Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators: Limited Series | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Audience Reviews

Audience Member I watched it as a kid and was very pleased to see all the characters again. It was a shocking but very interesting story. I loved it. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/24 Full Review Viet C It was a very interesting subject for a short series documentary, and it did deliver with some entertaining and relatable characters. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/04/23 Full Review Dan R Netflix always delivers with their documentaries, and they've done it again with 'Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators'.SYNOPSIS: 'In the '90s, TV's stunt-filled "American Gladiators" thrilled fans. This docuseries explores the show's success and how it almost ended before it began.'In terms of the documentaries Netflix delivers this is right up there with best. Again, it's a subject matter I wasn't aware of here in the UK as our own version of Gladiators was a huge monster of a show. It transpires at the end of this limited series, and is confirmed by the US TV execs, that the British show was a much bigger show than 'American Gladiators'. Based on my own memories the production was really a lot better here in the UK.This is a story full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and like the TV show itself, is carried absolutely by the characters of those involved, and especially the Gladiators themselves.They lived a rock n' roll lifestyle, for good and bad, but they were also exploited by the TV execs who really don't care for the show overall.From humble and low budget beginnings, this show hit the highest heights in the early to mid 1990s. However, the show's life was only 7 years; it burnt hard and fast but collapsed at the end of its run.The documentary is fast paced and filled with a brilliant and entertaining bunch of colourful characters. What a time they had! An exceptional documentary, now give me a series based on the UK version of the show.8/10 Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/08/23 Full Review Jon Killer story great interviews 👌 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/03/23 Full Review Dave C I was a huge fan of this show. After I watched the last episode of this series I was flooded with various emotions. I will have to admit I was enthralled with Zap back in the day and it does my heart good to see her doing well today. Learning all the back story brought me closer to them and I could feel the family type bond they had between them. The last episode brought tears to my eyes as it had a very touching moment. I am surprised non of them really went on to have a big movie career. Especially Nitro who still is a handsome guy and has a star look about him more so now than when he was younger. Lazer, too, for that matter.I love this group and those who made the show possible and I wish them the happiest of lives. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/23 Full Review dave d This trip down memory lane felt as good as the original show. It is about what you would expect from many angles. The gang of gladiators are almost all here which makes this special. It is five episodes, but it feels like it wraps super fast. Tons of talking heads are able to give what appears to be a pretty honest take on what happened with the show that petered out almost as quickly as it's meteoric rise! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators — Limited Series

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