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{{short description|American reality television competition show}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge
| image = Broken-skull-challenge-logo.jpg
| image =
| genre = {{plainlist|
*Competition
| image_size =
*[[Reality television]]
| image_alt =
}}
| caption =
| show_name_2 =
| creator = [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]]
| genre = Competition, [[Reality television]]
| director = Adam Vetri
| format =
| presenter = Steve Austin
| creator = [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]
| country = United States
| based_on =
| language = English
| developer =
| num_seasons = 5
| writer =
| num_episodes = 67
| director =
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{plainlist|
| creative_director =
*Christian Sarabia
| presenter = [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]
*Rabih Gholam
| starring =
*Steve Austin
| judges =
*Jack Heller
| voices =
*Vince Cariati
| narrated =
*Steve Kaufman
| theme_music_composer =
}}
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| location = [[Agua Dulce, California]], [[United States]]
| composer =
| runtime = 41–43 minutes
| country = [[United States]]
| company = {{plainlist|
* Broken Skull Productions
| language = [[English Language|English]]
* [[51 Minds Entertainment]]
| num_seasons = 1
* [[Endemol]]
| num_episodes = 10
}}
| list_episodes =
| channel = [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]]
| executive_producer =
| producer =
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|07|06}}
| editor =
| last_aired = {{End date|2017|12|19}}
| location =
| related = ''Redneck Island''
| cinematography =
| camera =
| runtime =
| company =
| distributor =
| channel = [[Country Music Television]]
| picture_format =
| audio_format =
| first_run =
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|07|06}}
| last_aired = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| related = [[Redneck Island]]
| website = http://www.cmt.com/show/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge/series.jhtml
| website_title = CMT.com: Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge
| production_website =
| production_website_title =
}}
}}


'''''Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge''''' is an American [[reality television]] competition show that premiered on July 6, 2014, on [[Country Music Television]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Genzlinger|first1=Neil|title=In Battle of Muscle Shows, Only One Is Having Fun|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/05/arts/television/steve-austins-broken-skull-vs-american-muscle.html?_r=0|publisher=[[New York Times]]|accessdate=6 July 2014|date=4 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Oates|first1=Barb|title=Meet the Skullbuster: Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge on CMT|url=http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2014/07/03/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-cmt/|publisher=Channel Guide Magazine|accessdate=6 July 2014|date=3 July 2014}}</ref> It is created and hosted by former [[professional_wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]].
'''''Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge''''' is an American [[reality television]] competition show that premiered on July 6, 2014, on [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Genzlinger|first1=Neil|title=In Battle of Muscle Shows, Only One Is Having Fun|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/05/arts/television/steve-austins-broken-skull-vs-american-muscle.html?_r=0|work=[[New York Times]]|accessdate=July 6, 2014|date=July 4, 2014|archive-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716161809/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/05/arts/television/steve-austins-broken-skull-vs-american-muscle.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Oates|first1=Barb|title=Meet the Skullbuster: Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge on CMT|url=http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2014/07/03/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-cmt/|publisher=Channel Guide Magazine|accessdate=July 6, 2014|date=July 3, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152235/http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2014/07/03/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-cmt/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is created and hosted by former [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]]. The fifth and final season was announced by CMT on August 9, 2017, and premiered on September 26.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMT renews and sets premiere date for "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge"|url=http://www.cmtpress.com/press-release/cmt-renews-steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge/|website=CMTPress.com|accessdate=September 18, 2017|date=August 9, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234748/http://www.cmtpress.com/press-release/cmt-renews-steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge/|url-status=live}}</ref> The final episode of the series aired on December 19, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge/listings/|title=''Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge'' Listings|website=[[The Futon Critic]]|access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref>


