The Titan Games
The Titan Games is an American sports competition reality series which premiered on NBC on January 3, 2019. Hosted by Dwayne Johnson, the show features people from across America competing in endurance-based mental and physical challenges of "epic proportions" for the title of Titan. At the end of the season, Titans will compete to "become the last male and female standing." The show is marketed with the tagline "Titans aren't born, They're Made."
On September 16, 2019, NBC renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on May 25, 2020.
Development
When announced by NBC in February 2018, the press release claimed it would be similar to NBC's 2008 remake of American Gladiators where contenders try to defeat an existing Titan, but this is not the case; newly-victorious Titans try to defend their titles in future episodes.Competition obstacles were inspired by Johnson's personal workouts.
Format
Season One
In each episode, four male and four female contestants compete to be named Titans. In each of four preliminary heats, two men or two women compete head-to-head; the two male winners and two female winners then compete on an obstacle course named Mount Olympus. However, the loser would take the winners' place if the winner suffers an injury and retires after winning the preliminary race.One male and one female Titan were crowned, winning $100,000 each.
Season Two
The United States is divided into three regions: East, West, and Central. In the regional rounds, two male and two female contestants from that region compete in two preliminary heats, and the one male winner and one female winner race on Mount Olympus side-by-side against Johnson's handpicked Pro Titans:- Joe Thomas - Former NFL player and 10-time Pro Bowler / NFL Network Host
- Claressa Shields - Middleweight boxing champion
- Tyron Woodley - UFC champion
- Hannah Teter - Olympic gold medalist snowboarder
- Victor Cruz - NFL Super Bowl champion
- Jessie Graff - stuntwoman and American Ninja Warrior veteran.
In the regional finals, defeated Titans and contestants who lost Mount Olympus races return to compete in single elimination events. The final contestant runs Mount Olympus against the defending Titan for the regional championship.
The three men and three women who win their regional championships compete in the finale.
Preliminary Events
Introduced in Season 1
- Atlas Smash: Contestants race to haul up two large concrete balls 25 feet. Each has the option to whittle down the balls with a large hammer to reduce the weight they need to lift.
- Cyclone: Contestants race to knock down five pillars, each two stories tall, with a 60-lb wrecking ball.
- Hammering Ram: Contestants use 10 lb hammers to pound against a metal plate, releasing a 350-lb battering ram to knock down a wooden door. The person who knocks it down first will then grab the victory chain.
- * Championship Variation: Contestants had to first release the sledgehammer from underneath three 100-pound boxes. They then had to use the sledgehammer to pound two metal plates, each releasing half of the battering ram.
- Heavy Metal: Contestants must drag 350 pounds of metal chains up a 30-foot incline, with the weight being progressively added on with each step. After they reach the top, they must crank up a 100-lb block.
- Herculean Pull: Contestants race to pull out two 100-lb poles from a central structure, then move on to pull out the golden pole that is 9.5 feet above the ground, a blind tug of war with the other contestant.
- Lunar Impact: Contestants must climb up a ladder that is two stories high, then push against a large metal wall with their opponent on the other side. The one to overpower the other and push them off the platform wins.
- Off the Rails: Contestants must pull themselves on a 200-pound sled along a 60-foot rail, collecting 50-pound beams along the way. By the end, they are pulling 600 pounds. They then have to turn around and go back across the rail by throwing and hooking an anchor, then pulling the sled forward. The first one to pull the victory chain wins.
- Power Vault: Contestants use large metal poles to vault across five 15-foot gaps, then push over 750 pounds of weight to uncover a golden pole. They then must race back across the same gaps, plant the pole, and climb up it to pull the victory chain.
- Tower Drop: Contestants race up a large tower, having to pull out seven 15-foot poles as they ascend. Once they reach the top, they must pull out the golden pole wedged underneath a 50-lb ball. After pulling it out, they can pull the victory chain at the top of the tower.
- Uprising: Contestants are each strapped to a 40-pound anvil. They must run forward to lift the anvil to break through a series of concrete barriers, and the anvil must be driven up at a speed of at least 10 mph. The third barrier consists of is two concrete slabs. After all slabs are broken, the momentum should enable them to pull the victory chain.
