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#1
05-05-2006, 04:39 PM
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Coolest American Gladiator Event?
Which was the coolest American Gladiator event?
Caution: Long detailed wikipedia descriptions to follow  Assault (1989-1996): The two contenders competed separately against a single Gladiator. The object was to fire a series of five weapons to hit a target at one end of the playing field. Below the target, a Gladiator used a cannon to shoot tennis balls at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour at the contender. The weapons used by the contenders were located near protective barriers and varied from season to season. The weapons included a crossbow, pneumatic rocket launcher and cannon, as well as softballs at the final station. Hitting the bullseye scored maximum points (usually 10) for the contender. In the most common version of the event the contender earned a point for each weapon fired as well as a bonus for crossing a finish line near the Gladiator's platform within 60 seconds. Getting struck by a tennis ball, either directly or by ricochet, ended the round.  Breakthrough & Conquer (1989-1996): This was a two-part event that was part American football, part wrestling. A contender would have to carry a football 15 yards and into an endzone against a single Gladiator in the Breakthrough portion of the event. In the Conquer portion, the object was to freestyle wrestle a different Gladiator out of a ring that varied in size (12-15 feet in diameter). Each success was worth a number of points and in earlier versions there was a bonus for winning both parts of the event. Human Cannonball (1989-1991, 1992-1993): Contenders stood on a raised platform, opposite a Gladiator standing on a lower platform, holding a pad. The object was to swing on the rope and knock the Gladiator off the pedestal. Contenders faced two to three Gladiators (this varied by season) and earned bonus points for knocking down all three Gladiators. Originally, contestants could do whatever it took to get the Gladiator off the platform. This was changed midway through season one, where a contender kicked Gladiator Malibu in the eye. After this, a tuck rule was put in place, where the contender had to stay in that position throughout the swing.  Joust (1989-1996): The contender competed against the Gladiator in a pugil stick battle; each trying to knock the opponent off his pedestal within 30 seconds. Maximum points were awarded for knocking the Gladiator off, but some points were also awarded for a draw. In the first half of season one, the object of the Joust was to push the opponent back towards a trap door, which would spring when touched and drop the competitor to the floor.  Powerball (1989-1996): The two contenders competed against three Gladiators. The contenders would grab a colored ball from a bin, and try to deposit it into one of five scoring cylinders on the floor. Gladiators were to tackle or the contenders to the ground, or knock them out of bounds. If they did the contender had to get another ball and try again. Scoring varied from season to season but after the playing field changed from a semicircluar shape to a rectangle beginning in the season, the middle cylinder was worth more points than the outer cylinders. The only major Powerball rule was that the Gladiators could not tackle the contestants high (read head), and if they did they were automatically disqualified.  Atlasphere (1990-1995): Contenders climbed into large metal cage-like spheres, rolling them from within, and maneuvering them toward scoring pods on the playing field for points. Two Gladiators used their own spheres to obstruct the contenders from scoring. Contenders simultaneously tried to score as many points as they could in 60 seconds. The scoring pods changed over the years. At first the contestants needed to completely stop in the pod but later versions had a button located in the center of each pod that when compressed emitted smoke and awarded points. This change increased the scoring in the game and provided more action. Hang Tough (1990-1996): A 55-foot field of gymnastic rings separated two raised platforms. On one stood the contender; the Gladiator stood on the other. The object was for the contender to swing to the opposite platform without being pulled off by the gladiator within 60 seconds. Contenders were given 10 points for success. Points were also awarded if they were able to stay on the rings without getting pulled off. The Wall (1990-1996): Contenders would have to scale a rock climbing wall before being pulled off by the Gladiator chasing them. In early versions of this event, contenders were given head starts of 10 to 15 seconds. The latest version saw the wall divided into partitions and Gladiators started at the same time as the contenders, but were forced to go over a vertical barrier to reach the contender's portion of the wall. Contenders were given one minute (the first incarnation of the event had a two-minute time limit) to climb the wall for 10 points. Finishing second could also net 5 points. Gladiator Laser was particularly adept at this event, having grown up climbing mountains in Montana. If Laser was drawn by a contender, it generally meant that they were not going to make it to the top. The Maze (1991-1993): Both competitors raced through a maze, attempting to find their way to the exit within 45 seconds. Four Gladiators positioned themselves inside the maze to obstruct the way. The Maze featured moveable partitions so that the maze could change each time the event was played. Swingshot (1991-1996): The two competitors would compete against three (later two) Gladiators to grab scoring balls from a center post hanging in the air. Connected to a bungee cord, players would leap off their designated platform, down to the ground and then spring upwards toward the post. The Gladiators would try to intercept the contenders by timing their jump to get in the way. The balls then had to be returned to a scoring bin on the contender's platform. Balls higher on the post were worth more points. Scoring was worth 1-3-5, later reduced to 1-2-3. Sky Track (1992-1995): Players, suspended by a harness, would race on an upside-down track suspended from the ceiling of the arena. The track was covered in Velcro and players would propel themselves using their gloved hands and their feet, racing against a Gladiator for points. Contenders got 10 points for finishing first, and 5 points for finishing second. Pyramid (1993-1996): The premise of this event was similar to that of The Wall. Contenders attempted to climb up a 42-foot tall stepped pyramid made of crash mats. Two Gladiators began the event at the top of the pyramid to keep the contenders from reaching the top. Contenders earned 10 points for reaching the top first and 5 points if they could reach the top second within the 60 second time limit.  Tug-O-War (1993-1996): The contender and gladiator dueled in a one-on-one rope pull. The twist to this event was that each competitor stood atop a fulcrum-based platform that shifted position with the person's weight. The contender was given the physical advantage of having his platform in the back position to start the tug, while the Gladiator began the pull with his platform in the forward position. Pulling the Gladiator off within 30 seconds earned the contender 10 points. Staying on the platform and having pulled more rope to one's side earned the contender 5 points. Whiplash (1993-1996): The contender and a Gladiator each grasped one half of a double-triangle-shaped item called the bone. At the whistle, the competitors tried to wrestle the bone out of the grasp of his opponent. If the contender successfully pulled the bone away, or if he pulled the Gladiator off a raised circular platofrm within 30 seconds, he earned 10 points. If he lasted all 30 seconds without losing grasp of the bone, he earned 5 points. The Eliminator: The deciding event was unique in that it was the only event that pitted the two contenders against each other rather than directly against the Gladiators. The two competitors would race through an obstacle course for time. Originally, The Eliminator was a scored event, with a set time limit to complete it (1:15 for women, 1:00 for men), with two points being awarded for every second left on the clock. This led to confusion among some fans, as the player who had won by finishing first had often actually lost through points deduction. Any fall on the course was a two second penalty. 
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#2
05-05-2006, 04:40 PM
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Re: Coolest American Gladiator Event?
Assault and its not even close
Shooting RPGs at a target while being blasted with an air rifle shooting tennis balls out at like 80 MPH?? It paved the way for paintball back in the early 1990's
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#5
05-05-2006, 04:44 PM
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Re: Coolest American Gladiator Event?
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Assault and its not even close [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ]
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#7
05-05-2006, 05:30 PM
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Re: Coolest American Gladiator Event?
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Assault and its not even close [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] Seriously, what valid reasons can someone give for any other answer?
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