Gladiators: The Very Best Of 'Wolf' - Bad Behaviour, Yellow And Red Cards And More! Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2018
- Gladiator 'Wolf' (real name Michael Van Wijk) was a villainous character who routinely displayed poor sportsmanship in all 8 series of UK sports gameshow 'Gladiators', and he was Referee John Anderson's nemesis, similar to a heel in professional wrestling.
Producers refused to allow Van Wijk to be mean as a Gladiator, but he soon persuaded them to let him try it. This distinctive persona led him to be the most popular Gladiator in the history of the show, although he courted controversy with some people at times.
This video shows the best moments of Wolf's time on the show including loads of fights, excuses, insults and even a few Yellow and Red Card offences thrown in for good measure!
So, make yourself comfortable, grab a snack and a drink or whatever and enjoy all the madness about to happen at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom!
GLADIATORS, READY! - บันเทิง
He is honestly the nicest celeb I’ve ever met. Funny, polite, and always has time for his fans. The greatest “heel” in Gladiators history.
Completely agree
I love how the producers of the show wanted wolf to be nice and he was like Nope, I want to be the bad guy, the gladiators themselves didn't have much personality but Wolf certaintly shook it up.
Thank god that Wolf went in a different direction for his character. He was the star of the show.
Wolf made the gladators, without the wolf, the programme would been pulled a long time before it actually was
Too damn right! :D
The FRANCHISE PLAYER of the whole gladiators series. Wolf was the best from all forms of international gladiators. The charisma that Michael had to pull off the gimmick was brilliant.
Not really. It was a great show regardless, all the gladiators played their part as well.. Hunter, Warrior, Saracen, Rhyno, Rebel, Rio, Vogue, Nightshade all added something,, Wolf was brilliant and if you got his act he was extra special. It was brilliant up until 97 where it started losing its appeal because of ever increasing silly gimmicks they started employing, they jumped the shark with the stupid Aussie gladiator and you see Wolf was a bit cringed by their pairing togethers. But the shows standard slipped after 96 and the good contenders got thin on the ground. Mark Mottram was the last real winner in my opinion, the other 2 were substandard esp Dave the 98 champion. All shows hit a peak and for Gladiators it was around 95 with all the Ashes stuff, after that it kinda petered out.
@@therebel4332 agree with pretty much most of your post except for wolf. If you take wolf out of the gladiators the show is a non entity. I’d even be bold as to suggest that it most probably would have been scrapped after the first season.
If you ask most kids of that era what they remember most about U.K. gladiators, most would undoubtedly say “ the wolf man”.
Wonder what he and John Anderson are doing today...
He was bloody good. I read in the Guardian article how he asked producers if he could be bad. They were hesitant. But after 1 show, the audience loved it, and the character grew.
that one show of him being bad made him a Legend
Just like Nitro from the US, Wolf knew how to act the "bad boy" part instead of coming across as a jerk. And that's why everyone loved his character.
Exactly
@@wschmrdr Everyone embraced the gimmick as it would be!
😏😉
Had the privilege of being awarded a medal on hearts of gold by wolf man. Loved him as a kid and loved him now as a 31 year old man. Was my favourite gladiator!
❤️
Hearts Of Gold Another Good Program x
John Sachs' commentary made the Wolf moments even more legendary,
Here after the reboot. Nothing beats this! The wall is bigger and uneven. And if course WOLF!!! As a kid, used to think this was all real and Wolf used to scare me.
Great TV.
Wolf is one of the most legendary gladiators of all time.
oh yes, "whos afraid of the big bad wolf" 🖤🐺
To be fair Warrior WENT TO PRISON. He was lead away shouting "You can't arrest me! I'm a children's icon!"
@@Ropponmatsu2 For a firearms offence I do recall?
@@JackpotButtonLewis Maybe not. He knew Curtis Warren, aka "Cocky" from Liverpool, I think it involved drugs, because that was what Warren was into.
@@JackpotButtonLewis passing information from a bent copper to Curtis Warren.
I’ll say one thing about Wolf. He made everything entertaining.
And also quite controversial at times, especially when family relatives of the contenders got involved too!