- * Championship Variation: The second, third, and fourth barriers are all two concrete slabs thick.
- Vortex: Contestants race to raise up a large spider web-esque vortex of chains, before ascending the structure to reach the top. Some segments have metal bars making it easier to climb, but are placed in a more indirect path. The first to reach the victory chain wins.
Introduced in Season 2
- Launch Pad: Each contestant stands on a platform and uses a rope to swing towards four slabs, each weighing 250 pounds, that are suspended on rails in the air, one off each side of the platform. The first contestant to knock all four slabs off the rails wins.
- Nuts and Bolts: Each contestant has a wall weighing nearly 2,000 pounds. Each wall has five poles, in two rows, bearing giant gold and silver bolts; gold bolts weigh 135 pounds while silver bolts weigh 80 pounds. Contestants must unscrew the endcaps securing the bolts to remove them; they must remove all weights on the two upper poles before proceeding to the lower three. When they feel they have removed enough weight, they can run to the other side of the wall, and attempt to rotate it 90°. Upon doing so, the wall will lock in place, allowing the contestant to grab the victory chain; if they cannot, they must return to the other side and remove more weight.
- Over the Edge: Contestants must drag heavy chains to reach a rope attached to a heavy block; the contestants then engage in a game of tug-of-war. The first contestant to pull the block to their end of a central platform wins.
- Kick Out: Contestants climb up to bars in front of three horizontal cylinders perpendicular to the wall and kick the cylinder flush to the wall. The last, golden cylinder is kicked by both contestants from opposite sides.
- Hammer Down: Contestants must remove a sledgehammer under three 100 lb boxes. Then, they must hammer the pins holding three vertical poles. Once the third, golden pole is down, they must climb it at an angle to reach the victory chain.
- * Three-way Variation: When played as a three-way event in the regional finals, the last contestant to finish is eliminated.
- Resistance: Contestants in a square arena are tied together with a rope secured to a center anchor, and must pull against each other to remove five oil barrels from their half over the barrier on the perimeter.
Mount Olympus
In season one, competitors had to overcome a total of seven obstacles:- The competitors sprint across the arena to knock over a 1,000-pound wall, then push three 150-pound grates uphill, and walk over to side to proceed forward
- Contestants then climb over the "Rolling Ascent," a series of large, rotating cylinders.
- Contestants must scale "The Cliffs," creating their own handholds and footholds.
- Contestants must use a crank to lift up a 600-pound torch.
- Contestants must slide down slides, separated by 5-foot, 6-foot, and 7-foot walls, to return to the arena floor.
- They must drag a sledgehammer attached to a ball-and-chain.
- Finally, they use the sledgehammer to crack open the concrete slab covering the "Titan relic", the show's logo insignia.
In the Championship, the weight of the initial wall was increased to 1,200 pounds, and the ball-and-chain weight was increased to 350 pounds for the men and 300 pounds for the women. Also, to access the ball-and-chain, they had to pull on horizontal chains to lift a 500-pound cage.
For season two, the obstacles were updated:
- Starting Gates: The competitors run over two vertical wedges of different heights, then crawl under a third wedge.
