List of Gladiators events

= Gladiators revival events =

Duel

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for knocking Gladiator off, 5 points for remaining on until the end of the time limit

This event is now played above water, as opposed to a crash mat in the original series.

Earthquake

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 2
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for throwing the Gladiator off, 5 points for remaining on the platform until the end of the time limit.

The Contender and Gladiator must attempt to throw the other off a 12' platform freely suspended above crash mats. The platform is free to tilt slightly.

When the event was first shown, several warnings were issued by the referee to both Contenders and Gladiators for wrestling, not allowing the other to get up after being pushed down on the platform, and for holding onto the supporting wires. The event continues to be plagued by stop-start calls due to vague interpretations of the rules.

Gauntlet

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 3
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 4 (heats) / 5 (quarter-finals onwards)
* Points: 2 Points per Gladiator Passed

The Contender must run through each Gladiator, each armed with padded weaponry, such as ramrods (cylindrical sticks) and power pads (large square gloves). In the revival there are now penalties for ducking and crawling under Gladiators, resulting in Disqualification. In the heats, contenders face four gladiators instead of five like in the original series, but from the quarter-finals onwards, the trend set by the original series is restored, and a new so-far-unnamed weapon is featured.

Hang Tough

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 2
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for reaching the Gladiator's platform, 5 points for remaining within the scoring zone (red rings) until the end of the time limit.

For the revival, Hang Tough is now situated above water.

Hit & Run

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 4
* Points: 2 points for each crossing

The Playing area is suspended above water, a contender must touch a buzzer that is located on each platform.

Powerball

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 3
* Points: Outer Basket 2 Points, Centre Basket 5 Points

In the original series, the centre basket was worth 3 points.

Pyramid

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 10 points for reaching the top first, 5 points for reaching the top second

The Wall

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 2
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 10 points for reaching the top first, 5 points for reaching the top second or for remaining on the wall until the end of the time limit.

Both men and women receive a 10-second head start.

The Eliminator

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: None

The final event, and the only event seen in every show. This was a contender against contender assault course. The first player to complete the Eliminator course would win the show and progress to the next round.

The whole show was set up for this. The points gathered throughout the show are used to determine a head start. For every point the contender with the higher score was ahead, a 0.5 second head start would be given.

The course is:
*Underwater Swim, Cargo Net, Cotton Reel, Firemans Rope, Hand Ladder/Monkey Bars (Women), Hand Bike (Men), Balance Beam, Pyramid, Zipline and Travelator.

In an episode first aired June 22 2008, it was revealed that the referee has the option to slow down the travelator in order that the competitors would be able to complete the course and to determine a winner. In this particular episode the travelator had to be completely stopped for the first time ever. Surprisingly, this measure had to be taken for both the male and female contenders.

Eliminator Penalties

In Heat 2, it was shown that falling off the Hand Bike (Man), incurs a 15-second penalty, where the contender must wait at the start of the Balance Beam until they are let continue by the referee.

In the Women's Monkey Bars, a 10-second penalty was insued for falling off, and the Contender must go back to the start of the bars.

Overall event structure

Many of the current events announced have simply been revamped, with many of the events keeping the original rules and points scoring structure from the original series.Only one completely new event debuted in the revival: Earthquake, a game introduced in the 2008 American series, itself a reworking of a US event known as Breakthrough & Conquer.

Original Gladiators events

The following events appeared during the original eight-year run of the UK series of Gladiators. In total there were 24 televised events with the eliminator being the only event to appear on all shows.

The event line-up changed from series to series, with new events being added every series, however over the years some events were dropped due to safety reasons (Joust, Pole-Axe, Pyramid and Tilt), some never made it onto screen (Breakthrough & Conquer and Cyclotron) and some just disappeared (Pursuit).Below is a detailed description of all events.

Atlaspheres

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: 1999 – Battle Of The Giants
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 3 points for each "goal"

The first event ever shown on Gladiators in 1992. The two contenders and two Gladiators are caged in large Atlaspheres that they have to propel from within. The contenders' task is to roll the spheres onto any of four scoring pods. They were given 60 seconds to score as many points as they could in this fashion, whilst the Gladiator must block the contenders from scoring.