As any pantomime baddie would
Gladiators was such an amazing part of my childhood.. nothing was better than me and my younger brother getting hyped on a Saturday night.. we would watch you been framed first with Jeremy beedle.. followed by Gladiators... unfortunately my younger brother died in 2015... so these memories will always be cherished
Rest in peace to your brother, that's a coo=l memory. We were lucky, these days kids don't watch TV at all, they have 4 second cat clips and paedophiles to talk to on TikTok :/
We have the best histories, thanks to the grace of God we were born when we were. I will say a little prayer for your brother assuming he's gone up to hang out with The Big Man in the white robe :)
@@DailyCorvid yeah I agree 💯
God Rest Your Earthly Brothers Soul Amen xxxxxxx Home To Heaven Amen xxxxxxx With Our Ever Growing Ever Loveing Heavenly Family Amen xxxxxxx
I met Wolf once as a child I was starstruck! Lol He turned on our local shopping centre's Christmas lights! I asked him what his favourite drink was because I was starstruck I was so nervous I could only come up with that question. Wolf replied " blood" , and then a few minutes later he came back over to me and whispered " no its not my favourite drink is wine " 😂
Love how wolf looks like the most hated man in the world but in real life he looks like a nice person that everyone loves the most 😊
That’s quite true indeed, but just remember that Michael Van Wijk (Wolf’s Real Life Name) did this mostly as an entertainment gimmick for the show, so that he could be different from the other Gladiators who were also unique and really embraced the crowd watching them in the arena, but that’s what made him now, The GREATEST Gladiator out of all of them from the Original UK Series!
😊🇬🇧🌟🏆
@@JackpotButtonLewis Not only did Wolf make the show more enteraining, allowing it to last as long as it did but his antics also gave John Anderson a lot more to do which made him more famous in the process. The pair of them really stole the show.
Wolf was always my favourite. Every time he scared a kid he’d give them one of those foam fingers to cheer them up. It just wasn’t a Saturday night without seeing Wolf have a meltdown
I can't stop grinning while watching this. Thought i'd watch for ten minutes or so but i'm addicted. Wolf was/is the greatest Gladiator of all time. Also i love that Wolf is a Star Trek fan. Wonder how he feels about comic books. Always thought he would have been a fantastic Wolverine.
Yeah i agree his attitude really works for wolverine
Wolf is a national treasure. Look at those eyes - windows to the soul. He seems like just a lovely sweet guy. And tough as bejasus.
The way he pushed Ulrika. 😂😂😂. He was ahead of our time. Thats what you call equality
😂😂😂
Can't stand Ulrika he got there before stan collymore did 😂😂😂
I remember one time where he tried to get a contender down on Hang Tough and ended up leaving him on the rings in his underpants. John Anderson "I nearly disqualified you for ungentlemenly conduct". Wolf " What you on about, he had pants on!" 🤣
I was lucky enough to meet wolf and he was hands down one of the nicest people you could meet shock my hand and hugged me!!! Very chatty and patent such a legend
I've heard mixed. If he's got time for you then one of life's best experiences, if he doesn't then he's cold and abrasive. Does seem to be a rock for those close to him.
He turned in xmas lights in my town I think the year after it finished. Kids who recalled him were scared but he was nice.
Apparently he’s a really nice bloke. Away from The Gladiators, he’s a saint compared to Warrior who was involved in drug dealing and money laundering and Shadow who threatened to smash in someone’s knee caps in whilst trying to rob them.
Warning- The gladiators and contestants are highly trained athletes and have a lifetime of experience, but they are not invincible. Bodies have been broken, necks broken, concussions inflicted, and careers ended in an instant. Although it is entertainment, the hazards are real, and the contestants and gladiators take real risks, endure unimaginable pain, and put their bodies, their careers, and their lives on the line.
Don't risk yours!
Be Smart!
Be Safe!
PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, SCHOOL OR ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
Back when people enjoyed live events and didn’t have a phone 📱 in their hand!
Miss this!
Brings back childhood memories! 🥰
I remember watching this every week on tv in the 90s. Loved it.
Wolf tearing that "WE ❤ JOHN ANDERSON" sign off made me want to cry.
Because he always gives the official all kinds of hell!