- Box Flip: Contestants then have to roll a box and climb on top of it to reach the next obstacle
- Iron Ascent: Using two reverse-locking grips, contestants lift themselves up an incline by their arms
- Log Lift: Contestants then have to lift a pillar up an incline and lock it at the top
- Sky bridge: By lifting five weights off a pillar, competitors uncover a rope that drops half of a bridge
- Crank Down: Following this, they must rotate a 4 armed crank to release the second half of the bridge
- Cage Crawl: Crossing the bridge allows access to an angled 3 layered cage that contestants have to navigate down twice and up once
- Drop Zone: Competitors balance is tested by a series of 4 angled ledges that drop under their weight as they descend
- Ball & Chain: Similar to Season 1, the penultimate test requires aspiring Titans to drag a weighted ball wrapped in chain, and attached sledgehammer, to the end-point
- Titan Tomb: In order to grab the relic needed for victory, Titans use the sledgehammer to crack through two layers of concrete
Season 1
Contestants
Except where noted, source for all names, ages, hometowns, current residences, and occupations:Contestant | Age | Hometown | Current Residence | Occupation |
Ben Afuvai | 32 | American Samoa | Tacoma, Washington | Metal Polisher |
Melissa Alcantara | 33 | Bronx, New York | Venice, California | Personal Trainer |
Emily Andzulis | 26 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Powell, Tennessee | Massage Therapist and MMA Fighter |
Sandra Arechaederra | 51 | Alamo, California | Alamo, California | Yoga and Strength Training Coach |
Davy Barnes | 28 | Lemmon, South Dakota | Phoenix, Arizona | Tile Installation Business Owner |
Montez Blair | 27 | Erial, New Jersey | Santa Monica, California | Business Development Consultant |
Jon Brascetta | 29 | Sicklerville, New Jersey | Sicklerville, New Jersey | Owner and Operator of Martial Arts Dojo |
Bridger Buckley | 22 | Snohomish, Washington | Pullman, Washington | Student |
Matt Cable | 28 | San Diego, California | Great Falls, Montana | Staff Sergeant of the Air National Guard |
Mariah Counts | 25 | San Diego, California | Valley Village, California | CrossFit Gym Manager/Coach |
Brehanna Daniels | 24 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Charlotte, North Carolina | NASCAR Tire Changer |
Shannon Decker | 34 | Aberdeen, Washington | Santa Monica, California | Personal Trainer and Model |
Julie Dudley | 50 | Jupiter, Florida | Jupiter, Florida | Firefighter Paramedic |
Alma Dwumfour | 27 | Shrewsbury, Massachusetts | Stratford, Connecticut | ICU Nurse |
Elisara Edwards | 28 | Long Beach, California | Anchorage, Alaska | Debt Collector |
Breona Evans | 27 | Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta, Georgia | Accountant |
Mike Evans | 25 | Gardner, Massachusetts | North Chelmsford, Massachusetts | Construction Worker |
Covenant Falana | 21 | Oyo, Nigeria | Chicago, Illinois | Student |
Anthony Fuhrman | 30 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Brandon, Florida | Active Duty Army and Pro Strongman |
Jenessa Goeman | 34 | Madison, South Dakota | Clearwater, Florida | Radiologic Technologist |
Jess Griffith | 27 | Springfield, Missouri | Ozark, Missouri | Nutrition Specialist and Former Trauma ER Nurse |
Jasmin Guinn | 23 | Berkeley, California | El Sobrante, California | Motion Graphic Designer |
Ashley Hawkins | 31 | Madison, North Carolina | Pleasant Garden, North Carolina | Police Officer |
Steven Hoppe | 38 | Tucson, Arizona | Mesa, Arizona | Firefighter |
Kelsey Horton | 28 | Deadwood, South Dakota | Rapid City, South Dakota | Nurse |
Emily Hu | 36 | Hayward, California | San Mateo, California | Medical Device Researcher |
Ashley Huhn | 28 | Fort Worth, Texas | Denver, Colorado | Special Ed Teacher and Soccer Coach |
Josh Ingraham | 34 | Brunswick, Maine | Cleveland, Ohio | Executive Chef |
James Jean-Louis | 29 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | North Miami Beach, Florida | Truck Driver for Budweiser |
