Yesterday marked the first episode of Robot Combat League, a tournament-style battle of the bots. We are now living in an age where gargantuan robots smash each other to smithereens for our enjoyment.
A lot went down in the show’s first instalment, so let’s get you up to speed with the rules and recaps (for more info on each robot, check out our initial blog).
The Set Up
12 teams consisting of a robo tech, robo jockey, and a unique fighting machine have been brought together to beat the pants off each other for 100K and title of first-ever champion of the Robot Combat League. All the robots are vastly different, but there can only be one pro wrestler/Dancing with the Stars alum host—and that’s Chris Jericho.
Rules of Combat
Fights consist of three two-minute rounds
Judges score the action to determine a winner
Points are awarded to strong, solid hits to vital parts
Teams have pit crew and a 20-minute time period
Judges can stop a round early due to excessive damage
Robots can be KO’d if they are unable to make the bell
“One Single Punch Determines Your Fate”
After introducing the humans to their respective robots, there was a brief training session before the Power Up Challenge. This event was created to determine the order of the fights. The objective was to punch the target in the centre of a moving robot’s chest. The fastest team gets first seat and faces the slowest team. After several minutes of comical flailing (this is episode one, after all), we had a winner and loser: fast and furious Team Steel Cyclone would go up against slow and tragic father-daughter-robot trio, Team Crash.
Fighter Stats
Crash
Height: 7’9”
Weight: 826 lbs
Reach: 38.5 inches
Steel Cyclone
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 768 lbs
Reach: 41 inches
Round 1
A David and Goliath showdown was not what I was expecting right out of the gate. Team Steel Cyclone was outstandingly cocky from the show’s opening moments right until they smashed Team Crash to a glitchy pulp in the first round. The latter team managed to miraculously slap together their pummelled warrior before going into the second round. I honestly felt sorry for the clearly delusional father and daughter, who pressed on as if they had a chance in hell to make a respectable comeback after such a massacre (literally Fourth of July sparks flying everywhere).
Round 2
Once again, Crash had a wonky start, but managed to gain the upper hand and shockingly KO'd Steel Cyclone in the second round. It couldn’t have been scripted better. The underdog father, daughter, and dorky-looking robot literally put themselves back together and owned the second round. If this is any indication of the unpredictable excitement Robot Combat League has to offer, then colour me ready to rumble!
Relive all the thrills and hydraulic fluid spills by streaming the entire first ep right here! And don’t you dare forget to tune in Tuesday’s at 10E/7P.
