The Titan Games (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Titan Games Trials 6 - full transcript
Blood, sweat, respect.
♪ Glory ♪
[Dwayne] The first two,
you give.
The last one, you earn.
♪ I'll be more
Than just a fable ♪
♪ I'll be written
In the stars ♪
[Angel] A Titan is relentless.
Anything you throw at them,
they're going to demolish it.
My number one motto
is just "no excuses."
[Liam] Crank those chains back,
and raise that tower.
I've been in the gym
since I was 13.
My life has been
a never-ending journey
of improvement.
♪ Ooh ♪
You got to give your mind,
your body, your attitude.
Then, and only then,
do you get the respect.
♪ Because I was born
For this ♪
♪ I do it for the glory ♪
[Alex] Oh!
[Liam] They are smashing away.
As a law enforcement officer,
females can be underestimated.
But if you go out there
and prove yourself,
you're going to get respect.
♪ For the glory ♪
[Dwayne] Tonight, eight more
powerful competitors
face off
on the biggest, baddest,
most exciting challenges
ever assembled.
Those that prevail
get their chance to compete
on Mount Olympus
and become a Titan.
♪ I'm victorious ♪
My first battle was cancer.
My second is the Titan Games,
and I don't lose any battles.
-♪ I do it for the glory ♪
-Jonathan is not letting up!
-Blood.
-Sweat.
-Respect.
-Titan.
[wind howling]
[dramatic music]
[Alex] Please welcome
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
I see you.
All right, let's get this show
on the road.
Welcome to The Titan Games.
Tonight, we've got
a police officer,
an ICU nurse, and an athlete
who recently bounced back
from a life-threatening illness.
Trust me when I say
they are ready to bring it.
[cheers and applause]
Helping me out as always
in the Titan Arena,
here is my partner in crime,
Cari Champion.
[dramatic music]
-Thank you, DJ.
-And now, as always,
here in the Titan Arena,
the phrase that I love to say,
-especially on NBC.
-Oh.
-Live, from New York, it's...
-No, wrong show. Wrong show.
-Wrong show.
-Yes.
-Ah, got it.
-Okay.
The other phrase
I love to say on NBC.
Let The Titan Games begin!
[dramatic music]
[Cari] Kicking things off,
this battle
is between two survivors.
One's a dedicated father
who teaches martial arts
in his own dojo.
The other is
an Air National Guardsman
who miraculously recovered
from a serious illness
and is now stronger than ever.
[cheers and applause]
[soft music]
The discipline
that drove Jon Brascetta
to The Titan Games has been
with him since childhood.
I grew up watching
Jean-Claude Van Damme,
Ninja Turtles, and then
obviously, like, The Rock.
All superheroes, that was
ingrained into my childhood.
I started training
when I was four years old,
and I actually failed
my first martial arts test
to get my yellow belt 'cause
I couldn't do jumping jacks.
I mean, obviously,
that didn't stop me.
I got my first black belt
in tae kwon do when I was nine.
[grunting]
I was 22 years old
when I opened
my martial arts
and fitness studio.
-Go!
-[all scream]
-Go!
-[all scream]
We cater to kids
that are three years old
all the way up to adults.
Our one common goal is
that we're here to get better.
[all] Best of the best!
Martial arts has always
been my passion.
It has fueled my purpose.
But at the end of the day,
the people
that push me the most
are my wife and son.
My wife and I met
when she was in 6th grade
and I was in 7th grade.
I was her first kiss.
She is my best friend,
my partner.
I don't know where I'd be
without her.
My son's going to be one
next month.
I just want him to know
that as long as you
respect yourself and others,
and believe in yourself...
[giggles]
[laughter]
...you can do anything
that you want.
I'm here to show my wife
and my students and my son
that anything is possible.
I will be a Titan.
[dramatic music]
[Cari] At 5'10", 215 pounds,
Air National Guard
Staff Sergeant Matt Cable
is as rock solid
as the nuclear weapons
he's in charge of protecting.
But five years ago,
this former all-state
football and wrestling star
from Montana
was knocked to his knees.
I had flulike symptoms.
I started sweating.
I can't keep my eyes open.
I went to the... the doctor,
and, you know,
I was diagnosed with leukemia.
[soft music]
A week later,
after my first round of chemo,
my organs failed,
and I went into a coma.
[Cari] Matt spent 18 days
in the ICU,
followed by seven months
of intense chemotherapy.
Unable to eat solid food,
he lost 50 pounds
and all of his muscle mass.
I had to relearn how to eat.
I had to relearn how to walk.
There are days where you want
to feel bad for yourself
and sorry for yourself,
but you can give me a fight,
and I'll fight back.
[dramatic music]
♪ I'm a fighter ♪
♪ And I rise higher ♪
♪ I'm a survivor,
and I burn brighter ♪
♪ I'm never giving up ♪
Today, I bench press 425.
I dead lift 650,
squat about 600.
I won't let anything
stand in my path.
[Cari] Just four years ago,
Matt Cable
was fighting for his life.
Now he's fighting
for Titan glory.
My first battle was cancer.
My second is The Titan Games,
and I don't lose any battles.
♪ I'm a fighter ♪
[cheers and applause]
Hello, everyone.
I'm Liam McHugh,
with my partner
Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez.
And, Alex, Jon Brascetta
told us he and Matt
met at the tryouts
for The Titan Games
and became close friends.
But tonight,
they are bitter rivals.
Watch what happens
when push comes to shove
on the Herculean Pull.
DJ wanted to create
a challenge
where you outleverage
an opponent you can't even see.
[Liam] First, you use grip
strength and upper-body power
to unthread two 100-pound
silver poles,
each longer
than a pickup truck.
[Alex] Next is
a blind tug-of-war
with the golden pole,
and you can't use
the ground for help.
[Liam] Whoever can hang on
and generate the most force
will hit the target
and punch their ticket
to Mount Olympus.
Now, most people know Hercules
as an ancient demigod
with incredible strength.
Well, I know a little something
about Hercules,
and what made him a hero
wasn't just his power.
It was his determination in
the face of insurmountable odds.
Matt, Jon, you beat the odds
just to stand
in this Titan Arena,
but if you want a chance
to be a Titan,
you need to unleash
every last ounce
of strength and determination.
This is your moment. Own it.
This is Herculean Pull.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] They're off and head
to opposite sides,
Jon in the red,
Matt in the blue.
Matt, so powerful.
Jon is going to have
to use that speed
right from the start.
[Alex] They get the first one
at the same time.
This is close.
[grunts]
[Liam] And Matt is through
the first two,
up to the gold pole,
and John beats him there.
And that's big,
because Matt, you would think,
would have the clear
strength advantage.
[grunting]
Here we go.
[grunts]
[Alex] And Jon going into
a horizontal base there.
He put all of his back
into this.
[dramatic music]
[grunting]
But now this is
where the brute strength
of Matt Cable
could come into play.
[grunts]
But Jonathan is not letting up.
[grunts]
[Liam] Matt can squat
600 pounds.
He has extreme leg power.
[Alex] But Jon's
a fifth-degree black belt.
He has reflexes, focus,
and flexibility.
[grunts]
Come on. You got it. Get it.
[Liam] Matt Cable,
five years ago,
fighting for his life.
Look at him now.
[grunting]
-[Alex] Whoa!
-You got it!
He bounced Jon
right into the wall.
Matt Cable is trying to force
the martial artist to submit.
Right here, right now,
as he is so close.
[Liam] But Jon
still won't let go.
[grunts]
[Alex] Matt Cable,
he's moving on!
Whoo! Whoo!
Matt Cable, he's a beast.
Get up here. Ah, I love you!
That's a long way
from the ICU, my friend.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] This guy
is an inspiration
to people around the world.
[cheers and applause]
This showdown was intense.
Two friends had to face off
in our arena,
and neither wanted
to give an inch.
But in the end, Matt Cable
could not be stopped.
[Liam] And now both guys
are standing by with Cari.
You guys have seemed
to form a brotherhood.
You have a mutual respect
for Matt.
Tell me about that.
I mean, we, uh,
met in July in the combine,
and we just kind of kept
in touch over social media.
And then when we got out here,
we reconnected,
started training together,
and it was just, like,
this instant connection
between us.
He's so inspiring, and he was
the better man tonight,
and he deserves it.
Right. That's great.
That is amazing.
