German Robot Wars (known as Robot Wars: The German Struggles in Germany) was the German version of the British television game show Robot Wars. The show ran for just one series, which was originally broadcast in 2002 on RTL II. Despite being made for a German audience, recorded in the German language and featuring mainly German competitors, the series was actually filmed in the main Robot Wars TV studio in London, with the battles taking place in the main Robot Wars Arena. Christian Möllmann, who had previously presented the German-dubbed episodes of UK Robot Wars, was originally slated to host the German version, but just two days before filming, sports presenter Jürgen Törkott was chosen instead. Törkott also fulfilled the role of pit reporter. The commentary was provided by Volker Wolf.
Of the robots available, only nine were actually German. Three international robots, two from the Netherlands and one from Switzerland, were allowed to participate in order to make up the numbers. Despite this, the main championship still only featured 12 robots.
Format
The format of the German Wars was very different from the British or Dutch versions. It featured only two heats, each with six robots. Out of those heats, the two robots that would usually reach a heat final progressed to the Grand Final. Once in the Grand Final, the four robots paired off with each other, and the two winners would reach the Grand Final. After the Grand Final, there would be a "Losers Melee" between the four heat finalists to decide fifth through eighth place.
In addition, part of The Second World Championship was broadcast in each heat; Heat A featured the German Melee from Extreme 1, and Heat B showed the first Heat from The Second World Championship, which Ansgar fought in. Both of these battles were filmed and broadcast in the UK about a year earlier, and featured the original Ansgar, but it was Ansgar's Revenge that took part in the German Championship.
After the Grand Final two other special episodes were shown. The first episode was the UK vs Germany Special that had aired at the end of Series 6 in the UK. The second episode was the European Championship that was shown in the UK during Extreme 2. Both these episodes were given a new commentary and all team interviews were redubbed into German.
Heats
Heat A
- Main article: German Robot Wars/Heat A
Robots competing in Heat A: Junkyard Queen, Golem, Ansgar's Revenge, Tyke, Thorgrim, Son of Armageddon
Eliminators
- Junkyard Queen vs Golem vs Ansgar's Revenge: Ansgar's Revenge eliminated
- Tyke vs Thorgrim vs Son of Armageddon: Thorgrim eliminated
Finals
- Junkyard Queen vs Son of Armageddon: Son of Armageddon won
- Golem vs Tyke: Tyke won
World Championship Qualifier
- Ansgar vs Nasty Warrior vs Golem vs Flensburger Power: Ansgar won
Heat B
- Main article: German Robot Wars/Heat B
Robots competing in Heat B: Tsunami, Black Hole, Absolut Krankhaft, Hydrotech, Not Perfect, Delldog
Eliminators
- Tsunami vs Black Hole vs Absolut Krankhaft: Absolut Krankhaft eliminated
- Hydrotech vs Not Perfect vs Delldog: Delldog eliminated
Finals
- Black Hole vs Hydrotech: Black Hole won
- Tsunami vs Not Perfect: Tsunami won
World Championship Heat
- Ansgar vs Mastiff vs Chaos 2 vs Manta: Manta won
Grand Final
- Main article: German Robot Wars/Grand Final
Eliminators
- Tyke vs Tsunami: Tsunami won
- Black Hole vs Son of Armageddon: Black Hole won
Losers Melee (Fifth Place)
- Not Perfect vs Junkyard Queen: Not Perfect won
- Note: Golem and Hydrotech were both unable to participate in the Losers Melee due to damage sustained in previous battles.
Playoff (Third Place)
- Son of Armageddon vs Tyke: Son of Armageddon won
Final
- Tsunami vs Black Hole: Black Hole won
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