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07x06 - Robot Redemption

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "BattleBots". Aired: August 23, 2000 – May 25, 2023.*
Watch/Buy Amazon



Show is an adaptation of the American Robot Wars competitions hosted in the mid–late 1990s by Marc Thorpe, in which competitors design and operate remote-controlled armed and armored machines designed to fight in an arena combat elimination tournament.

07x06 - Robot Redemption

Post by bunniefuu »

[narrator] in the 25 year
history of the sport,

Excellence at battlebots h
been measured in hardware.

[commentator] world champions!

[narrator] tonight, the ques
for a brand new trophy

Culminates in an epic
winner take all tournament.


Featuring eight
of the deadliest robots


Ever assembled.

With a fanatical crowd
packing the house


On this special night
in las vegas.


[commentator] are you
guys ready?

[narrator] who will
become the first team

To hoist the golden bolt?

This is battlebots champio.

[automated voice speaking]
robots activate.

[crowd cheering]

Whoo! Wow!

Love it!

Hey, everybody and welcome
to battlebots champions.

This is the big one.

It's the golden bolt
championship tournament!

[crowd cheering]

I am chris rose,
I'm joined as always

By ufc legend and the goat

Of robot combat
color commentary,

The one and only, kenny florian.

[crowd cheering]

Thank, chris. I love the
energy in here tonight.

Are you guys ready for this?

[crowd cheering]

[chris] six weeks ago,
we kicked off

Battlebots champions with
the first sin city slugfest

Since then, 45 bots
have gone to battle


In hopes of claiming
a spot here tonight.


Oh, it's all over!

After five qualifying
tournaments of


Weapon trashing, glass smashing,

Hope eroding,
face exploding action.


Eight battle tested champion
will put it all on the line


To reach the top
of the mountain.


That's right, chris.
We have the most

Deadly tournament
lineup imaginable.

Three giant nut winners,

Tombstone, endgame,

And 2021 world champion, tantrum

Have been joined by the fiv
sin city slugfest champions


For the most elite
field ever assembled.


Short of taking home
the giant nut


A flawless run here

Provides the ultimate
bragging rights.


And that's why all eyes tonight

Are fixated on the
newest trophy in this sport.


[both] the golden bolt!

[crowd cheering]

All right. I don't know
about you kenny,

But I'm ready to
get this thing started.

Let's take a look at
the murderers' row

That will be competing tonight.

After being disqualified
from last year's


World championship tournamen
due to technical issues,


Glitch has a shot at redemption

Against its original
round of 32 opponent,


Two-time giant nut
runner-up, witch doctor.


[kenny] we'll see former world
champ, ray billings and tombstone


Take on the current
world champs,


Ginger schmidt, alex
grant and tantrum.


[chris] and the bot with
arguably the most momentum


Heading into this
championship tournament,


Fan-favorite, hypershock

As an opening matchup
with mister and missus plow


Zachary lytle, diana
tarlso and skorpios.


But up first, the former
champs from new zealand.


Nick mabey and jack barker
are running a ponzi scheme


As end game plans its attac

On david jin and
the mighty frog,


Ribbot.

[crowd cheering]

[kenny] after their
giant nut win 2020,


This team had visions
of becoming a dynasty.


But those dreams were bulldozed

By daniel freitas and minota

In last year's world
championship tournament.


Now, they're refocused
and bolstered by the knowled


That they have knocked out five
of the seven robots in this field.


End game is a shark and
the smell blood in the water.


[chris] well, I hope they
have a taste for cold blood


Because that's all
you can squeeze out


Of the amphibious phenom ribbot.

David jin was ruthless
in his slugfest qualifier.


Literally Fl*ttening the
gatekeeper lockjaw.


We'll see if the frog can
ta a bite out of end game.


Or if the kiwi K*llers will
grab it by the tongue.


[crowd cheering]

It's gonna be a brutal night
in all the best ways possible.

- Are you ready my friend?
- Chris, let's do this.

Are you guys ready?

[crowd cheering]

I thought so.
Faruq, take it away.

[faruq] ladies and gentlemen!

Are you ready?

It's robot fighting time!

[crowd cheering]

[faruq] in the red square,

From worcester, massachusetts,

There's some blood
on the hands of the frog

On the log in the hole
in the bottom of the sea,

It's ribbot!

[crowd cheering]

- [chris] david jin.
- [kenny] oh, look at the shades on ribbot!

[chris] yeah, kenny,
somebody's enjoying vegas.

[kenny] yeah, the frog
wore those same shades


When it knocked out
end game back in 2019


To grab its first career win

The team used its vertical
weapon for that fight.


They've been secretive abou what attachment
they're gonn choose for this rematch.


You can see they're
going with the undercutter.

David jin playing
some mind games here.


I like it.

[faruq] in the blue square,

From auckland, new zealand,

These kiwis are ready to bring
you the fight of the conchords

It's end game.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] here comes the
pride of new zealand,


2020 winners of the giant nu

Nick mabey and jack
barker, team end game.


Future's so bright, they
got wear shades, kenny.


[kenny] right. As a former
champion, end game is in


Automatic qualifier tonight

But after an early exit
in last year's tournament,


They're coming in with
a chip on their shoulder


And on a mission
to remind the world


That this robot is one
of the heaviest hitters


In the history of the sport

[crowd cheering]

Back in 2019, our rookie season,

We actually had our first ever
battlebots win against end game.

So, this is kinda
full circle for us.

The team is definitely ready to
have three fights in a single day.

However, the tournament
is kind of insane

Because all the bots in the
tournament are so destructive.

Tombstone, hypershock,
the bots all hit so hard.

The bots, all have the
ability to fully retire our robot.

Luckily, we did
bring a lot of spare,

So hopefully we'll be ready for
each match that we have to fight.

But it's a big deal.

So, we're playing ribbot
in our first fight today.

And they're modular
robots, they could be running

A horizontal spinner
or a vertical spinner.

We know what we want 'em to play

And we have kind of a back
up plan for if we're not sure.

It's really important for
us to win this golden bolt.

I think we've got the best
robot in the world right now,

So we want the
opportunity to show it.

[crowd cheering]

[automated voice
speaking] robots activate.

[crowd cheering]

[chris and kenny exclaim]

[chris] end game just
knocke their own forks off.


Are they the ones
playing mind games here?


Talk to us, pete.

[pete] yeah, ribbot was
keeping them on their toes


In the pits in terms of whic
weapon they were going to us


Jack and nick were hoping
they'd run the vertical.


Those forks were intended
to counter that configuratio


Ribbot choosing to go
with an undercutter here,


So end game says,
"hey, no problem.


We'll just go to plan b and
shed the forks." amazing


[chris] that of course was
the third member of our team


The bot whisperer,
pete abrahamson.


And like he always says,
"pays to have a plan b."


[crowd cheering]

[chris] it's gonna take thre
consecutive wins tonight


To take home the golden bolt

Do either of these two team
have the juice to get it don


The w*r of attrition starts now.

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight!

[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


Ribbot coming to end
game from an angle.


[all exclaiming]

The glasses and head
have been dismantled,


But what about
the rest for ribbot.


[kenny] ribbot is
inverted right now,


Taking big shots from end game.

[chris] the 2020 world
champion's here and it looks angry.


- [kenny] yeah.
- [chris laughs]

Oh, my god! Tapping that fro

Oh, man!

End game is
smashing and crashing


And perhaps dashing the
hope of ribbot here tonight.


[kenny] yeah, ribbot alread
having issues and of course


End game attacking
the tires now.


[chris] another big shot. Wo

End game, I wonder when they're
gonna pull back and here it is.


Because once again, they're
just not looking to win one fight,


They're looking to
win three tonight.


And here is number one.

- The countdown is on.
- [referee] five.

- Four, three.
- [chris] ribbot is doa.

And end game is moving
on to the semi-finals.


[buzzer sounds]

[chris] wow!

Well, tough day at the
offic when your head lands


Five feet from your
body after a collision.


[kenny] yeah, end game
just kinda stalked them,


Like a great white shark,
just bit down right on ribbot,


Sent him flying, you see
th weapon belt came off of


That undercutter of
ribbot immediately.