He said it best.
Jon said it best.
You're so inspiring.
You overcame leukemia.
You truly are a survivor.
One step closer
to becoming a Titan.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you so much.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] He defeated cancer.
His next mission,
to conquer Mount Olympus
at The Titan Games.
[cheers and applause]
[dramatic music]
It was important to me
that The Titan Games
wasn't just a boys club.
And one of the things that
really impressed me so much
was the submissions we received
from very strong,
very incredible women
all across America.
[cheers and applause]
And two of the absolute best
are about to battle it out.
[Cari] Strength
is a key attribute
for any aspiring Titan,
and Ashley Hawkins
has plenty of it.
This North Carolina police
officer goes hard every day,
and for good reason.
I work out and train
to survive,
because being
a police officer,
I never know when I'm going
to have to fight for my life
or have to fight
for someone else's life.
My grandfather was a cop,
my Dad was a cop,
and I met my husband
in the police academy.
I feel like, you know,
becoming a police officer,
it was kind of
just in my blood.
[Cari] But even with her legacy
and after eight years
on the job...
I've already checked out
Spring Garden Street.
Ashley still faces doubt.
As a law enforcement officer,
many times,
females can be underestimated.
But if you go out there and
prove yourself like I have,
that you mean business, you're
going to get respect for that.
I came to The Titan Games
to show women
that it's okay to be strong.
[radio beeping]
And to prove to myself that
I'm as strong as I think I am.
[Cari] Step one
to becoming a Titan
is finding
the motivation to train.
Florida X-ray technician
Jenessa Goeman
found her fire
after a bad breakup.
I met someone,
and we dated for three years.
There was some cheating
on his behalf.
When we broke up,
I just kind of
turned that pain into passion.
[Cari] Jenessa, who'd been
a competitive gymnast
growing up,
started waking at 5:00 a.m.
every day
to hit the gym before work,
and it paid off.
Getting stronger physically
helped get me
stronger emotionally.
I've learned
lots of things about myself,
dedication, perseverance.
I'm always continuing
on the journey,
no matter how hard it gets.
I don't let anything
knock me down.
I'm going to be
the last one standing.
I want that title of Titan.
[Liam] For Jenessa and Ashley,
their Titan challenge
is like something
out of Game of Thrones.
Ooh, winter is coming.
Here's the Hammering Ram.
[dramatic music]
This brutal test
will challenge
all eight muscle groups
in your upper body.
[Liam] You start by swinging
the 10-pound hammer
against a metal plate,
generating upwards
of a half a ton of force
with every swing
until it triggers the release
of the 350-pound ram.
[Alex] From there,
it's a test of brute force
to see who can break through
the massive
wooden doors first,
pull the victory chain,
and claim your spot
on Mount Olympus.
[Dwayne]
This challenge is a monster.
Ashley, Jenessa,
get ready to bring it.
This is Hammering Ram.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] A pair
of powerful women,
and they are right into it.
Ashley in blue picked up that
hammer and is smashing away.
[Alex] The power, Liam!
I can't believe
that's an X-ray technician.
[Liam] Jenessa and Ashley,
head-to-head right now,
just trying to
release that ram.
[dramatic music]
[grunts]
-Yes, yes!
-It is down for Ashley.
Now you have to harness it.
[grunts]
This is so hard.
[grunts]
[Alex] Now Jenessa's
ready to throw down.
[Liam] Ashley, a cop, you know,
when there's chaos around,
she's going to be calm.
[grunts]
[Alex] Jenessa is still
trying to build momentum.
You need more
than just the backswing.
You have to follow through
to drive that 350-pound ram
into the gate.
[Liam] You know you're gassed.
You know you're tired.
You also know you are so close
to that victory chain.
[Alex] And a big hit for Ashley.
[grunts]
And Jenessa's still not
getting enough power.
[Liam] Ashley's throwing her
entire body into every swing.
-[Liam] Ashley is through!
-Racing to the victory chain.
[Alex] Officer Hawkins has it!
[screams]
Let's go pass out.
[Liam] Ashley Hawkins,
one tough cop.
To protect, to serve,
to dominate.
[Liam] So Ashley Hawkins
goes from the hills
of North Carolina
to compete on Mount Olympus
and take her shot
at becoming a Titan.
[dramatic music]
Success in these games
is about keeping a steady stride
and not getting
too confident too early.
It's also about
scaring your opponent
with a very intimidating face
right before you battle.
Now, I usually go
with something like this.
[dramatic music]
[heavy rock music]
It's time for another battle.
[ding]
All right, DJ,
this is who I got for you.
It's a battle
between two loving dads
who have followed their
passions their whole lives.
One's a former football player
turned yogi master.
The other is
a successful barber
who's now pursuing his goal
of being a Titan.
Angel Villegas
has always been competitive.
As a kid in Florida, he was
a sponsored skateboarder.
Then, he traded in his board
to enter the cutthroat world
of competitive hair cutting.
I took home
six first-place trophies,
and from there, I just...
I just fell in love with it.
I was 23 years old when I
first opened my barbershop,
and I was literally broke
the night of my grand opening,
but it was, like,
the best feeling in the world.
It's been five years now,
and I currently own three.
But I am a self-made man,
and I'm very prideful
of the fact that I did it
all on my own.
Day-to-day,
my plate's pretty full.
You know, I have a fiancée.
I have a son at home.
[babbles]
I have 27 employees,
and I still make it to the gym.
I'm definitely a big fan
of Dwayne Johnson.
As a kid growing up,
we used to watch him on WWE.
The eyebrow, we used to do it.
But I could never do the right.
I'd just always do the left.
I want to be on Dwayne's team,
because I feel I'm worthy.
I feel I'm ready.
I've had to put in
a lot of hard work
to get to where I am.
I'm ready for whatever
Dwayne throws at me.
[Cari] Former NFL wide receiver
DJ Townsel
spent years
slamming into linebackers
and using his body
as a weapon.
But since he retired,
he's opted
for a less violent
line of work.
[soft music]
Starting yoga, I was fresh
off the football field,
and I was stiff as a board.
I don't think people
look at yogis as top athletes
until they step foot
into a yoga class
and realize how much strength,
how much focus it takes.
So I fell in love with the...
the spiritual and mental side
pretty quickly.
[Cari] The tranquility
DJ achieves through yoga
helps him balance
his busy life as a single dad.
No, you got to hold my ankles.
I have a daughter.
Her name is Payton.
She's nine.
I call her my dove,
because that's where
I found peace and hope.
She keeps me on my toes
and helps me stay good at math.
[laughs]
And she forces me to be
a better version
of myself every day.
[Cari] Only 5'10"
and 180 pounds,
DJ is one of our
lighter competitors,
but he's at peace
with the challenge.
I'm not what you would think of
when you see yoga,
when you see an NFL player.
I surprise people when I say
both of those things.
So I'm always underestimated,
and I love it.
I come with everything...
resilience, athleticism, speed,
strength, flexibility, focus.
Now I want to bring that
to this competition
and become a Titan.
[Liam] DJ and Angel
don't mind hard work,
so we're going to let them
do some of the heavy lifting
for this next challenge.
[Alex] Liam, I think it's time
to break out the toaster,
because their arms are about
to turn to jelly on the Vortex.
[dramatic music]
For the Vortex, you first
have to lift the apparatus
you're about to climb,
a 25-foot chain tower.
[Liam] The key is to find
a fluid motion
that efficiently
transfers energy
from your legs
to your upper body.
Then, with whatever strength
you have left
in those aching arms,
you have to climb
all the way to the top.
[Alex] First one to climb up
and pull the victory chain
is headed to Mount Olympus.
When people ask me
what exactly does it mean
to be a Titan,
well, it means a desire
to climb higher,
to push through your limits
and to reach a next level
you didn't know existed.
So, DJ and Angel, what does it
mean to you to be a Titan?
Well, myself and the world,
we're about to find out.
This is Vortex.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] DJ Townsel in the red,
Angel Villegas in the blue.
Use that adrenaline rush,
and crank the chains.
The faster you pull,
the faster the tower goes up.
Then you can climb.
Push, push, push!
[Alex] These two guys
are so evenly matched.
And remember, the muscles
they're blasting right now
are the same ones
they'll need fresh to climb.
[grunts]
Wow. Let's go, boys!