The event's signature tune was "We Will Rock You" by Queen. The event was sometimes modified for celebrity specials, in which either 2 Gladiators faced 3 contenders or 3 Gladiators faced 3 contenders from a standing start.

Catapult

* First appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 4
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Quarter Final 3
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 2 points for each "goal"

Two contenders face two Gladiators. Each competitor is attached to a bungee cord. On the whistle they begin to bounce up and down. Situated above each contender is a ball tray. The contenders score by throwing the balls into hexagonal goals situated behind the Gladiators, whilst the Gladiators attempted to stop the contenders from scoring.

This event had heavy modification to its gameplay between its initial concept and first outing, with the 1998 programme mentioning a volleyball-style net situated between contenders and Gladiators. It was however modified into the event that made it onto screen as this was deemed more exciting.

Danger Zone

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Quarter 3
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points:
** Series 1: 10 points for hitting either target.
** Series 2 to 8: 10 points for hitting the upper target, 5 points for hitting the lower target.
** All series: 1 point for each weapon fired if incomplete

Contenders, one at a time, make their way across the arena whilst dodging tennis balls fired at high speed by the Gladiator. Between the start and finish are stations where the contender is shielded from the Gladiator's fire, and where they can attempt, using a provided weapon, to hit a target above the Gladiator. The contender must be quick, as each of their stations will explode every ten seconds and render that station's weapon unusable (a difference from the US version, which does not have the limit). Successful shots end the game earning them 10 points. However, contestants can still earn 5 points by simply reaching the end of the course without being hit. Reaching the end originally scored 10 points in series 1, and was reduced to 5 points in series 2 onwards. If the contender was hit directly by a tennis ball (rebounds off the floor didn't count), they were out.

The game was based on the American Gladiators "Assault" game.

Dogfight

* First appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Semi-Final 2
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for 2 hits, 5 points for 1 hit

This event is one on one as contender and Gladiator and strapped into an airship situated 30 feet above the arena floor. The aim is to hit the glowing chest plate on your opponent using a "Combat Club". 2 hits and you're out and despatched to the net below. One hit from the contender earns 5 points, while sending the Gladiator flying earns them 10. A hit is registered by a Pyro explosion.

Duel

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 – Final
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for knocking Gladiator off, 5 points for remaining on until the end of the time limit

A contender and a Gladiator are each placed atop an elevated platform a short distance apart. Armed with a pugil stick (which was usually mistaken for a huge cotton bud), they would attempt to cause the other to fall from their platform. This could be achieved with either an offensive or a defensive strategy, although some contenders were disqualified if they made no attacking move towards the Gladiator.

This match sometimes confused Mike Adamle when he called the International Gladiators event; the game was known as "Joust" in the US series.

Gauntlet

* First appearance: Series 2, 1993 – Heat 6
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 – Final
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 3 (series 2); 5 (series 3 to 8)
* Points:
** Series 2: 3 points for each zone completed, plus one bonus point for the fastest time
** Series 2 quarter-finals onwards: 10 points for finishing first, 5 for finishing second
** Series 3 to 6: 10 points for finishing in under 20 seconds, 5 points for under 30 seconds
** Series 7 to 8: 10 points for finishing, otherwise 1 point for each sector completed

A contender has to "run the Gauntlet" by passing Gladiators armed with ramrods. Gauntlet became one of the staple events after a revamp in the 1994 series in which the contenders had to run a narrower Gauntlet against five Gladiators, the second and fourth having power pads to slow the contenders down.

This will appear in the Sky One series of Gladiators.

Hang Tough

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 – Final
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for reaching the Gladiator Platform, 5 points for "hanging tough" in the scoring zone when the whistle blows

A game of aerial chess. Contender and Gladiator begin on opposite sides of the arena, on raised platforms. Between them hangs a grid of suspended rings, similar to gymnastic rings. The contender's task is to reach the Gladiator's platform by swinging between the rings, scoring 10 points if successful. The Gladiator meanwhile, swinging in the opposite direction, would attempt to intercept the contender and pull them down.

This is revamped with the water element, rather than a crash mat in the Sky One series.