David jin, perhaps
regretting that


Configuration choice
right about now.


[chris] well, we now,
few drivers are more


Aggressive when they smell
weakness than jack barker.


Got the frog in
the short corner.


That was it.

Time to back up. Give
'em one more shot.


And end game's
moving on to the semis.


All right.

Nick mabey, jack
barker, congratulations.

- Wow!
- Thank you, thank you.

Got another one of these.

Hey, jack.

Were you a little ticked
off that ribbot came out

With the shades on their frog

And they were trying to
get under your skin a bit?

Well, last time they
came out with the shades,

They absolutely
kicked our butts.

So, we just needed to
make sure that, you know,

We keep the shades

And just smash them
up even after the fight.

Yeah, that fight went pretty
differently from last time.

You guys came out with
those forks and then you didn't.

Talk about that a little bit.

So, like, we know
what they can do.

They can either be
a vert or a horizontal,

So we went for the wedges.

But if they were
gonna go for the vert,

We put on a little contingency.

And, you know, we saw that
they were running the horizontal,

So we don't need those
anymore, we'll get rid of them.

And just gonna give them away
and they're gonna count for damage,

So we'll smash 'em up
before the fight starts.

[kenny] had fun watching
you play chess out there.

All right guys, congratulations.

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

[jin] nick! Nick!

One to one.

- One to one?
- One to one.

[chris] so, the former
champ end game


Move on to the second
round in convincing fashion


Where they will
await the winner of


Tombstone versus
tantrum later tonight.


And kenny, we
have to say goodbye


To david jin and team ribbot

They have a come an awfully
long way the past few years


But end game was just
too much for them tonight.


[kenny] yeah, no doubt
we'll see this squad back


With an even stronger ribbo

In the 2022 world championship.

Where they will
considered a top ten team


Straight out of the gate.

[chris] all right, coming up

Can the consummate
showman, will bales


Keep his k*ll streak alive

Or will skorpios pump the brakes

On hypershock's
remarkable tournament run?


The fight for the
golden bolt continues,


Next.

[crowd cheering]

[crowd cheering]

[chris] welcome back
to
battlebots champions

Where tonight a m*rder*r's
r of the best combat robots


Anywhere in the
world are competing


For a brand new piece
of battlebots hardware,


The golden bolt.

Up next, we got
skorpios and hypershock.

And let's start with
will bales' squad.


Hypershock was out of this world

In its slugfest qualifiers,

Tearing through the bracket

And decimating the
gatekeeper, gigabyte.


Oh, are you kidding?

[exclaims]

[kenny] yeah, the amount
of destruction it caused


That night was
absolutely insane.


Everything is clicking
for hypershock right now.


And in a very short
time, it's gone from


One of the most entertainin
bots in the competition


To one of the deadliest.

But it's a tough
draw for 'em tonight

Because in their two
matchups with skorpios,

They have dropped both of them.

[kenny] yes, zach
lytle's robot was built


For a format like this.

Remember, it won four
fight in a single night


At last year's
bounty hunters event.

Skorpios is as
durable as they come


And it was designed to defen
against high energy weapons


Like hypershock's.

It's gonna be a fun one.

Faruq, take it away!

[faruq] in the red square,

From crockett, california,

Make way for the king of sting,

It's skorpios!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] there's skorpios,
one of only two gatekeepers


To make it out of their sin
city slugfest qualifiers alive.


The other being witch doctor

Kenny, zach lytle
and diana tarlson


Don't back down from anyone

Can they stop the
red hot hypershock?


[kenny] well, like everyone
else, they were blown away


By what will bales
did in his qualifier.


But skorpios has beaten
hypershock twice before,


So don't expect
them to be intimidated.


[chris] they've welded a series
of ridges to the front of their bot


Prepared for this r-rating
version of hypershock.


They're ready.

In the blue square,
from miami, florida,

The bot from the 305

That fights like he's
possessed by the 666.

It's hypershock!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] the always
entertaining, will bales.


Oh, look at this.

They have stepped up their game.

We are in vegas.
I see you, girl!


[kenny] amazing.

[chris] the robot's
looking tip-top as well.


[kenny] yes, it is.

With virtually no
damage in its qualifiers,


But the team tore it down

And inspected every
nut and bolt regardless.


While winning the
world championship


Is their ultimate goal,

Taking home the golden
bolt would catapult this squad


Into elite territory
here at
battlebots.

They are not taking this
opportunity for granted.


[crowd cheering]

So, originally when
I got hypershock,

I was like, "dude, I've
already done this twice.

The fans aren't
gonna wanna see this."

But then I watched his
footage from this season

And, oh, my god!

Will finally fixed it.

This is not the same
hypershock I have fought.

And I'm gonna need
a few new tactics.

My big goal is to
get him upside down.

And I'm hoping if I just fling
myself into the blade long enough,

He'll flip over, I'll flip over.

The difference is
I can get back up.

They're the best wedge in
the competition, bar none.

They have the best, you
know, ground game upfront.

You know, in terms of armor,

They always have little
attachments to put on.

We will not get under it,
at least not from the front,

So I have to do a very good job

Of being incredibly patient

In getting our
forks under his side.

Or under the back or
under a wheel or something.

But that's the only
way we can deliver a hit

And that's what we gotta do.

[crowd cheering]

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight!

[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


[kenny] will
charges at skorpios.


[chris] nice shot
though from hypershock.


Skorpios flipped over.
Almost flipped out of the box.


It's over!

It's over!

[all exclaiming]

[referee] nine, eight, seven,

- Six, five.
- [chris] you broke it, will

- You broke it.
- Four, three, two, one.

[buzzer sounds]

[chris] 24 seconds.

[laughs]

Wow!

24 seconds, kenny florian.

[kenny] yeah, I think the ke
was those forks on the front


Hypershock was able to
get underneath repeatedly.


Speed, power, aggression,

This was no fluke,
this was domination.


[chris] boy, it was three shots,

Then finished the
blue monst for the night.


As hypershock is moving on I
the tournament of champions


[laughs]

[crowd] hypershock!
Hypershock! Hypershock!

[chris] will bales.

This place is jumping. I
don't know if you can hear me,

But this place went
nuts on that shot.

Yeah.

[crowd cheering]

I was not aware
scorpions could fly too.

[all chuckling]

I'm frankly a bit surprised
that we got under the front

And got those hits in.

They are the definition
of floor scraping

And perfect front end,
so must be a lucky shot.

-And then we bent it up...
-[person in crowd] I love you, will!

Thank you.

So, I'm really sorry about
picking this particular door,

It's like the door to
throw people out in,

It's a nice door.

You've become the
battlebots bouncer.

Congratulations, thanks for
throwing everybody out of the club.

You're out of here!

- Great run so far.
- Thanks, guys.

We'll see you in the
next round hypershock.

So, skorpios falls
in dramatic fashion.


And it's yet another victim
of the seemingly unstoppabl


Hypershock, kenny.

[kenny] yeah, this
marks five straight wins.


All of them violent
and dominant, chris.


Hypershock could very
well b the last one standing


When all is said
and done tonight.


[chris] what an
unbelievable run.


Hypershock moving
on to the second round.


All right, coming up,

Is there a doctor in the house?

Can andrea and mike gellatl

Put an end to kyle miller's
miraculous 7-0 career start


It's witch doctor facing glitch.

The golden bolt
tournament continues


Next!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] we continue
on. It is the chase for

The golden bolt at
the end of the night.

We just saw team
hypershock advance


To the second round
in convincing fashion.


And we caught up
with captain will bales


After his knockout
victory over skorpios.


Win number five in a
row. It's feeling good.

Feeling good.

That was much quicker
than we anticipated it to be.

But once again, not a scratch.

Not a single blemish on the top
armor or the side armor or anything.

It's just the weirdest event.

We've gone five for five
now with some serious robots.

And no one has
damaged any armor.

No one.

So, who's gonna do it?

[chris] another flawless
victory from team hypershock


[kenny] yeah, the run they'r
on has just been insane.