[Liam] That endurance
is gonna be a factor,
because as you're pulling
those chains,
you're watching
that chain tower
rise 25 feet into the air.
[grunts]
[Alex] And you're pulling
the chains back horizontally,
which means your body weight
can't help you at all.
[grunts]
Both gates are dropped!
It's dead even,
and time to climb.
[Liam] They're up
on the chain tower
trying to make their way,
but you gotta
think it through here.
You could go straight up,
but those chains are looser,
and hard to hold.
Or you follow
the solid golden rods
and take the longer route.
[Alex] And that's
what DJ's doing.
He's using the solid bars.
But Angel is struggling
with those looser chains.
-Get on the bars!
-Angel, use the bars!
Get on the metal bars.
[Liam] Listen,
it would be tough
if they just had to climb
this thing,
but raising those towers
just shredded
every muscle they
desperately need right now.
[Alex] DJ's looking strong.
Clearly yoga works.
But Angel,
still stuck at the bottom.
He just has nothing left
in those arms.
Come on. Don't quit.
Don't quit!
[Liam] And you look at
DJ Townsel. You were wondering,
the flexibility,
the balance of yoga.
how would that come into play?
You don't have to
wonder anymore.
He's right near the top.
[Alex] A master yogi
now looking to master
Mount Olympus.
DJ Townsel is your winner.
[Liam] So it'll be DJ Townsel's
spiritual power
versus Matt Cable's
brute force on Mount Olympus,
and the winner will keep going
in this competition
for a chance to become
our Titan Champion.
Oh, my God.
That thing hurt.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] Welcome back
to The Titan Games.
[Liam] We have room
for one more
to compete on Mount Olympus.
Let's head down to Cari
for the next matchup.
In this battle,
it's a nursing student
who wants to be as healthy as
possible for her young daughter
versus an ICU nurse who
pushes herself to the limit
to inspire her patients.
[dramatic music]
[Cari] Lauren Regno,
a nursing student
in Modesto, California,
is fascinated by fitness.
♪ Break it to the ground ♪
But her true passion
is being a mom.
I have a five-, almost
six-year-old going on 16.
Her name's Sophia.
She's my world.
I would give everything
for her.
I want to show my daughter
that you can go to the gym,
you can work out,
you can look good,
but you can also have a career.
There's no reason
you can't do it all.
[bright music]
[rock music]
[Cari] Alma Dwumfour's
vital work inside the ICU
at Connecticut's
Norwalk Hospital
taught her
one important lesson.
Each day could be your last.
Every one of my patients
has, like, a little piece
of my heart.
It's just impossible to not get
emotionally attached
to somebody, especially as
you're saving their life.
And it inspires me to do
whatever I want to do
with my healthy body
right now,
because I have patients
that aren't able to do so.
[Cari] It doesn't hurt
that she also found
the perfect training partner.
My husband and I
are huge fitness people.
We just got married
less than a month ago.
Even on our honeymoon,
we would make up
all these different
fitness activities
so we can both stay in shape.
He has been
my number one supporter
over the last nine years.
The Titan Games
is about pushing your body
to its absolute limit, and
that's what I'm going to do.
[bright music]
[Liam] Alma's husband Trent
in the stands tonight.
[Alex] They've only
been married three weeks.
Now the honeymoon continues
here in the Titan Arena.
[Liam] And there's
Lauren's family,
including her daughter Sofia.
And both these ladies
will need
all the support they can get,
because this next challenge
is going to push
our competitors
to the edge of exhaustion,
and then it's going
to keep on going.
We're going Off the Rails.
[dramatic music]
On this long, painful trip
down the wrong side
of the tracks,
you must first pull yourself
and a 200-pound sled
along a 60-foot rail,
collecting 50-pound beams
along the way.
[Liam] By the end,
you'll be pulling 600 pounds.
To get back, you'll need
precision and coordination
to hook the anchor, and reel
yourself to the victory chain.
Alma and Lauren,
at some point this challenge,
your body's
going to tell you to quit.
You got to fight through that,
unlock your power,
and keep pushing through.
This is Off the Rails.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Lauren in the red,
Alma in the blue.
They are up on their sleds.
Those sleds weigh 200...
-Oh!
-Wow, Alma goes down.
[Liam] Got to keep your balance.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. come on.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] We're seeing
two different strategies.
Look at Lauren here.
She's lying back,
bracing with her feet
on the rail.
Then you have Alma crouching,
using her knees
to keep pushing forward.
And she has the lead,
coming to the end
of the line.
I've gotta hand it to Alma.
Eight days ago, she was
on her honeymoon in Greece.
Now she's on the Titan express.
Yes!
Now you have to throw
that hook like an anchor,
and pull yourself forward.
Alma misses her first throw.
Now Lauren's all caught up.
Hurry, get up! Get up!
[Liam] If they want to get back
to that victory chain,
they need to toss
that hook and pull.
[Alex] It's about the strategy,
and it's also about aim.
That was an ambitious throw
from Lauren.
Oh!
[Liam] Here's the thing.
A long toss is risky.
If your hook doesn't catch,
you have to reel it
all the way back and try again.
Shorter throws give you
more control over the hook.
Alma, the ICU nurse,
inching her way down the track.
It's not
just raw strength here.
You need
that hand-eye coordination.
[Alex] Alma is going
for the shorter throw
and the shorter pulls.
Lauren has to catch up.
[grunts]
Does she get the hook on it?
Yes, she does get the hook.
She needs a couple more
long throws like that
to catch up with Alma.
[Liam] Alma has the lead.
If she can maintain it,
she's headed to Mount Olympus.
That's my superwoman.
[Alex] Lauren is getting low
and just using her leverage
to try and pull
that platform forward.
[grunts]
Come on! Keep going!
But Alma just has to nail
this next throw.
And she does it!
The wall is right
in front of her.
Alma kicks down the gate,
one last rush.
[Liam] Train's at the station.
Next stop, victory!
[Alex] Alma Dwumfour
is your winner!
She is going to Mount Olympus.
[Alma] Come on, Lauren!
[Liam] Lauren's not giving up.
She wants to finish.
-Come on!
-And, Goldenboy,
here is more
of that Titan spirit
that we've seen
throughout this competition.
Keep going!
Kick it!
Yes!
[dramatic music]
It's what we do
on The Titan Games.
We finish what we start.
[grunts]
You did it, baby.
Did so good, so good.
-I love you.
-I love you.
You did so good.
There's a lot of kissing
going on over there.
[Alex] They are
definitely newlyweds.
Well, if Alma can break away
from her husband,
she'll be moving on to face
North Carolina cop
Ashley Hawkins
on Mount Olympus.
[dramatic music]
The time has come
for tonight's winners
to go head-to-head
on the mountain of madness.
The funhouse of physicality,
Mount Olympus.
It's truly
the ultimate battleground.
Now, Ashley Hawkins, a cop,
and Alma Dwumfour, a nurse,
have professions that would
normally work in unison,
but tonight,
they're battling it out.
[dramatic music]
Having a career
in law enforcement,
you have to always
be prepared for the unknown.
[Liam] Look at Ashley,
bashing away.
That's how I'm going to
conquer Mount Olympus.
-[Alex] So much power!
-I'm just ready for anything.
My edge going into Mount
Olympus is my determination.
[Liam] The ICU nurse,
inching her way closer.
-There we go.
-It feels incredible
to have my husband
here to support me.
He inspires me every day.
He makes me feel like
I can achieve anything.
In order to become a Titan,
you have to let everything
all out there,
so I can't hold anything
back tonight for sure.
All right, we all have
struggles that shape us,
but it's moments like this
that define us.
Can you keep going
when the climb is steep
and the floor below you
is unsteady?
Ashley, Alma, you're already
inspiring all those around you.
You've inspired
millions tonight.
Now, with the world watching,
it's time to unleash
your awesome power.
This is Mount Olympus!
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Alma in the blue.
Ashley in the red.
1,000-pound wall.
Think about pushing
a grand piano.
[Alex] Got to use
your momentum here.
And Ashley
shoves it over first!
Alma, getting it rocking,
and done.
Time for the Gates of Olympus.
[Liam]
Both ladies driving uphill.
Each gate 150 pounds.
[grunts]
And Ashley has
the early lead.
[Alex] And for Ashley,
you always
have to be concerned
about the Rolling Ascent,
because it's tricky.
It can catch you off-guard,
just as you're seeing
right there.
