Gladiators Australia

Hey, guys. Us Gladiators love a big hit and a big fall.

But we've got super-size muscles and a soft landing,

so don't go trying our moves on the playground, alright?

Grab your popcorn and let us take care of the epic takedowns.

We need you and your mates in tip-top shape to cheer us on.

In the ancient times,

champions once reigned supreme.

Schooled in the sacred code of honour, courage and strength.

Now a new era begins,

as a fresh wave of warriors take up their call.

Let's do it! Now!

Don't mistake my sweetness for weakness.

If you tell me not to do something, I'm just gonna do it anyway.

Run at me. I dare you.

I put the 'king' in Viking.

Gonna give you one tip - run.

Are you ready to be entertained?

Are you ready...

And another one!

..for Gladiators 2024?

Born ready. Come on. Come on!

Three! Two! Yeah!

One!

Welcome to Gladiators.

Take a look at this new world.

In this arena, you will witness the ultimate David vs Goliath battle.

24 contenders, from all walks of life,

will face off against our Gladiators.

They'll be pushed, pummelled...

She pays the price.

..and pulverised

in a series of epic events.

Down, down, down.

Starting with six rounds of heats, they'll compete in Duel...

Halo, crunch!

..Powerball...

Great run!

..the Wall...

I think she's gone!

..and Pyramid,

as they battle to gain points

for an all-important time advantage

in the final knock-out event,

the Eliminator.

Here it's contender vs contender.

Tumble, tumble... No!

The first to burst through the big G will advance to the quarter-finals,

do it again in the semis -

and only the best will make it through

to the epic grand final,

with a shot at winning a spot on the Gladiator team.

That's right - dominate this competition

and the top female and top male

get the ultimate prize -

they become Gladiators.

Now, our Gladiators are literally swinging from the rafters

in anticipation.

They're all limbering up in the locker rooms as we speak.

106... 107.

Are you ready, my boy?

I'm ready for you. Let's go, Chaos.

Show 'em what you got!

Beau, let's find out who's going to be mad enough to take them on.

Welcome to the battlefield for round one of the heats.

Ana vs Makedonka

and Ben vs Jonny.

And to get things started, the boys are up first.

Hey, big fella.

Ben's about 8 feet tall.

Definitely got the height advantage on me

but I may have him in the speed department.

He's young - only 19. I'm 36 but I don't believe age is a factor.

Experience always comes in handy.

Well, Jonny's old enough to be my dad, so, uh,

I think I could quite honestly overpower him

but we'll see if he has any tricks up his sleeve.

I'm Ben. I'm 19. I study business and I work part-time at a bottlo.

I'm actually extremely tall -

I'm around 2 metres, which is about 6'6".

Growing up, I was always very skinny.

I'd get picked on by other kids

and that's where my fitness journey began.

I'd like to inspire other people that are tall and lanky, like me,

to become bigger and stronger.

Long wingspan

and I'd say I'm hard and pretty muscly, so...

I'm gonna show the Gladiators I'm stronger than most of them.

Watch me - I'll put 'em in their place.

You guys look like you're champing at the bit to start playing.

I'll put you out of your misery.

First up, it's Duel.

And over to you, Matty Russell, to talk us through how it all works.

Yeah, thanks, Beau.

I'll be watching it all happen

as we get started on the ultimate tower of terror,

where balance meets strength.

Last 30 seconds without getting smashed off the podium -

that's 5 points.

Fall off...

it's zero.

But manage to knock off a Gladiator,

it's a massive 10 points on the all-important scoreboard.

Now, Ben, you're only 19 but that's not a problem here, is it?

No, it's not a problem at all.

Doesn't matter what age I am - I can still take the Gladiators out.

Oh, wow. A bit of confidence, mate.

I'd be confident too - how tall are you? 6-what?

Oh, 6'6". Weigh 101 kilos, mate.

101 kilos. Yep.

Have you ever been whacked in the head with a stick?

Uh, no. Never with a stick, no.

Well, good luck, mate, 'cause that time is now.

You want to know which Gladiator you'll be up against tonight?

Yeah, I'd love to, mate. Alright.

It's a Gladiator that's served some serious BDE -

that's 'big duelling energy'.

It's Phoenix.

Phoenix.

The first Gladiator to take to the podium.

He's got muscles on muscles

and is built like a tank.

Contenders, beware.

A hit from him could send you down in one crushing blow.

How tall is he, Beau?

From where I'm standing, he's about 6'12"!

Ooh, looks like Phoenix is gonna be chopping down some trees today!

Big threats fall hard.

You're about to get knocked out by a 19-year-old.

Ooh, wow!

They're fighting words from Ben

but he's up against Phoenix, who is a beast.

One of the most powerful Gladiators.

The phrase, "Show no mercy," springs to mind.

Ben is the tallest and youngest contender.

Will that extra height give him the edge he needs?

He's played some contact sport,

which might help him soak up the blows he's about to take.

Bigger they are, the harder they fall, they say.

Oh! That's what I've been told.

Same for you, mate.

Well, these two are clearly up for the fight

but fear not - here to make sure the rules are followed

is original Gladiator turned referee

the OG big-hitter Mark 'Hammer' McGaw.

Watching on in the locker room are the other Gladiators.

No prizes for guessing whose side they're on.

Let's go!

Gladiator, contender - do not go before the whistle.

Careful. Don't go early. You know what happens - you get disqualified.

Tense times. Pressure on.

The very first event. Neither wants to fall early.

Contender - are you ready?

Gladiator - are you ready?

Good luck, son.

Three,

two...

Oh! Phoenix has gone early!

False start.

Gladiator. You went before the whistle.

First and last warning.

Referee Hammer has blown it up.

The gall of Phoenix, telling Ben not to go early.

So he knows the rules and they have to wait for the whistle.

I think this is all mind games.

Re-focus!

Gladiator, contender -

are you ready?

Here we go again.

Is Phoenix inside the head of Ben

or is the 19-year-old about to deliver on his promise

and knock Phoenix off?

Don't forget, kid - you wanted to be a Gladiator, alright?

Three,

two,

one.

Let's go.

Oh, no! Ben hasn't lasted a nanosecond!

I can't believe it. Far out!

Liz can't believe it. The Gladiators believe it.

Our fallen Ben can only look up at his victor.

I like you, son.

Let's take a look at the Youi Insurance replay.

I don't know whether luck played much of a role -

Phoenix loaded up his legs,

exploded from the hips,

aimed at the head

and - boom! - connected.

That was a perfectly executed and terrifying display

of power and precision.

I'll be surprised if big Ben knows what time it is.

Big Benny! Oh, mate!

Talk to me, mate.

Mate... just happened.

Yeah. I just happened.

Look, in fairness, there was a false start.

Do you think that got in your head?

Yeah, a little bit. Thought he was gonna do it again.

You want to say anything to Phoenix now?

Oh, next challenge, mate, I'll get ya.

Alright.