Hit & Run

* First appearance: Wembley Live, 1994
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 3
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 4
* Points: 2 points for each crossing

Known as Cannonball Run in its roadtest in the Wembley Live shows, the contender has 30 seconds to run back and forth across the suspension bridge, scoring two points for each crossing. Four Gladiators (two on each side of the bridge) attempt to knock the contender off using four four-foot demolition balls.

This game made it to the US revival in 2008.

Joust

* First appearance: Wembley Live, 1993
* Last appearance: Series 4, 1995 – Quarter Final 1
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 for knocking the Gladiator off, 5 points for remaining on the "Sky Bike" for the full 30 seconds

Another adaptation of Duel in which contender and Gladiator are sat on skybikes that twist, buck and spin like a rocking rodeo. Both participants have combat clubs with which they attempt to knock each other off. In the Wembley Live shows, the bikes were large and only a few feet off the ground and contestants fought using pugil sticks. For the televised series, the bikes were made smaller, were further off the ground and combat clubs used.

This event was quickly phased out, making very few appearances before being axed after the 1995 series.

Not to be confused with the American Gladiators Joust, which is known as Duel in UK Gladiators and the International version.

Pendulum

* First appearance: Series 4, 1995 – Heat 2
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Final
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points:
** Series 4 to 6: 10 points for remaining on the Pendulum for 60 seconds, 5 points for staying on for 40 seconds.
** Series 7 to 8: 2 points for each of 3 upper sectors hit, 4 points for lower sector (maximum of 10).

The "Pendulum" was a ball 5 metres (23') in diameter, which hung from the roof of the arena, 40 feet (12.23m) above the ground. The event was contender versus Gladiator in a game of hide and seek. On the whistle, the ball would begin to swing from side to side. The aim of the contender is to avoid the Gladiator, who must track the contender down and remove the Velcro tag from their back. Once this is done, the game is over. If the contender or Gladiator falls off, the remaining participant wins. In 1998, the rules were changed: the contender must hit 4 lit sectors in different positions around the ball, while still avoiding being caught up by the Gladiator.

Pendulum was originally planned to debut in the Sheffield Live 1995 shows, but had to be dropped as the safety net was too big to fit in the arena. Instead Joust was played.

Pole-Axe

* First run: Series 3, 1994 – Heat 8 until International Gladiators 2, 1995 – Final
* Second run: Series 6, 1997 – Heat 8 until Series 7, 1998 – Semi-Final 1
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for hitting the top first and "pole-axing" the Gladiator

A contender and Gladiator each climb a 36-foot pole fitted with helically-arranged pegs. The first to the top presses a button, which retracts the pegs on the opponent's pole causing them to fall to the six-foot crash mat below.

This was another event that was axed in 1996 because of injuries to Gladiators and contenders. It was revived in 1997 with safety harnesses to stop the "freefall" aspect of the event. This also meant a run up to mount the pole and a higher climb.

Powerball

* First appearance: Series 2, 1993 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 – Final
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 3 (series 2 to 6); 2 (series 7 and 8)
* Points: Outer Basket 2 Points, Centre Basket 3 Points

This original US series game debuted in the second British series (1993). This kind of cross between basketball and rugby was introduced in which 2 contenders faced 3 Gladiators on the Powerball pitch. Contenders had 60 seconds to place balls in the five scoring baskets on the pitch (2 points for a score in one of the four outer baskets and 3 points for the middle) whilst the Gladiators had to tackle the contenders, preventing them from scoring. This event became one of the most played events during Gladiators. From 1998 onwards, the rules were changed - there were only two Gladiators and each one targeted a specific contender.

The time difference (60 seconds vs 45 seconds for the original US version) was a major difference between the two versions; the 2008 US revival adopted the British version's 60 second clock.

Pursuit

* First appearance: Series 3, 1994 – Heat 7
* Last appearance: Series 5, 1996 – Southern Semi-Final 2
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 10 points for finishing the course first, 5 points for finishing second. Points deducted for mistakes: 1 for foot off the snake beam or wire bridge; 2 for missing a corner marker on the snake beam.

Two contenders race against each other over an obstacle course, chased by two Gladiators. The course comprised a snake beam, wire bridge, hand ladder, two web traps, a high and low wall and a sprint finish. The course was rearranged for 1995 onwards and the rules were tightened up somewhat with penalty points being introduced for coming off the beam or missing rungs on the ladder.