Come on, Ash!
Alma Dwumfour now making her
way up the Rolling Ascent,
trying to catch up with
a stumbling Ashley Hawkins.
Once you lose your momentum
on these rollers,
it can be a hard thing
to get back.
[grunts]
Let's go, Ashley.
And Alma Dwumfour on a roll,
looking to take the lead.
[grunts]
-Oh, she goes down hard!
-Come on. Get up! Get up!
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Ashley's over
and heading to The Cliffs.
Whoo! Come on, Ash!
There's no nightstick
for this cop.
She'll need to punch and kick
her own holes
to climb 12 feet up.
[Alex] And Ashley
is looking pretty good.
Alma, still struggling
on the Rolling Ascent.
-Oh!
-Oh!
And all that energy
that she's expending here
-is really going to cost her.
-Let's go, Alma.
[grunts]
[Liam] Ashley, meanwhile,
up top of Mount Olympus,
where she'll attempt to raise
that 600-pound torch.
[Alex] This is a woman
who can squat 275 pounds.
She should do well here.
[grunts]
-[Liam] And here comes Alma.
-Yes!
Does she have anything left
after her struggle
up the Rolling Ascent?
Alma Dwumfour,
just trying to catch up,
but she's slowing down.
Now get up there.
[grunts]
[Alex] Now Ashley Hawkins
is looking gassed.
Crank it, Ashley.
[Liam] Oh,
those last few cranks
are always the hardest.
[Alex] Officer Hawkins
fires it up!
[Liam] And now
she makes her descent.
Aggressive going down,
and then you have to
get over those walls,
five feet, then six feet,
then seven feet.
-Yes, yes!
-Whoo! Whoo!
[Liam] Meanwhile, on the other
side, Alma Dwumfour.
She's an ICU nurse.
You know she won't crumble
when the pressure's on.
There you go. There you go.
[Liam] If she can quickly
raise this torch,
she still has a shot.
Let's go! Let's go!
[grunts]
[Liam] Ashley is not
in the clear just yet.
She's on the arena floor,
but now has to face
the 200-pound ball and chain.
We've seen it before, athletes
stopped in their tracks.
It can make or break
their run.
Don't quit! Don't quit!
[Alex] Ashley Hawkins
is taking a breather.
And Alma Dwumfour
raises that torch!
Yes!
She has to fly down
Mount Olympus A.S.A.P.,
because Ashley Hawkins
is powering
across the arena floor,
closing in on the Titan tomb.
Time for Ashley
to get cracking.
-There you go!
-Put some muscle in it now!
[Liam] She's right at the end.
Victory is in sight.
[Alex] And Alma Dwumfour
is soaring down The Descent,
hoping for a miracle.
[Liam] What does
Ashley have left?
A third-generation cop
from North Carolina,
she wants to be first
in her family
to achieve the rank of Titan.
[Alex] And Alma Dwumfour
has one wall to go,
but can she find the strength?
Finish strong, superwoman!
[Liam] It's not
going to matter.
[Alex] Ashley Hawkins
has the Titan key!
-Yeah!
-Whoo!
She is going to just walk
to the pillar,
lock it in, because she knows
that she is a cop and a Titan!
[dramatic music]
-Yes!
-Ah!
-Okay, oh, God.
-Way to go!
-So proud of you.
-You did awesome.
[cheers and applause]
You know it's okay.
You did it.
You did so good.
I'm so happy.
Here you go. Congratulations.
To you and
your blue-line family,
-thank you for your service.
-Thank you.
-You did amazing.
-You crushed it.
Thank you. Thank you.
We'll be right back
with more Titan Games.
Amazing.
[dramatic music]
Now two powerhouse athletes
are about to face off
for their shot at Titan glory.
They proved what they're
capable of earlier tonight.
Now the yogi, DJ Townsel,
and the Air National Guardsman,
Matt Cable, go head-to-head.
[dramatic music]
Definitely a time
when I had leukemia,
that I thought that
I may not ever be able
to do anything like
The Titan Games.
[Alex] Matt Cable is a tank.
I'm so grateful to be alive,
and I won't let anything
stand in my path.
Everybody thinks about yoga,
that it's sitting down,
stretching in a room
full of incense.
[Alex] A master yogi
is your winner.
It takes mind, body,
and spirit,
and that's everything
that I'm going to show
out here on Mount Olympus.
Everything I have
is going to be out there.
[Alex] And we take
a deep cleansing breath,
-and say...
-Namaste.
Now, these two are more
than worthy competitors,
but only one of them
can be a Titan.
DJ, your speed and agility
brought you victory tonight.
Matt, you showed the world
how strong you are.
You both lived life by not
backing down from anything.
This will be no different.
As always,
it's time to get to work.
This is Mount Olympus.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Matt in the blue.
DJ in the red.
DJ with a lot of speed
right out the gate.
[Alex] He's going to need it,
especially against Matt Cable,
who blasts through
the 1,000-pound wall.
-But DJ's right behind.
-Here we go, boys.
Matt's 35 pounds heavier,
but DJ's pushing ahead
on the gates, wow!
[Liam] Remember, DJ, he said
"I'm overlooked
because I'm a yogi,
but I have that
pro football background."
-Look at the speed.
-[Alex] Oh, my goodness!
He is flying through
the Rolling Ascent.
Be careful!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh!
And he manages
to get up there.
[Liam] You know what that was?
That's a guy
who runs a 4.4 40.
Already at The Cliffs.
[Alex] But Matt Cable,
not too far behind.
Go, Matt!
[Alex] Ah,
and the master of calm
is losing his cool
on that wall,
making the holes
a little too big.
[Liam] And here's
Matt Cable stepping up.
[grunts]
Oh, not gonna be easy
getting 215 pounds
up that wall.
[grunts]
[Alex] But DJ Townsel
doesn't care about those holes.
He just grabs his way up
to the top of Mount Olympus.
-Let's go! Let's go!
-Whoo!
[grunts]
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Raising that torch
requires a lot
of upper-body strength,
and DJ is looking
a little gassed
after that sprint to the top.
[grunts]
Let's go, D.
[Liam] And Matt Cable
makes it to the top.
The torch is 600 pounds.
Cable can dead lift 650.
Let's go, boys!
Go, go, go, go!
[grunts]
[Alex] But DJ Townsel
raises the torch.
He's still in the lead
and ready to race down
the mountain.
Let's go, D! Let's go!
[Liam] But remember, Matt Cable
suffered through chemo
-and beat leukemia.
-Go! Go!
There is no way
he's quitting now.
DJ Townsel, though,
is flying down Mount Olympus!
[grunts]
The Sergeant fires it up!
And now, it's a race
to the Ball and Chain.
-Can Matt make up time?
-Go!
250 pounds, it's where
the whole race can change.
[Liam] And look at DJ Townsel.
-One arm!
-Love the technique,
and love the drive.
[Alex] He's doing it with
one arm, ladies and gentleman!
He doesn't need the left hand.
He only needs the right.
But here come Matt Cable!
[grunts]
Matt Cable has to pull this,
and look at the strength
from Matt Cable!
DJ Townsel has to hurry up!
Let's go, D!
[grunts]
[Liam] This is it,
right down to the end,
tight, tense.
[grunts]
Can DJ Townsel crack through
and find that relic?
He's in! He's got it!
[Alex] DJ Townsel
has the relic in hand!
The master yogi
looking to become
the master Titan!
[dramatic music]
Let's go! Let's go! Come on!
-Whoo!
-Wow!
What, what, what?
Do your thing.
[laughs]
That was still
good work, bro.
You were right on him.
[Alex] Cable's power
was impressive,
but he couldn't stand up
to DJ's speed.
Townsel moved up the mountain
in a flash
and finished with
one of the fastest times
on Mount Olympus all season.
-Here you go, brother.
-Appreciate it.
-Congratulations, man.
-Appreciate it.
[Liam] So a master yogi
and a North Carolina cop
join our Titan team.
Next week, it's the fight
for the final two spots
before they all face off
in the Battle of the Titans.
Win there, and you're moving on
to our Titan Championship.
-Yeah, right now.
-Let's go right here.
-Warrior one.
-Warrior one. Warrior one. Bang.
-We'll see you next week...
-Warrior two.
on Titans. Warrior two.
-Throw up the U.
-Come on, bang.
