I’m really enjoying the reboot. I do though feel nostalgic for the original series. Back then it felt really authentic. Some things happen in the shows now that I think hmmmm was that engineered/scripted. I miss wolf who was a great “baddie” vs viper who just is useless. When gladiators lost back then it was a shock factor and sometimes now I think hmmmm.
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Viper is supposed to be a bit rubbish though, he’s the baddie for the kids to jeer at. Legend is the heel for the grown ups.
I agree.
I don't know whether it's my age or the fact I've watched loads of Drag Race, but I do think the scripted elements and some of the riggory are just more noticeable and quite blatant in 2026.
The rule change for the men's Wall in the finale last year was to benefit Joe and make sure he had a comfortable enough lead to win as his story was narratively satisfying than what Mus had to offer. Electro losing to Aneila in the finale on Unleash when she'd won the previous four times. I am also not entirely convinced the Gladiators - the male ones anyway - put in 100% during certain games. I found it interesting that they managed to let Fin through the Gauntlet in the heats of the first series but seemed to up the ante considerably with Ash (the only openly gay male contestant ever) and prevented him from getting through.
The series is still highly enjoyable but I do find some of the scripted moments a bit too...obvious and a bit cringe.
Whilst I agree he's fun for the kids (mine really like him) you've got to have some talent to be on this. He's alright in a team setting (powerball, for example), but if he's one on one with a contestant you know he's going to lose, which is unfair to the other contestant as they will face a better Gladiator.
What was the rule change?
I definitely think the Glads are told to go easy on certain events to keep the playing field level between contenders.
Each contender raced their respective Gladiator to the top of the Wall each side of it rather than the usual headstart and chased by the Gladiator.
Well they definitely slowed the travelator down when we were at the filming so it doesn't surprise me that they would tweak the rules or ask the gladiators to go easy! It's boring when the gladiators floor the contestants in the first five seconds.
I had forgotten about that! Thanks for reminding me.
I hope no one is leaving, and it’s just to up the numbers in case of more injury!
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I think the show needs some freshening up and a new Gladiator or two might be a good idea. Although it does say athlete so might be just one.
I also think the show needs some aesthetic changes too as the Gladiaors have had the same outfits, hairstyles etc for three seasons.
There's a couple I'd happily switch out!
I am the opposite. I hope it means before season 4 they are finally going to cull a few for the first time, as there are too many anyway.
This bunch aren't dominant enough or intimidating enough. Imagine someone like Viper being around in the days of Shadow and Warrior. Hang Tough should be brought back as well, but it's probably too difficult for most of the current lot.
Ohhh god….i see that contender who always sticks his tongue out trying to join
Did we have it in the 1st series of this new version? Thought they had brought it back.
Yes, Hang Tough was one of the original events they brought back. It hasn’t been used as much as it was in the 90s series.
The OG gladiators just seemed so much more well gladiator like. You knew if hunter was on the wall then the contender up against him was ducked. The gauntlet was actually hard - imagine coming up against rhino, warrior and Trojan. Wolf on hang tough. The wall and hang tough you had jet and lightning. But then perhaps “back then” fitness wasn’t as mainstream (if that makes sense).
This series I do really enjoy and I think they’ve done a good job - I just wish it didn’t feel so manufactured. i also wish glads like Athena were a bit better/featured more. I just feel like there’s potential being wasted a bit.
Yes gym culture wasn’t the same in the 90s for sure and I feel like the contenders were generally fit but in a ‘five a side’ way rather than a CrossFit way.
Spot on. I tried to think did the 90s lot seem harder and tougher because I was just a kid and they were larger than life. But you have described it perfectly.
As an adult now I wouldn't want come across those you mentioned in those games. I wouldn't mind prime Jet on Hang Tough though wrapping them long legs around me to yank me off.
I wonder how they pick which gladiators do which events. Like you said @LittleMissMuffet - in the old days some of them were untouchable - but that was probably a bit unfair and could skew the results. I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of a random pic shown on camera.
I’m sure the guy that plays Steel said they can refuse certain events. He said he wouldn’t do Unleashed for example because he has a dodgy ankle? Something like that.
I think the OG gladiators were allowed to go harder. Gauntlet doesn’t work in the new series because the Glads are barely allowed to pin the contenders before Mark yells release at them.
I think the OG gladiators were allowed to go harder. Gauntlet doesn’t work in the new series because the Glads are barely allowed to pin the contenders before Mark yells release at them.