Nothing may be more American than American Gladiators. From the massive athletes, over-the-top events, and of course, the big hits, the revival of the classic show has delivered it all. As we get ready for tonight's epic 2 hour season finale (NBC, 8 pm), we sat down with one of the newest Gladiators, Phoenix, to talk about the show's massive success, big hits, and smashing contenders.

What made you want to become an American Gladiator?

I think it is the same reason that every other person in the US would say: I grew up watching the show, absolutely obsessed with it. Then the reruns would always be on EPSN Classic, me and my father would catch as many as episodes as we can. I thought it was a rumor that they were coming out with Gladiators, again. I was like, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’.

How did you become an American Gladiator?

I call it really good luck and opportunity coming at that same time. I had a quick 3-minute conversation with a gentleman who was working on the show. He was a friend of a friend’s buddy who I had met. In talking with him, he told me the show was for real. I gave him an email, to pass along to casting because I didn’t even know how to go about it. He was like, ‘Yo, listen no promises, I’ll pass it along, but whatever’. After about a month, of course I forgot, and thought nothing would come of it, and I started getting calls from production. Every time I had a chance to make the impression I wanted to on someone I did, and I was lucky enough get the opportunity to come out and show my stuff.

Can you tell us about any secret Gladiator initiation stories?

I wish I could tell you some like juicy story about things that happen, but quite frankly, when you look at the veterans, every single one of those guys were absolutely amazing, wonderful and supportive and were the first ones to pump you up before your event, meet you right after and give you good critiques. I couldn’t have found myself with a luckier group of people.

You were a track and field star at the University of Kansas, did any of those skills transfer over to the Gladiator arena?

At the University of Kansas, I threw the hammer, best frickin’ three years of my life. I walked on as a junior, through the encouragement of my track coach Doug Reynolds. It felt pretty good going to nationals as a 5’6’’ 145-pounder at the time, against these girls who looked like they could be offensive lineman for the Bears. I don’t think there is any translation of skill to Gladiation because everything is so different. Every event is something you have never done before, it’s a way your body has never moved. Those things I would say carry over would be that level of competition and the ability to really show up and compete at the moment that is necessary. This is an arena where you don’t have the opportunity or the luxury of having an off day. You have to show up every day, not only because you don’t want to embarrass yourself and lose, but you know it’s a show and you want to put on a great show for the audience, for your fans that are into it, and for my family.

How’d did you gear up dish out that first hit?

My first event was the pyramid, and I was lucky enough to go out with Crush. It was my day of filming, first opponent. Crush just dominates on that event so she gave me some really good pointers and just we were giggling the whole time before it started, just kind of staying loose and getting excited to go. The moment I heard [competitor] De Day, being interviewed, and her voice was really shaky and nervous, I was like ‘woah, this girl is way more worried about me than I am about her’. That momentm I was like ‘I got her’.

So which has been your favorite hit?

I would say my most memorable tackle was on the rings. It ended up being kind of an embarrassing thing for me. On my first go on the rings, I actually caught both my opponents, but I’d never torn someone down before, so I started hanging on them. It was embarrassing because the next night Chelsea Lately, they slowed down the shot, and it kind of looks like I’m humping these poor girls! Chelsea Lately even played it to porn music. So for me, I’m ear to ear grinning so excited that I’ve caught her and I’m ripping her down, and then of course it comes across like I’m humping up these ladies. I’m more than happy to laugh at myself.

Has a competitor laid you out, yet?

Absolutely not! I can say Powerball is tricky event. I’ve had a background of not very many contact sports. I did like the Powder Puff in high school but that is about it. When I was tackling these girls, I would make the contact and slide down them like a pole and they would like run away. So I don’t think I’ve been laid out, but they’ve definitely eluded my grip.

Internet message boards have called you the hottest Gladiator, are you comfortable with that?

I am way comfortable of course! That’s always fun to hear, and what’s cute about it is that you get that kind of attention and like of course its great, but I’m sitting here, in front of me, I just got a package from NBC, and I have all this fan mail and every item of fan mail has been from kids. I love that I can be the hottest gladiator to one generation, but then still appeal to age groups that are like 10 and below. As far as I’m concerned I’m happy everyone has been really positive.

The female Gladiators are some of the most popular female athletic figures in the US, why do you think that is?

This show gives us the platform to really show our personalities. A lot of different sporting events, its done on the court, or wherever the case may be, and you see the athleticism but you really don’t get that chance to kind of get an idea of the personalities. I think it’s been a real gift to have that platform and let that come across, and frankly its fun because we’re doing just a bunch of grown-up games, and there’s a lot less stress and pressure on us. It’s a really fun thing to do, so I think that’s much more relatable to the entire population than say like an Olympic swimming meet.

Are there any aspects from the classic American Gladiators that you would like to see brought back?

I really was always a fan of Breakthrough and Conquer. It was that one-on-one athleticism and it really sets apart the contenders from the rest. The ones that I loved they brought back. I loved the Atlasphere, its way harder to do than it looks, because that was gigantically heavy. The rings I always loved. I really feel they’ve done a good job with it.

You wouldn’t even bring back the hair styles of Larry Csonka?

Maybe Malibu has a place in 2008 . . . I loved those guys, it was awesome, but it fit the time perfectly and that’s why at the same time, as much as it was great, we’ve got Hulk and Laila. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, they’re just great people. I’ll skip the haircuts and stick with Hulk and Laila.

Catch the epic two-hour season finale of American Gladiators tonight on NBC at 8pm.