Will bales is a
man on a mission.


The rest of the bracket
better watch out.


[chris] and it continues on
with witch doctor and glitc


And if I had told
you an year ago


That glitch would have
been in this tournament,


You would have
said, "who's glitch?


- I don't know who they are?
- [kenny chuckles]

[chris] they were a
rookie bot in 2021.


They went 3-0 during
the regular season.


Was the number nine
overall seed in the round of 32,

But because of mechanical
issues could not answer the bell.


And they were forced to
bow out of the tournament


So, you know what?

They entered the
golden bolt qualifier,


They ran through that.

Dismantled the
legend in rotator,


Like we have never seen before.

And believe it or not, this crew

Of young college students

Now sit at 7-0 lifetime
in their
battlebots caree

Yeah, this team is
easily the biggest surprise

In 2021 and here as well.

It hasn't been the
smoothest journey.


They've battled significant
mobility issues inside the box.


But there's something
about this bot's


Unorthodox, low profile desi

That has left its
opponents dumb founded


As to how to attack it.

And to say glitch's
weapon hits hard,


Well, that would be a
serious understatement.


[all exclaiming]

[kenny] they will finally
get to face the team


They were slated to
fight in the opening round


Of the 2021 world championsh
tournament, witch doctor.


The fans are
foaming at the mouth


To see how this shakes out.

[chris] and as for witch doctor,

Twice they've been within
arms reach of the giant nut


Falling just short in


Most recently
finishing runner up


To the 2021 champion, tantru

And despite being one
of the most popular teams


In the sports history,
the only battlebots trophy


Mike and andrea
gellatly have ever hoisted


Was a giant bolt in the 2019
all star vegas challenge, kenny.


[kenny] that's right, chris
witch doctor is unquestionab


One of the best combat
robots in the world.


But this team is still
sitting just outside


That elite inner circle
of
battlebots champions

Winning the golden bolt tonight,

Would mean as much
to this squad as anyone.


It starts with glitch.

Winner moves on
to the semi-finals

And will have a
date with hypershock.

Let's see what happens. Faruq!

[crowd cheering]

In the red square,

From miami springs, florida,

The lean, mean, purple
and green machine,

Give it up for, witch doctor!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] no one quite like 'e

The voodoo
children, witch doctor.


Led by the husband and wife duo

Of andrea and mike gellatly

You know they are definitel
ready for the challenge.


[kenny] they sure
are and check it out,


Underneath those mittens
on the front of witch docto


Are ground scraping
fork attachments.


Mike has avoided
that trend for years


For fear of them
inhibiting his driving.


But glitch is so low to
the ground on all sides


The team feels it
has no choice here


If it wants to find a
way to catch an edge


And dish out meaningful damage.

[faruq] in the blue square,
from berkeley, california,

This little rider
is ready for w*r,

It's glitch!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] and now we
get a look at the kids


From the university
of california


And that deadly
egg beater spinner


That has shocked
the world, glitch!


They may keep their
run alive, kenny florian.


[kenny] listen, I think
kyle miller would tell you,


He's as surprised as anyone

To be sporting a


But facing witch doctor,

He understands the
symbolism of this match


What I'm looking
for is whether or not


The team has addressed
glitch's mobility issues.


There is very
little room for error


Against a driver as
skilled as mike gellatly.


[crowd cheering]

Their weapon is looking,
like, very powerful,

But they seem to have
pretty unreliable drive.

But the people that
have lost to glitch,

Drive straight
into their weapon.

We are gonna be very patient.

I know it's only three minutes
and it feels like an eternity,

But we're gonna make them
engage us if that's what it takes.

If you don't move,
you get counted out,

So we're gonna take our time

And make sure that
we land the hit we need.

We're doing our best that we
can to get our drive working.

Not really been the
case in a lot of fights,

But we really need it.

We're gonna do our best to keep
our weapons pointed towards them

And try to hit them
whenever we can.

It's kind of a chance to prove

That we could have gone
farther in the round of 32.

That we would have had a
great fight against witch doctor.

And we could have beat them.

So, this one's personal for us

And we really
wanna take 'em down.

[automated voice
speaking] robots activate.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] kenny, you mentione
witch doctor going with thos


New fork attachments.

Looks like glitch has actual
ditched their forks for this match.


[kenny] yeah, kyle miller
told us before the fight,


He was tired of his fork's
continuing to get hung up


On the battlebots' floor.

He's hoping scrapping them
will improve glitch's mobility here.


[crowd cheering]

[chris] it's one of the
biggest names in the sport,


Witch doctor,

Taking on a team that is
making a name for itself


In glitch.

Winner moves on to the
golden bolt semi-finals


To face hypershock.

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight.


[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


Oh, it's interesting to
see how glitch is moving


On this floor, kenny.

[kenny] so far so good.
Looks like they're waiting.


For witch doctor.

Just pointing their
weapon at 'em


To say, "come on,
what do you got?"


[chris] you can hear it.

Both of those powerful
weapo up to full speed.


Witch doctor
looking for an angle.


Uh-oh, gets caught up
on the
battlebots' floor

[kenny] yes, something
to keep an eye on.


Witch doctor with those
ground scraping attachments


On the front of the bot.

Will that affect its mobilit

[chris] so much of what mik
does is based on his speed


And if he can't drive proper

It takes away a huge
advantage for this team.


[kenny] and mike
gellatly clearly vary of that


Nuclear weapon
on the front of glitch.


We saw them send rotator 15
feet in the air in its last match.


[all] oh!

[kenny] glitch very close
t a shot to the back side.


And witch doctor now...

Witch doctor going
on the offensive here.


[chris] and one of those little
forks got caught in the k*ll sauce.


Glitch is having
trouble in the corner.


Just avoids disaster there

With a heart
charging witch doctor.


[kenny] mike gellatly
forcing glitch to work hard


And stay squared up.

[chris] oh, there's a
big hi by witch doctor,


First of the match.

[kenny] glitch was
moving well up to that point.


Witch doctor has a window here.

[chris] and now, witch
doctor's gonna take advantage.


Oh, huge shot on
the college kids.


Those front forks paying
of right there, kenny.


[kenny] absolutely, sent
glitch right into the weapon.


[chris] mike gellatly
with a follow up shot.


Oh, another!

Oh, they're teasing
and testing glitch


To see if it's still moving

I'm not seeing any movement.

[chris] witch doctor
has to be careful here.


They cannot afford to
take glitch off the hook


[kenny] they're
done, are they done?


[chris] their weapon's
too powerful.


There's a possibility...

They're stuck under the
scre and so witch doctor


When back in for a shot.

[kenny] that's how
you finish the job.


- [referee] nine, eight.
- [chris] yup, here's the countdown.

Someone has finally
caught up to glitch.


- [referee] five, four.
- [chris] the veteran tandem

- Andrea and mike gellatly are on to the semi-finals.
- [buzzer sounds]

[chris] that will do it.

Witch doctor is moving on.

[exclaims]

[chris] well, two
dangerous robots


Playing the game of cat
and mouse in this one, kenny


[kenny] yes, they were.

Glitch was actually
moving much better


Than we're used to
seeing to start this match,


Ditching those front forks.

Looks like it
was the right call.


May have missed a few
opportunities to attack


When witch doctor's
forks got hung up


On the box floor though.

Eventually, witch
doctor found an opening.


[chris] yeah, glitch
did a good job


Of staying squared
up to the veteran.


But mike gellatly, dude
is so patient and surgical,


Landed a shot to
the side of glitch.


Got underneath and laid it o

[kenny] no doubt. I thought
mike made the right choice


In continuing to attack glitch.

Once he had it
against the screws,


You cannot afford to give
a bot as powerful as glitch


A second chance.

[chris] the cinderella run
of kyle miller and team glitch

Comes to an end

At the hands of
the voodoo children.


Andrea and mike.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Hey.
- Congratulations.

- Thank you.
- What was the idea behind

Being so patient
there at the beginning?

So, I mean, glitch is a
very innovative robot.

They have this really
cool driver where they can

Translate and drive around.