[laughs]
[dramatic music]
♪ Glory ♪
[Dwayne] The first two,
you give.
The last one, you earn.
♪ I'll be more
Than just a fable ♪
♪ I'll be written
In the stars ♪
[Angel] A Titan is relentless.
Anything you throw at them,
they're going to demolish it.
My number one motto
is just "no excuses."
[Liam] Crank those chains back,
and raise that tower.
I've been in the gym
since I was 13.
My life has been
a never-ending journey
of improvement.
♪ Ooh ♪
You got to give your mind,
your body, your attitude.
Then, and only then,
do you get the respect.
♪ Because I was born
For this ♪
♪ I do it for the glory ♪
[Alex] Oh!
[Liam] They are smashing away.
As a law enforcement officer,
females can be underestimated.
But if you go out there
and prove yourself,
you're going to get respect.
♪ For the glory ♪
[Dwayne] Tonight, eight more
powerful competitors
face off
on the biggest, baddest,
most exciting challenges
ever assembled.
Those that prevail
get their chance to compete
on Mount Olympus
and become a Titan.
♪ I'm victorious ♪
My first battle was cancer.
My second is the Titan Games,
and I don't lose any battles.
-♪ I do it for the glory ♪
-Jonathan is not letting up!
-Blood.
-Sweat.
-Respect.
-Titan.
[wind howling]
[dramatic music]
[Alex] Please welcome
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
I see you.
All right, let's get this show
on the road.
Welcome to The Titan Games.
Tonight, we've got
a police officer,
an ICU nurse, and an athlete
who recently bounced back
from a life-threatening illness.
Trust me when I say
they are ready to bring it.
[cheers and applause]
Helping me out as always
in the Titan Arena,
here is my partner in crime,
Cari Champion.
[dramatic music]
-Thank you, DJ.
-And now, as always,
here in the Titan Arena,
the phrase that I love to say,
-especially on NBC.
-Oh.
-Live, from New York, it's...
-No, wrong show. Wrong show.
-Wrong show.
-Yes.
-Ah, got it.
-Okay.
The other phrase
I love to say on NBC.
Let The Titan Games begin!
[dramatic music]
[Cari] Kicking things off,
this battle
is between two survivors.
One's a dedicated father
who teaches martial arts
in his own dojo.
The other is
an Air National Guardsman
who miraculously recovered
from a serious illness
and is now stronger than ever.
[cheers and applause]
[soft music]
The discipline
that drove Jon Brascetta
to The Titan Games has been
with him since childhood.
I grew up watching
Jean-Claude Van Damme,
Ninja Turtles, and then
obviously, like, The Rock.
All superheroes, that was
ingrained into my childhood.
I started training
when I was four years old,
and I actually failed
my first martial arts test
to get my yellow belt 'cause
I couldn't do jumping jacks.
I mean, obviously,
that didn't stop me.
I got my first black belt
in tae kwon do when I was nine.
[grunting]
I was 22 years old
when I opened
my martial arts
and fitness studio.
-Go!
-[all scream]
-Go!
-[all scream]
We cater to kids
that are three years old
all the way up to adults.
Our one common goal is
that we're here to get better.
[all] Best of the best!
Martial arts has always
been my passion.
It has fueled my purpose.
But at the end of the day,
the people
that push me the most
are my wife and son.
My wife and I met
when she was in 6th grade
and I was in 7th grade.
I was her first kiss.
She is my best friend,
my partner.
I don't know where I'd be
without her.
My son's going to be one
next month.
I just want him to know
that as long as you
respect yourself and others,
and believe in yourself...
[giggles]
[laughter]
...you can do anything
that you want.
I'm here to show my wife
and my students and my son
that anything is possible.
I will be a Titan.
[dramatic music]
[Cari] At 5'10", 215 pounds,
Air National Guard
Staff Sergeant Matt Cable
is as rock solid
as the nuclear weapons
he's in charge of protecting.
But five years ago,
this former all-state
football and wrestling star
from Montana
was knocked to his knees.
I had flulike symptoms.
I started sweating.
I can't keep my eyes open.
I went to the... the doctor,
and, you know,
I was diagnosed with leukemia.
[soft music]
A week later,
after my first round of chemo,
my organs failed,
and I went into a coma.
[Cari] Matt spent 18 days
in the ICU,
followed by seven months
of intense chemotherapy.
Unable to eat solid food,
he lost 50 pounds
and all of his muscle mass.
I had to relearn how to eat.
I had to relearn how to walk.
There are days where you want
to feel bad for yourself
and sorry for yourself,
but you can give me a fight,
and I'll fight back.
[dramatic music]
♪ I'm a fighter ♪
♪ And I rise higher ♪
♪ I'm a survivor,
and I burn brighter ♪
♪ I'm never giving up ♪
Today, I bench press 425.
I dead lift 650,
squat about 600.
I won't let anything
stand in my path.
[Cari] Just four years ago,
Matt Cable
was fighting for his life.
Now he's fighting
for Titan glory.
My first battle was cancer.
My second is The Titan Games,
and I don't lose any battles.
♪ I'm a fighter ♪
[cheers and applause]
Hello, everyone.
I'm Liam McHugh,
with my partner
Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez.
And, Alex, Jon Brascetta
told us he and Matt
met at the tryouts
for The Titan Games
and became close friends.
But tonight,
they are bitter rivals.
Watch what happens
when push comes to shove
on the Herculean Pull.
DJ wanted to create
a challenge
where you outleverage
an opponent you can't even see.
[Liam] First, you use grip
strength and upper-body power
to unthread two 100-pound
silver poles,
each longer
than a pickup truck.
[Alex] Next is
a blind tug-of-war
with the golden pole,
and you can't use
the ground for help.
[Liam] Whoever can hang on
and generate the most force
will hit the target
and punch their ticket
to Mount Olympus.
Now, most people know Hercules
as an ancient demigod
with incredible strength.
Well, I know a little something
about Hercules,
and what made him a hero
wasn't just his power.
It was his determination in
the face of insurmountable odds.
Matt, Jon, you beat the odds
just to stand
in this Titan Arena,
but if you want a chance
to be a Titan,
you need to unleash
every last ounce
of strength and determination.
This is your moment. Own it.
This is Herculean Pull.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] They're off and head
to opposite sides,
Jon in the red,
Matt in the blue.
Matt, so powerful.
Jon is going to have
to use that speed
right from the start.
[Alex] They get the first one
at the same time.
This is close.
[grunts]
[Liam] And Matt is through
the first two,
up to the gold pole,
and John beats him there.
And that's big,
because Matt, you would think,
would have the clear
strength advantage.
[grunting]
Here we go.
[grunts]
[Alex] And Jon going into
a horizontal base there.
He put all of his back
into this.
[dramatic music]
[grunting]
But now this is
where the brute strength
of Matt Cable
could come into play.
[grunts]
But Jonathan is not letting up.
[grunts]
[Liam] Matt can squat
600 pounds.
He has extreme leg power.
[Alex] But Jon's
a fifth-degree black belt.
He has reflexes, focus,
and flexibility.
[grunts]
Come on. You got it. Get it.
[Liam] Matt Cable,
five years ago,
fighting for his life.
Look at him now.
[grunting]
-[Alex] Whoa!
-You got it!
He bounced Jon
right into the wall.
Matt Cable is trying to force
the martial artist to submit.
Right here, right now,
as he is so close.
[Liam] But Jon
still won't let go.
[grunts]
[Alex] Matt Cable,
he's moving on!
Whoo! Whoo!
Matt Cable, he's a beast.
Get up here. Ah, I love you!
That's a long way
from the ICU, my friend.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] This guy
is an inspiration
to people around the world.
[cheers and applause]
This showdown was intense.
Two friends had to face off
in our arena,
and neither wanted
to give an inch.
But in the end, Matt Cable
could not be stopped.
[Liam] And now both guys
are standing by with Cari.
You guys have seemed
to form a brotherhood.
You have a mutual respect
for Matt.
Tell me about that.
I mean, we, uh,
met in July in the combine,
and we just kind of kept
in touch over social media.
And then when we got out here,
we reconnected,
started training together,
and it was just, like,
this instant connection
between us.
He's so inspiring, and he was
the better man tonight,
and he deserves it.
Right. That's great.
That is amazing.
He said it best.
Jon said it best.
You're so inspiring.
You overcame leukemia.
