Spandex, 'roids and Americana

By Chris Furnari

If you are looking for a break from the sporting world on ESPN, just switch over to NBC.

While the recently updated version of American Gladiators may never quite compare to the original, it still provides quality entertainment for those looking to escape the everyday highlights and continuous talk of steroid use in professional sports.

It doesn't get much better than watching Hulk Hogan interview under-matched opponents after they are completely destroyed by multiple steroid-using "gladiators" in the new version of the show.

While it may not be classified as a sport, the new American Gladiators is by far one of the most entertaining athletic competitions to watch. With 10 challenging events and a host of enraged, oversized gladiators ready to inflict pain on the contestants, it's no wonder that 12 million viewers tuned in to Sunday's two-hour premiere.

If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you move this show to the top of your television-viewing schedule. Not only can you laugh as competitors are pummeled in "the gauntlet" or tackled in "powerball," but Hogan's overuse of the words "brother" and "dude" make for an entertaining hour of television. Also, Al Kaplon, the tournament referee from the movie "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," acts as the official referee for every event in the show.

Of the 14 gladiators, my favorite male gladiator is Don Yates - who goes by the gladiator name "Wolf." Wolf, a former rodeo bull fighter, checks in at 6 feet 4 inches, 225 pounds and looks like an angry "Dog the Bounty Hunter" jacked up on steroids. His motto? "Destroy contenders, hurt them, bring as much pain to them as possible and send them home."

While Wolf may be the most entertaining to watch, there are other gladiators who have enjoyed success as powerlifters, body builders and martial artists. Gina Carano, or "Crush," boasts a 12-1-1 record as a Muay Thai fighter.

Michael O'Hearn, or "Titan," is a seven-time Fitness Model of the Year award winner, and a four-time Mister Universe title holder. He is also the only gladiator to be featured in both the original and the revival of American Gladiators.

Tanoai Reed, or "Toa," is a Hollywood stuntman and the cousin of The Rock.

So if you're looking to see some incredible physical specimens, bone-crushing competition or just straight entertainment, American Gladiators has what you need, and then some. Who cares if some of the gladiators use steroids? It makes it that much sweeter when the underdog wins.