Until the sci-fi viewers actually outnumber the WWE viewers, Syfy will likely keep its dual allegiance to genre fans and wrestling fans. But that’s okay, there are plenty of sci-fi fans who also enjoy wrestling, and plenty of wrestling fans who enjoy sci-fi. Up until now, though, Syfy hasn’t been able to blend the two, other than casting the very excellent Adam Copeland (WWE Superstar Edge) in Sanctuary and now as a regular in its very excellent Haven.
That is all about to change, however. Lookie what they can do:
SYFY’S ROBOT COMBAT LEAGUE OFFERS RINGSIDE SEATS TO GROUNDBREAKING, HIGH-OCTANE CLASHES OF STEEL
WWE CHAMPION CHRIS JERICHO TO HOST
Series Debuts Tuesday, February 26 at 10PM ET/PT
NEW YORK – November 26, 2012 – Syfy announces a gripping new reality series premiering Tuesday, February 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT which reinvents gladiatorial combat for the 21st century. Each week, Robot Combat League will feature tournament-style battles between eight-feet tall, state-of-the-art humanoid robots controlled by human “robo-jockeys”. Hosting the series is Chris Jericho, the wildly popular WWE wrestler and multifaceted performer.
The idea of robots in battle has captured the imagination for generations. Now, through ground-breaking engineering, the fusion of a human’s fighting spirit with a powerful robotic machine built for destruction has become a reality. This extraordinary new series will feature twelve teams consisting of a fighter (a “robo-jockey”) and a robotics engineer (a “robo-tech”) from myriad backgrounds including a race car driver, an Olympic athlete, a National Guard helicopter pilot along with a mix of professional fighters and software engineers. Each team is paired with its own unique robot and will fight in a first-of-its kind competition using a high-tech exo-suit that translates their movements to their robot. Each fight consists of three rounds of intense action, with the winning team advancing in the competition.
In his role as host, Jericho will set up each week’s fight and provide viewers with a play-by-play commentary of the fighting action. Jericho began wrestling at age 19 and is one of the most popular champions in the history of the WWE. In 2001 he was crowned the first ever WWE Undisputed Champion and has been named one of the top five most charismatic performers of all-time. Jericho was also a popular contestant on season 11 of Dancing With the Stars and is the lead singer of the #1 charting hard rock band, Fozzy. The two-time NY Times best-selling author grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, and now currently resides in Tampa, FL.
The robots of the Robot Combat League were designed and created by robotics expert, Mark Setrakian, a leader in the sport of robotic combat. In his distinguished career, Setrakian has developed life-saving robotic systems, and pioneered cutting-edge creature effects, animatronics and control technology for such films as Men In Black, The Grinch and Hellboy. Setrakian combines a keen study of biology with innovative engineering to create robots with uncanny organic movement, earning his reputation as the man who brings machines to life.
Robot Combat League is produced by Smart Dog Media, with Craig Plestis serving as executive producer.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com <http://www.syfy.com/> ), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
Robot Combat League, hosted by Chris Jericho, premieres Tuesday, February 26 at 10/9c on Syfy.
