This is BattleBots Update

Gator Company Series

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This is BattleBots Update

Debut: August 2, 2026

Episodes: 20 (planned)

Opening Theme: "Theme from Destruction Derby: Arenas" by Simon Withenshaw

Cast: Draco (host, writer, editor) Steel Pinata (guest, co-writer) Roastmaster (co-writer) Tuna Boat Tony (co-writer) Suave Sniper (cameraman)

This is BattleBots Update is a limited run web series that follows BattleBots' online-exclusive "Pro League" spin-off. It is produced jointly by Gator Company and Twilight Foundry for the Gatorbox YouTube channel. The show is an adaptation of the comedy blog BattleBots Update which Draco was the author of from 2015 to 2024 and features the unique blend of fight breakdowns and commentary the blog was known for while leaning heavily into its library of running gags.

A teaser for the series consisting of the opening skit and title credits from the first episode was shared privately to channel supporters on July 16, 2026. The full episode itself released to the public on August 2, 2026.

Theming

This is BattleBots Update was predominately filmed in a temporary set decorated with a mixture of iconic mementos from Draco's time on the BattleBots series, notably the green "anti-drone" rake made famous by the 2016 Hypershock vs Warrior Clan fight, and robots he built and competed with in the 2000's and 2010's. A framed memorial photo of former competitor Richard Riley, whom the tenth and final episode of Fanfiction Factory was dedicated to, is also present among the retired robots. As a way to stay true to the project's "intentionally dated" theming the set's centerpiece is a Quasar 50-51 VCR and 90's-era Sylvania CRT television which are used to review fight footage.

History

Main article: BattleBots Update

BattleBots Update was a weekly blog that followed all seven seasons of the 2015-2023 reboot era of BattleBots (as well as the brief revival of the BBC's Robot Wars). The concept was to take a satirical look at the competitors and their fights with comedic exaggerations of their best and worst qualities. BattleBots Update was an overnight hit for Draco; the project was heavily promoted by the producers of BattleBots for its first few seasons, and Draco was invited by the production team to participate in five of the seven said seasons.

Despite facing diminishing returns with readership in an online landscape increasingly dominated by shortform video content, and shifting social/political opinions, Draco dutifully followed the show for its entire run and ended the blog in 2024 after having penned over 200 articles with an approximated total word count of 1.6 million. The blog is remembered fondly by the show's cast and competitors and its lasting legacy was BattleBots' adoption of the "Giant Washer Award" name, one that had been used on the website as a parody of the show's famous Giant Nut trophy.

Episodes

Episode	Title	Release Date
1	This is This is BattleBots Update	August 2, 2026
Draco, living in retirement somewhere along the Texas gulf coast, is goaded into reviving BattleBots Update at the request of Matilda who implies an offer of salacious acts in return. Death Roll's builder is stated to be in Draco's "top three people named Steve Martin", ranking below the comedian and furry artist who also share the name.