==Series overview==
==Series overview==
Each episode of ''Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge'' brings a group of eight contestants, either all men or all women, to the "Broken Skull Ranch" to compete in a series of physical challenges. In an interview with [[KMTV-TV]], Austin revealed that the actual location was not the real Broken Skull Ranch, which is owned and operated by Austin near [[Tilden, Texas]], but an area just outside of [[Los Angeles]] designed to represent his ranch.<ref name="YT: KMTV Interview">{{cite web|title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGHyFE4ejak|website=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=September 8, 2014|archive-date=July 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728121003/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGHyFE4ejak|url-status=live}}</ref> The Santa Clarita Valley's website confirmed the location to be a private property represented by Agua Dulce Movie Ranch in [[Agua Dulce, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' (CMT 2014-2015), Shot in Agua Dulce|url=http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/cmt_steveaustinseason2_121514.htm|website=SCVHistory.com|accessdate=July 25, 2016|date=December 15, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819095214/http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/cmt_steveaustinseason2_121514.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The contestants are selected from athletic backgrounds, including [[CrossFit]], [[Spartan race|Spartan Racers]], [[Tough Mudder]], [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial arts (MMA)]], and [[professional wrestling|pro wrestling]].<ref name="Steve Austin talks Broken Skull">{{cite web|last1=Fishman|first1=Scott|title=Update: Stone Cold Steve Austin talks Broken Skull, CMT, WWE|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712094521/http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/28/4204961/multi-tasking-stone-cold-steve.html|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/28/4204961/multi-tasking-stone-cold-steve.html|archive-date=July 12, 2014|website=[[Miami Herald]]|date=June 30, 2014|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]}}</ref> The contestants are eliminated in a series of competitions with the last one standing facing a tough [[obstacle course]] known as the Skullbuster.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Snierson|first1=Dan|title=Can you handle 'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' trailer?|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/02/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-cmt-trailer/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|accessdate=August 13, 2014|date=July 2, 2014|archive-date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820200849/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/02/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-cmt-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin hosts his 'Broken Skull Challenge' on CMT|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/16/4178963/wwe-hall-of-famer-stone-cold-steve.html|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=[[Miami Herald]]|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]|accessdate=August 13, 2014|date=June 16, 2014|archive-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813220917/http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/16/4178963/wwe-hall-of-famer-stone-cold-steve.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge'' brings a group of eight contestants, either all men or all women, to the Broken Skull Ranch to compete in a series of physical challenges. The contestants are eliminated in a series of competitions with the last one standing facing a tough [[obstacle course]] known as the Skullbuster. If the contestant successfully completes the Skullbuster within the time allotted, they win a $10,000 cash prize. However, if they do not complete the course within the timeframe or quit the course at any time, the previous person who set the Skullbuster time to beat receives the $10,000.

The first contestant in the series to successfully complete all elements of the Skullbuster wins $10,000, is declared champion, and sets the time to beat for subsequent contestants. Men and women have separate champions. If a contestant completes the course in a shorter time, he/she becomes the new champion and receives $10,000, and that time becomes the new benchmark. However, every time a contestant either fails to beat the champion's time or does not complete the course at all, the current champion wins an additional $10,000. During the first season, no prize money was awarded until the first successful completion of the Skullbuster. The course has been modified at the start of each new season, and the previous season's champion is given the first opportunity to run it and set the time to beat.


==Elimination challenges==
==Elimination challenges==
In each episode, the eight contestants face off in head-to-head competitions in a [[single-elimination tournament|single-elimination]] [[bracket_(tournament)|bracket]] format. The first bracket match-ups are chosen at random. Some of the competitions featured include the following:
In each episode, the eight contestants face off in head-to-head competitions in a [[single-elimination tournament|single-elimination]] [[bracket (tournament)|bracket]] format. The first round bracket match-ups are chosen at random. The challenges vary in their format, but are generally very physically demanding and often involve physical contact between the two contestants. In addition, all competitions take place outdoors in hot, desert-like conditions, so the contestants are also battling the elements of the weather. Austin first explains the challenge to the contestants and to the viewers, then provides verbal encouragement to the contestants and somewhat of a play-by-play analysis of the competition while it is ongoing.