They're 7-0 I
think at this point,

So we did not wanna drive
right into their weapon, obviously.

They had huge,
huge hits this year.

And it looks like they
actually were driving

Super well in this match.

Better than they have
in any other match,

So we weren't sure how
well they'd be able to translate.

And I knew I needed to
stay out of the path of that

Monstrous weapon.

Mike, you went with the
forks configuration there.

- Finally.
- Are you happy you did that? Yeah.

Satisfied?

Yeah, I mean, we got
hung up in some of the

Saw slots a few times there.

But glitch is so low, you know,

We figured this is like
the perfect opportunity

To use 'em and I think
they worked pretty all right.

Andrea and mike gellatly, team
witch doctor, congratulations.

We'll see you in the
semi-finals against hypershock.

Thank you.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] so, for team glitch
their miracle run ends here


But kenny, kyle miller has p
the
battlebots world on notice.

He is one of the
brightest young builders


In the entire sport.

[kenny] absolutely.
Hats off to this entire squa


Now, 7-1 lifetime at battlebots.

That's more wins than
some teams collect


In their entire career.

[chris] but it is witch doct that's
moving on to the semi-finals


Of the golden bolt championship

Where they will square
off with longtime friend,


Will bales and team hypershock.

All right, coming up.

How about this?

2016 giant nut
winner, tombstone.


2021 title holder and
reigni champions, tantrum.


You want the best of the bes

We got the best of the best

The mind blowing matchups

In tonight's golden bolt
tournament continue


Next.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] we continue on here
on
battlebots champions,

The chase for the golden bol

And up next,

The champ is here.

In fact, the champs are here

2016 giant nut winner, tombstone

Is ready to enter the
arena for a showdown


With the reigning
champion, tantrum.


And what an amazing season
for the brand new co-captains,

Alex grant and ginger schmidt.

They led the little puncher
that could in its undefeated run


That culminated with
winning the 2021 title


And taking home the giant nu

But kenny, all the
way back in 2018,


Tantrum faced tombstone
during its rookie season


And let's just say
it was memorable,


But for all the wrong reason

[kenny] yeah, tombstone
not only knocked tantrum out,


It ripped its fists off

And embedded
it in the battle box.


Alex and ginger told
us the whole thing


Was a little embarrassing

And that they've been
waiting for a rematch


With ray billings ever since

[chris] well, they're
finall gonna get it tonight,


But much like this is
a vast different tantrum


Than the last time
these two fought,


We may now be talking
about a different version


Of tombstone as well.

Dare I say

That tombstone has a little
something to prove to everyone tonight.

I think they do.

Ray billings is obviously a
legend and a former champion


But tombstone 5-5
in its last ten fights


And the battlebots worl
is starting to openly wonde


If the king of kinetic
energy still has it.


Ray's made some significant changes
to the weapon in the past few years,


Searching for even
more knockout power.


I think that has led to
some inconsistency,


But this is still one of th
hardest hitting robots in the world.


I think that beefy
armor on tantrum


Will be tested.

Ray billing says don't
underestimate us.

Everybody should
still be afraid.

Let's see for ourselves. Faruq.

[crowd cheering]

In the red square from
placerville, california,

He likes his pizza with
pepperoni, pineapple

And the blood of his victims.

I know, gross, right?
Pineapple. [retches]

It's tombstone!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] here comes the
grim reaper, ray billing


Son, justin on the right.

Longtime friend and grid
chief rick russ on the left.


And of course,
the star of the show


Has its own motorcade,
if you know what I mean.


[kenny] yeah. Just robots
helping robots, chris.


Tombstone still
a sight to behold.


Ray going with the
s7 steel blade here.


Told us that team spent
hour sharpening their weapon


In anticipation
of this showdown.


He wants to use it to cut
directly into the armor of tantrum.


[faruq] in the blue square,

This crybaby will
hit you so hard,

You'll have to call
the whambulance,

It's tantrum!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] the reigning king
and queen of
battlebots,

Ginger schmidt and alex gran

Still beaming after
winning the giant nut.


How have they setup tantrum to face
a bot as powerful as tombstone, kenny?


[kenny] such a durable
robot this thing is a little tank


You see that front wedge there,

That was designed specifical

To defend against
horizontal spinners.


They wanna use it to
jam up tombstone's blade,


Then drop it into
attack mod with their fist,


That sliding vertical disc spin.

I believe that I can
beat them in this match.

We're gonna be hitting
'em a little harder than

They've been hit up
to this point in time.

He'll have some sort of big
steel arrangement on the front

To try to stop the spinner,

So he can corner me and
get his weapon into play.

So, my strategy is gonna
be I'm gonna have to try to get

Away from the arena
wall as quickly as possible

And try to just keep fighting
in the center of the arena.

'cause if he gets me pushed into
a corner, I'm gonna be in trouble.

It's gonna be a great tough
match between two champions

And I'm looking forward
to getting in the arena

And doing our thing.

I think this is a sort
of an inflection point

For tantrum

To prove that we are part
of the big leagues now.

Tantrum is not who we
were three seasons ago

When we first fought tombstone.

And this is really,
the difference in fight,

I think will show the
world how far we've come.

To prepare tombstone, we added
some gruff bars to the front of our robot.

Gruff bars are what
we call really strong

Steel bars that
we add to the front,

So that we can knock
tombstone's blade in half.

All right, we got this.
Let's go, tantrum.

[automated voice
speaking] robots activate.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] all right,
buckle up, folks.


Can ray billings make
a monumental statement


And take down the reigning
battlebots champion?

Or will ginger and alex power
tantrum to even greater heights


And make a run
at the golden bolt?


A fight you cannot
afford to miss


When the golden bolt
tournament continues.


[chris] welcome back to
the golden bolt tournament


Here on battlebots

Where we have two
champions ready to throw down.


It's tantrum versus tombston

Winner moves on,
loser goes home.


[automated voice
speaking] red team, ready?

- [buzzes]
- [crowd cheering]

[automated voice
speaking] blue team, ready?

[crowd cheering]

[buzzes]

Yeah, tantrum.

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight.

[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


Here comes tantrum.

- Takes a big shot.
- [all exclaiming]

And tombstone
with kinetic energy


Wielding it all
over the box. Wow!


[kenny] watch for
this whip here. Whoa!


[chris] this is where
tantru wants tombstone,


They wanna try to
get 'em in the corner.


Nice driving by ray billings

[kenny] nice shot to
the side of tantrum.


Uh-oh, tombstone
up on its wheels.


[all exclaiming]

[chris] ray billings' bot
completely out of control


And flirting with disaster now,

Trying to avoid the rails.

[kenny] well, this is where
needs to shut down that weapon.


It looks like he's
having an issue with it.


[chris] yeah, it is
pointing right at us.


Tantrum hanging back.

Watching, waiting to see

If the king of kinetic
energ destroys itself.


That blade is still spinning

Oh, my goodness!

Oh!

[kenny] I'm not seeing
a lot of control here.


[chris] tombstone is smoking

Tantrum is taking the


The weapon is no
longer functioning.


And ray billings is in a
world of trouble now, kenny.

[kenny] yeah, tombstone
is hurt badly, chris.


Just crab walking now.

Ray is gonna run
out of rope here.


- [referee] ten, nine.
- [chris] the countdown has started.

The reigning champions,
tantrum brings it full circl


With a statement
win over tombstone.


It's going to be moving on
to the golden bolt tournamen


- [referee] countdown!
- [buzzer sounds]

[chris] kenny, we have spen
years watching tombstone


Destroy its opponents
by delivering


The hardest shots in the gam

But tantrum can
certainly take a punch.


[kenny] my goodness, it's ju so
difficult to knock this robot out.


Combine that with well
ex*cuted game plans


And world class driving,

That's why tantrum is
your reigning champ.


[chris] able to deflect
tombstone's energy here


And send it
careening out of control


And that spelled disaster
in the short corner.


Yeah, we had a front row
sea as tombstone's blade


Slammed against the
rails and the battle box floor.


That damaged the drive

And eventually,
blew out the weapon.


