Earthquake (Gladiators)

Earthquake
earthquake2.jpg
UK Gladiator Destroyer gets to grip with a contender in the 2008 UK series
Year Introduced 2008
Country of Origin  United States
Used In  United States
 United Kingdom
 Arab League
Last Used present
Number of Contenders 1
Number of Gladiators 1
Time Limit 30 seconds

Earthquake is an event played in several incarnations of the television series Gladiators. In this event, a contender and Gladiator face off on a suspended, gyrating circle, each trying to push the opponent off. It was the first original new event to have been unveiled in the various Gladiators revivals of 2008.

Contents

Rules

One Gladiator faces one contender, and on the whistle attempt to dislodge their opponent from the Earthquake ring during the 30 second match.

The Earthquake ring, suspended from the arena floor by three cables is twelve foot in diameter and upon the whistle tilts and shakes in different directions.

10 points are awarded if the contender manages to pull the Gladiator off the Earthquake platform (even if they are removed in the process). 5 points are awarded if they and the Gladiator are still on the Earthquake platform by the end of the event. A contender or Gladiator still hanging by one of the suspension cables is considered to be on the platform. For a Gladiator win, the Gladiator must remain on the Earthquake platform after removing the contender.

Kicking and biting is not allowed.

International differences

In the UK during series 1, if a partipant falls down on the Earthquake platform then they must get up or face disqualification. 10 points are only awarded if the contender manages to dislodge the Gladiator and remain on the platform or if the Gladiator is the first to the crash mats.

Event History

America

Years active: 2008-

Earthquake debuted in the first series of the 2008 revival and is seen as an updated version of the 'Conquer' part of Breakthrough & Conquer. It was the only brand new event to be introduced for that series. In the first series it was played over a crash mat before being moved over the pool in the second season.

UK

Years active: 2008-

Like America, Earthquake debuted in the first series of the 2008 revival, with the event being conducted over crash mats. Initially, the participants were only allowed to push and pull each other. In the second series, the event took place higher up over crash-nets, and the rules were changed to allow basic wrestling, although punching and kicking and submission holds were still not allowed.

References