2-and-a-half hours of Wolf shithousing, and it's only the first part. Magical stuff 👍
dansplaining There's a Part Two leading up to when he participated in the Sky 1 Revival series and 'Legends Return' episodes!
Watch it right now here!
th-cam.com/video/T-xWczfLKFA/w-d-xo.html
This show was excellent family entertainment. They should bring this back.
3 years later u gt ur wish coming 2023 aparantly
Laser from the US put it very well in a recent interview about what the newer versions didn't understand: Gladiators like Wolf were heroes to the kids as opposed to villains, and the Gladiators very much understood this. Of course that kid was going to get a signed foam finger.
Wolf should've gone on to WWF or WCW. He had the look, the attitude, the physique and the charisma to make it big. His character was great but could've really developed it further one of those promotions, which weren't so structured like Gladiators was. I reckon he would've fitted right in to the attitude era. Could just see him feuding with the likes of Shawn Michaels or Bret Hart.
He wasn't a wrestler. At all.
He wasn't a wrestler. Being a pro wrestler is not just about being big, it takes decades of practice and training and working in front of crowds to get good at it. He was already 40 years old during the first series of Gladiators in 1992, and you're saying he should train to become a wrestler during the attitude era, which didn't really begin until 1998? You're insane.
@@adamo1528He does BJJ and had had a few cage fights, I’m sure… More than able to be one of those wrestlers 😂
This was a lot of fun. Thanks for the upload.
I actually went to one of the live recordings for the original series. I don’t remember if Wolf was one of the gladiators that afternoon but wouldn’t surprise me if he was. Sharon Davies suffered a horrible knee injury when doing the pyramid which held up the recording for a hour or so while they recovered her from the pyramid. Think my mate still has his Gladi-hand in the loft😄
Remarkable that he was in his forties doing all of this, what a badass.
Wolf made the show what it was! I always LOVED seeing episodes of the show where Wolf appeared most! BRING GLADIATORS BACK!!!
A reboot of ‘Gladiators’ IS OFFICIALLY HAPPENING from Next Year in 2023 on the BBC!
SO SO EXCITED!
@@JackpotButtonLewis They better understand the nuances, and not turn the gladiators into evil villains.
@@wschmrdr Hopefully that WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN like the Sky1 revival, it’s looking quite promising at the moment, male gladiator ‘Legend’ looks like he could surprise us being another ‘Gladiator Heel’ just like ‘Wolf’ or ‘Oblivion’ from the Sky1 revival that was actually decent coming from a Professional Wrestling background beforehand!
Whats your thoughts so far?@@JackpotButtonLewis
@@SSKMusicBeats Well, all I can say is, it was CERTAINLY worth the wait!
I just couldn’t stop talking about on what they did with now a ‘very faithful’ version of the original ITV series format, the visual effects used throughout were so eye-catching, bright, colourful and retro themed, the events looked incredible and were amazing to watch, the ‘Gladiators’ themselves were astounding to see, loads of surprising performances,
even ‘Legend’ and ‘Viper’ were quite cheeky and naughty in particular with one male contender
(NO SPOILERS HERE HOWEVER!)!
To anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, watch it while you can, you won’t be disappointed!
😃😃😃🔴🔵⚪️⚫️
Wolf to me will always be the best gladiator, loved looking forward to seeing him each week. John Sach's witty commentary just added to the hilarity. Of course John's father was the legendary Manuel from fawlty towers aka flowery twats
Honestly this show was part of my childhood, and the only contestant that was memorable was Wolf. I didn’t even need to google to remember his name, it was and is literally burnt into it. What a good character.
Can someone please explain to me WHY the new Gladiators cannot have Wolf Man + Jet as the presenters? The 2 most popular gladiators of all time would be amazing to see again for this of us who grew up watching the show, plus they both have the skills. That is way more fun than than Bradley and his son presenting (sorry, but I find them nice but wooden and not funny). There should at least be a male and a female presenter like Fash + Uli in days of old! So why not Wolf + Jet? Could be a hoot- Wolf could get involved in some of his panto argy-bargy with the new Gladiators to amuse his now middle-aged fans :D
I remember watching this show. It refreshes my memories. And I'd have to say Wolf was one riveting superstar. Very entertaining to watch.
