Show cover for American Gladiators

The Best Episodes of American Gladiators

Every episode of American Gladiators ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Gladiators!

American Gladiators is an American competition TV show that aired on NBC and Citytv in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiators" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a remake of the original series of the same name which ran from 1989–1996, with elements of the UK version of the 1990s. The show is refereed by Al Kaplon, a former American League umpire, who can also be seen as the referee in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Play-by-play narration is handled by Van Earl Wright. Season 1 was taped at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. Beginning with Season 2, the show moved to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. It is produced by Reveille Productions and MGM Television. American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008; an average of 12 million people watched the two-hour premiere. All other Season 1 episodes aired Mondays at 8:00 ET/PT, except for the finale, which aired Sunday February 17, 2008 at 7:00 ET/PT. Season 2 premiered May 12, 2008, on NBC, with a two-hour episode. The two-hour Season 2 finale aired on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 ET/PT. While the final two-hour episode of Season 1 was devoted entirely to the finals, the Season 2 finale consisted of the third semifinal round followed by the finals.

Genre:Reality
Network:NBC

Top Episode Ratings Summary

The best episode of "American Gladiators" is "The Last Stand", rated 7.1/10 from 17 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "The Last Stand" aired on 2/17/2008 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Preacher vs. Teacher".

  • The Last Stand
    7.1/10 17 votes

    #1 - The Last Stand

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2008-02-17

    In this live 2 hour season finale, we will find out which male and female contender will win the prize of $100,000 and have the opportunity to become an American Gladiator next season. Evan Dollard goes up against Alex Rai for the men and Monica Carlson goes up against ShaNay Norvell for the women.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Preacher vs. Teacher
    7.0/10 22 votes

    #2 - Preacher vs. Teacher

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2008-01-14

    In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adam Levin vs Sharaud Moore & Female contenders Monica Carlson vs Belinda Gavin

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Fired Up
    6.9/10 21 votes

    #3 - Fired Up

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2008-01-21

    In this preliminary round, Male contenders Son Nguyen vs Evan Dollard & Female contenders Jennifer Blum vs Christine Kim

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Season Premiere
    6.7/10 28 votes

    #4 - Season Premiere

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 2008-01-06

    The return of American Gladiators features a special two-hour premiere. Male contenders are Molivann Duy vs Jeff Keller & Anthony Abbatemarco vs Chad Knight. Female contenders are Bonnie Blanco vs Shanay Norvell & Koya Webb vs Jessie Foster.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Age Before Beauty
    6.6/10 16 votes

    #5 - Age Before Beauty

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2008-01-28

    Alex Rai goes up against Mark Baker in the night's competition. For the women competing Kim Marciniak tries to get past Toni Oppliger to make it to the finals.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Last Chance
    6.6/10 18 votes

    #6 - Last Chance

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2008-02-11

    In the last round of semifinals Venus Ramos goes up against Monica Carlson and Andy Konigsmark takes on Alex Rai.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 116
    6.5/10 8 votes

    #7 - Episode 116

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 2008-07-07

    It's a battle between youth and wisdom as a 20 year old college student challenges a 52 year old investment manager in the female competition. The men's battle finds a dolphin trainer taking on a media director.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 109
    6.4/10 16 votes

    #8 - Episode 109

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2008-05-12

    The women's side finds single mom and black belt Melissa Trinidad vs. firefighter and Chernobyl survivor Elena Maskalik, while the men's event pits grocery store owner Toby Gordin goes head to head with carpenter Randee Haynes. The second hour kicks off with Para-Olympian John Sciliano battles with teacher Gerry Garcia, and the female side finds Air Force Major Vanessa Warren takes on feisty bartender Nikki Key.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Grapple for Glory
    6.3/10 26 votes

    #9 - Grapple for Glory

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2008-01-07

    In this preliminary round, Male contenders Adonis Locket vs Jeff "Big Country" Chapman & Female contenders Christie Phillips vs Siene Silva

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 115
    6.3/10 10 votes

    #10 - Episode 115

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 2008-06-30

    This round features four contestants who have had a successful weight loss. The men's round includes a teacher, James Ruggiero from Yucca Valley, California (dropped 65 pounds) takes on a waiter, Sean Hetherington from West Hollywood, California (lost over 100 pounds). The women's tilt features a cheerleading coach Jessie Garcia from Bronx, New York versus a mother of four Patricia Franklin from Leesburg, Virginia, who have both lost over 60 pounds.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 110
    6.2/10 15 votes

    #11 - Episode 110

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 2008-05-19

    A pair of Chicago police officers battle it out against the gladiators, as does a couple of female officers from Denver.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 111
    6.2/10 15 votes

    #12 - Episode 111

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 2008-05-26

    A SWAT officer and a tree climber take on the Gladiators for the men's team and going up against the female Gladiator's is a business consultant versus and adventure junkie.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 112
    6.2/10 18 votes

    #13 - Episode 112

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 2008-06-09

    The males matchup features a school teacher and a survivor from Columbine. The ladies features a military vet and crime reporter. A special appearance is made by actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 114
    6.1/10 13 votes

    #14 - Episode 114

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 2008-06-23

    A special episode featuring two married couples, the ladies competition finds sales rep Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas and social worker Kendra Sirignano from Tempe, Arizona challenging each other, while their spouces financial advisor Jeff Davidson, Ally's husband battles Kendra's spouse wrestling coach Aaron Simpson in the men's competition.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 113
    6.0/10 17 votes

    #15 - Episode 113

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 2008-06-16

    Siblings battle in the arena against the gladiators.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 118
    6.0/10 13 votes

    #16 - Episode 118

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 2008-07-21

    Returning contestants compete in the semifinals. Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas will challenge Vanessa Warren from Colorado Springs, Colorado, a mother of three in the female competition. The men's round finds Iraq War veteran Alexander Coates of Baltimore, Maryland, taking on Tim Oliphant from Branson, Missouri.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 119
    6.0/10 14 votes

    #17 - Episode 119

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 2008-07-28

    Ally Davidson from Dallas, Texas will challenge Vanessa Warren from Colorado Springs, Colorado in the female semi-final competition. The men's semi-final round finds Alexander Coates from Baltimore, Maryland vs.Tim Oliphant from Branson, Missouri.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Semi-Finals
    5.9/10 18 votes

    #18 - Semi-Finals

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2008-02-04

    The first of the semifinals begins with winners from previous battles. The men's competition features a fireman and a rock climber. The female competitors features a fitness trainer versus a gymnastics instructor.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 117
    5.8/10 13 votes

    #19 - Episode 117

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 2008-07-14

    The semifinals will be determined after a detective from New York City challenges an ex-marine in the men's competition. The ladies side finds a student in a duel against a figure skater.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 120/121
    5.4/10 14 votes

    #20 - Episode 120/121

    Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 2008-08-04

    In this 2 hour season finale, the remaining two men and two women compete for a spot in the final round. The top two men and top two women then compete in the final round to become the next American Gladiator.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A