You truly are a survivor.
One step closer
to becoming a Titan.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you so much.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] He defeated cancer.
His next mission,
to conquer Mount Olympus
at The Titan Games.
[cheers and applause]
[dramatic music]
It was important to me
that The Titan Games
wasn't just a boys club.
And one of the things that
really impressed me so much
was the submissions we received
from very strong,
very incredible women
all across America.
[cheers and applause]
And two of the absolute best
are about to battle it out.
[Cari] Strength
is a key attribute
for any aspiring Titan,
and Ashley Hawkins
has plenty of it.
This North Carolina police
officer goes hard every day,
and for good reason.
I work out and train
to survive,
because being
a police officer,
I never know when I'm going
to have to fight for my life
or have to fight
for someone else's life.
My grandfather was a cop,
my Dad was a cop,
and I met my husband
in the police academy.
I feel like, you know,
becoming a police officer,
it was kind of
just in my blood.
[Cari] But even with her legacy
and after eight years
on the job...
I've already checked out
Spring Garden Street.
Ashley still faces doubt.
As a law enforcement officer,
many times,
females can be underestimated.
But if you go out there and
prove yourself like I have,
that you mean business, you're
going to get respect for that.
I came to The Titan Games
to show women
that it's okay to be strong.
[radio beeping]
And to prove to myself that
I'm as strong as I think I am.
[Cari] Step one
to becoming a Titan
is finding
the motivation to train.
Florida X-ray technician
Jenessa Goeman
found her fire
after a bad breakup.
I met someone,
and we dated for three years.
There was some cheating
on his behalf.
When we broke up,
I just kind of
turned that pain into passion.
[Cari] Jenessa, who'd been
a competitive gymnast
growing up,
started waking at 5:00 a.m.
every day
to hit the gym before work,
and it paid off.
Getting stronger physically
helped get me
stronger emotionally.
I've learned
lots of things about myself,
dedication, perseverance.
I'm always continuing
on the journey,
no matter how hard it gets.
I don't let anything
knock me down.
I'm going to be
the last one standing.
I want that title of Titan.
[Liam] For Jenessa and Ashley,
their Titan challenge
is like something
out of Game of Thrones.
Ooh, winter is coming.
Here's the Hammering Ram.
[dramatic music]
This brutal test
will challenge
all eight muscle groups
in your upper body.
[Liam] You start by swinging
the 10-pound hammer
against a metal plate,
generating upwards
of a half a ton of force
with every swing
until it triggers the release
of the 350-pound ram.
[Alex] From there,
it's a test of brute force
to see who can break through
the massive
wooden doors first,
pull the victory chain,
and claim your spot
on Mount Olympus.
[Dwayne]
This challenge is a monster.
Ashley, Jenessa,
get ready to bring it.
This is Hammering Ram.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] A pair
of powerful women,
and they are right into it.
Ashley in blue picked up that
hammer and is smashing away.
[Alex] The power, Liam!
I can't believe
that's an X-ray technician.
[Liam] Jenessa and Ashley,
head-to-head right now,
just trying to
release that ram.
[dramatic music]
[grunts]
-Yes, yes!
-It is down for Ashley.
Now you have to harness it.
[grunts]
This is so hard.
[grunts]
[Alex] Now Jenessa's
ready to throw down.
[Liam] Ashley, a cop, you know,
when there's chaos around,
she's going to be calm.
[grunts]
[Alex] Jenessa is still
trying to build momentum.
You need more
than just the backswing.
You have to follow through
to drive that 350-pound ram
into the gate.
[Liam] You know you're gassed.
You know you're tired.
You also know you are so close
to that victory chain.
[Alex] And a big hit for Ashley.
[grunts]
And Jenessa's still not
getting enough power.
[Liam] Ashley's throwing her
entire body into every swing.
-[Liam] Ashley is through!
-Racing to the victory chain.
[Alex] Officer Hawkins has it!
[screams]
Let's go pass out.
[Liam] Ashley Hawkins,
one tough cop.
To protect, to serve,
to dominate.
[Liam] So Ashley Hawkins
goes from the hills
of North Carolina
to compete on Mount Olympus
and take her shot
at becoming a Titan.
[dramatic music]
Success in these games
is about keeping a steady stride
and not getting
too confident too early.
It's also about
scaring your opponent
with a very intimidating face
right before you battle.
Now, I usually go
with something like this.
[dramatic music]
[heavy rock music]
It's time for another battle.
[ding]
All right, DJ,
this is who I got for you.
It's a battle
between two loving dads
who have followed their
passions their whole lives.
One's a former football player
turned yogi master.
The other is
a successful barber
who's now pursuing his goal
of being a Titan.
Angel Villegas
has always been competitive.
As a kid in Florida, he was
a sponsored skateboarder.
Then, he traded in his board
to enter the cutthroat world
of competitive hair cutting.
I took home
six first-place trophies,
and from there, I just...
I just fell in love with it.
I was 23 years old when I
first opened my barbershop,
and I was literally broke
the night of my grand opening,
but it was, like,
the best feeling in the world.
It's been five years now,
and I currently own three.
But I am a self-made man,
and I'm very prideful
of the fact that I did it
all on my own.
Day-to-day,
my plate's pretty full.
You know, I have a fiancée.
I have a son at home.
[babbles]
I have 27 employees,
and I still make it to the gym.
I'm definitely a big fan
of Dwayne Johnson.
As a kid growing up,
we used to watch him on WWE.
The eyebrow, we used to do it.
But I could never do the right.
I'd just always do the left.
I want to be on Dwayne's team,
because I feel I'm worthy.
I feel I'm ready.
I've had to put in
a lot of hard work
to get to where I am.
I'm ready for whatever
Dwayne throws at me.
[Cari] Former NFL wide receiver
DJ Townsel
spent years
slamming into linebackers
and using his body
as a weapon.
But since he retired,
he's opted
for a less violent
line of work.
[soft music]
Starting yoga, I was fresh
off the football field,
and I was stiff as a board.
I don't think people
look at yogis as top athletes
until they step foot
into a yoga class
and realize how much strength,
how much focus it takes.
So I fell in love with the...
the spiritual and mental side
pretty quickly.
[Cari] The tranquility
DJ achieves through yoga
helps him balance
his busy life as a single dad.
No, you got to hold my ankles.
I have a daughter.
Her name is Payton.
She's nine.
I call her my dove,
because that's where
I found peace and hope.
She keeps me on my toes
and helps me stay good at math.
[laughs]
And she forces me to be
a better version
of myself every day.
[Cari] Only 5'10"
and 180 pounds,
DJ is one of our
lighter competitors,
but he's at peace
with the challenge.
I'm not what you would think of
when you see yoga,
when you see an NFL player.
I surprise people when I say
both of those things.
So I'm always underestimated,
and I love it.
I come with everything...
resilience, athleticism, speed,
strength, flexibility, focus.
Now I want to bring that
to this competition
and become a Titan.
[Liam] DJ and Angel
don't mind hard work,
so we're going to let them
do some of the heavy lifting
for this next challenge.
[Alex] Liam, I think it's time
to break out the toaster,
because their arms are about
to turn to jelly on the Vortex.
[dramatic music]
For the Vortex, you first
have to lift the apparatus
you're about to climb,
a 25-foot chain tower.
[Liam] The key is to find
a fluid motion
that efficiently
transfers energy
from your legs
to your upper body.
Then, with whatever strength
you have left
in those aching arms,
you have to climb
all the way to the top.
[Alex] First one to climb up
and pull the victory chain
is headed to Mount Olympus.
When people ask me
what exactly does it mean
to be a Titan,
well, it means a desire
to climb higher,
to push through your limits
and to reach a next level
you didn't know existed.
So, DJ and Angel, what does it
mean to you to be a Titan?
Well, myself and the world,
we're about to find out.
This is Vortex.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] DJ Townsel in the red,
Angel Villegas in the blue.
Use that adrenaline rush,
and crank the chains.
The faster you pull,
the faster the tower goes up.
Then you can climb.
Push, push, push!
[Alex] These two guys
are so evenly matched.
And remember, the muscles
they're blasting right now
are the same ones
they'll need fresh to climb.
[grunts]
Wow. Let's go, boys!
[Liam] That endurance
is gonna be a factor,
because as you're pulling
those chains,
you're watching
that chain tower
rise 25 feet into the air.
