The First World Championship

The First World Championship
The First World Championship logo
Series	The Third Wars
Winner(s)	Razer
First Broadcast	13 March 2000 (Video Release) 16 November 2001 (BBC Choice) 28 December 2001 (BBC Two)
Original channel	BBC Choice BBC Two
Preceded by	Heat M of the Third Wars (Video Release) Episode 15 of Extreme 1 (BBC Choice) Episode 9 of Extreme 1 (BBC Two)
Succeeded by	Heat N of the Third Wars (Video Release) The Second World Championship (BBC Choice/BBC Two)

For the video release of The First World Championship, see Robot Wars: The First World Championship (Video).

"Citizens, the world is at war! After fifty years of peace, the big red button has finally been pushed."

— Craig Charles

The First World Championship was the first of three special Robot Wars championships in which robots from all over the world competed against each other, representing their respective countries. The first World Championship was filmed shortly after Robot Wars: The Third Wars, and was first released on VHS on 13 March 2000 and later on DVD on 10 January 2005. The championship was hosted by Craig Charles, the pit reporter was Philippa Forrester and commentary was provided by Jonathan Pearce.

The First World Championship was eventually shown on TV on 16 November 2001 on BBC Choice and repeated on BBC Two on 28 December 2001 (two days before that channel's broadcast of The Second World Championship). However, to fit the championship into a 45 minute time slot many of the team interviews were cut and some of the commentary was re-recorded.

The championship was uploaded onto the Mech+ YouTube channel on 3 October 2024.

Format

The championship featured 16 robots from around the world, representing their respective countries. The robots were paired off to fight in a straight knockout competition, with the winner of the final battle becoming the world champion.

Competing Robots

With the exception of Mauler and the International League competitors (except for Diotoir), all of the competing robots were veterans from the UK series. Presumably due to the lack of international competitors available, the UK's four nations were split up, with five robots representing England and a single representative for each of the remaining nations. In addition, Killerhurtz and Cerberus competed representing the Czech Republic and Cyprus, respectively to add diversity.

	101
	Weight	79.5kg
	Dimensions	0.27 x 1.00 x 0.75m
	Clearance	0.05m
	Power	2 x 750 Watt Motors
	Weapons	CO2 Powered Ram With Spike
	Notes	Weapon Fires Automatically
From: England
Team Members: Mike Franklin & Amy Franklin

	All Torque
	Weight	79.4kg
	Dimensions	0.25 x 1.01 x 0.97m
	Clearance	0.03m
	Power	2 x 750W Electric Motors
	Weapons	Crusher
	Notes	Welded Chassis & Suspension
From: Scotland
Team Members: Martyn Sloss, Richie McBride & Robin Iddon

	Behemoth
	Weight	82kg
	Dimensions	1.32 x 1.05 x 0.63m
	Clearance	0.006m
	Power	2 x Motors
	Weapons	Twin Axes
	Notes	Cost £1,400
From: England
Team Members: Anthony Pritchard, Michael Pritchard & Kane Aston

	Cerberus
	Weight	83kg
	Dimensions	0.53 x 1.50 x 0.79m
	Clearance	0.01m
	Power	2 x 24 Volt Motors
	Weapons	Tungsten Tipped Circular Saw
	Notes	Kevlar Body Shell
From: Cyprus
Team Members: Theo Kaccoufa, Vaso Vassileiou & Alex Wink

	Chaos 2
	Weight	77.4kg
	Dimensions	0.38 x 0.92 x 0.72m
	Clearance	0.07m
	Power	Electric Motors
	Weapons	CO2 Powered Flip Up
	Notes	Cost £250
From: England
Team Members: George Francis, Ian Swann & Richard Swann

	Depoppesaurus Rex
	Weight	80kg
	Dimensions	0.45 x 1.80 x 0.60m
	Clearance	0.03m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Electric Actuator
	Notes	Speed 8mph
From: Belgium
Team Members: Philippe Poppe & Nancy Poppe

	Díotóir
	Weight	79kg
	Dimensions	0.66 x 1.00m
	Clearance	Adjustable 0.02m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Hydraulic Spring Lifting Arm
	Notes	Pressure 1,200psi
From: Éire (Republic of Ireland)
Team Members: Peter Redmond, Joe Gavin & Ciaron Byrne (Zulu)

	Killerhurtz
	Weight	83kg
	Dimensions	0.90 x 1.41 x 0.74m
	Clearance	0.04m
	Power	2 x 24 Volt Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Powered Axe Pick
	Notes	Interchangeable Axe Heads
From: Czech Republic
Team Members: John Reid & Dominic Parkinson

	The Mauler
	Statistics not displayed
	From: United States of America
	Team Members: "Supreme Commander" Charles Tilford, "General" Morgan Tilford,"General" Henry Tilford & Alan Vermette

	Mortis
	Weight	79.5kg
	Dimensions	0.36 x 0.76 x 0.91m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	3 x Motors
	Weapons	Hammer & Lifting Arm
	Notes	Cost £30,000
From: England
Team Members: Rob Knight, Arthur Chilcott & Ben Gordon

	Panic Attack
	Weight	81.6kg
	Dimensions	0.38 x 1.52 x 0.71m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Lifting Spikes
	Notes	Can Push & Lift Its Own Weight
From: Wales
Team Members: Kim Davies & Michael Davies

	Prometheus
	Weight	80kg
	Dimensions	0.75 x 1.40 x 1.20m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Petrol Driven Motors
	Weapons	Circular Saw
	Notes	Aluminium Frame & Body
From: United States of America
Team Members: Richard Brull, Stephen Lane & Mike Lavenburg

	Razer
	Weight	79kg
	Dimensions	0.51 x 1.25 x 0.60m
	Clearance	0.00m
	Power	2 x Trolley Shop Motors
	Weapons	Hydraulic Ram
	Notes	Cost £800
From: England
Team Members: Simon Scott, Ian Lewis & Vincent Blood

	Techno-Lease
	Weight	83kg
	Dimensions	0.33 x 0.95 x 0.70m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Poly Motors
	Weapons	Grinding Blade
	Notes	4 Wheel Drive
From: Holland (The Netherlands)
Team Members: Erik de Vrijer & Frans Verplanke

	Terror Australis
	Weight	76kg
	Dimensions	0.50 x 1.00m
	Clearance	Adjustable 0.03m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Spear, Spikes & Blades
	Notes	Pressure 1,000psi
From: Australia
Team Members: Peter Aigner, Nick Stone & Rodney Gullickson

	Weld-Dor
	Weight	76.9kg
	Dimensions	0.79 x 1.14 x 0.74m
	Clearance	Adjustable 0.00 - 0.05m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Lift & Hammer
	Notes	Capable of Lifting 90kg
From: Northern Ireland
Team Members: Phelim Lundy & Ryan Crilly

Eliminators

Depoppesaurus Rex (BEL) vs Diotoir (IRE)

Diotoir flips Depoppesaurus Rex

Diotoir begins to smoke as it lifts Depoppesaurus Rex

The battle started slowly with Diotoir trying to get underneath and flip Depoppesaurus Rex with its lifting arm, but only managing to flick its opponent. Depoppesaurus Rex backed away and then drove at Diotoir, bumping into its side. Diotoir tried to get the lifting arm underneath Depoppesaurus Rex again, but couldn't get in the right position to flip, so instead nudged Depoppesaurus Rex around for a short period. Depoppesaurus Rex retreated, this time with its weapon aloft. Diotoir sprung its weapon into action again, but missed, firing as the Belgian robot was moving away. Diotoir continued to attack though, forcing Depoppesaurus Rex towards the flame pit, before finally managing to slip underneath Depoppesaurus Rex, flipping it over, but it rolled back onto its wheels.

"Yes, thrown, but can easily right itself because of the shape of the robot."

— Jonathan Pearce as Depoppesaurus Rex survives Diotoir's flip

Both robots edge dangerously towards the pit

Depoppesaurus Rex fights back late on

Diotoir kept up its pressure, temporarily lifting its opponent, before a flame from range by Sgt. Bash caused Diotoir to smoke slightly from the rear. Depoppesaurus Rex moved towards the pit in order to position its front nose towards Diotoir, before getting underneath it. It started to lift Diotoir - which was now on fire - but couldn't topple them. Diotoir's lifting arm was used in an attempt to separate the two, but cease was called with both locked together, and the judges went for Diotoir.

"Is Diotoir on fire? Flame flickering from the rear of the Irish team! We knew they'd be vulnerable to flaming fur, argh! Sizzling and burning! Are their hopes going up in smoke?! Oh, I don't know, because it's going to go to the judges decision now!"

— Jonathan Pearce as the battle reaches its climax

Winner: Diotoir

Prometheus (USA) vs Weld-Dor (NIR)

Prometheus surges over the pit

Weld-Dor lifts Prometheus

The battle started with the two robots clashing. Prometheus seemed stuck on Weld-Dor, which used its axe to try to diffuse the situation. Prometheus then drove across the arena floor - narrowly missing the pit in the process - and into Sir Killalot. Prometheus escaped, but drove into the arena wall, which allowed Weld-Dor to get its forklift underneath it. Prometheus tried to free itself from Weld-Dor, but could only force the two around in circles. Weld-Dor pinned it against the arena wall, before Prometheus tried to scuttle away once more, but Weld-Dor kept a firm grip on its opponent, with Prometheus spinning around Weld-Dor in the centre of the arena.

"The lights may be flickering on the front, but there's no one at home at the controls, it seems to me."

— Jonathan Pearce as Prometheus fails to free itself from Weld-Dor

Weld-Dor pins Prometheus against the arena wall

Prometheus breaks down while suspended on Shunt

Shunt then came out of his CPZ to try and separate the two, and a collision with him caused nuts and bolts to start falling from the underside of Prometheus, with Prometheus getting caught on top of the House Robot soon after. As Prometheus was carried around the arena by Shunt, the fuel line was severed and it was immobilised, as Shunt shook it off with his axe.

"They've stalled! Listen to the hush in the arena... The engine's gone; it's stopped, they're out of it."

— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: Weld-Dor

All Torque (SCO) vs Razer (ENG)

Razer pierces into the top of All Torque

All Torque immediately darted past its opponent, before Razer tried to bring its hydraulic claw into play, as an arena spike flicked the two robots up. Razer then drove at the side of All Torque and pierced through the armour. All Torque hastily moved away, before charging at Razer, which squeezed down onto part of All Torque's front scoop.

Razer's attack forces both robots' rear-ends up into the air

"Call it a beak, call it a claw... Call it horrible."

— Jonathan Pearce as Razer plunges into All Torque's armour once more

All Torque withdrew again, before charging head on at Razer, driving up its front, but backed away towards Sgt. Bash's CPZ before Razer could bring its beak into play again. The two met head on again, with Razer digging into the front of one of All Torque's tyres, causing both robots to lift up into the air balanced on their front ends, before landing on their wheels again. Razer continued to attack and crumpled the stainless steel armour of All Torque.

Razer and Sgt. Bash bite into All Torque

The Scottish robot struggled to impose itself, with Razer crushing down into All Torque once more, before All Torque drifted into Shunt's CPZ - who had seemingly broken down. Razer pursued All Torque into the CPZ, crushing near one of All Torque's wheels again, before Sergeant Bash came over and set All Torque's mascot, Hamish, on fire.

Hamish, the mascot atop of All Torque, catches fire

"Ooh, Hamish! How do you like your Hamish? Er, well done? Medium, perhaps? Oh dear. You better get it while you can."

— Jonathan Pearce as Hamish catches fire

All Torque showed no sign of movement after this, with both Sgt. Bash and Razer inflicting further damage onto All Torque, before Dead Metal came in and attacked the Scottish competitor with his circular saw. Cease was called at the end of the five-minute bout, with the Judges declaring Razer the winner - although this was simply presented as a win by knockout on television.

Winner: Razer

Mortis (ENG) vs Terror Australis (AUS)

Mortis axes Terror Australis

Mortis lifts the immobile Terror Australis by its mouth

"Terror Australis, terror? Are you sure? Wimpy Australis, and menacing Mortis!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Mortis pushes Terror Australis around

This turned out to be a very easy battle for Mortis as Terror Australis never started moving, with Jonathan Pearce noting that Terror Australis' clutch broke three days before coming to the world championship. Mortis came in and punched two holes between Terror Australis' eyes with its axe. Mortis then attempted to lift Terror Australis but only succeeded in slotting its lifting arm into the gap where Terror Australis' saw was, lifting it up briefly before letting it go and bending the top panel out of shape as well as continuing to hammer the Australian robot. Mortis then pushed the Australian robot around the arena until cease was called.

"Well, Terror Australis as menacing as a koala bear. And, they've shut up shop, and they're heading back to Ayers Rock, and Mortis didn't have to do a lot, let's be honest."

— Jonathan Pearce

The two would later battle again, during the International League Championship with similar results.

Winner: Mortis

Behemoth (ENG) vs Techno-Lease (NED)

Behemoth lifts Techno-Lease over

Both robots immediately charged at each other. This proved to be Techno-Lease's undoing as Behemoth immediately got its scoop underneath Techno-Lease and flipped its Dutch opponent onto its back. Techno-Lease was unable to self-right and the battle was over.

"All double-Dutch for Techno-Lease."

— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: Behemoth

Panic Attack (WAL) vs 101 (ENG)

Panic Attack lifts 101 into the air

Both robots drove towards each other, with Panic Attack clipping the side of 101. 101 then drove up the front of Panic Attack and drove into the arena wall whilst on top of Panic Attack's lifting forks. Panic Attack began to lift 101 up, with the flashing light on Panic Attack falling off in the process. 101 was able to balance on Panic Attack's forks initially, but eventually over-balanced and landed upside-down. Panic Attack moved away from the arena wall, as 101 sat motionless.

Panic Attack lines up another attack on 101

"And, to me, 101's already out - immobilised."

— Jonathan Pearce

Panic Attack ends up in the pit

As Panic Attack picked up 101 again, 101's tracks started to move, and, whilst Kim Davies attempted to finish off 101, Panic Attack accidentally drove itself into the pit.

"Mike (Franklin) at the controls; he's built a model jet engine in the past. He need something to fly now, for 101, oh! Panic Attack's driven itself into the pit, and 101 survives!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: 101

Chaos 2 (ENG) vs Killerhurtz (CZE)

Killerhurtz gets off to a slow start

Killerhurtz did not move at the start of the battle and Chaos 2 attempted to take advantage as it got its flipper underneath, but Killerhurtz suddenly sped away before Chaos 2 could attack. Killerhurtz attempted an attack with its axe but missed Chaos 2 and hit the arena floor instead.

"Ooh, that hammer looks very, very punishing."

— Jonathan Pearce

The two robots then reversed side by side, before Killerhurtz spun around on the spot. Killerhurtz drove at Chaos 2's side and brought its axe into play, but missed once more. Chaos 2 slipped underneath Killerhurtz temporarily, before both robots danced around each other for a short period.

Killerhurtz misses with a swing of its axe

"This is very, very active, here, at the moment."

— Jonathan Pearce

Chaos 2 then drove into the back of Killerhurtz, before both robots met side by side again, with Killerhurtz missing with its axe as it reversed away. As Killerhurtz moved away from near Sgt. Bash's CPZ, Chaos 2 found itself caught on a set of arena spikes. Chaos 2 reversed away from trouble, weathering another Killerhurtz attack in the process, but then drifted near Shunt's CPZ, before reversing again, and slamming into the arena wall.

"And now, Chaos 2 is between Shunt and Killerhurtz, and again, has to get out of the way of those two mighty axes."

— Jonathan Pearce

Killerhurtz axes through the flipper of Chaos 2

A combined attack from both Shunt and Killerhurtz results in Chaos 2's gas canister being punctured

Killerhurtz axed into Chaos 2's flipper, holding them there to allow Shunt to carry out further damage. Noticeably, one of Shunt's attacks appeared to pierce Chaos 2's gas bottle, evident from a sudden burst of gas flying from the back of the robot. However, this did not seem to take any power from the flipper, as demonstrated when, after Killerhurtz drove away from the CPZ after also taking damage from Shunt and got around in order to prepare another attack, Chaos 2 was finally able to escape the CPZ, get underneath the Czech competitor, and throw it over against Shunt and the arena wall.

Killerhurtz flails around on its back

"Killerhurtz is flipped up on its side! This is amazing stuff! Great stuff!"

— Jonathan Pearce as the battle takes another turn

Normally Killerhurtz had self-righting capabilities, but the chain had broken on its axe when withdrawing it from Chaos 2, causing it to be stuck in the "fired" position. As a result, Killerhurtz was left unable to self-right and cease was called, sending Chaos 2 through to Round 2.

Winner: Chaos 2

The Mauler (USA) vs Cerberus (CYP)

"...although we've got problems, I hear... err, with Mauler, in The Pits. And Mauler has had to go out into the testing zone... for a final trial. And the problem... is the weaponry and the safety of that flailing weapon. Does that look under control to you? One final test to see if the team from California can stay in the competition. Is that safe? That's the major concern."

— Jonathan Pearce

The Mauler during its safety check

The last intended Eliminator battle was to be between The Mauler and Cerberus. However, safety concerns were raised about the US entrant's spinning weapon, leading to the match being postponed until after The Mauler performed a 'final' weapon test in the outdoor testing zone.

The South Bay RoboWarriors are disqualified

A risk assessment on The Mauler was conducted as part of the process. While the robot appeared to function normally during the test, it was ultimately deemed 'too unsafe' to enter and be operated in the main arena. Producer Bill Hobbins and Health & Safety officer David Deane formally addressed the issue with the South Bay RoboWarriors, along with an issue surrounding the robot's welding and the lack of suitable certification and measures to mitigate potential risks. As a consequence, The Mauler was disqualified from the championship for safety reasons. Cerberus progressed to the Quarter Finals by default.

"Fine. I've asked my questions, and you've answered them, and I don't see any way around it, so... que sera sera [whatever will be, will be], back to San Francisco!"

— Charles Tilford graciously accepts The Mauler's disqualification

Winner (by default): Cerberus

Quarter Finals

Cerberus (CYP) vs Diotoir (IRE)

Diotoir tosses Cerberus into the air

Cerberus came out first and spun around, as Diotoir took a while to start moving. It eventually got going, with its weapon in an upwards position, which allowed them to carry Cerberus back a short distance when the two robots clashed. Cerberus then reversed into the arena wall before charging at Diotoir. The Irish team got their weapon underneath and temporarily pinned them against the arena wall. Cerberus pushed back slightly, but was then flicked up into the air by Diotoir.

Diotoir edges Cerberus towards the pit

"And they'll need to avoid the flame pits, and the gnashers of Cerberus, and the claws too, and the tail. It's not wagging at moment though - in joy - because Diotoir is causing trouble."

— Jonathan Pearce

Cerberus is toppled by Diotoir

Cerberus landed on top of Diotoir, before finally falling on its wheels. Cerberus made its way to the centre of the arena and spun around, before Diotoir got underneath Cerberus once more, flicking them up again. Diotoir then got into Cerberus' tail and edged them towards the pit, but Cerberus freed itself. Cerberus lingered too close to Sir Killalot, however, and was nearly flicked into the pit by the House Robot. Diotoir continued to press Cerberus, flicking them up again, before the Cypriot robot landed back onto the lifting arm of Diotoir, which allowed them to topple the dog onto its back.

Sir Killalot damages the immobile Cerberus

"Diotoir flips it once, and tries for the big one that will end it surely! Over goes Cerberus! The Irish boys are through, Cerberus out."

— Jonathan Pearce

Cerberus was unable to self-right and was attacked by the house robots, with Sir Killalot cutting off a chunk of its tail, much to the amusement of Cerberus' team. While all this was going on, Sgt. Bash set Diotoir on fire again before Sir Killalot dumped Cerberus in the pit.

Winner: Diotoir

Chaos 2 (ENG) vs Razer (ENG)

Chaos 2 gets in with an early flip on Razer

Both robots clashed in the centre of the arena, before Razer tried to get its claw into play, but Chaos 2 backed away. Razer pursued Chaos 2 towards a set of arena spikes, but drove over Chaos 2's front blade, which allowed George Francis to flip Razer. Razer landed back on its wheels however, as it bounced off the arena wall.

Razer manages to catch Chaos 2, taking advantage of its vulnerable gas bottle

"Chaos 2 nearly flipping Razer up."

— Jonathan Pearce

Dead Metal slices into the flipper of Chaos 2

Both robots moved for position, before Chaos 2 reserved into the arena wall next to Dead Metal's CPZ. As Chaos 2 moved away from the House Robot, it backed up onto Razer's front, which meant that it was able to cause damage with its crushing ram, piercing Chaos 2's gas bottle in the process and pinning it against the arena wall.

Chaos 2 reverses into the pit

"Razer already puncturing once again! The CO₂ gas canister in the main engine compartment has gone. And with it, has the power of the weapon gone also?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer continued to punish Chaos 2, plunging the claw into the back of Chaos 2 again. Razer then dragged Chaos 2 into the reach of Dead Metal, who used his saw to slice into Chaos 2's flipper, whilst Razer attacked Chaos 2 back end again. With the flipper left unable to work from the earlier attack from Razer, Chaos 2 broke free from Dead Metal and deliberately reversed into the pit of oblivion to avoid any further damage.

"Favourite battle? Tough call but enjoyed taking out Chaos 2 in the First World Championships. At the time they'd just won the UK title and it was good to beat them convincingly."

— Vincent Blood

Winner: Razer

Mortis (ENG) vs Behemoth (ENG)

Mortis gets in an early axe blow

Mortis drove towards Behemoth, with the latter missing with an early use of its scoop bucket. Mortis then attacked Behemoth head on and axed into the top of Behemoth. Behemoth lifted Mortis, and the axe dislodged. Behemoth continued to use the scoop in a upright position to shovel Mortis around, and then forced Mortis over.

Behemoth flips Mortis

"Ooh, and Mortis up and over."

— Jonathan Pearce

Mortis attempted to use its lifting arm to self-right, but Behemoth continued to press down and pushed it across the arena, wedging Mortis between its shovel and the arena floor. Behemoth pushed Mortis towards the pit and lined Mortis up onto one edge of the pit.

Behemoth sweeps Mortis into the pit

"They're being edged towards the pit, and they'll need to move, here, quickly."

— Jonathan Pearce

Behemoth reversed into Mortis to prevent it from self-righting again, before turning around with its scoop still raised, which allowed it to knock Mortis into the pit.

"Goodness me, the Behemoth boys, there, nearly had Mortis in the pit; and they do now! What a surprise - Behemoth through, and the Mortis confidence misplaced!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: Behemoth

Weld-Dor (NIR) vs 101 (ENG)

Prior to the battle, the team seemed to have become morbid, taping Amy's rabbit mascot down onto 101 for Weld-Dor to tear apart. Once the battle began however, it was shown they'd changed their mind.

Weld-Dor wobbles on the edge of the pit

Weld-Dor started by getting underneath 101 with its lifting spikes and it reversed across the arena, pulling 101 towards the pit. Weld-Dor very nearly reversed into the pit as 101 escaped its clutches, but was just able to hang on and survive thanks to a nudge from 101.

Weld-Dor lifts 101 by its tracks

"Teetering and tottering - goodness me, that was brinkmanship from Weld-Dor."

— Jonathan Pearce as Weld-Dor nearly falls into the pit

Weld-Dor connects with an attack of its axe

101 then drove Weld-Dor into the arena wall, where the Northern Irish robot struggled to move away from. 101 came in again, just as Weld-Dor moved away, and pushed it in to the arena wall and in towards Sgt. Bash. Weld-Dor got away and then managed to lift 101 by one of its tracks and carried it around the arena, bending one of its forks in the process. 101 reversed into the arena wall in an attempt to dislodge the situation, before finally escaping. 101 then drove towards Weld-Dor, which used its axe twice, missing with one blow and causing no problems for 101 with the other. 101 pushed Weld-Dor towards the pit as it used its axe to little use once more.

101 forces Weld-Dor over the flame pit

"That hammer weapon's a little bit ineffective, little bit like a petal on a flower; as strong and menacing as a rose-petal."

— Jonathan Pearce

101 pushed Weld-Dor across the flame pit and into the arena wall once more, before Weld-Dor lifted 101. 101 continued to push Weld-Dor though, and barged it into the arena wall twice more before cease was called and it went to the judges, where a unanimous decision sent 101 through.

Winner: 101

Semi-Finals

Behemoth overturns Diotoir

Behemoth (ENG) vs Diotoir (IRE)

Both robots ambled their way towards each other, with Diotoir slipping underneath the front of Behemoth's front scoop temporarily and then nudging into the side of Behemoth. As Diotoir continued to attack Behemoth, it drove too close to its bucket, which allowed Behemoth to topple the Irish robot over.

Behemoth rights Diotoir

"And there, the flipper of Behemoth, and up and over, Diotoir."

— Jonathan Pearce

Diotoir tried to self-right, but could only flick itself up so far before falling back onto its back. Behemoth then tipped Diotoir onto its side, before driving at them and pushing it back on its wheels. Diotoir attacked Behemoth's front scoop again though, and Behemoth toppled them over once more. Diotoir briefly got torched on its side by the arena flame-thrower during these attacks.

Diotoir catches fire again

"Are they on fire again? Ah, Diotoir kebab."

— Jonathan Pearce

Behemoth righted Diotoir again, but Diotoir's lifting arm was still in an upright position, rendering it useless for getting underneath Behemoth. Behemoth turned Diotoir over and back on its wheels again, and then lifted Diotoir by its lifting arm - which was still in a fired position. Finally, Diotoir managed to assert itself in the battle, driving at the back of Behemoth and then nudging it around by its side for a short period.

Diotoir pushes back late on

"Well, a little bit tentative, a bit of a prod and a shove..."

— Jonathan Pearce as Diotoir nudges Behemoth about late on

Diotoir continued to prod Behemoth around, but time ran out and cease was called, with the judges going for Behemoth.

Winner: Behemoth

Razer (ENG) vs 101 (ENG)

Philippa Forrester reads the messages written on 101

Before the battle, Team 101 were notably worried of the potential damage that their robot could sustain, going to the extent of writing messages pleading for mercy on top of 101. When the battle began, Razer started by chasing 101 into the pincers of Dead Metal and then easily cut into the armour of its opponent.

Razer crushes 101

"And that's what we thought would happen. In the beak of Razer..."

— Jonathan Pearce as Razer plunges into 101 from the off

Razer continued to pierce the shell of 101 and managed to prise up a section of its steel armour. 101 couldn't get free from the clutch of Razer, which lifted 101 up temporarily, before it dropped onto the arena floor. 101 then drove straight up the front of Razer, which crushed into it again and drove it back in towards Dead Metal.

101 finds itself too close to Sir Killalot

"This is going horribly, predictably to plan, for Razer boys."

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer then backed away as 101 popped out from Razer's grasp, but it could only repeat its mistake from a few seconds previously as it drove up the front of Razer again. This time, Razer's purchase was enough for it to lift 101 into the air for a short amount of time, before 101 dropped down again. 101 scampered away, into Sir Killalot's CPZ as Razer chased it down, but got away from the House Robot. 101 drove up part of Razer and past its opponent, before Razer drove 101 into the arena wall and dished out further punishment. Razer lifted 101 into the air again, and spun around with it on the spot, until 101 crashed onto the arena surface.

Razer hoists 101 up

"But it has the been the most decisive factor in these World Championships so far; the weapon of Razer, nothing else has compared to this."

— Jonathan Pearce

101 retreated for most of the remainder of the battle - narrowly avoiding another attack from Razer near Shunt's CPZ - before driving at Razer's side as time elapsed. Cease was called, and the decision went to the judges, who went for Razer.

Winner: Razer

Final

"And this, the final of the first Robot Wars World Championship. Razer against Behemoth."