==The Pit==
* '''Trench Warfare''' - the two contestants start at opposite ends of a trench that is 45 feet long and 3 1/2 feet deep which is filled with water. On a signal, they both jump into the trench and must use any means necessary to get past the opponent and ring a bell at the opposite end of the trench. The first one to ring the bell wins.
The final two contestants face off in a two-part challenge. The first part is not an elimination challenge; it is designed to wear down the contestants. Once the first part is completed, both contestants proceed immediately into the Pit to determine a winner. The Pit is always featured as the final individual challenge to determine the episode's overall winner, with no rest period except for the player who completed the previous challenge first. Beginning in the second season, a rule was instituted that the second contestant must enter the Pit within one minute of the first contestant or he/she is disqualified. The Pit is a circular dirt ring resembling an [[amateur wrestling]] circle or a [[Dohyō|sumo wrestling ring]], measuring 15 feet wide. Once both players have entered the Pit, a signal is given, and the two contestants wrestle each other. The first person able to force their opponent out of the ring is declared the winner. Takedowns may occur but they do not apply toward the final outcome. The style of the Pit is very similar to the Conquer portion of the [[List of American Gladiators events#Breakthrough & Conquer|Breakthrough & Conquer]] event of ''[[American Gladiators (1989 TV series)|American Gladiators]]''.
* '''The Pulverizer''' - a 120-foot long course covered in sand is laid out with a series of three sets of two weight sacks (three equal sets of two 50-pound sacks for male contestants, and two 10-pound sacks, two 15-pound sacks, and two 20-pound sacks respectively for female contestants) over the course, a rope at one end, and a metal sled at the other. On a signal, two contestants must first run the rope to the sled and attach it. They then run back and pull the sled completely to each series of weights. They then run to the weights, load them into the sled, then run back to the rope pull area. This is repeated for all three series of weights. The first one to pull the fully-loaded sled across a line wins.
* '''Possession''' - a 60-foot long by 20-foot wide field covered in sand has a circle of rope 20 inches wide in the middle. Two contestants grab the rope and, at a signal, attempt to force the rope out of the opponent's hands by way of yanking, pulling, twisting, throwing, or otherwise ripping the rope out. The one who obtains sole possession of the rope wins. This event is very similar to the [[List_of_American_Gladiators_events#Whiplash_.281993.E2.80.931996.29|Whiplash]] event of [[American Gladiators|''American Gladiators'']].
* '''Loaded''' - a 120-foot long dirt course which is on a hill has a [[yoke]] with hooks on it at the beginning (30 pounds for male contestants) and three sets of weights (40 pounds total for each set for male contestants) along the course. At a signal, the two contestants must shoulder the yoke then carry it to each set of weights, stopping to attach the weights to the yoke. They then carry the weighted yoke onward to the next set of weights. The one who carries the fully-loaded yoke across the finish line first wins.
* '''Snatch''' - a 60-foot long by 20-foot wide field covered in sand has a 15-pound sandbag in the middle and two bells hung on posts at each end. At a signal, two contestants rush from the ends to grab the sandbag and then use any means necessary to carry the sandbag to the opponent's bell and ring it. The first one to ring the bell with possession of the sandbag wins.
* '''Stacked''' - a 120-foot long field covered in sand has three large tractor trailer tires (185, 170, and 150 pounds respectively for male contestants) staggered across it and a 5-foot tall pole past a line with a bell hung from a post just past the pole. At a signal, two contestants must run to the first tire and flip it end over end until it crosses the line at the end. The process is then repeated for the remaining two tires. Once all three tires are across the line, the contestant must then lift and stack them in any order onto the pole, then ring the bell when completed. The first one who rings the bell wins.
* '''The Junkyard''' - a 120-foot long course covered in sand is laid out with two barriers in the middle, and a large amount of various [[scrap]] objects at the beginning, such as rolled [[chain-link fencing]], small [[girder|girders]], and [[gas cylinder|gas cylinders]]. Male contestants have approximately 600 pounds of total junk, while female contestants have approximately 300 pounds. On a signal, two contestants must first move each individual piece of junk over or under the barriers and to the opposite end of the course. This event is immediately followed by The Pit.
* '''Grip and Rip''' - a 120-foot long course covered in sand has three bags of weights along it (30 pounds, 35 pounds, and 40 pounds respectively for male contestants) and a rope along the middle to aid with the players' grips. Two contestants are first harnessed to a large tractor trailer tire (weighing 246 pounds for male players). At a signal, they use the rope to drag and pull the tire along to the weights, where they must stop and throw the weights into the tire. They continue to add weights and drag the tire until they reach the end of the course. This event is immediately followed by The Pit.
* '''Chained Up''' - a 100-foot long course with a 40 degree incline has a post with two padlocks holding a large chain (200 pounds for men) at the bottom of the hill, and a post with two keys at the top. At a signal, two contestants race up the hill, grab one of the keys, run down the hill, and unlock one of the padlocks. This process is repeated. Once the chain is fully unlocked, it must be dragged across a finish line. This event is immediately followed by The Pit.
* '''The Pit''' - The Pit is always featured as the final individual challenge to determine the episode's overall winner. It is also always immediately preceded by another challenge as indicated earlier, with no rest period except for the player who completed the previous challenge first. The Pit is a circular dirt ring resembling an [[amateur wrestling]] circle, measuring 15 feet wide. Once both players have entered The Pit, a signal is given, and the two contestants wrestle each other. The first person able to force their opponent out of the ring is declared the winner. Takedowns may occur but they do not apply toward the final outcome. The style of The Pit is very similar to the Conquer portion of the [[List_of_American_Gladiators_events#Breakthrough_.26_Conquer_.281989.E2.80.931996.29|Breakthrough & Conquer]] event of [[American Gladiators|''American Gladiators'']].