This event remains a mystery. It was a big success in its debut Season but its showing were limited to just 2 in 1995 and 1996. There were no major injuries over the 3 years it appeared however it was axed from 1997 onwards.

Pyramid

* First run: Series 3, 1994 – Heat 2 until Battle Of Champions, 1995
* Second run: Series 6, 1997 – Heat 7 until Series 6, 1997 – Quarter Final 3
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 10 points for reaching the top first, 5 points for reaching the top second

Two contenders and two Gladiators face each other on a giant black and white pyramid. The contenders aim to reach the summit, whilst the Gladiators aim to stop them. This event was axed in 1996 after fan favourite Jet was very badly injured in the Live show. Sadly this caused her retirement from Gladiators.

It was reintroduced in 1997 with smaller steps and a red step which, once reached, the contender has free run to the top. However, it was very unpopular with viewers as it lacked the excitement of the original and consequently it was axed again. The "red step" rule formed the basis of the two-tiered scoring system in the 2008 US revival (five for crossing the dotted step, five more for pressing the buzzer), much of which is based on the UK series.

Skytrak

* First appearance: Series 2, 1993 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 7
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 10 points for finishing first, 5 points for finishing second, no points if caught up by the Gladiator

The most spectacular event of early series was brought in for Series 2 (1993), Two contenders and two Gladiators are suspended 40 feet in the air on the Skytrak course - an upside down Scalextric-style figure of eight. Contenders have a 10-yard head start over the Gladiators. Each contender has a trailing detonator button behind them, and fails if the Gladiator presses this button (thereby deemed to have caught up with the contender). Should this happen, a small shower of sparks is released from the contender's vest.

Sumo Ball

* First appearance: Wembley Live, 1996
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Quarter Final 3
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for the Gladiator off the platform, 5 points for remaining on the platform for the full 30 seconds

The only new game for Series 5 (1996) and first road-tested in the 1996 live shows, the contender and Gladiator are on a large circular platform in which a large red sumo ball hangs from the ceiling. Both participants have 30 seconds to push the opponent off the platform using the 75kg Sumo Ball.

Suspension Bridge

* First appearance: Wembley Live, 1993
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 3
* Time limit : 60 seconds (series 2 to 3); 30 seconds (series 4 to 7)
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for reaching the other side, 5 points for remaining on the bridge until the end of the time limit.

An adaptation of the Duel event in which contender and Gladiator, armed with hammerheads (pugil sticks during its road-testing), faced each other on the Suspension Bridge. Unlike the other combat events Duel and Joust, Suspension Bridge only saw three draws over its entire run.

Swingshot

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 - Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 - Final
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points: 1 point for each yellow ball, 2 for each blue ball, 3 for each red ball.

In this bungee-fest, contestants have to grab coloured balls from a central column then bounce back and put them in their scoring baskets. Gladiators would time their jumps to block the contenders' from doing so.

Tightrope

* First appearance: Series 6, 1997 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Final
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for hitting the "Impact Cushion" first

The only new event of 1997, a one-on-one race. The contender and Gladiator are harnessed up on the Tightrope 30 feet above the arena floor. On the whistle they race up the rope to the halfway platform. Once there they hit a button to activate the Zip Line, then hook up to this and slide back down to hit the "Impact Cushion" at the end, therefore winning the event and sending their opponent flying in a shower of sparks!

Tilt

* First appearance: Wembley Live, 1993
* Last appearance: Series 4, 1995 – Heat 8
* Time limit: 30 seconds per bout
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 5 points for pulling the Gladiator off, 2 points for remaining on until the end of the time limit

An aerial tug of war in which both contender and Gladiator are on tilting platforms. The contender is placed on the lower platform, which is tilted back, and the Gladiator is placed on the higher platform tilted forwards. Because of their weight advantage, the Gladiators had the harder job of having to tilt their table back in order to get any leverage on the rope. Two 30-second bouts are played.

This event proved unpopular with the Gladiators and after serious injuries to both Panther and Nightshade, Tilt was axed after the 1995 series. This, however, became the basis for the "American Gladiators" event "Tug-O-War", which became a safer (due to the platforms being at the same height with each other) and more popular variation.