And he just got better and better throughout each series of the original series, not to mention the spin-off Ashes and International series too!
Always loved watching Gladiators as a little kid and Wolf was easily my favourite of the group.
I remember him making a guest appearance at a pantomime my family went to and everyone was booing when he came on stage. He told everyone to shut up but I kept going after the rest of the audience had stopped, so he ended up shouting "OI!" at me. 😆
Wolf this is a yellow card misbehave again and it will be a red card
Im starting to get the sense the wall was not Wolf's game 😂
Fair plays for putting all these clips together in a montage - must have taken ages!
Thank you, it did!
And this was only part one because of how long the overall video was, took me over a month to compile it all together after binge watching all of the original and Sky Revival series!
their bringing this back again ofc nothing will beat this nostalgia
Gladiators will never be as good as this, you never forget watching it as a kid with the whole family on a weekend, no phones, no distractions just everyone watching the show at home cheering on. Good times
wolf and John anderson were the perfect comedy duo they bounced off each other perfectly. Thank you John Anderson for being the voice of the show we will miss your mighty voice
Wolf, Gladiators' heel of the decade.
Wolf was the best gladiator by miles. Not necessarily because he was the best athlete but because he was so entertaining 😂
This is such a blast from the past! Absolutely love the Wolf man! Such a big part of my childhood Saturday nights.
Also Regan’s mum! 😂
Oh and one his favourite Catchphrase
HE WAS LUCKY!
Great video mate. Thanks
Max Verstappen: Oh, Wolf is a legend.
Max’s race engineer: Absolute animal!
the way he dashes people off the pyramid🤣 what a legend
one of the most memorable villains on any tv series that I saw.
I hit the like button even before I saw any action. The theme song did it all for me
You’re such an 90s music nostalgia geek, I LOVE IT!
😃🤣
Gladiators would never be the same without Wolf.
Wolf and Turbo (US) were the short-tempered Gladiators.
Over 25 years later and I can still remember that time Wolf tore up a foam finger like it was yesterday. He has to have been the most iconic Gladiator of every version of the show.
Yes!! And sent out a signed one a little later.
Wolf 🐺 MEN,S HIM Do yes happy Dad
Birmingham
NICE
Bonfire night at my school in Herne Bay they used to have different Gladiators come every year, obviously my main crush was Jet and she was super friendly but my favourite was always Wolf and he was such a chill dude in real life, what a guy.
I hear that about jet
Back in the day watching this every saturday evening.
I was 5 years old watching this when it was aired I can still remember getting excited to watch wolf on this show great entertainment
Even my mother (in her 70s now) had a soft spot for wolf. Apparently, Wolf was the only man with "better-conditioned hair" than her that she had ever been attracted to. On one occasion, she stated that Wolf could "mark his territory at my back door, any time he wishes." Little did I know just how disgusting that was. I was 10.
who’s watching this after the new gladiators bc are parents mentioned ‘wolf’
The wolf was the reason i watched this. I loved jet too, but the big bad wolf was the reason for this every sat!
I loved that he was ‘bad’. He seemed nice really :-)
Same here. I hear he's really lovely.
What an entertainer, he’s playing the baddie brilliantly, we all know he was a champion guy in reality, loved this show as a kid, isn’t it coming back?
ABSOLUTELY! 😃😃😃
Same here too, anytime I play a bad character in performing certain shows like Pantos or Cabarets, I always think of ‘Wolf’, he even did Panto occasionally from outside of the show and also appeared on a lot of many other TV programmes like ‘Mad For It’, ‘I Love 1992’, ‘Jim Davidson’s Generation Game’ and ‘The Saturday Night Story’!
Yes, it is, they’re currently filming a revival series to which will be on the BBC from the Utilita Arena, Sheffield and will be possibly broadcasted on there from this coming Autumn!
Great times watching the Wolf trying to get away with all this cheeky actions and John doing his job perfectly. RIP John Anderson.
13:57 "The Wolf is the winner! YEEH!" LMAO.
John Sachs: We were just asking if ‘Wolf’ had taken a Nice pill, if he did, the effects wore off quickly!
😱😧😠
@@JackpotButtonLewis Lol I miss my childhood and Sat evenings in the 90s!