==The Skullbuster==
==Skullbuster==
After a day's rest, the winner of the elimination challenges moves on to face the Skullbuster, a 1/2-mile long [[obstacle course]] with a series of ten obstacles over the course. The course was designed with elements of [[CrossFit]], [[Spartan race|Spartan Racers]], [[Tough Mudder]], [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial arts (MMA)]], and [[professional wrestling|pro wrestling]].<ref name="Steve Austin talks Broken Skull">{{cite web|last1=Fishman|first1=Scott|title=Update: Stone Cold Steve Austin talks Broken Skull, CMT, WWE|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/28/4204961/multi-tasking-stone-cold-steve.html|website=[[Miami Herald]]|accessdate=8 August 2014|date=30 June 2014|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]}}</ref> The obstacles of the course are as follows:
After a day's rest, the winner of the elimination challenges moves on to face the Skullbuster, a 1/2-mile-long obstacle course with ten obstacles. Some of the obstacles are identified as "restart elements"; if the contestant fails to complete one of these satisfactorily, he/she must return to its beginning for another attempt. If at any time the contestant decides not to continue, the current champion wins by default. The Skullbuster has been modified at the beginning of each season after the first, and the previous season's champion is given the first opportunity to run it and set the time for future contestants to beat.


==Awards and honors==
* Backbreaker - carry a 30-pound log down 1/4 mile of road
* Shredder - crawl under 30 feet of barbed wire
* Mudbath - cross a rope swing over a pit of mud onto a landing area. If the contestant falls in the mud, they must restart this obstacle
* Spiderweb - climb over a 60-foot section of cargo net suspended between two containers
* Nutcracker - negootiate a series of a 4-inch wide balance beam, a balance post, a teeter-totter, and three more posts all over a sand pit. If the contestant falls into the sand at any point along this series, they must restart this obstacle.
* Commando Crawl - climb across a 24-foot long suspended rope crawl which is 12 feet off the ground. If the contestant falls off the rope at any time, they must restart this obstacle.
* Wallbusters - clinb over three military-style wall climbs (6, 8, and 10 feet respectively for male contestants, 4, 6, and 8 feet respectively for female contestants)
* Deep Freeze - climb through a pit with water at 35 degrees Fahrenheit and two beams in the middle, going over the first beam and under the second
* Heartbreak Hill - climb a 100-foot hill with a 40 degree incline, circle around a post at the top, and run back down
* Ropeburn - climb a 17-foot vertical rope climb up to a bell and ring it, thus ending the course


{| class="wikitable"
The first contestant in the series to successfully complete all elements of the Skullbuster wins $10,000. sets the time to beat for all future contestants, and is declared champion. Any future contestant must complete the Skullbuster in less time in order to win the $10,000, thus becoming the new champion and setting the new time to beat. If a future contestant fails to beat the champion's time or does not complete the course, the previous champion wins another $10,000 for every unsuccessful effort. In the beginning of the series, if a contestant did not complete the Skullbuster and there was no set time to beat, no one won any prize.
|-
! Year !! Category !! Nominee(s) !! Episode !! Result
|-
| 2014|| rowspan="2" | [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Reality Programs]]|| rowspan="2" |Adam Vetri|| "Welcome to the Gun Show"|| {{nom}}
|-
| 2015|| "Gods of War"|| {{won}}
|}

