WWE’s Mike “The Miz” Mizanin has been announced as the host of the upcoming American Gladiators reboot in the U.S.
Originating as a weekly U.S. syndicated show, American Gladiators burst onto screens in 1989 and quickly became the #1 watched sports entertainment show in the world. The show returns with an exciting new take, and an All-Star cast of Gladiators for the modern era. It marks the franchise’s first American revival since NBC’s 2008 series.
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin is best known for his long-running WWE career and his early breakout on MTV’s The Real World: Back to New York. He’s also a two-time Grand Slam Champion in WWE and a fan-favourite both in and out of the ring. Beyond WWE, additional television credits include reality hits like Miz & Mrs. and competition shows such as Dancing with the Stars.
In a statement on Instagram, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin said:
The 10-year-old me is absolutely SCREAMING—this show was such a huge part of my childhood. I used to watch it with my dad, and being part of its return is bringing back so many amazing memories… To the fans, we are working hard to create something truly incredible that honours the original while bringing fresh energy to a whole new generation.
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Barry Poznick, general manager of MGM Alternative, Evolution Media, and Big Fish Entertainment, commented on the revival:
We’re excited to officially welcome WWE Superstar Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin to the American Gladiators Family. He’s the perfect host for the new era of this iconic franchise. The US reboot, combined with our epic success in the UK, our Live Nation Tour, and the launch of our 24/7 Gladiators FAST channel, this isn’t just a comeback, it’s a cultural revival. Fans, old and new, are going to love this evolution in sports entertainment.
Barry Poznick, general manager of MGM Alternative
What We Know So Far:
- New and Classic Events: The series will introduce brand-new events while bringing back fan favourites from the original show such as Gauntlet, Hang Tough and The Eliminator.
- New Gladiators: The upcoming series will feature professional bodybuilders, former D1 athletes, CrossFit champions, and global fitness trainers.
- Broadcast Information: No release date has been announced but it will be available to stream on Prime Video.
- Streaming Access: Original seasons of American Gladiators are available to stream on the newly launched American Gladiators FAST Channel via Prime Video.
The news follows the major success of the Gladiators revival in the UK, which has aired for two series on BBC. Launching in 2024, it became the #1 new entertainment series in the country in the past seven years.
With a third TV series on the way, Live Nation has launched the Gladiators Live Tour, a live-action, immersive entertainment event, which will run from November 1 to December 21 2025. The tour has had an overwhelming response, with dates in London and Birmingham already sold out. Due to phenomenal demand two additional shows have been added in Glasgow.
A Brief History of American Gladiators Hosts
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin joins a list of iconic names who have presented American Gladiators over the years. Most were paired with ex-athletes, sportscasters, or former Gladiators themselves.
Mike Adamle was the most recognisable and longest-serving host in the show’s U.S. history, appearing across all seven original syndicated seasons. A former NFL player and NBC sportscaster, Adamle was seen by many as the voice of American Gladiators during its peak in the early 90s.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Season 1 – First Half (1989)
Season 1 – Second Half (1990)
Seasons 2–4 (1990–1993)
Seasons 5–6 (1994–1995)
Season 7 (1995)
NBC reboot – Seasons 8–9 (2008)
Further information about the new series of American Gladiators, including who are the American Gladiators, Contenders, Events and broadcast information will be released in due course.