"Wolf, a man of few words, and every one a rude one" lmao
pornandfighting Not all the time though, he couldn’t be bad on every single show mind you, because he had to set a good example of himself for his fans!
Plus he caused a lot of controversy among some contenders and there family relatives just like Regan’s!
@@JackpotButtonLewis lol, yeah just had to laugh the way the commentator says it at 9.51. Yeah agreed used to love watching wolf as a nipper, think I was a bit scared of him tho lol!!
i can't imagine gladiators last as long as it did without wolf
RIP John Anderson
You forgot the Wolf moment from Series 2, Episode 2--where one of the contenders (Gary Towers) tore up a poster of Wolf during his opening interview, leading to Wolf jumping the gun on him during Joust.
I remember a couple of occasions where he lost a game, then during the interview he'd say "I'm not a bad loser so I will shake the contender''s hand". Walks towards contender with hand outstretched then shoves him to the mat 🤣
OMG XD I NEVER KNEW MY DAD WAS THIS SAVAGE
Elena van Wijk Well now you know, FYI it was his idea to be bad because he wanted to be different from all of the other gladiators on the show.
He was just like his name, a wolf. I used to love watching your Dad on TV when I was a kid. I sung the who's afraid of the big bad wolf song at the TV.
Bollocks. This is really Wolf's daughter? I give the benefit of the doubt because SOMEONE has to be related to him (and I'd comment) but damn.
Your dad was awesome!! Always gave us viewers something to look forward to on Saturday night!
He was really naughty back then
Hard to believe that Wolf is now 66 years old.
I know and he's still in very good shape too as of recently! :O
Shout out to the hand written sign that says "Woof, Woof, Wolf's a Puff".
Puff is when you disappear into a cloud of smoke.
He now runs a chain of gyms in New Zealand.
Saturday night were made by Baywatch, Gladiators and especially the Wolfman!
Watch and learn class of 2024, this is how it’s done
When I watched both "American Gladiators" and "UK Gladiators" as my favorite sport shows, such as XFL, WCW and TNA, my favorite Gladiators are Ice, Lightning, Wolf and Nitro. But the only Gladiator with big huge tantrum and berate that has put the big old smile on my face is the Wolfman! He is the most wittiest, slapstick wisecrack as the comedian actors. My favorite part is "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf,” the moment that Wolf threw a tantrum, rage and erratic behavior after a big, huge loss. So here are my favorite parts that are composed by Billy Bletcher, Dorothy Compton, Mary Moder, and Pinto Colvig as I enjoy singing and dancing along: 23:34, 46:42, 53:00, 1:11:57, 1:15:24, 1:57:24, 2:07:32, 2:13:43, 2:16:24, 2:20:49, 2:30:21.
4/4 (G Major) Who's afraid of the (D Major) Big Bad Wolf,
(D Major) Big Bad Wolf, (G Major) Big Bad Wolf?
(G Major) Who's afraid of the (D Major) Big Bad Wolf?
(D Major) La-la-la-la (G Major) - la, (huh!)
I've nicknamed him as "The Big Bad Wolf" as a reference to "Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"
4:18 could you imagine if someone done this in todays TV??
People would be sh**housing with complaints to OFCOM to have ‘Gladiators’ cancelled immediately for possibly ‘Femmephobia’!
Great idea to have a bad Gladiator. Wolf was such a great character. Although I seem to remember Shadow was a bit of a bad ass in the early series to.
I used to hide behind the sofa as a kid, but the memories second to none, better world back then imho.
Wolf (Michael Van Wijk) is my favourite Gladiator from the original series
Man, this video is longer than an episode of Gladiators.
You were meant to hate him, but me and sister loved him! Go wolf!!
Same here! Michael (Wolf's real first name) wanted to be different from the other Glads so he thought being a bad one would have made it more interesting for the show, boy did it work alright! :D
@@JackpotButtonLewis I think his gladiator name also gave him the idea of being bad because ‘big bad Wolf’. In fact in a recent interview he said when he first asked the producers if he could be bad they said no. But in the end they allowed him to do it for one episode on condition that he wouldn’t do it again if it proved unpopular.