==Production notes==
Plans for the show's third season were briefly called into question when the show's crew walked off the job on July 22, 2015, halting production.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Patten|first1=Dominic|title='Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' Hit With Crew Strike|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-iatse-strike-motion-picture-editors-guild-cmt-1201483282/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|accessdate=July 22, 2015|date=July 22, 2015|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723045627/http://deadline.com/2015/07/steve-austin-broken-skull-challenge-iatse-strike-motion-picture-editors-guild-cmt-1201483282/|url-status=live}}</ref> The crew struck seeking union representation with the [[International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sapp|first1=Sean Ross|title=Steve Austin's Television Show Halts Production Due To Strikes|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0722/598600/steve-austin-television-show-halts-production-due-to-strikes/|publisher=Wrestling, Inc.|accessdate=July 24, 2015|date=July 22, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725063256/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0722/598600/steve-austin-television-show-halts-production-due-to-strikes/|url-status=live}}</ref> The strike was successfully resolved on August 2, 2015, and production resumed the next day.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patten|first=Dominic|title=Strike Over! IATSE Wins 'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' Contract|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge-iatse-contract-strike-editors-guild-1201490679/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 3, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505150211/https://deadline.com/2015/08/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge-iatse-contract-strike-editors-guild-1201490679/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External Links==
==External links==
* [https://pluto.tv/us/live-tv/5dcc42446750e200093b15e2#ftag=PPM-18-10caf1h CMT.com - Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge]
* [http://www.cmt.com/show/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge/series.jhtml Official website]
* [http://brokenskullranch.com/ Steve Austin, Broken Skull Ranch]
* [http://brokenskullranch.com/ Steve Austin, Broken Skull Ranch]
* {{Facebook|BrokenSkullChallenge|Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge}}
* {{IMDb title|3799566|Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge}}

{{Stone Cold Steve Austin}}
{{CMT (American TV channel)}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge}}
[[Category:CMT television series]][[Category:2010s American television series]][[Category:American reality television series]]
[[Category:CMT (American TV channel) original programming]]
[[Category:2010s American reality television series]]
[[Category:2014 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2017 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series by 51 Minds Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television series by Endemol]]
[[Category:Stone Cold Steve Austin]]

Latest revision as of 15:06, 7 November 2024

Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge
Genre
Created bySteve Austin
Directed byAdam Vetri
Presented bySteve Austin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes67
Production
Executive producers
  • Christian Sarabia
  • Rabih Gholam
  • Steve Austin
  • Jack Heller
  • Vince Cariati
  • Steve Kaufman
Production locationsAgua Dulce, California, United States
Running time41–43 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCMT
ReleaseJuly 6, 2014 (2014-07-06) –
December 19, 2017 (2017-12-19)
Related
Redneck Island

Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge is an American reality television competition show that premiered on July 6, 2014, on CMT.[1][2] It is created and hosted by former professional wrestler Steve Austin. The fifth and final season was announced by CMT on August 9, 2017, and premiered on September 26.[3] The final episode of the series aired on December 19, 2017.[4]

Series overview

[edit]

Each episode of Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge brings a group of eight contestants, either all men or all women, to the "Broken Skull Ranch" to compete in a series of physical challenges. In an interview with KMTV-TV, Austin revealed that the actual location was not the real Broken Skull Ranch, which is owned and operated by Austin near Tilden, Texas, but an area just outside of Los Angeles designed to represent his ranch.[5] The Santa Clarita Valley's website confirmed the location to be a private property represented by Agua Dulce Movie Ranch in Agua Dulce, California.[6] The contestants are selected from athletic backgrounds, including CrossFit, Spartan Racers, Tough Mudder, mixed martial arts (MMA), and pro wrestling.[7] The contestants are eliminated in a series of competitions with the last one standing facing a tough obstacle course known as the Skullbuster.[8][9]

The first contestant in the series to successfully complete all elements of the Skullbuster wins $10,000, is declared champion, and sets the time to beat for subsequent contestants. Men and women have separate champions. If a contestant completes the course in a shorter time, he/she becomes the new champion and receives $10,000, and that time becomes the new benchmark. However, every time a contestant either fails to beat the champion's time or does not complete the course at all, the current champion wins an additional $10,000. During the first season, no prize money was awarded until the first successful completion of the Skullbuster. The course has been modified at the start of each new season, and the previous season's champion is given the first opportunity to run it and set the time to beat.