Vertigo

* First appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 7, 1998 – Final
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for reaching the end ring first, otherwise 1 point for each pole reached

Another one-on-one race. Five 27-foot (8.3m) poles lie ahead of the competitors. On the whistle they must climb the first one to the top. Once there they swing their pole and must use this method to transfer to each of the remaining poles. They must complete a left-to-right swing before transferring. They do this until the end where a silver ring awaits, the first to grab this wins the event in a shower of sparks!

The Wall

* First appearance: Series 1, 1992 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Series 8, 1999 – Final
* Time limit: 60 seconds
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: 2
* Points:
** Series 1 to 2: 10 points for reaching the top of the Wall
** Series 3 to 8: 10 points for reaching the top first, 5 points for reaching the top second or remaining on the Wall until the end of the time limit.

Contenders attempt to climb up a 36ft climbing wall covered with hand and foot holds while the Gladiators give chase, and attempt to pull them off.

In the first series the female contenders received a 20 second head-start falling to 15 seconds in the semi-finals and final; while the men received a 15 second head-start falling to 10 seconds in the semi-finals and final.

In later series the head-starts were standardised at 10 seconds for female contenders and 7 seconds for the male contenders.

Whiplash

* First appearance: Series 4, 1995 – Heat 1
* Last appearance: Battle Of Gladiators, 1999
* Time limit: 30 seconds
* Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 1
* Points: 10 points for pulling the Gladiator out of the ring

A tug of war type game. Contender and Gladiator grip a "dog bone" and the contender must use this to pull the Gladiator out of the ring or to obtain the "dog bone," sometimes known as "own the bone". No wrenching or pulling is permitted on the Gladiator's part, their role is strictly defence. However, the contender can use any means to remove the Gladiator! The "dog bone" was changed in later seasons and was designed to keep both contender and gladiator from letting go and making for more exciting bouts.

Eliminator

* First appearance: Series 1, 2008 – Heat 1
* Time limit: None
* Contenders: 2 / Gladiators: None

The final event, and the only event seen in every show. This was a contender against contender assault course. The first player to complete the Eliminator course would win the show and progress to the next round.

The whole show was set up for this. The points gathered throughout the show are used to determine a head start. For every point the contender with the higher score was ahead, a 0.5 second head start would be given.

The course is:High/Low Beams, Rope Climb, Hand Ladder (Women), Hand Bike (Men), Rolling Bridge, Cargo Net, Zipline, Balance Beam, Travelator and Rope Swing through Paper Burst.

Unused events

The two events in this section never made it to any televised series.

Breakthrough & Conquer

*First appearance: Wembley Live, 1993
*Last appearance: Wembley Live, 1993
*Time limit: Breakthrough - None / Conquer - 15 seconds
*Contenders: 1 / Gladiators: 2 (1 Breakthrough, 1 Conquer)
*Points: 5 points for reaching "End Zone" in Breakthrough, 5 points for removing Gladiator from ring in Conquer.

This two-part event (which had proved popular in the American series) was road-tested in the 1993 Wembley Live series, but it was never played in any televised series (although clips of it were shown in the 1993 opening show).

For the first part of the event, the contender, armed with a rugby ball, had to get past a Gladiator without being tackled, gaining 5 points if successful. Any foul by a gladiator (illegal strike to the head, not in the five-yard zone) also was an automatic win.

For the second part, the contender was placed in a small circle against a different Gladiator and had 30 seconds to remove the Gladiator from the circle, again receiving 5 points should they be successful.

Although it was never played in the series, elements of the gameplay were used for the Powerball and Whiplash events.

Cyclotron

This event was due to appear as a new event in the 1997 series along with Tightrope, even appearing (as a CGI image) in the opening credits.

Gameplay appeared to involve both contender and Gladiator on cycles on a rotating circular track. It appeared that the Gladiator was to chase the Contender with the aim of catching them.

The reason for Cyclotron's removal from the events roster is unknown, although it is rumoured that it was due to technical problems and certain gladiators commented on it being too difficult to play and very hard for the audience to follow.

External links

* [http://www.gladiatorszone.co.uk/ "Gladiators Zone"]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=GladiatorsBoy "Gladiators Videos"] at Youtube.com