Tough night for ray billings

[chris] tantrum
hanging back saying,


"we're all grown up now, ray
we don't shine shoes anymore."

Alex and ginger,

What a run tantrum has been on.

It is a run.

You win the giant nut.

You take down a
legend in tombstone.

What is going on here, ginger?

I mean, in tantrum's
first season,

We had to actually go
up against tombstone

And we were
hobbling into that fight.

I mean, I think we only had
half of our drive train working.

It was a rough year for us.

So, to be able to come back now

And be able to
take tombstone out,

I mean, it is an
incredible feeling.

Honestly, it's amazing.

[all applauding]

Well, guys, congratulations.

We will see you
in the semi-final

In the chase for the
golden bolt. Congrats.

Thank you.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] so, as team tantrum
heads back to the pits

To prepare for their next match,

Let's take a step back.

It's been a while since
ray billings has really left

His stamp on the sport,

- The way that he wants to.
- Right.

[chris] can the legend find
a way to turn things around


And return to form

At the upcoming world
championship and beyond.


[kenny] listen, we've
said it a lot lately,


The sport is evolving so fas

And getting younger every year.

Tombstone isn't anywhere
nea as dominant as it used to be


But the fans want to see th
grim reaper back in the box


And I have faith, ray
will d what he needs to do


To answer the bell.

[chris] all right, and with that

Our first round
action is complete


And we are down to
just four contenders.


And check out this
quartet of K*llers.


2020 giant nut winner,
end game is gonna square of


With reigning battlebots
champions, tantrum.

And coming up,

Two ferocious vertical spinners,

The red hot hypershock

Will collide with two-time
runner up, witch doctor.


The golden bolt
tournament continues


Next.

We are back on
battlebots champions,

The chase for the golden bolt.

It is time for our first
semi-final between


Hypershock and witch doctor

This is a dream matchup.

On one hand,
you have will bales,


Who electrifies the crowds.

He's captained hypershock
through one of the most


Insanely destructive winnin
streaks in recent memory.


Then there's witch doctor,

Perennially in its prime.

Captained by the iconic duo
of andrea and mike gellatly


These two squads actually
share a shop together in florida,


So they're very familiar
with each other, kenny.


And now, they're gonna
destroy each other. I love it.

You know, witch doctor
obviously has the pedigree


And they had no problems earlier
with the rookie juggernaut, glitch.


But no one has been
as hot as hypershock


Throughout this tournament.

In the first round they had
skorpios out of the arena


In ten seconds flat.

Will bales has been
a man on a mission.

This is a kind of fight you
pay good money to see.


[chris] and now,
one of these bots


Is just two wins away from
hoisting the golden bolt.


Let's find out who's punching
their ticket to the final.

Faruq!

[crowd cheering]

[faruq] in the red square,

She'll make you feel bad as hell

Like lizzo in reverse.

She'll make your death a reality

And you know that truth hurts.

Blame it on her juice,

So speedy when
she throws the switch,

Just took a dna test,

Turns out she's 100
percent that witch.

It's witch doctor!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] for witch doctor,

A March to finals always
feels like an inevitability


This team knows what it
take to get to the finish line.


But they have yet
to cross it, kenny.


[kenny] professional sports
are littered with all-time greats


That simply couldn't
break through to win a title.


And trust me, it drives
the gellatlys crazy.


Of tonight's semi-finalists
no team is as hungry


For the golden
bolt as witch doctor.


In the blue square,

Ever had a case of the mondays
where you're feeling out of whack?

Well, will bales will
make you hate every day,

Like a boomtown
rat with a broken bat.

The silicon chip inside his head

Has been switched to overload

And now you'll have
that song in our head

When he runs you off the road.

I don't like mondays,

But I love hypershock!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] I look forward
to their tunnel entrance


As much as their fight, k.

Will bales leading the crew out.

Let's see what he's got in
store for the semi-final matchup.


[all exclaiming]

[chris] it is technical t-re

The unofficial mascot
of team hypershock.


I suppose you can never have
too much paleo in your pit crew.


[kenny] never. And
unlike witch doctor,


It looks like they're sticki with
their fork configuratio for this one.


Worked pretty well against
skorpios earlier tonight.


We'll see whose ground game
strategy pays off in this fight.


Hypershock!

[crowd cheering]

Hypershock is like one
of the fastest robots here.

Will's one of the
best drivers here.

But we're hoping
he'll make a mistake,

You know, he's overconfident.

- [chuckles] will bales?
- Yeah, he's pretty much the epitome of overconfidence.

Hypershock's gotten some
huge ko hits and so have we.

So, it's going to be a huge
slugfest between two robots.

It might not be a long fight,

But there's guarantee
there'll be some crazy air-time.

We have these rally long forks

And we spent the whole
off-season complaining with them

About how wedge
lids are k*lling the sport

And forks are k*lling the sport

And they made some
little ones, I'm like,

"rats, I need to make some too."

And we threw them on and
they've been working like a charm.

So, guess what
you're getting mike?

It's going to be a
heck of a match.

My goal is to set
a high fast paced,

You know, event here.

And do a good, solid
drifting clinic on 'em.

[crowd cheering]

[automated voice
speaking] red team, ready?

[buzzer sounds]

[chris] these teams
may be friends,


But the fun and games are
ov once that light turns green


[automated voice
speaking] blue team, ready?

[buzzer sounds]

[kenny] chris, a true frien
accepts you for who you are


Even after you try
to rip their face off.


[chris] stove's
on fire, let it burn.


You gotta pee, hold it.

This is can't miss
robot combat matchup,


Witch doctor and hypershock

Winner takes the first
spot in the golden bolt final.


[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight.

[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


Both drivers moving
well on the
battlebots flo

Always a key in the early going.

[kenny] two fast robots here
hard to tell who's chasing whom.


[chris] and the first hit goes
to hypershock, and a second.


Hypershock able
to get underneath


Witch doctor with
those front forks.


Oh, but here comes witch doctor!

Oh, in front of hypershock!

A driving error
by will bale uh-oh!


Witch doctor rips a
tire off of hypershock.


And now it's lodged in
witch doctor's spinner carry


- [andrea laughs]
- oh. [beep]

[chris] a one in a million shot.

[kenny] are you kidding me?

Will bales down a tire

And mike gellatly
down a primary weapon.


Hypershock perfectly
capable of operating


On three wheels though, chri

This may be an
advantage for will bales.


Mike has to be careful here

[chris] and talk about
saving a souvenir.


Witch doctor tried
to shed that tire.


Hypershock is
out of control now.


Inverted but delivers a sho
to the top of witch doctor.


[kenny] mike gellatly
doing the math on just


How aggressive
he wants to be now.


That spinner on
hypershock, still active


And still dangerous, chris.

[chris] and still inverted
hypershock trying to self-right.


[kenny] great job by will bales.

[chris] oh, you can see smok
coming out of hypershock.


- Will asserting so much energy.
- [all exclaiming]

[chris] and look at that.

[kenny] that's gonna
free the weapon, the tire


Was just freed from
the weap of witch doctor.


Now, they're
spinning at full speed.


[chris] and mike gellatly
has gotta be licking his jaw


He's gonna go in for the
k*ll shot on hypershock


[kenny] that might be a risk

Both weapons
spinning furiously here.


[chris] hypershock
keeping that big weapon


Pointed at witch doctor saying,

"come on! Come at me, bro!"

[kenny] mike trying to
thro hypershock off balance


And create an opening.

How long can will bales
keep this up on three wheels


[all exclaiming]

[chris] what a shot
by hypershock!


But witch doctor still movin

The weapon still operating
at full speed as well.


An unreal first two minutes
this golden bolt semi-final


[kenny] the stand-off continues.

Hypershock still commanding
the center of the box.


[chris] oh, nice
little kick shot.


- [kenny] uh-oh.
- [chris] oh, no.

And hypershock back inverted

[all exclaiming]

[kenny] is that
the k*ll shot from...


- [all exclaiming] - [chris] oh,
trying to get I on the upper deck.


Mike gellatly trying to fini
the job against hypershock.


[all exclaiming]

[chris] will bales
wondering "can I still move?"


He cannot.

- [referee] ten, nine.
- [chris] he's been counted down.

- Hypershock will be done in by their good friends.
- [referee] seven, six, five,

- Four, three.
- [chris] and shop mates.

- As witch doctor is on to the golden bolt final.
- [referee] one, knockout.

[buzzer sounds]

[chris] wow!

[all exclaiming]

[crowd cheering]

[chris] kenny, the
phrase, back and forth


Just wouldn't do this
unbelievable match justice.


[kenny] unreal action here.

Hypershock landed a
big sho to start the match.


And we thought we were
goin to see another epic


Will bales onslaught.

[chris] but witch doctor sai "I'll
do you one better, will bales."


And tore the back
right tir off hypershock.


And look at this,

I mean, talk about
a hole in one.


The tire gets stuck in
witch doctor's spinner.


[kenny] that is one of
the craziest moments


I have ever seen in this sport.

I mean, how? What? Huh?

[chris] eventually,
hypershock actually


Helped witch doctor
out by dislodging that tire.


And allowing witch doctor's
weapon to return to full speed.


[chris] big credit to hypershock

Staying squared up
on only three wheels.


Even landing this massive shot,

But mike gellatly managed t
create the opening he needed


[kenny] mike started drivin circles
around his hobbled opponent.


And then, here
the finishing shot


Right near the upper deck.

Hypershock gave
an all-out effort.


But put 'em in the body bag.

Andrea!

What was it like watching
your husband run roughshod

Over your good friend,
will bales and hypershock?

I have to tell you, we did not think
that match was gonna go that way.

Witch doctor has
had so much damage.

We did not know
how it was going to go.

And will bales is
an incredible driver.

His robot's so fast.

I think we shocked ourselves
as much as anybody else.

- Hyper shocked, you could say.
- Hyper shocked.

[mike chuckles]

It was a crazy fight.

At one point, you
took one of his tires off.

It actually got stuck.

It was jamming up
your primary weapon.

How nervous were
you guys at that point?

Well, I was trying to
dislodge it with the weapon,

But the weapon's spins in a
direction that lodges it further up,

So mike was trying
with the self-righter.

We talked about
going to the hammer

And try to see if the
hammer could get it out.

But just hitting him, he
took it out for us, I think.

[all chuckling]

Congratulations.

We'll see you in the
final of the golden bolt.

Thank you.

[chris] hey, will.

How discouraging was it whe
they popped your wheel off?


I'm fine.

You know, I'm happy someone
finally gave us some damage

In this competition.

- We went...
- [crowd booing]

Hold on! Hold on! You boo.

We went all the way here
without anyone touching

The side armor,
the top, the bottom,

The back, anything.

They did! They
deserve it! They won it!

[all applauding]

[chris] love to hear that.

An amazing run by you
and your entire team.

- Congratulations, will.
- Thanks, guys.

[all applauding]

[chris] so, witch doctor's
moving on to the finals.


Familiar territory for them

But I think the story
coming out of this fight


Is the recent success
of team hypershock.


I applaud all of them.

I'm so happy for will
bales and his team.

Their performance
throughou this tournament


Is the stuff of legend.

I can't wait to see if they can
recapture this magic next season


And finally make a
run at the giant nut.


[chris] all right, coming up
it's the semi-final matchup


Between the two most
recent world champions,


End game and tantrum.

And on that note, it's
gonn take a herculean effort


Not just in the battle
box, but in the pits as well


For one of these
bots to triumph.


And no team
understands that more


Than the 2021 world champs,

Ginger schmidt, alex
grant and team tantrum.


We just got out of our
fight with tombstone,

We took some really
massive hits from them.

We got a really fast turnaround.

We took massive
hits, you can see here,

Chunks of our armor
completely missing.

And our weapon
is also not spinning.

So, we don't know why.

We're gonna take it
all apart and look at it.

But we can't waste
a single minute.

[chris] we continue on with
the tournament of champions,

The chase for the golden bolt,

The semi-finals between the
last two winners of the giant nut.


We got the 2021
champion, tantrum


Taking on the 2020
champion end game.


And let's start with
the bo co-captained by


Ginger schmidt and alex gran

We said it earlier tonight,

This tournament
is a w*r of attrition.


Kenny, tantrum is a bot
that can take a beating


And keep on ticking.

[kenny] yeah, I mean,
the first thing I think of


Is they are unkillable.

Doesn't matter what
you throw at them,

They find a way to
survive, keep going.

[chris] remember,
back in the semi-finals


Of the 2020
championship tournament,


Tantrum was flipped by
end game and counted out.


They've since
added a self-righter,


So they're not gonna
make anything easy


For the former world
champs this time around.


Did you say that
tantrum's unkillable?

Because I think that jack
barker and nick mabey,

The co-captains of end game

Their ears kinda
perked up a little bit


'cause they're
like, "wait a second.


We got a great weapon
that c k*ll just about anything."


- Including your dreams, kenny florian if it must.
- [kenny laughs]

How's it gonna do
against tantrum?

Well, what's the key
here for end game?

Well, listen, if there's
one weapon out there

That can do some
serious damage to tantrum,

It's probably end game.

You know, if it wasn't
for a vintage performance


From daniel freitas
and minotaur,


We could very well be
talking about end game


As a back-to-back champ.

It is still at the top of the
food chain and believe m


They are already envisionin
a championship battle


With witch doctor.

Somebody's moving
on to the finals.

Let's find out which bot it is.

Faruq, take it away.

[crowd cheering]

In the red square,

Play this game of death

And you'll get
popped in the chops.

He throws hands like bruce lee

And his fists of
fury don't stop.

Jeet kune don't test him

Because he's earned his clout

And when he enters the box,

They'll be dragging you out.

It's tantrum!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] in a year we all agr
featured the highest level


Of collective talent in
the history of the sport


It was tantrum who climbed
to the top of the mountain


And took home the giant nut

What would it mean for them to
also bring home the golden bolt?


[kenny] oh, my goodness.

I mean, they would definitel
go into that upper echelon


Of legendary robot teams.

Just really, wow with what
they've been able to do here


They're going with their arm
design for vertical spinners


They used it against
cobalt in the quarterfinals


Of the 2021
championship tournament,


Worked out pretty
well for them that night.


We'll see how it handles
the mike tyson of
battlebot,

End game.

[faruq] in the blue square,

Once upon a time in hollywood,

This team won the giant nut.

Now, these natural
born K*llers are in sin city

And they're kicking butt.

They were death proof before

Winning battles
from dusk till dawn,

Now it's the same story

Except they're dressed
like the reservoir dogs.

By the way, did you
know that in new zealand,

They call the golden
bolt a royale with cheese.

Pretty crazy, huh?

Give it up for end game!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] the 2020 giant
nut winner, end game,


A true knockout artist

As evidenced by their
first round ko of ribbot.


This is unquestionably
the most feared robot


In the sport, kenny.

So, how's it looking?

[kenny] well, they're
going with their wedge lit


And fork combination
to try and pop up tantrum.


When end game
controls the low ground,


The forecast is deadly

With a 100 percent
chance of pain.


[crowd cheering]

In our fight against tombstone,

We took some really serious
damage to our weapon.

Usually, you have a bit of time

To fix the robot in
between matches,

But we're flying by
the seats of our pants

Just trying to get
everything working

And we're really hoping
we're kicking at full power

In the end game match.

End game is a beast.
We're definitely scared of 'em.

They're a hard hitter and
it's not gonna be an easy fight,

But we do think
we have a chance.

We've noticed in the past,
they like to circle their opponents,

Wait for them to make a mistake

And then get into the side.

We're gonna make sure
that we don't let that happen.

We've got a big weapon up front.

They can't compete
with that with theirs,

So they're not gonna
wanna engage that,

But we're gonna make sure
that it's always facing them.

Tantrum won the giant nut
in 2021 and that's awesome.

But they didn't beat
us along the way.

So, we wanna prove
that if we had their run

And they had to
play us along the way,

Then we would have
an answer to them.