Jack Kwan | 20 | Chicago, Illinois | River Forest, Illinois | Student |
Thong La | 25 | Tampa, Florida | Tampa, Florida | Mechanical Engineer |
Erin LaVoie | 36 | Spokane, Washington | Spokane, Washington | Professional Timbersports Athlete |
Kara Lazauskas | 27 | Neshanic Station, New Jersey | Anaheim, California | Muscle Research Coordinator and Masters Student in Muscle Physiology |
Kyle Lucas | 28 | Dover, Delaware | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Satellite Systems Operator for the U.S. Air Force |
Tyler Lucas | 25 | State College, Pennsylvania | Germany | United States Air Force |
Christina Luna | 33 | Wayne, West Virginia | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Dental Hygienist |
Carla Miranda | 34 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | San Francisco, California | Luxury Hotel Account Manager |
Nikkie Neal | 26 | Redondo Beach, California | El Segundo, California | Fitness Model |
Maximus “Nnamdi” Okoye | 26 | Antioch, California | Los Angeles, California | Investment Management Analyst |
Gina Policastro | 32 | Queens, New York | Queens, New York | Teacher |
Ayonna Procter | 33 | Elba, Alabama | Mariposa, California | Doctor of Physical Therapy |
Lauren Regno | 25 | Modesto, California | Modesto, California | Nursing Student |
David Reid | 28 | Tracy, California | Selma, Texas | Motivational Speaker and Former Army Special Operations Ranger |
Tina Rivas | 26 | Nayarit, Mexico | Seattle, Washington | Architectural Sheet Metal Worker |
Quinn Rivera | 25 | Cody, Wyoming | Cody, Wyoming | Medical Student |
Nichole Root | 39 | Applegate, California | Auburn, California | Private Pre-School Owner |
Chris Ruden | 27 | Coconut Creek, Florida | Coconut Creek, Florida | Youth Motivational Speaker |
Christiana Rugloski | 21 | Camp Verde, Arizona | Lake Jackson, Texas | Horse Riding Clinic Assistant |
Frank Sansonetti | 40 | Brooklyn, New York | Staten Island, New York | Firefighter |
Kwame Sarfo | 25 | Old Bridge, New Jersey | Parlin, New Jersey | Business Analyst |
Brad Schaeffer | 34 | Pottstown, Pennsylvania | Weehawken, New Jersey | Foot and Ankle Surgeon |
Melody Schofield | 29 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Certified Recovery Specialist |
Derik Scott | 30 | St. Louis, Missouri | Los Angeles, California | Attorney and Pro-MMA Fighter |
Nika Sedghi | 25 | Carlsbad, California | San Diego, California | Gas Turbine Mechanical Engineer |
Marianne Sheehan | 27 | Brooklyn, New York | Poultney, Vermont | Volunteer Firefighter, Small Business Owner, and Former Air Force Jet Mechanic |
Julian Stewart | 32 | Spokane, Washington | Spokane, Washington | Real Estate Agent |
Robbie Strauss | 34 | Woodbridge, New Jersey | Brick, New Jersey | Pro Wrestler and Stay-at-home Dad |
DJ Townsel | 30 | Miami, Florida | Celebration, Florida | Yoga Instructor |
Angel Villegas | 28 | Jacksonville, Florida | Jacksonville, Florida | Barbershop Owner |
Cole Wadsworth III | 32 | Peoa, Utah | Draper, Utah | Farmer |
Christopher Watts | 33 | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Kabul, Afghanistan | Personal Security Contractor |
Matthew "Matt" Welbourn | 27 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Durango, Colorado | Server |
Charity Witt | 26 | Atlanta, Georgia | Suwanee, Georgia | Metabolic Technician |
Jackie Wood | 30 | Long Island, New York | San Antonio, Texas | Swim Coach |
Episode 1 (Part 1)
Episode 1 (Part 2)
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8 (Semifinals)
Episode 9 (Finals)
Season 2
Contestants
Except where noted, source for all names, ages, hometowns, current residences, and occupations:Contestant | Age | Hometown | Current Residence | Occupation | Region |
Margaux Alvarez | 35 | Stevensville, Montana | Las Vegas, Nevada | Winemaker and Fitness Coach | West |
Shantal Athill | 29 | Montclair, New Jersey | East Orange, New Jersey | Firefighter | East |
Alexis Balliet | 28 | Derry, New Hampshire | Drums, Pennsylvania | Director of Quality | Central |
Kareem Brinson | 35 | Neptune, New Jersey | Howell, New Jersey | DJ Entertainer and Group Fitness Instructor | East |
