NBC ANNOUNCES THE NEWEST WARRIORS TO BATTLE ON 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS'

TWELVE GLADIATORS -- SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN -- WILL COMPETE AGAINST 24 FIERCE CONTENDERS WHEN THE ULTIMATE COMPETITION SERIES RETURNS TO TELEVISION JANUARY 6

BURBANK, Calif. � December 13, 2007 � NBC unveiled the 12 all-new American Gladiators ready to take on 24 fierce competitors when the ultimate competition show returns with a modern reinvention on Sunday, January 6 (9-11 p.m. ET). The events have been upgraded, and so have the Gladiators! The new combatants � six men and six woman -- are bigger, stronger and more intense then their predecessors, providing the toughest challenge the everyday contenders will ever face.

The all-new Gladiators are:

Male Gladiators:

JUSTICE (Justice Smith) Height: 6'8" Weight: 290

Tipping the scales at almost 300 pounds of power and with 20-inch guns at his disposal, Justice does indeed have a very long arm, and he'll pursue any adversary to the ends of the earth to prove it. Ask any of his opponents and they'll tell you that sometimes Justice hurts, and the scales always tip in his favor.

TOA (Tanoia Reed) Height: 6'3" Weight: 240

With his tribal garb and distinctive tattoos, he may conjure up images of an island paradise, but facing him in battle is pure hell. Drawing on the power of his ancestors, Toa has the strength of a thousand warriors flowing through his veins, and he will never, ever show mercy.

TITAN (Mike O'Hearn) Height: 6'3" Weight: 251

With nearly godlike strength and skill, he is the ultimate warrior. Able to physically dominate foes with his impressive physique, he is equally adept at mind games and will attempt to mentally defeat opponents before the battle even begins. Titan is a double threat who will find a way to win�one way or another.

MILITIA (Alex Castro) Height: 6'3" Weight: 220

Militia targets his opponents with tactical precision. With an impressive arsenal of skills at his disposal, he is well equipped for any operation and will do anything to complete his objective. Once Militia has you in his sights, you'd better have a plan, or the game is over.

WOLF (Don "Hollywood" Yates) Height: 6'4" Weight: 225

When you enter Gladiator Arena keep an eye out for Wolf! Able to smell fear and always going for the jugular, Wolf is 230-pounds of primal fury. He will ferociously defend his turf� and thrives on the opportunity to sink his teeth into any challenge.

MAYHEM (Romeo Williams) Height: 6'5 �" Weight: 230

A storm of smoldering intensity and lightning-quick reflexes, Mayhem unleashes waves of devastation through the ranks of even the most battle-hardened opponents.

Female Gladiators:

CRUSH (Gina Carano) � Height: 5' 8" Weight: 141

Don't let the winsome smile fool you... Crush earned her well-deserved moniker by smashing opponents into submission. Despite her girl-next-door looks, she's a powerful, fierce opponent who has no problem handling the women competitors, and then going back to breaking men's hearts.

SIREN (Valerie Waugaman) Height: 5'9" Weight: 145

Consider yourself warned when Siren is heard in Gladiator Arena. She is a force to be reckoned with who will go off at the slightest provocation! Pay close attention to her every move, or Siren will wail� on you!

VENOM (Beth Horn) Height: 5'8" Weight: 142

Venom has shed her skin to become one of the most feared warriors in Gladiator Arena. She stalks her prey with caution and strikes when it is least expected. Any opponent that faces her had better come prepared because there is no known antidote for Venom, who is lethal in any dose.

FURY (Jamie Kovac) Height: 5'7 �" Weight: 148

Fury takes ferocity to a whole new level. At 5-feet, 8-inches, she is a maelstrom of raw aggression and the epitome of the female gladiator. Equally balanced in speed and strength � Hell hath no fury like, Fury. Period.

STEALTH (Tanji Johnson) Height: 5' 2 � " Weight: 123

She flies under the radar for a swift and unexpected attack, and any adversary caught unaware will get a swift lesson in shock and awe. Immensely strong and cool under pressure, she executes her favorite move -- a quick counter-attack that you never see coming.

HELLGA (Robin Coleman) Height: 6'1" Weight: 205

When she stomps into Gladiator Arena, most sensible opponents run for cover rather than risk a Viking funeral. She may have left her horned helmet on the boat, but she hits with the force of Thor's hammer, and quickly sends opponents straight to Valhalla.

Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali are the hosts of "American Gladiators," the iconic event/competition show which returns with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games will be 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 -- contestants 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 series will include such classic events as The Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator. The 12 new gladiators (six men and six women) are action-adventure stars ready to take down the everyday challengers with hard knocks and explosive attitudes. The new series will be 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 Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers.