The Second World Championship

The Second World Championship
The Second World Championship logo (UK version only)
Series	Extreme 1 Extreme Warriors 1
Winner(s)	Razer
First Broadcast	20 December 2001 (UK Series - BBC Choice) 30 December 2001 (UK Series - BBC Two) 1 October 2001 (US Series)
Original channel	BBC Choice/BBC Two (UK Series) TNN (US Series)
TV Ratings	4.93 million (BBC Two)
Preceded by	Extreme 1, Episode 15 (UK Series) US Championship (US Series)
Succeeded by	Forces Special (UK Series) Extreme Warriors Season 2, Heat A (US Series)

"Stand by! Because tonight, we bring you the ultimate cyber-crusade. Now, you may think you've seen some extreme, some brutal, some merciless battles in your time. But believe me, the action... starts here! This, is Robot Wars, the World Championships!"

— Craig Charles, UK broadcast

The Second World Championship (formally referred to as the 2001 Robot Wars World Championship in some press releases) was the second of three Robot Wars World Championships, in which robots from around the world competed against each other to represent their home countries in battle.

Two distinctly-edited versions of this event were broadcast; in the United Kingdom as part of the first series of Robot Wars Extreme (listed as the sixteenth episode by broadcasters such as Mech+); and in the United States as part of Season 1 of Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors (referred to simply as the World Championship). The heat involving Ansgar, as well as the German Melee, were also broadcast during German Robot Wars a year later.

"Tonight, they'll be fighting for pride, fighting for glory, and fighting to be recognised as the most brutal, most powerful and most deadly battle robot in the world! So are you fired up and ready to riot?"

— Mick Foley introduces the US broadcast

In the UK, The Second World Championship was originally broadcast on 20 December 2001 on BBC Choice and repeated on 30 December 2001 on BBC Two. In the US, it was originally broadcast on 1 October 2001 on TNN, over two months prior to its first UK airings. The UK version was later repeated by multiple networks, notably Challenge on 5 January 2016.

Format

The championship consisted of a knockout tournament between sixteen robots representing nine countries. The robots were drawn into four heats, each consisting of a single four-way melee. Only one robot would progress from each heat to the Semi-Finals, where they would be paired off and fight in one of two head-to-head battles. The winners of each Semi-Final would move on to the final round, to decide the new World Champion.

Differences between versions

The Second World Championship was one of three tournaments to be contested in multiple versions of Robot Wars. In the UK version, the event was hosted by Craig Charles, the pit reporter was Julia Reed and commentary was provided by Jonathan Pearce. In the US version, the equivalent roles were taken on by Mick Foley, Rebecca Grant and Stefan Frank respectively.

The line-up of robots remained the same in both versions and any differences to the battles were minor. However, the US version did not announce the competitors' names and countries of origin as they entered the arena; instead, Stefan Frank gave them brief introductions before assessing their statistics. The US version also featured several extra battle scenes which were edited out of the UK version, including one where Mastiff beached itself on its back during the first heat; some battles also featured different background music between the two versions.

The first battle was also broadcast as the special event of German Robot Wars Heat B with new commentary being provided by Volker Wolf, although it seemed to be based on the UK version. The German broadcast differs in using statistics boards based on those used for the German series, as well as alternative background music, slightly different editing, and an extra replay of Chaos 2's first flip on Mastiff. The pre- and post-match interviews are also omitted, and Refbot’s Extreme 1 countdown buzzer is dubbed over with audio of his Series 5-7/Extreme 2 buzzer.

Competing Robots

Newcomers

	Ansgar
	Weight	74kg (163lbs)
	Dimensions	0.75 x 0.75 x 0.34m (30" x 30" x 14")
	Power	12v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Lever & Lance
	Strengths	Low Ground Clearance
	Weaknesses	Comparatively light
From: Germany
Team Members: Joachim Thomsen, Sascha Thomsen, Sünje Thomsen

	Drillzilla
	Weight	160kg (352lbs)
	Dimensions	1.09 x 0.96 x 0.17m (43" x 38" x 7")
	Power	4 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Drill & Steel Jaws
	Strengths	Good Weight Advantage
	Weaknesses	Poor Destructive Capability
From: United States of America
Team Members: David Hall, Bruce Hall, Chris Kallai

	Firestorm 3
	Weight	100kg (220lbs)
	Dimensions	0.29 x 0.97 x 0.82m (12" x 39" x 33")
	Power	2 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Flipping Arm
	Strengths	Powerful Flipper
	Weaknesses	Poor Transmitter Reliability
From: United Kingdom
Team Members: Graham Bone, Alex Mordue, Hazel Heslop

	Flensburger Power
	Weight	92kg (202lbs)
	Dimensions	1 x 0.5 x 0.3m (40" x 20" x 12")
	Power	Electric Motor
	Weapons	Wheel Cutters & Spear
	Strengths	Low Ground Clearance
	Weaknesses	Slow & Sluggish
From: Germany
Team Members: Michael Schnoor, Anita Jensen, Andre Bruske

	Manta
	Weight	84kg (185lbs)
	Dimensions	1.12 x 0.95 x 0.32m (44" x 37" x 13")
	Power	24v Motors
	Weapons	Spinning Steel Blade
	Strengths	Very Fast & Powerful
	Weaknesses	Effectiveness of Weapon
From: United States of America
Team Members: Jeff Cesnik, Billy Boden, Chris Tyson

	Mastiff
	Weight	85kg (187lbs)
	Dimensions	0.83 x 1.13 x 0.65m (33" x 45" x 26")
	Power	24v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Pneumatic Lifter
	Strengths	Fast
	Weaknesses	No Self-Righting Mechanism
From: Italy
Team Members: Tiziano Rovello, Luca Rovello, Gabriella Formica

	NEAT Machine
	Weight	98kg (216lbs)
	Dimensions	1.7 x 0.92 x 1.1m (68" x 37" x 44")
	Power	24v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Pick Axe
	Strengths	Powerful Axe
	Weaknesses	Driving Ability
From: The Netherlands
Team Members: Arthur Van Ulft, Jun Breuring, Wouter Van Den Ende

	Panzer Mk 2
	Weight	99kg (218lbs)
	Dimensions	1.24 x 0.76 x 0.46m (49" x 30" x 18")
	Power	24x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Flipper
	Strengths	Heavily Armoured
	Weaknesses	No Self-righting Mechanism
From: United States of America
Team Members: Don Lariviere, Jennifer Twisdom, Todd Mendenhall

	The Revolutionist
	Weight	94kg (207lbs)
	Dimensions	0.71 x 0.71 x 0.18m (28" x 28" x 7")
	Power	4 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Cutting Teeth
	Strengths	Hard To Approach
	Weaknesses	No Self-righting Mechanism
From: United States of America
Team Members: Brian Nave, Michael & Rebecca Nave

	Tornado
	Weight	97kg (213lbs)
	Dimensions	0.85 x 0.7 x 0.25m (34" x 28" x 10")
	Power	2 x 750w Motors
	Weapons	2000rpm Spinning Disc
	Strengths	Invertible
	Weaknesses	Easily Flipped
From: United Kingdom
Team Members: Andrew Marchant, David Gamble, Bryan Moss

	Whirlpool 70
	Weight	100kg (220lbs)
	Dimensions	0.66 x 0.69 x 0.34m (22" x 28" x 14")
	Power	24v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Blades & Hooks
	Strengths	Weapon Acts As Defence
	Weaknesses	Vulnerable To Flippers
From: Sweden
Team Members: Janis Platbardis, Christer Floors, Mats Larsen

	Yeborobo
	Weight	91kg (200lbs)
	Dimensions	1.2 x 0.8 x 0.45m (48" x 32" x 18")
	Power	12v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Pneumatic Axe
	Strengths	Durable Outer Shell
	Weaknesses	First Timer
From: South Africa
Team Members: Andrew Kerr, Jon & Michael Kerr

Veterans

	Chaos 2
	Weight	83kg (183lbs)
	Dimensions	0.9 x 0.71 x 0.38m (36" x 28" x 15")
	Power	24v Electric Motor
	Weapons	Pneumatic Powered Flipper
	Strengths	Reigning UK Champion
	Weaknesses	Limited CO2 supply
From: United Kingdom
Team Members: George Francis, Ian Swann, Richard Swann

	Diotoir
	Weight	93kg (205lbs)
	Dimensions	1.17 x 1.04 x 0.39m (47" x 42" x 16")
	Power	36V Motor
	Weapons	Wedge & Scoop
	Strengths	Low Ground Clearance
	Weaknesses	Flammable
From: Clondalkin, Dublin in Ireland
Team Members: Peter Redmond, Joe Gavin, Dr. Zulu

	Philipper
	Weight	100kg (220lbs)
	Dimensions	1.4 x 0.7 x 0.6m (56" x 28" x 24")
	Power	24v Electric Motor
	Weapons	2 x Lifting Arms
	Strengths	Sturdy Construction
	Weaknesses	Easily Flipped
From: Belgium
Team Members: Philippe Poppe, Nancy Poppe, Sam Poppe

	Razer
	Weight	96kg (211lbs)
	Dimensions	0.39 x 1.06 x 0.66m (16" x 42" x 26")
	Power	2 x 24v Motors
	Weapons	Hydraulic Ram & Scoop
	Strengths	Crushing Arm
	Weaknesses	Reliability
From: United Kingdom
Team Members: Simon Scott, Vincent Blood, Ian Lewis

Selection processes

The four UK representatives all qualified for the championship as the top-four finishers of the Extreme Series 1 All-Stars, with Razer entering as the defending World and International League Champions. Of these teams, Team Tornado were known to have been contacted about their selection a day before filming began, shortly after their All-Stars Final against Razer.

"The US ROBOT WARS CHAMPIONSHIP
will take place from June 27 to July 1, 2001 in London, England.

Winners will automatically qualify for the
2001 ROBOT WARS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
to be held on July 1, 2001 in central London
with prize money totaling over $50,000."

— Official press release for Extreme Warriors Season 1 applicants, outlining the qualifying process for US World Championship representatives

According to an official press release for Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors, US representatives would qualify through winning the main Season 1 US Championship, with Panzer Mk 2 emerging as the overall champion. Panzer Mk 2 was joined by US Season 1 runner-up The Revolutionist and Semi-Finalist Manta. The presence of the latter two, coupled with the phrasing of the press release, also implied a similar selection process to the UK entries, which would have potentially made fellow Semi-Finalist The Brute eligible to compete as well.

Ultimately, The Brute would not appear in The Second World Championship; instead, the remaining US place was taken up by Season 1 Annihilator champion and Tag Team Terror co-champion Drillzilla. Manta's winning performance in the US Season 1 Civil War competition was also referenced during its introduction in the US broadcast. However, it remains unclear whether it or Drillzilla's performances in side events influenced their selection, or whether the damage sustained by The Brute in the main US Championship was severe enough to prevent it from competing.

Ansgar qualified for the championship by winning the German Melee which was broadcast earlier in the series (and also broadcast a year later on German Robot Wars), but Flensburger Power was chosen as a second German entry despite losing that battle. The final places were given to robots from Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Sweden, South Africa, Belgium and the Netherlands. Most of these nations did not have domestic Robot Wars competitions of their own at the time of filming, with Diotoir having previously competed in the main UK Series and represented the Republic of Ireland in The First World Championship. Belgian and Dutch competitors would not receive their own series until the filming of Dutch Robot Wars: Series 1, a month after The Second World Championship took place.

Only four robots from The First World Championship returned for the Second; one from each of the stages: reigning champion Razer, Semi-Finalist Diotoir, Quarter-Finalist Chaos 2, and first-round faller the Poppe Family's new machine, Philipper.

Heats

Chaos 2 (UK) vs Manta (USA) vs Mastiff (ITA) vs Ansgar (GER)

"A ground clearance of a centimetre, may not sound much but Chaos and Manta will exploit it. The bull Mastiff may turn into a whimpering puppy"

— Jonathan Pearce, doubting Mastiff

Chaos 2 throws Mastiff

Chaos 2 takes an early exit

Ansgar entered the arena equipped with its lance, rather than the flipper it used in the qualifier. As the battle itself began, Chaos 2 and Manta both got off to a quick start, with Manta ramming into Ansgar and Chaos 2 quickly getting underneath Mastiff and flipping it onto its back. Mastiff quickly self-righted before Chaos 2 could land another flip. Manta was meanwhile winning its battle against Ansgar, pushing it into the CPZ, and part of the German machine's side had already been buckled by Manta's blade. At the other end of the arena, Chaos 2 flipped Mastiff, but the Italian robot managed to roll back onto its wheels, before turning around to hit the pit release button. No sooner had it done this, it slammed into the arena wall and appeared to break down, as Chaos 2 pushed it towards the pit. As Sergeant Bash launched an attack on Manta, who had managed to push underneath Ansgar, Mastiff had gotten stuck on its rear end after a failed self-righting attempt. Chaos 2 quickly capitalised and tried to flip Mastiff into the pit, but instead accidently pushed the Italian robot out of the way, and the double-UK champion simply drove straight into the pit.

"Oh, what a major surprise! One of the favourites for the world championships, they're out!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Chaos 2 pits itself

Manta pits Mastiff

Manta shoves Ansgar

Manta left Ansgar momentarily and achieved what Chaos 2 failed to do, pushing the beached Mastiff into the pit. It quickly turned its attention back to the sluggish Ansgar. It pushed the German machine into the side angle grinder, causing sparks to fly. Manta's spinning disc appeared to have stopped working, but it continued attacking anyway, pushing Ansgar onto the flame pit. Although its lance was still working, Ansgar had lost all drive and was counted out.

"I was trying to show off, I was trying to tip the other one into the pits and missed it"

— George Francis of Chaos 2, on his premature exit

Winner: Manta

Whirlpool 70 (SWE) vs Drillzilla (USA) vs NEAT Machine (NED) vs Firestorm 3 (UK)

"Like typical American tourists, they're all a bit overweight"

— Alex Mordue on Drillzilla

Sir Killalot crumples Whirlpool 70

Drillzilla had by far the quickest start, pushing straight into Whirlpool 70 and stopping its spinning frame. Firestorm 3 pushed underneath Drillzilla, then forced it into Sir Killalot's CPZ, but failed to flip it. NEAT Machine tried to attack W70, but missed with its axe. Despite being on Firestorm's wedge, Drillzilla managed to force its British opponent back, for Firestorm pushed it away. Drillzilla then clashed with W70, whilst Firestorm pursued NEAT Machine. W70 remained very close to Sir Killalot's CPZ, and Drillzilla pushed it straight into the house robot's claw.

NEAT Machine is flipped by Firestorm 3

"And the old pool cleaner is being taken to the cleaners there by Killalot"

— Jonathan Pearce

As Killalot toyed with W70, Drillzilla pushed NEAT Machine onto Firestorm's wedge, and the former UK finalist flipped the Dutch entrant over.

"It's a Dutch disaster, it seems to me!"

— Jonathan Pearce as NEAT Machine is flipped

Firestorm 3 flips Whirlpool 70

NEAT Machine is counted out

Whirlpool 70 is left upside-down

Firestorm left NEAT Machine along and ran back to the CPZ where W70 had been left, before flipping it into Sir Killalot, leaving the Swedish machine on its side. Whilst all this was happening, Drillzilla pushed into the back of Firestorm, controlling a lot of its movements. Refbot counted out NEAT Machine right as Killalot placed W70 on the arena flipper. Although it was on its wheels, the Swedish robot was no longer mobile, and no sooner had Refbot counted it out than it was thrown by the floor flipper. Drillzilla managed to push Firestorm from behind straight into the far arena wall, bringing the remains of W70 with it. After a little bit more pushing, the two robots began a more tactical battle, trying to keep their fronts to their opponent, just as Sir Killalot placed NEAT Machine on the floor flipper, sending the Dutch robot flying too. Drillzilla then managed to get behind Firestorm once more and pushed it into the pit release button.

"Oh, more rubbish being caused there by Drillzilla! He's pulled the pit release button off the wall!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Drillzilla pushes Firestorm into the pit release tyre

Drillzilla pins Firestorm against the wall

The pit release tyre managed to get caught on one of Drillzilla's claws and was pulled clean off. In the last few seconds, Drillzilla managed to get behind Firestorm one last time, slamming it the arena wall in a distant CPZ. The Judges were called to make a decision, and decided that Drillzilla had won on aggression.

"Well, at least we didn't drive into a pit"

— Graham Bone, referring to Chaos 2

Winner: Drillzilla

Diotoir (IRE) vs Flensburger Power (GER) vs Razer (UK) vs The Revolutionist (USA)

"We're going to smash them all, but right now I'm trying to decide, which would look better in the pit? Should I toss in Razer first or Diotoir? I just can't decide which would look better on camera"

— Brian Nave, of The Revolutionist

Before the fight, it was hinted that Razer and Diotoir would be teaming up on their opponents.

Diotoir attacks Flensburger Power as battle begins

The Revolutionist spin into Razer

Diotoir discards the beaten Flensburger Power

Razer pierces The Revolutionist

Indeed, as the battle began, Razer chased after The Revolutionist, whilst Diotoir got around Flensburger Power's side and pushed it around the arena. The Revolutionist, whose body wasn't spinning, drove straight up Razer's wedge, but the World Champion's claw did not cause much damage, and The Revolutionist escaped. It then managed to get up some speed and slammed into Razer's side, but caused no damage, whilst Diotoir pushed Flensburger Power into Sir Killalot's CPZ and left it there. Razer then turned on The Revolutionist and crushed straight through the shell of the American runner-up, before it fell off and was attacked by Matilda.

"Well, The Revolutionist might run into concrete with no damage, but not into the Razer"

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer feeds The Revolutionist to Matilda whilst almost tearing the top lid off

Flensburger Power is counted out

Meanwhile, Flensburger Power had lost all mobility from its tussle with Diotoir and was counted out. Diotoir then pushed Razer further into Matilda's CPZ, but Razer quickly retaliated and crushed effortlessly into the Irish machine's side.

"Irish eyes are not smiling, in fact, there's only one left"

— Jonathan Pearce noticing one of Diotoir's eyes is missing

Razer crushes Diotoir

Matilda throws Flensburger Power over

Razer then picked Diotoir up and held it over the flame pit, but surprisingly this had no effect on Diotoir's fur. Matilda then drove across the arena and struck Flensburger Power with her flywheel, knocking it over. Razer and Diotoir then toyed with the remains of the German machine in the last few seconds, whilst The Revolutionist appeared to have broken down on the closed pit.

"Who goes through? Will it be the States hope, The Revolutionist? I doubt it! Will it be Diotoir? or will it be Razer?"

— Jonathan Pearce as the battle ends

As The Revolutionist had not been counted out, it was still included in the decision, but the judges easily put Razer through.

Winner: Razer

Panzer Mk 2 (USA) vs Tornado (UK) vs Philipper (BEL) vs Yeborobo (RSA)

Julia Reed: "Is there anybody you're particularly afraid of?"

Philippe Poppe: "Everybody except the South African ones"

— Philipper's pre-battle interview

Panzer Mk 2 flips Tornado into Philipper

Panzer Mk 2 clamps Tornado

Yeborobo is counted out

As the battle began, Tornado chased after Panzer Mk 2, who drove straight into the arena wall and got stuck between two angle grinders. Tornado drove underneath the American champion's lifter and pushed it back towards the arena wall. Philipper attempted to separate the two, and Tornado forced Panzer into Dead Metal's CPZ, but it was lifted up and Panzer escaped. Whilst the British, American and Belgian machines were fighting each other, Yeborobo had not moved at all since actually entering the arena, right beside the entry gate. Refbot tried to nudge it back to life, whilst Panzer chased after Tornado and flipped it onto Philipper's front lifter, which also lifted up the British semi-finalist. Eventually, it escaped, only to be bulldozed into the CPZ by Panzer, right as the pit descended. Tornado tried to launch another attack, but Panzer flipped it again. Yeborobo, meanwhile, had been placed on the arena flipper and was counted out by Refbot.

"Well, it was a brief brief foray into the world of International Robot Wars"

— Jonathan Pearce as Yeborobo leaves (very) early

Immediately after being counted out, Yeborobo was thrown by the floor flipper, landing heavily on top of Tornado and Panzer, shedding pieces of armour as it landed.

"South African flying machine...I don't think that's what they intended"

— Jonathan Pearce

Philipper turns Panzer Mk 2 over

Tornado pushes Philipper into the flames

Panzer Mk 2 is counted out

Tornado and Panzer continued their battle when Philipper suddenly got underneath Panzer and flipped it over onto its back. Panzer showed no signs of righting itself, but Philipper's weapon appeared to have locked open, and Tornado pushed it onto the flame pit. As Refbot counted Panzer out of the competition, Tornado pushed Yeborobo into the pit, before shoving the sluggish Philipper into Sir Killalot's CPZ, but time ran out before the house robot could attack.

"And Tornado, pushed all the way by Philipper, will have to go to a judges' decision. That's a surprise in itself."

— Jonathan Pearce

Between Philipper and Tornado, the judges eventually decided that Tornado had done enough to make the next round.

Winner: Tornado

Semi-Finals

"We are guaranteed a USA-UK final"

— Jonathan Pearce, announcing the semi-final line-up

Drillzilla (USA) vs Manta (USA)

The pushing match starts

Both robots got off to a quick start. Manta attempted to spin to throw Drillzilla off an attack, but the shufflebot was undetered and got underneath Manta, pushing it into the arena wall before reversing away with Manta still in possession. Manta then gained the upper hand and forced Drillzilla into the CPZ, but its opponent escaped unharmed and got around the side, where Manta could not resist. The two Americans met head-on and Manta was forced back towards the CPZ, before surprisingly pushing both Drillzilla and the investigating Sgt. Bash across the arena floor.

"It's push and shove - heave ho and back we go"

— Jonathan Pearce as the Americans clash

The immobile Manta is pitted

Eventually, Manta spun away and Drillzilla very nearly managed to grab hold of the Civil War champion's rear spike. Drillzilla then forced Manta into the pit release button. By now, Manta appeared to have lost a lot of power, as it was not moving a great deal and its blade had stopped spinning again. It managed to turn slightly, but Drillzilla took advantage and pushed it closer to the pit. The American semi-finalist's attempts to get away only made its rear an easier target, and Drillzilla pushed it forward, leaving Manta teetering on the edge. A final push from Drillzilla forced Manta into the pit and out of the competition.

"Although Manta was left hanging on the tightrope momentarily, oblivion was not far away"

— Jonathan Pearce as Manta is pitted

Winner: Drillzilla

Razer (UK) vs Tornado (UK)

This was a rematch from the All-Stars Grand Final. Tornado entered the arena with a scoop weapon instead of its drum.

Razer punctures the shell of Tornado

As the battle began, the two robots charged at each other, trying to get to each other's sides. After a while, they charged head-on and despite Tornado's scoop, Razer's ground clearance won out. It pushed Tornado against the arena wall, digging into the gap in the armour where the disc usually was, before letting Tornado go. It then managed to grab hold of Tornado just in front of the back-right wheel, penetrating deep into the gap.

"They do not mean to give up their title lightly here!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer let Tornado go, but Tornado simply drove into the arena wall, which allowed Razer to crush into its rear armour, creating a small hole and picking Tornado off the ground. Tornado was eventually dropped and tried to get away, but no matter how hard it tried to attack, it was unable to gain any advantage.

"But what damage can they do now? And again, they've got the wrong side to Razer"

— Jonathan Pearce

Again, Tornado tried for a front-on attack, but Razer's wedge once again got underneath Tornado's scoop, and the defending World Champion forced its opponent into the pit release.

Tornado is dropped into the pit

Piercing Tornado once more, Razer picked up its opponent and held it over the descending pit of oblivion. However, it had penetrated Tornado so deeply that it was unable to remove it from the claw. After numerous attempts, at one point nearly falling into the pit itself, Razer was finally able to pull free and Tornado fell into the pit.

"Now you can see why they're the reigning champions"

— Craig Charles to Team Tornado after the battle

Winner: Razer

Grand Final

Drillzilla (USA) vs Razer (UK)

Razer catches Drillzilla

As the battle began, Razer and Drillzilla circled each other, trying to get around each other's side. Razer launched the first attack, grabbing hold of Drillzilla's left-hand "banks" and clamping hold of the shuffling mechanism. It then forced Drillzilla into Sgt. Bash's CPZ, but the house robot's crusher was unable to break the American's centimetre-thick armour. Instead, Razer dragged Drillzilla out to the centre of the arena.

"Razer there, trying to stop the rhythm of Drillzilla!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Razer and Sir Killalot crush Drillzilla

Eventually, Razer let Drillzilla go, but quickly clamped hold of it again, but lost its grip. Drillzilla quickly drove away and tried to come in for another attack. It momentarily got a good attack on the side, but Razer swiftly turned before any advantage could be taken and clamped down again. Unable to crush Drillzilla's armour, it forced the shufflebot into Sir Killalot's CPZ.

Razer traps the shuffling banks of Drillzilla

Even with Sir Killalot attacking, Drillzilla's armour could not be broken, but it was unable to escape Razer's clutches. Eventually, Razer let it go again and Drillzilla ran away to the centre of the arena to have another charge. This did not work as Razer intercepted again, clamping hold of its right-hand banks. Despite its best attempts (even damaging the arena floor), Drillzilla could not escape Razer's clutches.

"For me, it HAS to be Razer!"

— Jonathan Pearce as the battle draws to a close

Refbot counts the seconds down on his counter

Razer continued to clamp hold of Drillzilla in the last ten seconds of the battle, with Refbot joining in the count. The judges were called to make a decision and decided that Razer, having been on the offensive throughout the battle, had successfully defended its World Championship title.

"And still, the undisputed Champions of the World - Razer!"

— Craig Charles

Second World Champion: Razer

Razer, World Champion for a second consecutive time.

Craig Charles: "They took on all the world"

Julia Reed: "To represent our shores"

Craig Charles: "And they're still the reigning champions"

Both: "On Robot Wars!"

— UK Episode sign-off

Trivia

The Danish flag seen in The Pits

• At the start of the episode, the Danish flag can be seen in The Pits, alongside what may be an unidentified robot. This suggests the possibility of a Danish entry which withdrew from the competition, but this has not been confirmed.
• In the introduction of the US broadcast, Mick Foley also stated that Switzerland would be one of the competing nations, which was not the case (though the Swiss robot Snake Bite would participate in the Third World Championship).
• The UK broadcast was notable for featuring inaccurate commentary pertaining to the UK entrants:
  • Contrary to Jonathan Pearce's claims, neither Firestorm nor Tornado competed in the previous World Championship (Tornado had not even been built by the time the First World Championship was being filmed).
  • Chaos 2 and Diotoir were eliminated in the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals respectively, not the heats, of the previous championship. Suspiciously, Pearce's erroneous claims mirrored the eventual results of the championship; Chaos 2, Diotoir and Firestorm 3 were eliminated in the first round, while Tornado was beaten in the Semi-Finals by Razer.
  • Furthermore, in its Semi-Final against Razer, Tornado was claimed to be fitted with its drum by Pearce, despite clearly being seen fitted with its 'charity scoop' for the battle.
• Pearce's commentary was also unusual in this episode as it had an echoed effect added to it, unlike any other episode.
• The UK broadcast was unique in that while it was broadcast as and considered part of the first series of Robot Wars Extreme, it did not feature the Extreme logo or an Extreme-specific closing rhyme by Craig Charles. The episode's place in Extreme 1 is supported by Julia Reed's appearance as pit reporter, who fulfilled the role in every other episode of this series.
• In the Italian version aired by La7, the Second World Championship was directly translated as "Secondo Campionato Mondiale" or simply "Campionato Mondiale". Surviving footage indicates that, unlike the UK and US versions, interviews from both the Heat and Semi-Final stages were omitted.
• The Second World Championship offered the largest cash prize in the history of Robot Wars, with a total prize fund of $50,000 shared among the competing teams. Of the total fund, $25,000 was awarded to the eventual winner.
• The first round of the Second World Championship marked the only loss by would-be two-time US Champion Panzer Mk during its entire Robot Wars career.
• Philipper's statistics board misspelled the robot as Philliper.
• Tornado and Philipper would later fight each other in the European Championship, broadcast as part of the second series of Robot Wars Extreme and German Robot Wars.
• Despite Heat Three being a full five-minute fight in recording, it was edited down to only 1 minute and 19 seconds for television.