Blake Broadhurst | 37 | Eau Gallie, Florida | Orlando, Florida | Police K9 Instructor and Handler | East |
Nadi Carey | 28 | Tucson, Arizona | Tucson, Arizona | NCAA Women’s Basketball Referee | Central |
Matthew "Matt" Chan | 42 | Chicago, Illinois | Denver, Colorado | Firefighter | Central |
Victor Cruz | 33 | Former NFL Champion and Pro Bowler | West | ||
Jamara Garrett | 25 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Bank Teller | West |
Cynthia Gauthier | 31 | Mirabel, Quebec | Ruskin, Florida | Monster Jam Truck Driver and Welder | East |
Jessie Graff | 36 | Stuntwoman, Taekwondo Black Belt, and American Ninja Warrior | West | ||
Lindsey Hamm | 33 | Kingwood, Texas | Bishop, California | Mountain Guide | West |
Andrew Hanus | 32 | Mantua, Ohio | East Norriton, Pennsylvania | Grants Manager | East |
Mitch Harrison | 31 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Kenai, Alaska | Security Officer | West |
Michael Hewitt | 29 | Littleton, Colorado | Arlington, Virginia | Professional Opera Singer | Central |
Haley Johnson | 25 | Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia | Fort Benning, Georgia | Active Duty Army Registered Nurse | East |
Dasha Kuret | 32 | Orlando, Florida | Orlando, Florida | AEW Announcer and Spanish Commentator | East |
Michelle Lewis | 32 | Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta, Georgia | Real Estate Agent | East |
Chantae McMillan | 31 | Rolla, Missouri | Fort Rucker, Alabama | Professional Track and Field Athlete | Central |
Eric Palicia | 40 | Stoneboro, Pennsylvania | Wiesbaden, Germany | Army Combat Engineer Officer | West |
Noah Palicia | 30 | Stoneboro, Pennsylvania | Yokota Air Base, Japan | Air Force C130J Instructor Pilot | West |
Joshua "Josh" Porter | 29 | Jacksonville, Florida | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Active Duty Army | East |
Kaleb Redden | 35 | Big Piney, Wyoming | Meridian, Idaho | Sports Medicine Physician | Central |
Robbie Rodriguez | 30 | Tucson, Arizona | Miami, Florida | Registered Nurse | West |
Exodus Rogers | 33 | Sacramento, California | Sacramento, California | Deputy Probation Assistant for the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility | West |
Courtney Roselle | 31 | Cedar Grove, New Jersey | Jersey City, New Jersey | Strength and Conditioning Coach and Motivational Speaker | East |
Jaime Seeman | 35 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Omaha, Nebraska | Doctor - OBGYN | Central |
Steven Shelby | 32 | Columbus, Ohio | Delaware, Ohio | Deputy Sheriff | Central |
Claressa Shields | 25 | Professional Boxer | Central | ||
Wayne Skivington | 32 | ???, United Kingdom | Las Vegas, Nevada | Cirque du Soleil Performer | West |
Dani Speegle | 25 | Conifer, Colorado | Orlando, Florida | Nutrition and Fitness Consultant | Central |
Ryan Steenberg | 37 | Rochester, New York | Webster, New York | World Ranked Professional Long Drive Athlete and Entrepreneur | East |
Kelly Stone | 29 | Lakewood, Colorado | Lakewood, Colorado | Pediatric and Adult Physical Therapist | West |
William "Will" Sutton | 26 | Trenton, North Carolina | Trenton, North Carolina | High School Agriculture Teacher and JV Basketball Coach | East |
Natalie Talbert | 30 | Concord, California | Soquel, California | CrossFit Trainer and Nutrition Coach | West |
Hannah Teter | 33 | Snowboarder | East | ||
Joe Thomas | 35 | Brookfield, Wisconsin | NFL Network Host and Former NFL Player | Central | |
Kelly Valdez | 28 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Anaheim Hills, California | Wildland Firefighter | West |
Jessica "Jess" Weatherby | 41 | Pleasanton, Texas | Waco, Texas | Homeschool Mom | Central |
Bartley Weaver IV | 31 | Cave City, Kentucky | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Tennessee Titans Mascot and Kentucky State Trooper | Central |
Tyron Woodley | 38 | Ferguson, Missouri | Mixed Martial Artist | East | |
Blake Wright | 24 | Crosby, Texas | Tyler, Texas | Middle School Social Studies Teacher & Football/S&C Coach | Central |