NBC ANNOUNCES TWO NEW HEART-POUNDING EVENTS AND THREE NEW GLADIATORS WHO WILL JOIN THE REVAMPED TEAM OF EXISTING WARRIORS IN THE PREMIERE EPISODE OF THE HIGH-OCTANE HIT 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' MONDAY, MAY 12

NEW GLADIATORS AND SEVEN NEW GAMES TO BE UNVEILED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE SEASON -- SOMETHING NEW IN EVERY EPISODE!

BURBANK, Calif. - May 5, 2008 - NBC has unveiled three of the all-new American Gladiators who will join the team of existing warriors to take on 40 new fierce competitors when the iconic competition show returns Monday, May 12 from 8-10pm E.T/P.T. Three new unstoppable Gladiators make their debut in the premiere episode.

In addition to the new Gladiators, an all-new state-of-the-art Gladiator Arena hosts a second season filled with both new and classic events. The LA Sports Arena has been equipped for events that are bigger and more intimidating then ever before. A new pool that holds over 200,000 gallons of water, a new Wall that is over 50 feet high, and an all new, tougher "Eliminator" are just some of the updates to the new home of the Gladiators. Seven new heart-pounding events will be introduced this season, including Rocketball and Vertigo, which will be revealed in the premiere episode.

Iconic host Hulk Hogan weighed in on the newest installment of the hit series. "Season two of "American Gladiators" is going to be bigger and badder than before! We have new gladiators, new events and a new gladiator arena. All those gladiator maniacs out there are going to be blown away."

Male Gladiator:

ROCKET (Evan Dollard, Season One - Male Winner) The only male contender to take on the gladiators during season one and live to tell the tale, Rocket explodes with blazing speed every time he's launched into the gladiator arena. This is one ruthless competitor who will charm you with a blinding smile right until the moment he roars up beside you like lightning to toss you to your doom.

Female Gladiators:

JET (Monica Carlson, Season One - Female Winner) After her season one triumph as a contender, Jet is now officially cleared for takeoff as an American Gladiator. The supersonic stunner is ready to create some major turbulence, so everyone should fasten their seatbelts, return their tray tables to the upright and locked positions, and prepare for a crash landing.

PHOENIX (Jennifer Widerstrom, All-New Gladiator)

Soaring into the sky like a spirit from the flames who has been kissed by the sun, the beautiful and bewitching Phoenix is as impossible to defeat as her mythical namesake. And just when a competitor has fooled herself into believing she's got a chance, this dangerous bird of prey rises with talons fully extended to shred anyone into submission.

New Events:

ROCKETBALL

Contenders have one minute to hit their personal launch buttons and fire themselves as many times as they can into the air high above Gladiator Arena, where they'll try to sink baskets against two Gladiators with launch buttons of their own and one important goal - play some seriously aggressive defense. Balls in the lower basket are worth one point, balls in the upper basket are worth two.

VERTIGO

Vertigo takes a good old-fashioned foot race and puts it 30 feet in the air on top of rail thin poles that sway violently back and forth. One contender and one gladiator begin their race on the ground and, on the ref's whistle, attempt to scale the first of 8 sway poles as fast as they can. When they finally do reach the top, they must use their body weight and momentum to propel themselves towards the next pole. The race continues until the first person reaches the final pole and grabs the trapeze at the end. If that person is the contender, they earn 10 points. If it is the Gladiator, the contender gets either 5 points - if they've made it past the fifth pole scoring zone by then - or 0 points.

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") return to host the second season, which promises to be bigger and bolder than ever before. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

Celebrating the everyday, true American heroes -- weekend warriors who excel and take pride in their physical fitness -- 40 contenders will go up against the show's gladiators, charismatic and eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. As in MGM's traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The gladiators are action-adventure stars ready to take down the everyday challengers with hard knocks and explosive attitudes.

All contenders will have a unique story to tell and a compelling reason why they need to win. These unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and turning them against the gladiators.

Each episode will feature two male and two female contenders competing against each other for points, all while the incredulous gladiators are lurking. Every competition will be unique, but all will end with a strenuous obstacle course known as the Eliminator, the winners of which will be named as that episode's champions and will have the chance to move on in the competition.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (the original producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.