Elimination challenges

[edit]

In each episode, the eight contestants face off in head-to-head competitions in a single-elimination bracket format. The first round bracket match-ups are chosen at random. The challenges vary in their format, but are generally very physically demanding and often involve physical contact between the two contestants. In addition, all competitions take place outdoors in hot, desert-like conditions, so the contestants are also battling the elements of the weather. Austin first explains the challenge to the contestants and to the viewers, then provides verbal encouragement to the contestants and somewhat of a play-by-play analysis of the competition while it is ongoing.

The Pit

[edit]

The final two contestants face off in a two-part challenge. The first part is not an elimination challenge; it is designed to wear down the contestants. Once the first part is completed, both contestants proceed immediately into the Pit to determine a winner. The Pit is always featured as the final individual challenge to determine the episode's overall winner, with no rest period except for the player who completed the previous challenge first. Beginning in the second season, a rule was instituted that the second contestant must enter the Pit within one minute of the first contestant or he/she is disqualified. The Pit is a circular dirt ring resembling an amateur wrestling circle or a sumo wrestling ring, measuring 15 feet wide. Once both players have entered the Pit, a signal is given, and the two contestants wrestle each other. The first person able to force their opponent out of the ring is declared the winner. Takedowns may occur but they do not apply toward the final outcome. The style of the Pit is very similar to the Conquer portion of the Breakthrough & Conquer event of American Gladiators.

Skullbuster

[edit]

After a day's rest, the winner of the elimination challenges moves on to face the Skullbuster, a 1/2-mile-long obstacle course with ten obstacles. Some of the obstacles are identified as "restart elements"; if the contestant fails to complete one of these satisfactorily, he/she must return to its beginning for another attempt. If at any time the contestant decides not to continue, the current champion wins by default. The Skullbuster has been modified at the beginning of each season after the first, and the previous season's champion is given the first opportunity to run it and set the time for future contestants to beat.

Awards and honors

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Year Category Nominee(s) Episode Result
2014 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Reality Programs Adam Vetri "Welcome to the Gun Show" Nominated
2015 "Gods of War" Won

Production notes

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Plans for the show's third season were briefly called into question when the show's crew walked off the job on July 22, 2015, halting production.[10] The crew struck seeking union representation with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.[11] The strike was successfully resolved on August 2, 2015, and production resumed the next day.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (July 4, 2014). "In Battle of Muscle Shows, Only One Is Having Fun". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  2. ^ Oates, Barb (July 3, 2014). "Meet the Skullbuster: Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge on CMT". Channel Guide Magazine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  3. ^ "CMT renews and sets premiere date for "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge"". CMTPress.com. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  5. ^ ""Stone Cold" Steve Austin". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  6. ^ "'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' (CMT 2014-2015), Shot in Agua Dulce". SCVHistory.com. December 15, 2014. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  7. ^ Fishman, Scott (June 30, 2014). "Update: Stone Cold Steve Austin talks Broken Skull, CMT, WWE". Miami Herald. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014.
  8. ^ Snierson, Dan (July 2, 2014). "Can you handle 'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' trailer?". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin hosts his 'Broken Skull Challenge' on CMT". Miami Herald. The McClatchy Company. June 16, 2014. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  10. ^ Patten, Dominic (July 22, 2015). "'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' Hit With Crew Strike". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  11. ^ Sapp, Sean Ross (July 22, 2015). "Steve Austin's Television Show Halts Production Due To Strikes". Wrestling, Inc. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  12. ^ Patten, Dominic (August 3, 2015). "Strike Over! IATSE Wins 'Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge' Contract". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
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