Does NBC’s glitzy new American Gladiators make you nostalgic for the low-tech 1989–96 original? We tracked down our favorite brawlers and learned that, behind the scenes, life meant sex, drugs, and plenty of bandages.

Nitro (Dan Clark)
On becoming an American Gladiator... At the tryouts they brought in these numbskull college kids. I pick one up and slam him to the concrete—out cold. I’m thinking, Crap, they’re going to kick me off the lot. But the producer goes, "You got the job."

On getting paid... We weren’t getting a piece of merchandising. The extra money came from appearances—$10,000 to go to the Budweiser employee meeting. But sometimes they wanted me to wear the uniform. The jacket, sure, but I’m not putting on the spandex for some car show.

On drug use... They tested us for steroids one year, I think just to say that they’d done it. But nobody ever told us what those results were.

Zap (Raye Hollitt)
On working on the show... Half the team was lesbians at one time. But it was just women with women; there were no gay guys on that show.

On drug use... There were a lot of drugs. When we were on top of each other on a tour bus, it was a free-for-all—Vicodin, Percocet... Half the Gladiators were on something for pain. You had to perform, especially on tour. And then you end up sleeping around. I had to go to rehab to get off the Vicodin.

Laser (Jim Starr)
On the perks of being an American Gladiator... When the show took off, I was on American Gladiators vitamin bottles. Mac and cheese. Gum. Balloons. I’m not bragging.

Hawk (Lee Reherman)
On sharing... uhh... stuff... We were together in close quarters, especially on road trips and tours. When you’re sharing clothes, food, and workout routines, who’s to say you’re not going to share a bodily fluid or two?