- [referee] you good?
- Sorry?

- [referee] you good?
- Yup.

It's ours.

[chris] it's a semi-final wa
between battlebots royalty.


Tantrum and end game,

One of these world champs
is gonna move on to the fina


And battle witch doctor
for the golden bolt.

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight.

[chris] let the
bot battle begin.


Tantrum, quick
out of the square.


End game exposes
its side momentarily.


Dillon carey unable
to take advantage.


Now the bots locking horns,

The battle for low
ground begins.


[kenny] both teams
know from experience


Just how important it is to be
the one that strikes first, chris.


They are jockeying for position.

[chris] end game
backing tantrum down.


Who's gonna draw first blood

Okay, those forks
get untangled now.


Tantrum resets.

Uh-oh.

End game gets hung up
on the floor momentarily.


[kenny] always a risk
when you're running


Ground scraping
attachments, chris.


So far both robots
going head-to-head.


- [all exclaiming] - [chris]
big shot by end gam

That was a huge shot.

The pulverizer just
missed tantrum as well.


[kenny] I think that
was little sneak peek


Of what end game means.
Clean attack to the sides.


[chris] quick turnover.

Tantrum rights itself.

Trying to get up again
to face end game.


[kenny] considering tantrum
came into this fight beat up


It's holding up very well.

- [all exclaiming] -
[chris] oh, nice shot there

[kenny] tantrum is so well
armored, but end game


Knocking it around
the battle box right now.


[chris] yeah, dillon
carey going in for more.


Kenny, tantrum just cannot g that
disc where it wants to on end game.


[kenny] now, those
forks on end game,


Those wedgelets are
winning the ground w*r, so far.


Oh, nice shot there by end game.

[chris] oh, but the pulveriz
just landed on the 2020 champs.


[kenny] tantrum's starting t slow
down a bit here, chris it looks like.


[chris] yeah, that punching disc
is starting to lose some steam


And the big shots are starti
to catch up with tantrum.


[kenny] they're gonna need
t find a way to close the gap


In the damage column, chris

[chris] whoa, look at
that gyroscopic move.


[kenny] looks like tantrum is
going into tank mode here, chris.


Their primary weapon is
down they have no choice


But to try and break
end game's weapon


And even things up.

[chris] now, end game
loves having its opponent


Right against the rails.

We have bits and pieces
of tantrum on the box.


We're approaching desperatio
time here for tantrum.


Under a minute to go, you
can see the killsaw very active.


[kenny] yeah, both forks
are gone right now, chris.


This could be
trouble for tantrum.


-[all exclaiming] -[chris] end
game knows it. They smell a victory.


Goes in for a shot.

Try to follow it
up with another.


[kenny] I think one of the
weapon belts just came off


Of tantrum as well.

End game scoring some
serious damage here.


[chris] under 30 to go,

But end game's weapon
right now is down.


Don't know if that's
by choice or not.


Looks like it is 'cause
it's back spinning.


[kenny] chris, nick and
jac are throttling that


Weapon down as a way of
countering tantrum's strateg


If it's not spinning,
tantrum can't break it.


And if they can't break it,
they're gonna lose this matc


[chris] under ten
seconds remaining,


Which means this one's
gonna go the distance.


Tantrum, kicking and
scrappi to the bitter end.


- [buzzer sounds] - [chris]
but that's gonna do it.

Lot of energy.

Lot of physicality.

And a lot of fun.

So, now this goes to the judges

For the first time tonight.

We will see all former
battlebots participants,

Lisa winter, jason
bardis and derek young.


They are scoring on
an 11 points system.


Up to five points could
be awarded for damage.


Three for aggression.

And three for control.

[chris] kenny, end game got
the first mammoth shot in this one.


[kenny] yeah, they sure did they
were able to get underneath tantrum.


And if tantrum can't
get underneath you,


They can't control you.

That's where tantrum has
defeated all of its opponent


Is with its control.

And they just weren't
able to do that here


Against end game.

[chris] and how about the
quickness of end game here.


Able to use its
speed and agility


To counter the
lightning fast tantrum.


[kenny] it's a great point,

End game quick enough
to get around the sides


And attack the flanks,
as well as put together


Those deadly combination sho

That kept tantrum
off-balanc and scrambling.


[chris] hey, you said
tantrum was unkillable,


Certainly lived
up to that billing.


But boy, end game
just too good tonight.


Even powering down its
weapo in the final seconds


To avoid unnecessary damage

What a performance.

Here's the decision.

[crowd cheering]

The results from
the judges are in.

The winner by
unanimous decision is

End game!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] jack and nick,

Congratulations.

Nick, how did you win
that brutal battle tonight?


My god.

We were not expecting
such a, like, brutal fight.

- My heart's pounding still.
- [all chuckling]

This is a battle of
attrition, guys, as you know.

That was a brutal fight.

Can you go in there and rebuild?

We gonna have to.

There's definitely
some stuff broken, like,

You've probably damaged us most

This entire year.

So, we'll check it out and
we'll get back in the box.

Sounds great. We'll see you in
a little bit against witch doctor.

Thank you.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] hi, alex and ginger.

- Hi.
- Hello.

First time that you guys
have lost as co-captains.

Alex, this is weird.

[alex] it's a little weird but

To lose to end game,
like, in that sort of a bout.

Like, tantrum just kept kicking.

Self-righter worked
more than once.

- [all laughing] -
mind you. Yeah.

And it's great. I'm
excited. It was a good bout.

Ginger, what was the
difference in that three minutes?

I mean, tantrum
went all the way.

We were agile, we were
running around the box

And, you know, we were
even able to control end game

A little bit towards the end

When their weapon
was slowing down.

It's okay. This is
another lesson to us.

And we're gonna be, you
know, that much better next year.

Congratulations
on a remarkable run.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

[all cheering]

[chris] well, kenny,
before start drooling over


This finals matchup,

Let's first say our
farewells to tantrum.


It's alex and ginger's
first loss as co-captains

And this one certainly sting

But you said it
before the fight,


You cannot k*ll this bot.

They can be beat, but
they cannot be k*lled.

Tantrum is no fluke.

And they still have the chan
to do what end game couldn't


Win back-to-back-giant nuts

[chris] all right, folks,

The golden bolt
championshi final is all set.


When we return,
we're gonna break down


This unbelievable matchup.

Will it be end game?

Who once again takes home
the prestigious hardware.


Or will witch doctor
finally break on through


And become a champion?

Who will be the first team
to hoist the golden bolt?


We will find out next

On battlebots champions.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] welcome back
to
battlebots champions

Where the conclusion of
the golden bolt tournamen


Is just minutes away.

This incredible
new one night event


Has given las vegas the bes
action robot combat has to offer.


And now, it is down
to just two teams


And they are true legends.

The 2020 winner
of the giant nut,

End game is here.

And they are squaring
off against the runner up


In 2019 and 2021,

Let's hear it for
witch doctor as well.


[crowd cheering]

[chris] now, both these
squads are coming off


Violent brawls in
the second round.


And this was the
scene in the pits


As they scramble
to get their bots ready


For the golden bolt final.

It's our third fight of the day.

It's been a really,
really intense day.

[mike] our last two fights
have just been insane


With, like, all hands on dec

Working on the robot
we're out of our spares.


We're putting
spares, spares, spares


And frankenstein
motors back together


Just to be able to
get to the next fight.


[nick] this is grueling.

Like, having three fights
in one day is insane.


Normally we like to spend
a lot of time making sure


Everything is perfect.

Right now, we've just
put together what we have.

And it's gonna have
to be good enough.


And flipside.

Nothing.

Still nothing.

[jack] I guess, tantrum,
we took a lot of damage.


We kinda smacked them about

But everytime we hit them,
we take that force back into us.


So, in that fight,
we sheared the bolts

That attached the
weapons, the pulley.

And we also had an issue
with weapon electronics.


One of our custom
features on our control board


Has stopped working.

So, we've replaced them.

We are about to roll into
the box and hopefully,

Everything goes
right. We have no idea.

