"AMERICAN GLADIATORS 2"

"1 EPISODE"

05/16/2008 (08:00PM - 10:00PM) (Friday) : Iconic series "American Gladiators" is back for season two -- better then ever -- with a heart-pounding, action-packed, two-hour premiere. Helmed by hosts Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars"), this season features new Gladiators, forty new Contenders, new events in a new state-of-the-art "Gladiator Arena". Each episode features two male and two female contenders competing against each other for points -- while battle hardened gladiators stand between them and their goal. The premiere event showcases single mom and black belt Melissa Trinidad versus firefighter and Chernobyl survivor Elena Maskalik, while on the men's side grocery store owner Toby Gordin goes head to head with carpenter Randee Haynes. The intense second-hour kicks off with the male contenders as Para-Olympian John Sciliano battles with teacher Gerry Garcia. For the women, Air Force Major Vanessa Warren takes on feisty bartender Nikki Key. The drama builds as Nikki's chance at Gladiator glory threatens to be cut short by injury.