The arena is open, the spandex is tighter than ever, and the internet has officially entered the Atlasphere. Amazon Prime Video has officially revived the iconic competition series ‘American Gladiators’ for , and social media is already losing it over the show’s massive new power move: a total pro wrestling takeover.
While the original ‘s series was a syndication darling, this latest iteration is doubling down on the star power of the squared circle. Leading the charge as host is none other than WWE Superstar Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin. Known for his ‘Awesome’ personality, fans are already flooding X (formerly Twitter) with clips of The Miz bringing his signature charisma to the emcee podium alongside co-host Rocsi Diaz.
A Locker Room Full of Heavy Hitters
It is not just the host who knows their way around a ring. This season’s roster of Gladiators reads like a ‘Who is Who’ of professional wrestling. Fans of AEW and TNA were quick to spot their favorites under new, intimidating aliases.
The lineup includes Michael Wardlow (known as ‘Fang’), Kailey Latimer (the AEW standout Kamille, now going by ‘Hurricane’), and Eric Bugenhagen (the former Rick Boogs, now stomping through the arena as ‘Bull’). The casting has sparked a wave of viral TikTok edits comparing the athletes’ wrestling finishers to their dominant performances on ‘The Wall’ and ‘Hang Tough.’
One name specifically driving the conversation is Jessie Godderz, known to ‘Big Brother’ fans as ‘Mr. PEC-tacular.’ Now performing under the name ‘Steel,’ Godderz is no stranger to the camera, having appeared on CBS’s hit reality show nearly a dozen times.
Why the ‘Wrestler-to-Gladiator’ Pipeline Works
So, why the sudden influx of wrestlers? According to Godderz, the skill set is a perfect match for viral TV. In an exclusive chat, he revealed that wrestlers are uniquely equipped to handle the high-octane transitions of the show.
‘What showrunner Daniel Calin tried to capture is you literally go from miles an hour… and less than one minute later you are standing there with Mike and Rocsi, and they are asking you, what happened?’ Godderz shared.
While everyday contenders might shut down under the pressure of a $, prize, Godderz notes that the Gladiators are ‘natural showmen’ who can keep the energy high even when the adrenaline is pumping. ‘We are just yucking it up and just cheers-ing to the boys and girls,’ he added.
Viral Upsets and ‘Daddy’s Home’ Moments
The show has already produced its first water-cooler moment: a shocking upset involving the seemingly invincible ‘Steel.’ Despite his wrestling background, Godderz admitted to getting a bit too cocky during his first televised event.
‘I think I got into my own head,’ he confessed. ‘I was throwing the contender around… and one misstep, that is all it took.’
Of course, in true pro wrestling fashion, he is not letting a loss keep him down. Referencing his famous catchphrase, he teased, ‘Daddy will always get the last laugh, and I am gonna look good doing it.’
Is The Miz Getting in the Ring?
The biggest question currently trending among fans: Will we see The Miz actually compete? Godderz seems to think the host would be a natural fit, citing his history on ‘The Real World/Road Rules Challenge’ and ‘Tough Enough.’
‘He would do… Awesome, let’s put it that way,’ Godderz joked, mimicking The Miz’s famous tagline. He even dropped a tantalizing hint that a Mizanin appearance in the events ‘might be in season one.’
With the first three episodes now streaming on Prime Video, the digital conversation is only getting louder. Whether you are here for the nostalgia of the ‘s or the star power of today’s biggest wrestlers, one thing is clear: ‘American Gladiators’ is back, and the competition is fiercer than ever.