[chris] okay, kenny, both teams
dealing with some uncertainty


At the end of this grueling
push towards the golden bolt


So, what are you
expecting to see tonight?

Yeah, absolutely,
just to get here

Is a huge accomplishment.

And taking a look
at the numbers,


You can see just how
close this matchup really is


Both bots are quick and agil

Thanks to their
impressive drive trains.


And while end game have
significantly lighter armor


Let's talk about where
that weight is distributed.


Witch doctor carries most of
its ar 500 steel armor up front.


While end game
spreads its hardox steel


Out over the entire frame.

And yes, end game
has the bigger weapon,


But if these two
discs collide head on


The only thing that's
guaranteed is chaos.


These are two of the heavies
hitters in the history of the sport.


Buckle up.

[chris] we can't wait.

Can you show 'em
what they're gonna win?

- Let's go, muscles. Come on!
- Of course, I have to pick this up.

Show this thing off.

- Here we go. Huh?
- Look at that.

- The first ever.
- [crowd cheering]

[chris] so, let's get to it

Witch doctor against end game.

Faruq! It's all yours.

[crowd cheering]

Ladies and gentlemen,

Are you ready?

[crowd cheering]

It's championship
robot fighting time!

[crowd cheering]

[faruq] in the red square,

The winds whip wildly around
this wicked witch of the east.

There's a big storm coming

And that's just fine
for this vicious beast.

Because she's
stronger than a tornado

And quicker than a twister.

So, you better show
heart, brains and courage

Or she'll drop a
house on your sister.

Dorothy, I don't think we're
in the battle box anymore.

Give it up for witch doctor!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] what a run
witch doctor has had.


The brutality they've
already faced tonight


Between glitch and hypershoc

And after falling just
shor of the giant nut


Last season, kenny,

I think they're looking at this

As their championship fight

[kenny] yeah, I mean,
the giant nut is obviously


The top of the mountain
here at
battlebots.

But if that's 1a,

This golden bolt trophy is 1

They ditched the
front fork for this match,


Meaning mike wants
maximum mobility


In order to try and get arou
to the flanks of end game.


[faruq] in the blue square,

This team of dreamers made
a serious off-season glowup.

Started dressing extra spiffy,

While they made robots blowup.

They're gonna
hoist the golden bolt

And watch it sparkle.

Going from suits to royalty,

Like meghan markle.

It's end game!

[crowd cheering]

[chris] end game
made fast work of ribbot


Before going the
full three minutes


And winning a decision
against tantrum.


The bot looks
pretty good, kenny.


[kenny] yeah, but it's what we
can't see right now that matters.


The mechanical attrition
end game is facing


Is the x-factor here.

They're going with their
wed lifts and forks to the front


As always nick and
jack believe that they can


Win the battle for low groun

That legendary weapon
will b able to finish the job.


[crowd cheering]

We already faced end game
once before in the fight card

And it didn't go our way.

We're gonna use the
same strategy again

And I think we've
fought a lot of robots now

That fight the way end game does

And kinda sits at the
center and aims at you.

We're actually using our
single disc configuration

That we've been using
these last few fights.

So, which is different than
our first fight against end game,

So maybe that will
give us an advantage.

We'll have to see how it goes.

So, the tantrum fight
was actually really hard.

We lost a couple
of speed controllers,

So we had to, like, swap
them out with entirely new ones.

Ones that we actually
haven't run before.

So, it's a little unknown,

We're little nervous
about the fight.

Mike is obviously
a really good driver.

They made it to the finals of
the 2021 giant nut tournament.

And, you know, we did beat
them in the qualifying round there.

I think they're really
on form at the moment.

Coming through this tournament,

It's gonna be real hard
to try and avoid his attacks

And try and get under him.

[crowd cheering]

Here we go.

[automated voice
speaking] robots activate.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] all right. This is I

The greatest 18 tournament
field in battlebots history

Is down to just two contenders.

Will it be the former
champions, end game?


Or the two-time
runners up, witch doctor?


One of these teams is gonna
hoist the golden bolt troph


When we return.

[kenny] at battlebots,
no season is complete

Without our best in
show awards ceremony.


In 2021,

The rookie of the year
awar was split between


Two breakout teams,

Glitch and riptide.

Each receiving a retired
pulverizer from the battle box.


Most destructive as
voted by the judges


Went to will bales
and hypershock.


The prestigious best
design award named in honor


Of the late robotics
legend grant imahara,


Went to aren hill's
cutting edge flipper, blip.


And last but not least

Was the founders'
award given to the team


That best embodies
the spirit of
battlebots

Inside and outside of the arena.

There's no better person than that
who deserves this award this year,

Than jamison go from sawblaze.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] welcome back
to
battlebots champions

Where we are moments away
from crowning the champion


Of tonight's golden
bolt tournament.


- [referee] good to go?
- Good to go.

[chris] we started with
the best of the best,


So it's only fitting
to finish things off


With a clash of the titans.

It's the 2020 giant
nut winner, end game


Taking on the two-time giant
nut runners up, witch doctor.


[automated voice
speaking] red team, ready?

- [buzzer sounds]
- this time.

[automated voice
speaking] blue team, ready?

[buzzer sounds]

Here we go.

[crowd cheering]

[crowd] fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight.

[chris] can end game add to
their championship trophy case?


Or is it finally
witch doctor's time?


Let the fight for the
golden bolt begin.


Both bots exit their
squares cautiously.


End game in pursuit.

[kenny] witch doctor trying shake
'em and get around the flanks.


- [chris] okay.
- [kenny] oh!

[chris] great shot from
witch doctor to get it going


[kenny] ripped the chunk
of end game's wedge off.


Oh, wow!

[chris] nice shot there.

[kenny] witch doctor going t
work on the front of end gam


[chris] oh, and witch docto
goes flying through the air


[kenny] big hit.
Witch doctor inverted.


[chris] can witch doctor
work its way back right side


And, oh! End game's
right on top of witch doctor.


[kenny] what a great
reversa by mike gellatly.


[all exclaiming]

[chris] there comes
part of the rib cage!


[all exclaiming]

[chris] another enormous shot!

Witch doctor is
no longer moving.


[all exclaiming]

End game is about
to go for the k*ll.


[kenny] this is going
to be a knockout.


-Eight, seven, -[chris]
the countdown has started.

Witch doctor can only
watch as another chance


- At the trophy slips through their fingers.
- [referee] four, three, two,

One, knockout!

[all exclaiming]

[chris] team end game
will add the first ever


Golden bolt to its mantle.

Wow!

Kenny, we knew his fight
could be over in a hurry


Given the destructive
natur of these two weapons.


[kenny] listen, when it
come to robots, this skilled


And this powerful,

The margin for error is
jus razor thin out there.


[chris] after an impressive
start by witch doctor


It seemed like end game
just decided to throw


Caution to the wind
and push its chips all in.


[kenny] I think that's
exactly right, chris.


Once it lost those wedgelets
end game went into k*ll mode


Threw everything it
had at witch doctor,


Got underneath repeatedly

And proved why it's the
mos feared robot in the world.


[kenny] mike gellatly
did everything he could,


But to the victor go the spoils.

End game, your inaugural
golden bolt champion.


[crowd cheering]

[chris] nick and
jack, congratulations.

You are the winners of
the first ever golden bolt.

[all applauding]

Nick, what's going through your
heart and your mind right now.

Oh, I was pretty crushed
when we went out of round of 16

Earlier in the year.

But, you know,
this makes up for it.

I think the champion of the
champions, it's pretty good.

[chris] all right, guys.

The co-creator of
battlebots, trey roski

Has a little something
special for you right now.

Thanks, trey.

[chris] there it is, the
first ever golden bolt.


Congratulations, team end game.

[crowd cheering]

Nick and jack, you now
have a golden bolt to go

With your giant nut.

Lift that thing up, guys.

Congratulations.

[crowd cheering]

[chris] a familiar sight.
End game back on top.


For faruq, our bot
whisperer, pete,

My man, kenny florian and
our amazing staff and crew

Here at battlebots,
I am chris rose.

Thank you so
much for joining us.


We will see you next time
here on battlebots.