[grunts]
[Alex] And you're pulling
the chains back horizontally,
which means your body weight
can't help you at all.
[grunts]
Both gates are dropped!
It's dead even,
and time to climb.
[Liam] They're up
on the chain tower
trying to make their way,
but you gotta
think it through here.
You could go straight up,
but those chains are looser,
and hard to hold.
Or you follow
the solid golden rods
and take the longer route.
[Alex] And that's
what DJ's doing.
He's using the solid bars.
But Angel is struggling
with those looser chains.
-Get on the bars!
-Angel, use the bars!
Get on the metal bars.
[Liam] Listen,
it would be tough
if they just had to climb
this thing,
but raising those towers
just shredded
every muscle they
desperately need right now.
[Alex] DJ's looking strong.
Clearly yoga works.
But Angel,
still stuck at the bottom.
He just has nothing left
in those arms.
Come on. Don't quit.
Don't quit!
[Liam] And you look at
DJ Townsel. You were wondering,
the flexibility,
the balance of yoga.
how would that come into play?
You don't have to
wonder anymore.
He's right near the top.
[Alex] A master yogi
now looking to master
Mount Olympus.
DJ Townsel is your winner.
[Liam] So it'll be DJ Townsel's
spiritual power
versus Matt Cable's
brute force on Mount Olympus,
and the winner will keep going
in this competition
for a chance to become
our Titan Champion.
Oh, my God.
That thing hurt.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] Welcome back
to The Titan Games.
[Liam] We have room
for one more
to compete on Mount Olympus.
Let's head down to Cari
for the next matchup.
In this battle,
it's a nursing student
who wants to be as healthy as
possible for her young daughter
versus an ICU nurse who
pushes herself to the limit
to inspire her patients.
[dramatic music]
[Cari] Lauren Regno,
a nursing student
in Modesto, California,
is fascinated by fitness.
♪ Break it to the ground ♪
But her true passion
is being a mom.
I have a five-, almost
six-year-old going on 16.
Her name's Sophia.
She's my world.
I would give everything
for her.
I want to show my daughter
that you can go to the gym,
you can work out,
you can look good,
but you can also have a career.
There's no reason
you can't do it all.
[bright music]
[rock music]
[Cari] Alma Dwumfour's
vital work inside the ICU
at Connecticut's
Norwalk Hospital
taught her
one important lesson.
Each day could be your last.
Every one of my patients
has, like, a little piece
of my heart.
It's just impossible to not get
emotionally attached
to somebody, especially as
you're saving their life.
And it inspires me to do
whatever I want to do
with my healthy body
right now,
because I have patients
that aren't able to do so.
[Cari] It doesn't hurt
that she also found
the perfect training partner.
My husband and I
are huge fitness people.
We just got married
less than a month ago.
Even on our honeymoon,
we would make up
all these different
fitness activities
so we can both stay in shape.
He has been
my number one supporter
over the last nine years.
The Titan Games
is about pushing your body
to its absolute limit, and
that's what I'm going to do.
[bright music]
[Liam] Alma's husband Trent
in the stands tonight.
[Alex] They've only
been married three weeks.
Now the honeymoon continues
here in the Titan Arena.
[Liam] And there's
Lauren's family,
including her daughter Sofia.
And both these ladies
will need
all the support they can get,
because this next challenge
is going to push
our competitors
to the edge of exhaustion,
and then it's going
to keep on going.
We're going Off the Rails.
[dramatic music]
On this long, painful trip
down the wrong side
of the tracks,
you must first pull yourself
and a 200-pound sled
along a 60-foot rail,
collecting 50-pound beams
along the way.
[Liam] By the end,
you'll be pulling 600 pounds.
To get back, you'll need
precision and coordination
to hook the anchor, and reel
yourself to the victory chain.
Alma and Lauren,
at some point this challenge,
your body's
going to tell you to quit.
You got to fight through that,
unlock your power,
and keep pushing through.
This is Off the Rails.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Lauren in the red,
Alma in the blue.
They are up on their sleds.
Those sleds weigh 200...
-Oh!
-Wow, Alma goes down.
[Liam] Got to keep your balance.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. come on.
[dramatic music]
[Alex] We're seeing
two different strategies.
Look at Lauren here.
She's lying back,
bracing with her feet
on the rail.
Then you have Alma crouching,
using her knees
to keep pushing forward.
And she has the lead,
coming to the end
of the line.
I've gotta hand it to Alma.
Eight days ago, she was
on her honeymoon in Greece.
Now she's on the Titan express.
Yes!
Now you have to throw
that hook like an anchor,
and pull yourself forward.
Alma misses her first throw.
Now Lauren's all caught up.
Hurry, get up! Get up!
[Liam] If they want to get back
to that victory chain,
they need to toss
that hook and pull.
[Alex] It's about the strategy,
and it's also about aim.
That was an ambitious throw
from Lauren.
Oh!
[Liam] Here's the thing.
A long toss is risky.
If your hook doesn't catch,
you have to reel it
all the way back and try again.
Shorter throws give you
more control over the hook.
Alma, the ICU nurse,
inching her way down the track.
It's not
just raw strength here.
You need
that hand-eye coordination.
[Alex] Alma is going
for the shorter throw
and the shorter pulls.
Lauren has to catch up.
[grunts]
Does she get the hook on it?
Yes, she does get the hook.
She needs a couple more
long throws like that
to catch up with Alma.
[Liam] Alma has the lead.
If she can maintain it,
she's headed to Mount Olympus.
That's my superwoman.
[Alex] Lauren is getting low
and just using her leverage
to try and pull
that platform forward.
[grunts]
Come on! Keep going!
But Alma just has to nail
this next throw.
And she does it!
The wall is right
in front of her.
Alma kicks down the gate,
one last rush.
[Liam] Train's at the station.
Next stop, victory!
[Alex] Alma Dwumfour
is your winner!
She is going to Mount Olympus.
[Alma] Come on, Lauren!
[Liam] Lauren's not giving up.
She wants to finish.
-Come on!
-And, Goldenboy,
here is more
of that Titan spirit
that we've seen
throughout this competition.
Keep going!
Kick it!
Yes!
[dramatic music]
It's what we do
on The Titan Games.
We finish what we start.
[grunts]
You did it, baby.
Did so good, so good.
-I love you.
-I love you.
You did so good.
There's a lot of kissing
going on over there.
[Alex] They are
definitely newlyweds.
Well, if Alma can break away
from her husband,
she'll be moving on to face
North Carolina cop
Ashley Hawkins
on Mount Olympus.
[dramatic music]
The time has come
for tonight's winners
to go head-to-head
on the mountain of madness.
The funhouse of physicality,
Mount Olympus.
It's truly
the ultimate battleground.
Now, Ashley Hawkins, a cop,
and Alma Dwumfour, a nurse,
have professions that would
normally work in unison,
but tonight,
they're battling it out.
[dramatic music]
Having a career
in law enforcement,
you have to always
be prepared for the unknown.
[Liam] Look at Ashley,
bashing away.
That's how I'm going to
conquer Mount Olympus.
-[Alex] So much power!
-I'm just ready for anything.
My edge going into Mount
Olympus is my determination.
[Liam] The ICU nurse,
inching her way closer.
-There we go.
-It feels incredible
to have my husband
here to support me.
He inspires me every day.
He makes me feel like
I can achieve anything.
In order to become a Titan,
you have to let everything
all out there,
so I can't hold anything
back tonight for sure.
All right, we all have
struggles that shape us,
but it's moments like this
that define us.
Can you keep going
when the climb is steep
and the floor below you
is unsteady?
Ashley, Alma, you're already
inspiring all those around you.
You've inspired
millions tonight.
Now, with the world watching,
it's time to unleash
your awesome power.
This is Mount Olympus!
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Alma in the blue.
Ashley in the red.
1,000-pound wall.
Think about pushing
a grand piano.
[Alex] Got to use
your momentum here.
And Ashley
shoves it over first!
Alma, getting it rocking,
and done.
Time for the Gates of Olympus.
[Liam]
Both ladies driving uphill.
Each gate 150 pounds.
[grunts]
And Ashley has
the early lead.
[Alex] And for Ashley,
you always
have to be concerned
about the Rolling Ascent,
because it's tricky.
It can catch you off-guard,
just as you're seeing
right there.
Come on, Ash!