Wolf only ever got a red card when his events for the evening were already over. His “war” with John Anderson was apparently all for show. Only time Anderson meant the red card was when he threw a helmet into the crowd as that was dangerous. Anderson also sent off Raider once for violent conduct.
Yellow Card= Warning
Red Card= Sent Off or Ejected from the game
🟨
🟥
Both Penalty Cards Are Used in just the same way as for sports of Soccer, Rugby, Field Hockey, Handball, Volleyball, Water Polo And Cricket according to official sporting rules.
I love the wolf man when I was a kid and in my teen years every time who’s afraid of the wolf song would play I use to shot not me and my nana and grandad used to say he can’t hear you . Then one year he came to turn on the lights at Peterlee town centre and I went down and I was in awww 🥰 I was shy and nervous and he understood and I got a hug and I just smiled and held on tight and talked a bit and my speech problems was bad that day because of me been shy and nervous but he took he’s time and understand and that’s when I said I’m glad you understand the bullies at school don’t I opened up to a person I didn’t know in real life and then he said don’t let them get to you and say something back to them and tell your teachers or the one you trust so I did and it stopped and now one of the bullies at school is my cousins step dad and other bullies talk to me now.
Thanks for making my childhood so memorable. He literally made the show!
😂 the commentator saying Wolf found his spare ribs to the Chinese contender
Wold was like Vegeta meets WWE and in the early 90's, we were blessed! he carried the show
i miss the old gladiators SO BADLY.
I love John Sachs taking the mick out of the audience's banners.
Wolf and Vulcan used to do the same thing when they had their short lived rivalry from Series 7 onwards.
Greatest heel of the 90s
Facts 😊
The new series of Gladiators has begun and just like with Jet,Vogue and Lighting, I already have a crush on Gladiators Dynamite and Diamond. The funniest male Gladiator is Viper but he is nothing like my favourite and funniest male Gladiator, Wolf.
1:10:43 Wolf really went "Screw it" and pushed him off anyway 😅
But he pushed the Contender off his ‘Duel’ platform after the time limit and when the whistle was blown, to which resulted in a straight RED CARD for ‘Violent Conduct’!
DISGRACEFUL BEHAVIOUR FROM WOLF THERE!
😠🟥
@@JackpotButtonLewisI agree with you on that
This was good wholesome family tv on a saturday night. last of the good times
Always my favourite, loved Wolf man.
Also, is it just me or did John Anderson seem to have it in for Wolf? He was always picking on him! 😜
1:48:58 absolute brilliance, omfg the pantomine behind that exchange is hilarious
Vulcan’s startled facial expression is Priceless! 😳🤣🤣🤣
looking back on this wolf was the showman like the wwf wrestlers,jon anderson was also good when going at wolf with the cards.was a great show following the usa show i used to watch on late nite tv back in the day.nice to see there is a comeback with a new line up.
Wolf is a legend
Wolf secretly always had a heart of gold despite being the bad boy of gladiators he entertained all for eight years
I prefer this Wolf over the American Gladiators 2008 Wolf
You missed the one where wolf had a go at the Japanese guy in series 2 after joust I think, after the whistle wet he continued to hit the contender and then pushed him off after the contender was dismounting.
I actually met the gladiators when I was younger the only one I didn't meet was 🐺 and I was partly happy and sad I didn't meet him happy cause I wasn't sure if he would be like he was was on the show and sad cause he was one of my faves
Hes lovely to meet very warm and friendly
He looks like he should be raiding villages.
He does look like the bloke from the movie Dennis The Menace (Christopher Lloyd I think the actor who played him)
Without wolfman this show wouldnt be what it was.
As a kid i would get super exited to to watch the wolfman!
Me and my family would all watch this togther ❤
Great times
ABSOLUTELY, yes!
If Michael Van Wijk (Wolf’s Real Name) wasn’t given that once and only chance of being a bad Gladiator just for only one show by the show’s producer, the whole show wouldn’t have been as successful as it is today, his bad behaviour gimmick cemented the future for this show and in some way, he also inspired loads of other future gladiators in both the Sky1 revival and upcoming BBC revival series to embrace and interpolate that ‘wrestling heel’ style of character too!
Wolf is a badass dude on the International Gladiators
1:23:09 - John Anderson giving wolf a good speaking to