:46later.
39:46She stumbles
39:47and she's down.
39:49That did not happen
39:50to her in the prelims.
39:52Michelle
39:53just getting
39:54to the zip line
39:55now.
39:58Bayley takes
39:59a deep breath.
40:00Runs.
40:01Runs.
40:05Gets to the top.
40:06Knicks stops
40:07the finals.
40:10And that means
40:11Michelle's night is done.
40:14How's the second time
40:15doing the eliminator?
40:16Exhausting.
40:17Is it easier?
40:18No.
40:19It's never easy.
40:20Well, you're going
40:21to the finals.
40:22You have a shot
40:23at $100,000.
40:31Give it up for Bayley.
40:33Give it up for Michelle.
40:35Oh, yeah.
40:36We're gonna see Bayley
40:37in the final.
40:42Hey, it ain't over yet,
40:43folks.
40:44It's only fitting
40:45that these two
40:45arena warriors
40:46will enter the eliminator
40:48yes, dead even.
40:53It doesn't get
40:54more dramatic
40:55than this.
40:56Two Titans,
40:58Ben and Michael,
40:59standing side by side
41:00after a night
41:01of pure competition,
41:02getting the encouragement
41:04from the crowd.
41:05Heck, even the gladiators
41:07in the locker room
41:08are pumped up.
41:09Let's go!
41:10Let's go!
41:11Michael and Ben,
41:12they promise to run
41:13the eliminator
41:13in under a minute tonight.
41:15Nine obstacles
41:16stand in their way.
41:18That's roughly
41:18six and a half seconds
41:20per obstacle,
41:21and there's simply
41:22no margin for error.
41:24Which means
41:25we gotta put a clock
41:26on it to see
41:27if they can back up
41:28all the smack talk
41:29in an awfully exciting
41:32second semifinal.
41:38there aren't enough spots
41:40for both of these boys.
41:42Let's see which one
41:43wants it the most.
41:44Thomas,
41:45take it away.
41:46Contenders winning!
41:49Mike had the fastest
41:50prelim eliminator time.
41:52Ben had the second fastest.
41:57three, two, one!
42:00They're off and running!
42:03Mike said that he expects
42:04Ben to get the lead.
42:06Oh, look at Ben up the rope!
42:07Took him no time at all
42:09across the monkey bars.
42:11He's got a several-second
42:12advantage already.
42:14Mike's gonna have to push it.
42:15Ben, halfway up the cargo net!
42:18Oh, no!
42:19Mike has fallen!
42:20Michael, you gotta wait
42:21for my whistle.
42:22Gotta wait for my whistle.
42:23That means he's gonna
42:24have to wait
42:25a full ten seconds
42:26on the podium
42:27before the referee
42:28releases it back
42:29into the wild.
42:31What happened?
42:33In the meantime,
42:34Ben Galper,
42:35who is a teenager,
42:36has a 15-year-old
42:38facing an autoimmune disease.
42:41And Michael's back in it.
42:47Staring at the possibility
42:49of losing his life,
42:51he has found purpose
42:52in Los Angeles
42:54as a stuntman
42:55and a fitness freak.
42:58And now up to Travelator.
43:00Will he get a sub-60 goal?
43:03He did it!
43:05Yeah!
43:08Whoa!
43:09Whoa!
43:09You are coming
43:10to the finals, baby!
43:12You finish in 59 seconds!
43:17Bestest time in Eliminator
43:19this entire season!
43:21Oh, my God!
43:22I told you I'm gonna get sub-60.
43:24That was the fastest time
43:25this season for an Eliminator.
43:27What does it feel
43:28for you going to the finals?
43:30You have a shot
43:31at $100,000.
43:33I want this.
43:34It's mine.
43:37What would you tell
43:38your 15-year-old self
43:39right now?
43:4015-year-old self?
43:42Never give up.
43:45What happened up there?
43:47Yeah, I rushed through an obstacle
43:49and here we are
43:51on the big stage.
43:52Totally whiffed it.
43:54And who knows?
43:55Maybe I'll be back on.
43:56Everybody give it up
43:57for Michael and Ben
43:59who's going to the finals.
44:02Ben Galper
44:03with a sub-60-second
44:05Eliminator performance
44:06took out Michael Moralia.
44:08Aunt Bailey Morabalia
44:09beat Michelle Keith.
44:11So Bailey and Ben
44:12punched their tickets
44:13to the finals.
44:14That means only
44:15two spots remain.
44:17Austin Liu
44:17and Kyle Bernier
44:18will battle for one
44:19while Rebecca Clements
44:21and Jordan Sheffs
44:22will fight it out
44:23for the other.
44:25There it is!
44:27Two more semifinalists
44:28mature into
44:29full-fledged finalists.
44:31Joining Evan and Ayana
44:33in the finals.
44:34Until then,
44:35stay ready for action, America.
44:37For Chris Rose,
44:38I'm Roxy Diaz.
44:39And I'm The Miz.
44:40See you next time
44:41on American Gladiators.
44:53came and stopping
44:55crowds shake the floor.
44:57You can't stop it.
44:59You already know.
45:01Ten feet tall
45:02when the lights go up.
45:04When you see my face
45:06say a prayer for a moment.
45:08No, you can't
45:10cage the beast.
45:11There ain't no quit in me
45:15I put the thunder in the throne
45:22I'm the one in the arena
45:25You'll remember the night
45:29I'm on the rise up
45:31I'm putting it all in, all in, all
45:34I'm the one in the arena
45:38I'm the one, remember my name
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