The robots are not actually robots, but anthropomorphic waldos — connected to the sides of the ring for power and hydraulics, and operated by a team of two, one manning the legs/bar to move the robot around, one controlling the upper torso, including, of course, the fists.
The fights is three 2-minute rounds. The fights are judged on points by three refs, unless a robot is "knocked out." The robots basically go in and batter each other, as (FX-crew-triggered) pyrotechnics go off, bits and pieces get mangled and knocked off, and hydraulic tubes (authentic, but strategically made vulnerable) get torn and spew strength-sapping fluid all over.
Between the rounds, the players stand around and help the robot tech get their robot back into the ring.
Each of the robots is fundamentally the same in the internals, but is tricked out differently with different armor, fits, reach, and stage dressing, including thematically dangerous-sounding names.
The actual competition is a fraction of the time involved. There's lots of BIG BOXING/WRESTLING MATCH ANNOUNCEMENT SHOUTING and flashing lights and cheering crowds. There's also lots of profiles of the competitors, trash talking, and flashy computer graphics. It's professional sports showmanship writ small.
When the robots are in the ring, it's moderately more exciting, though it's still unclear how much the actual piloting is having a tactical effect much as lucky blows do. Just like the original "Rock'em-Sock'em Robots", it's as much about vigorous button pushing and happenstance.
We watched the first episode — which was waaaaay too much setup and only one match — and then the second ep — which had two fights.
There won't be a third, as far as we're concerned.
‘Robot Combat League’: Bot designer talks Syfy’s new ‘Real Steel’-eqsue reality competition show | EW.com
Robot boxing isn’t just for your little Rock’em Sock’em game anymore. In the new Syfy series Robot Combat League, metal giants dole out powerful punches…
This caught my eye last night…around 3 a.m. (don't ask)…mainly because Chris Jericho was hosting…which, also, should have told me something
To me, the most interesting thing about the whole show was George Lucas' daughter who is a professional MMA fighter is on one of the team.
The rest was pretty 'meh'.
And, yep, the first thing I thought of was "Rock'em Sock'em Robots"…
Just from the commercials alone I decided to pass. This ain't no Battlebots, a show I miss dearly.
BattleBot / Robot Wars would be awesome again.
Yes, the Lucas connection was interesting.
It is very very cheesy. But, my son loves it. He makes us DVR it so he can watch it. We let him since we are trying to get him to want to do something else (build robots! Cool!) than a Monster Truck driver when he grows up. 😛