Whiplash

**Whiplash** was an event played in several incarnations of the television series *Gladiators*. In this event, a contender and Gladiator stand within a Template:Convert circle, each holding the end of a 'dogbone'. The contender has the objective of trying to remove the Gladiator from the circle.

## Rules

One Gladiator faces one contender, and on the whistle the contender has 30 seconds to attempt to pull the Gladiator out of the circle. In some countries, the Gladiator and contender must both start with their tip of one foot in a smaller central circle. The contender is allowed to run round the Gladiator in order to off balance them and leave the circle, provided they keep hold of their end of the dog-bone. A contender may not run into a Gladiator or use their feet to trip them up. 10 points are awarded if the contender manages to completely remove the Gladiator from the circle within the time limit. Neither participant is allowed to pull using two hands. If a participant lets go of the dog-bone then they are disqualified. Contenders and Gladiators are not allowed to touch the ground with any part of their bodies other than the soles of their feet, or they will be disqualified. This rule, however, does not apply in America.

## International differences

The American version of Whiplash had a much looser take on rules than other versions. In America, the only foul was touching the dog bone with two hands or using the free hand to push or grab the opponent. Anything else was permitted, including tripping with the feet and touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of the feet. In Britain, the Gladiator was not allowed to jerk the dogbone out of the contender's hand. The Britain of this event took place on the arena floor whereas the American version was on a slightly raised platform. The event was played in South Africa on a platform above the ground. This made the event harder for Gladiators as should a contender deliberately remove themselves from the platform, then the pull of gravity would often bring the Gladiator down too. The Australian Whiplash circle from the original series was slightly larger than the one used in other territories. It was also carpeted. The event was also played in Sweden, under the name 'Dragkrok', translated as *Towing Hook*. Unlike all other territories, the roles were reversed with the Gladiator having to pull the contender out of the circle within 30 seconds.

## Event History

### America

* Years active: 1993-1996

During series seven, five points would be awarded if the contender still had a grip on the dogbone. Thus the aim for the Gladiator was to both stay in the circle and wrench the dogbone out of the contenders hand. Unlike the British and Australian versions, Whiplash did not supersede a tug of war event. Notably, the event Tug-o-war debuted in the same season as Whiplash and both events lasted until the end of the series run. Whiplash did not return for the 2008 revival.

### United Kingdom

* Years active: 1995-1999

Whiplash was first introduced in the fourth series and from 1996, proved to be a substitiute for the event Tilt which had been axed that year. In 1995, the event was played on a red carpet with white border. This often led to the Gladiator tripping on the carpet and losing. From 1996, the playing circle was changed from a carpet to a white board with a red and blue border and the Gladiators 'G' symbol on it, one of the few times a Gladiators logo was emblazed onto an event's apparatus. From series 7, the outer casing on the dogbone was removed. Whiplash was the only event introduced after 1993 to appear in the 1999 final mini series, during the Battle of The Giants. Whiplash did not return for the 2008 revival.

### Australia

* Years active: 1995-1996, 2008

Whiplash was introduced in the second series, before Britain introduced the event. Like Britain, it went on to replace Tilt which was axed early on in series two. The music used for Tilt was originally the theme for Skytrak in Britain. Whiplash returned in the 2008 revival during the quarter finals due to there being a need for an event with a quick set up, although the event was only been played twice - in the first quarter final and the second semi final. Although it has only made two on screen appearances, Whiplash can clearly be seen on the arena floor during the majority of the Eliminators during the heats and quarter finals. This has led to some speculation that there may have been some non televised Whiplash matches been played purely for the studio audience as there would be no other reason for the event apparatus to be out in the arena. In 2008, the dogbone was attached to both contenders hand to prevent the participants from letting go of the dogbone and twisted in the middle to allow greater flexibility. Also outer casing was added to the dogbone.