Alma Dwumfour now making her
way up the Rolling Ascent,
trying to catch up with
a stumbling Ashley Hawkins.
Once you lose your momentum
on these rollers,
it can be a hard thing
to get back.
[grunts]
Let's go, Ashley.
And Alma Dwumfour on a roll,
looking to take the lead.
[grunts]
-Oh, she goes down hard!
-Come on. Get up! Get up!
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Ashley's over
and heading to The Cliffs.
Whoo! Come on, Ash!
There's no nightstick
for this cop.
She'll need to punch and kick
her own holes
to climb 12 feet up.
[Alex] And Ashley
is looking pretty good.
Alma, still struggling
on the Rolling Ascent.
-Oh!
-Oh!
And all that energy
that she's expending here
-is really going to cost her.
-Let's go, Alma.
[grunts]
[Liam] Ashley, meanwhile,
up top of Mount Olympus,
where she'll attempt to raise
that 600-pound torch.
[Alex] This is a woman
who can squat 275 pounds.
She should do well here.
[grunts]
-[Liam] And here comes Alma.
-Yes!
Does she have anything left
after her struggle
up the Rolling Ascent?
Alma Dwumfour,
just trying to catch up,
but she's slowing down.
Now get up there.
[grunts]
[Alex] Now Ashley Hawkins
is looking gassed.
Crank it, Ashley.
[Liam] Oh,
those last few cranks
are always the hardest.
[Alex] Officer Hawkins
fires it up!
[Liam] And now
she makes her descent.
Aggressive going down,
and then you have to
get over those walls,
five feet, then six feet,
then seven feet.
-Yes, yes!
-Whoo! Whoo!
[Liam] Meanwhile, on the other
side, Alma Dwumfour.
She's an ICU nurse.
You know she won't crumble
when the pressure's on.
There you go. There you go.
[Liam] If she can quickly
raise this torch,
she still has a shot.
Let's go! Let's go!
[grunts]
[Liam] Ashley is not
in the clear just yet.
She's on the arena floor,
but now has to face
the 200-pound ball and chain.
We've seen it before, athletes
stopped in their tracks.
It can make or break
their run.
Don't quit! Don't quit!
[Alex] Ashley Hawkins
is taking a breather.
And Alma Dwumfour
raises that torch!
Yes!
She has to fly down
Mount Olympus A.S.A.P.,
because Ashley Hawkins
is powering
across the arena floor,
closing in on the Titan tomb.
Time for Ashley
to get cracking.
-There you go!
-Put some muscle in it now!
[Liam] She's right at the end.
Victory is in sight.
[Alex] And Alma Dwumfour
is soaring down The Descent,
hoping for a miracle.
[Liam] What does
Ashley have left?
A third-generation cop
from North Carolina,
she wants to be first
in her family
to achieve the rank of Titan.
[Alex] And Alma Dwumfour
has one wall to go,
but can she find the strength?
Finish strong, superwoman!
[Liam] It's not
going to matter.
[Alex] Ashley Hawkins
has the Titan key!
-Yeah!
-Whoo!
She is going to just walk
to the pillar,
lock it in, because she knows
that she is a cop and a Titan!
[dramatic music]
-Yes!
-Ah!
-Okay, oh, God.
-Way to go!
-So proud of you.
-You did awesome.
[cheers and applause]
You know it's okay.
You did it.
You did so good.
I'm so happy.
Here you go. Congratulations.
To you and
your blue-line family,
-thank you for your service.
-Thank you.
-You did amazing.
-You crushed it.
Thank you. Thank you.
We'll be right back
with more Titan Games.
Amazing.
[dramatic music]
Now two powerhouse athletes
are about to face off
for their shot at Titan glory.
They proved what they're
capable of earlier tonight.
Now the yogi, DJ Townsel,
and the Air National Guardsman,
Matt Cable, go head-to-head.
[dramatic music]
Definitely a time
when I had leukemia,
that I thought that
I may not ever be able
to do anything like
The Titan Games.
[Alex] Matt Cable is a tank.
I'm so grateful to be alive,
and I won't let anything
stand in my path.
Everybody thinks about yoga,
that it's sitting down,
stretching in a room
full of incense.
[Alex] A master yogi
is your winner.
It takes mind, body,
and spirit,
and that's everything
that I'm going to show
out here on Mount Olympus.
Everything I have
is going to be out there.
[Alex] And we take
a deep cleansing breath,
-and say...
-Namaste.
Now, these two are more
than worthy competitors,
but only one of them
can be a Titan.
DJ, your speed and agility
brought you victory tonight.
Matt, you showed the world
how strong you are.
You both lived life by not
backing down from anything.
This will be no different.
As always,
it's time to get to work.
This is Mount Olympus.
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Matt in the blue.
DJ in the red.
DJ with a lot of speed
right out the gate.
[Alex] He's going to need it,
especially against Matt Cable,
who blasts through
the 1,000-pound wall.
-But DJ's right behind.
-Here we go, boys.
Matt's 35 pounds heavier,
but DJ's pushing ahead
on the gates, wow!
[Liam] Remember, DJ, he said
"I'm overlooked
because I'm a yogi,
but I have that
pro football background."
-Look at the speed.
-[Alex] Oh, my goodness!
He is flying through
the Rolling Ascent.
Be careful!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh!
And he manages
to get up there.
[Liam] You know what that was?
That's a guy
who runs a 4.4 40.
Already at The Cliffs.
[Alex] But Matt Cable,
not too far behind.
Go, Matt!
[Alex] Ah,
and the master of calm
is losing his cool
on that wall,
making the holes
a little too big.
[Liam] And here's
Matt Cable stepping up.
[grunts]
Oh, not gonna be easy
getting 215 pounds
up that wall.
[grunts]
[Alex] But DJ Townsel
doesn't care about those holes.
He just grabs his way up
to the top of Mount Olympus.
-Let's go! Let's go!
-Whoo!
[grunts]
[dramatic music]
[Liam] Raising that torch
requires a lot
of upper-body strength,
and DJ is looking
a little gassed
after that sprint to the top.
[grunts]
Let's go, D.
[Liam] And Matt Cable
makes it to the top.
The torch is 600 pounds.
Cable can dead lift 650.
Let's go, boys!
Go, go, go, go!
[grunts]
[Alex] But DJ Townsel
raises the torch.
He's still in the lead
and ready to race down
the mountain.
Let's go, D! Let's go!
[Liam] But remember, Matt Cable
suffered through chemo
-and beat leukemia.
-Go! Go!
There is no way
he's quitting now.
DJ Townsel, though,
is flying down Mount Olympus!
[grunts]
The Sergeant fires it up!
And now, it's a race
to the Ball and Chain.
-Can Matt make up time?
-Go!
250 pounds, it's where
the whole race can change.
[Liam] And look at DJ Townsel.
-One arm!
-Love the technique,
and love the drive.
[Alex] He's doing it with
one arm, ladies and gentleman!
He doesn't need the left hand.
He only needs the right.
But here come Matt Cable!
[grunts]
Matt Cable has to pull this,
and look at the strength
from Matt Cable!
DJ Townsel has to hurry up!
Let's go, D!
[grunts]
[Liam] This is it,
right down to the end,
tight, tense.
[grunts]
Can DJ Townsel crack through
and find that relic?
He's in! He's got it!
[Alex] DJ Townsel
has the relic in hand!
The master yogi
looking to become
the master Titan!
[dramatic music]
Let's go! Let's go! Come on!
-Whoo!
-Wow!
What, what, what?
Do your thing.
[laughs]
That was still
good work, bro.
You were right on him.
[Alex] Cable's power
was impressive,
but he couldn't stand up
to DJ's speed.
Townsel moved up the mountain
in a flash
and finished with
one of the fastest times
on Mount Olympus all season.
-Here you go, brother.
-Appreciate it.
-Congratulations, man.
-Appreciate it.
[Liam] So a master yogi
and a North Carolina cop
join our Titan team.
Next week, it's the fight
for the final two spots
before they all face off
in the Battle of the Titans.
Win there, and you're moving on
to our Titan Championship.
-Yeah, right now.
-Let's go right here.
-Warrior one.
-Warrior one. Warrior one. Bang.
-We'll see you next week...
-Warrior two.
on Titans. Warrior two.
-Throw up the U.
-Come on, bang.
[laughs]
[dramatic music]