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer (ENG) vs Behemoth (ENG)

Razer came out the blocks quicker, as Behemoth held back, waiting to see what Razer would do. Razer then skirted past the front of Behemoth's scoop twice, with Behemoth missing in an attempted attack on the second occasion.

"The world final. And immediately on the attack, it's Razer, with the beak, and Behemoth with the scoop. The two most dangerous weapons we've seen throughout these World Championships."

— Jonathan Pearce

Behemoth flips Razer over

Behemoth pins Razer down

Razer then attempted to attack the front scoop of Behemoth, but the scoop was raised and Razer moved away. Razer then drove straight at the front scoop and Behemoth toppled it over, continuing the attack by keeping the scoop up and pinning Razer down.

"Razer desperately trying to get some sort of claw hold on the arena floor, but this is good steering, and controlled aggression from the Pritchard boys and Kane Aston in that Behemoth team."

— Jonathan Pearce

Behemoth bundles Razer back

Razer was rolled onto its other side near the arena floor flipper, but Behemoth continued to control the situation. Matilda came out to separate the two, which allowed Razer to attempt to self-right, but it wasn't at the right angle to execute it. Behemoth flicked Razer back onto its wheels, but only temporarily, as it toppled Razer back over a couple of seconds later.

"And worry, here, for Simon Scott and Vincent Blood and Ian Lewis in that Razer team. The Behemoth boys are on top."

— Jonathan Pearce

Behemoth moves Razer onto the flame pit

Razer struggles to self-right on the flame pit

Behemoth then bundled Razer onto the flame pit, where it left Razer. Razer attempted to self-right again, but part of its self-righting wing got caught in the flame pit. Dead Metal finally freed Razer, and it self-righted after another short period of pressure from Behemoth. Razer then came onto the attack and slammed into the front of Behemoth, before plunging into its side-plate with the claw.

"This is Razer, though, crushing, Behemoth, the frame."

— Jonathan Pearce as Razer fights back

Razer fights back, crushing Behemoth's frame

Razer and Behemoth drive next to Shunt's CPZ

Razer angled Behemoth over towards Shunt's CPZ, where it got flicked by an arena spike itself, before crumpling into Behemoth again.

"This is an epic final! Damage sustained by both, but it's Razer there, pinning Behemoth down."

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer comes in with one last attack on the side of Behemoth

Both robots split, before Razer drove past Behemoth's front scoop - missing an attack in the process - and then crushing into the side of Behemoth again. Cease was called with both robots still mobile, and the judges decided, with a 2 to 1 split decision, that Razer was the winner.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a decision. It's a split decision. 2-to-1... It goes to Razer!"

— Craig Charles announcing the First World Champion

First World Champion: Razer

"And so yet another great war is over. For our losing roboteers, it's time to regroup and rebuild and to think of a better future - or at least a better robot, that won't get smashed to oblivion next time. As for our winners, as they bask in their spotlight of world domination, we ask them to remember one thing; just when you think that the world is yours, a nutter will fight you for it, on Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles' sign-off

Trivia

The Runner Up Trophy given to the Behemoth team

An untelevised 'friendly' match between Behemoth and Cerberus, taking place after filming

• This was one of only two international competitions in which the four constituent parts of the UK were represented separately instead of the UK itself, the other being the Commonwealth Carnage in Extreme 2.
• Marc Thorpe, the creator of the original US Robot Wars events, appears at the end to present the winning trophy to Team Razer.
  • The aforementioned clip actually showed Team Razer receiving the trophy for the International League Championship, which was later reused for the aforementioned episode.
• During a chat session with producer Steve Carsey, it was revealed that at least one robot each from Greece and Sweden were intended to compete in The First World Championship.
• Unusually, a trophy was also given to the runners-up, Behemoth.
• It is known that at least one friendly battle, between Behemoth and Cerberus, was filmed after the competition, as confirmed by Kane Aston of Team Make Robotics on a Tinweb forum thread.
• During the first pits segment, Philippa erroneously claimed that one of the robots was representing the dissolved "Czechoslovakia", rather than the Czech Republic, one of two nations formed from the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993 - some 6 years prior.
• In each of Diotoir's battles in this competition, an Irish tricolour was stuck to the glass of the team's cabin.