Signs of an possible American reboot of the franchise were seen after the success of the BBC's reboot of British adaptation Gladiators.[5][4]
Filming occurred during summer 2025 at Aren'Ice in Cergy, France, the first time American Gladiators is filmed entirely outside of its national borders.[6] It will include "global" elite athletes, such as CrossFitters and bodybuilders as the cast of the new Gladiators.[4]
Background
In April 2024, it was reported the creator of the original American Gladiators brand, John Ferraro, had signed Range Sports as a representative to develop new "TV, film, attractions, merchandise and live events" within the American Gladiators franchise.[5] This decision was accelerated by the success of the reboot of Gladiators on BBC One, which reached nearly 10 million viewers during its first series and was quickly renewed for its second and third series.[1]
In June 2024, it was officially reported that the reboot, produced by MGM Television, had been ordered by Amazon Prime Video, and set to air in over 200 countries worldwide. In May 2025, it was announced that WWE "superstar" and presenter The Miz would host the reboot, which was filmed in summer 2025 near Paris, France, in front of an audience of approximately 3,000.[6]
On June 12, 2025, it was reported that The Miz is joined by Rocsi Diaz as sideline reporter and play-by-play commentator Chris Rose. Simultaneously, the full roster of 16 Gladiators were officially revealed.[7][8]
Format
The show's format follows the premise of the previous iterations of American Gladiators, wherein ordinary members of the public, or Contenders, battle against elite athletes, known as Gladiators, in a set of physically demanding events requiring strength, stamina and speed. The Contenders gain points in the events that transfer to an advantage for the final round, The Eliminator, at the end of each episode.
On June 11, 2025, the first two male Gladiators of the lineup were revealed as former WWE wrestler Eric Bugenhagen, and former TNA wrestler and current OVW standout Jessie Godderz.[9] On June 12, the rest of the total 16-strong roster were first revealed by Prime Video and The Hollywood Reporter.[7]
The rebooted series of American Gladiators will see the return of many classical events such as "Atlasphere", "Gauntlet", "Hang Tough" and "Joust", as well as addition of some brand-new events to the format. Each episode is set to culminate with "The Eliminator" obstacle course ending with the iconic "Travelator".
Main Events
Atlasphere
American Gladiators classic Atlasphere is returning, featuring contestants versus Gladiators in big metal "spheres", with the contestants' objective of scoring as many points as possible by rolling over several scoring pods across the arena floor.
Breakthrough & Conquer
The famous game of American football and wrestling, in which the contender faces two sections of Gladiators. First this has to carry an football and pass the opposing Gladiator, and then wrestle the Gladiator off a marked area, to claim full points.
Earthquake
Returning from the 2008's version, an wrestling match taking place in an suspended circular ring that swings from side to side. The contender must simply eliminate the Gladiator off the platform.
Gauntlet
Another classic Gauntlet sees each contestant trying to get past four of the Gladiators armed with foam weapons in a narrow, "gauntlet" shaped running track, aim to get full 10 points.
Hang Tough
This classic sees the contestant and the Gladiator start from opposite platforms, swinging using gymnastics rings. The aim for the contestant is to get to the Gladiator's platform to claim full points, while this is trying to eliminate the contestant off the rings.
Joust
A true American Gladiators classic, in which the participants must to try and eliminate each other from the podiums using whats called a "pugil stick" in a head-to-head combat.
Powerball
The iconic game mix of Basketball and American Footie, in which the contestants playing at the same time must score as many points as possibly by dunking coloured balls into several pods spread across the arena floor. Three of the Gladiators are trying to tackle them down to avoid scoring.
The Wall
In the classical, rock climbing-styled event, the contenders are being pursued by the Gladiators up a high, vertical wall. To score points, the contenders must reach the summit of the wall.
Whiplash
Classic game of Tug of War where the contender and the Gladiator are attached with a "dogbone", and the contender must eliminate the Gladiator from a circular play area.
The Eliminator
The final legendary game at the end of each episode, an obstacle course determining the advancing/winning contestants. A race through demanding obstacle course of balance beams and cargo nets, ending with "The Travelator".
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