Texas Tornado

For other, unrelated uses of the name Tornado, see Tornado (disambiguation).

Texas Tornado
Participation Information
US Season	2
Team Information
Team Members	Donald Akers Greg Dooley Luke Morin
From	Austin, Texas
Robot Statistics
Weight	176lbs
Dimensions	6" x 54" x 40"
Power	2 x electric motors
Weapons	Lifter and T-shaped Spike
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"Don't mess with Texas!"

— The Texas Tornado team's motto

Texas Tornado was an American competitor robot that fought in the second season of Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors. It lost in the first round of the US Championship after suffering problems with its antenna against Unibite 2.0 and Black Widow, but reached the second round of the Tag Team Terror tournament, paired with Mad Cow Bot, where both robots lost to Sir Force A Lot and G-Force.

Design

Texas Tornado's rear spike

Texas Tornado was a low-profile, invertible box-shaped robot with four-wheel drive and painted in the colors of the flag of Texas. Its weapons included a small front lifting arm which could lift 200lbs, as well as a 24-inch T-shaped rear spike, and the robot was fitted with side, front and rear skirts to prevent opponents from getting underneath and lifting or flipping it. Texas Tornado had a top speed of 7mph, durable armour and good pushing power, but suffered from control issues resulting from its radio antenna getting bent after driving underneath its opponents. This particular issue was especially costly in the US Championship, where it was eliminated early on despite dominating its first-round battle.

Etymology

The robot’s name is presumed to have been potentially inspired by The Texas Tornado, the stage name of professional wrestler Kerry Von Erich.

Robot History

Season 2

Texas Tornado first fought in the US Championship, competing in Heat C. In its first round battle, it faced fellow newcomer Black Widow and veteran Unibite 2.0.

Texas Tornado reverses into the wall

It immediately drove towards Refbot before being hit by Unibite 2.0’s disk, only to slam head-on into Black Widow and drive away. Texas Tornado got under Unibite 2.0 and drove it around in circles, before pushing it towards the Disc of Doom button. It then lifted Unibite 2.0 and pushed it over the flame jet and into Black Widow, only to drive itself over the flame jet in doing so and backing into an angle grinder.

"Well the Texas Tornado’s not spinning round much like a tornado, but it definitely looks like it’s in control of this battle!"

— Stefan Frank as Texas Tornado pushes and lifts Unibite 2.0

The revived Texas Tornado pushes Unibite 2.0 back

At this point, it became apparent that Texas Tornado had become stuck in reverse drive, and it jolted backwards as Unibite 2.0 hit it again with its disk. It was immobilized by the time Refbot counted it out, but suddenly regained mobility just as Shunt and Sir Killalot attacked it, darting across the arena to push Unibite 2.0 into a CPZ.

"And Texas Tornado, too little, too late I’m afraid!"

— Stefan Frank as Texas Tornado springs back into life after being counted out

Sir Killalot proceeded to pick the now-immobilized Unibite 2.0 up and throw it across the arena, but Texas Tornado was already deemed immobile by that point, and eliminated from the US Championship. The team explained to Mick Foley afterwards that the robot’s antenna got bent after driving under Unibite 2.0, resulting in it losing control and mobility.

"Unibite did not bite the dust and the Black Widow crawled away; but unfortunately for the Texas Tornado, they got blown away."

— Mick Foley announces Texas Tornado’s elimination

Texas Tornado later competed in the Tag Team Terror, paired up with Mad Cow Bot. In the first round, they fought Trilobyte and Trackzilla, with Texas Tornado and Trilobyte starting first.

Texas Tornado fights Trilobyte

All four competitors come out at once

Texas Tornado chased Trilobyte as the latter pressed the Pit release button, before backing away and bumping Trilobyte. As Trilobyte tagged Trackzilla, Texas Tornado tried to push Trackzilla from the side, and drove away to tag Mad Cow Bot, with both ganging up on Trackzilla as Trilobyte left its corner to resume fighting. Texas Tornado then drove close to Sir Killalot before getting under and pushing Trackzilla around a few times, at one point even having it pushed over its top armor by Mad Cow Bot. It attacked Dead Metal as he came out of his CPZ to attack Mad Cow Bot, before being pushed by Sir Killalot and shoving Trackzilla onto the Disc of Doom. As Trilobyte drove itself into the Pit, and Trackzilla was immobilized and attacked by the House Robots, Texas Tornado stayed out of most of the action until ‘cease’ was called, and went through to the second round along with Mad Cow Bot.

There, they faced Sir Force A Lot and G-Force, with Texas Tornado again starting first alongside Sir Force A Lot.

Texas Tornado rams G-Force

Texas Tornado is attacked by Sir Force A Lot

Both robots rammed each other head-on in the opening moments, with Sir Force A Lot pushing Texas Tornado back as their partners immediately left their corners to join them. Texas Tornado then pushed G-Force across the arena onto the Pit square, before pushing Sir Force A Lot from the side and getting lifted itself by Sir Force A Lot’s spinning blades.

"Oh, Texas Tornado is right on the border of doom – he’s out of it! Hits the pit!"

— Stefan Frank as Texas Tornado is pitted

Texas Tornado is pitted by Sir Force A Lot

Texas Tornado was eventually pushed into the Pit by Sir Force A Lot, and it and G-Force were out of contention as Sir Force A Lot and Mad Cow Bot continued pushing each other until ‘cease’ was called. The Judges were called to make a decision, which went against Texas Tornado and Mad Cow Bot, eliminating them from the Tag Team Terror.

"Texas Tornado and Mad Cow Bot are historical!"

— Stefan Frank as Texas Tornado and Mad Cow Bot are eliminated

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 1
• Losses: 2

Series Record

US Series	Texas Tornado Series Record
Season 1	Did not enter
Season 2	Heat, Round 1
Nickelodeon	Did not enter

Trivia

• By appearing in the Tag Team Terror and International Championship respectively, the similarly named Texas Tornado and British robot Tornado competed in two consecutive episodes.