Underground Fight Club: Apocalypse Showdown

Overview, explanation and context:

In the event of a global apocalypse, you need a good team. Who hasn't sat around constructing fantasy survival teams at least once or twice in their life? Signs of the Times: Underground has come to make those fantasies a reality in a brand new undertaking known as "Underground Fight Club."

We recently asked eight people to construct an apocalypse survival team to battle for the ultimate supremacy in a playoff-style tournament, but we laid down a few guidelines.

1. First and foremost, we did not specify the type of apocalypse at hand - not a zombie apocalypse, nuclear strike or viral outbreak - this was simply meant to be a generic survival team, ready for whatever came next.
2. Each team would need to fill six specific roles, including at least one male, one female and one non-human. Those roles were as follows:
• The Action Hero: a fictional hero or real person known for their fighting and/or survival skills
• The Evil Genius: a fictional villain known for their intelligence
• The Wild Card: a fictional hero or villain or real person known for being devious, dishonest or disloyal
• The Specialist: a fictional character or real person known for having a useful talent or skill
• The Idiot: a fictional character or real person known for being stupid or annoying, or for making mistakes
• The Sacrificial Lamb: casualties are inevitable, and this character will be the first to go
3. We specified that no teams could use the same character, and we were forced a couple times to ask participants to provide alternate responses.
4. We had each team appoint a famous vehicle for transportation purposes.
5. Each participant chose a team color and gave a team slogan - neither of which will likely have any sort of impact on the competition
6. We indicated that any locations, stipulations or objectives for the tournament may be added at a later time.

The tournament - strengths, weaknesses, battle scenarios and bonus points:

Once the participants provided their teams, we jotted down notable strengths and weakness for every character that will be helpful in determining winners for each round of the playoff. We have not included the names of the people who created the teams, in an effort to make voting be a strategic choice instead of a popularity contest.

Based on suggestions provided in Facebook comments over the past week, locations and objectives have been selected and paired up as stipulations for each battle. The scenarios were assigned randomly to the playoff bracket before team match-ups were determined.

Each match-up includes advantages and bonus points. The advantage hints at characteristics or skills that might benefit a team while attempting to complete the given objective. For instance, if the task is to break out of prison, a lock-picking would  be a beneficial skill to possess. Additionally, each round offers bonus points for completing a side quest during the battle. The bonus points mean absolutely nothing and ultimately might not affect the outcome in any way. We're just messing around with some of this stuff, folks.

Ideally, those who take the survey to vote for winners will consider the strengths and weaknesses of each team before making a decision. This blog should be used as a companion guide to the surveys that are sent with each new round of the playoff. Follow-up blog posts will be published with full results and analysis from each round.

How do I play?

Links to the surveys for each round are posted at the bottom of this blog! The only answers that are required are your name and your winner for each round. Any creative thoughts you put into the optional questions are greatly appreciated and will help us tell a fun story once the results come pouring in. Thanks in advance for your time, your effort and your answers!

The teams:

With all of that in mind, let's meet the eight magnificent teams for the first-ever UNDERGROUND FIGHT CLUB:

TEAM INDY (Aaron Christensen)

• The Action Star: Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr.
• Known from: Indiana Jones movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Archaeology/procurement of artifacts, teaching, notoriously handy with bull whip, high success rate against Western European enemies
• Notable weaknesses: Snakes, women, landing planes
• The Evil Genius: The Joker
• Known from: The Dark Knight
• Notable strengths: Criminal mastermind, fares well when improvising, seemingly impervious to physical pain, very persuasive leadership
• Notable weaknesses: Psychotically unpredictable, clinically insane
• The Wild Card: Catwoman
• Known from: Batman: Arkham video game franchise
• Notable strengths: Cat-burglary, agility/stealth, flirtatious personality, occasionally heroic
• Notable weaknesses: Sporadic moral compass, often lets romance get in the way of goals
• The Specialist: Ethan Hunt
• Known from: Mission: Impossible movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Espionage, infiltration, gadgetry, excellent driving skills, great runner and rock climber
• Notable weaknesses: Infrequently fooled by disguises, periodically incapable of protecting teammates
• The Idiot: Luis
• Known from: Ant-Man, Ant-Man & the Wasp
• Notable strengths: Attention to detail, burglary, infiltration
• Notable weaknesses: A bit long-winded
• The Sacrificial Lamb: C-3PO
• Known from: Star Wars movie franchise
• Notable weaknesses: Socially awkward, very slow, consistently loses parts/limbs
• Transportation: The A-Team Van
• Known from: The A-Team

Round 1 Match-up: Team Indy vs Team Rambo - Save a Dying Team Member @ Frozen Lake
Round 1 Result: Won vs Team Rambo

Round 2 Match-up: Team Romanoff vs Team Indy vs Team Danvers - The Escape Plan @ Airport
Round 2 Result: Lost vs Team Danvers

TEAM DANVERS (Dan Mortensen)

• The Action Star: Captain Marvel
• Known from: Marvel comics
• Notable strengths: Superhuman strength, flight, energy manipulation
• Notable weaknesses: Internet trolls/review-bombing
• The Evil Genius: Ruin
• Known from: Mistborn book series
• Notable strengths/weaknesses: Mind control, ability to create/destroy sentient life, can control and manipulate metal
• Notable weaknesses: Has no physical body, unable to affect the world directly
• The Wild Card: Benedict Arnold (Defected from Team Superman)
  
• Known from: American history
• Notable strengths: Military strategy, espionage, great at playing both sides
• Notable weaknesses: Patriotism
• The Specialist: Angus MacGyver
• Known from: MacGyver
• Notable strengths: Master of improvisation and gadgetry, superior knowledge of mechanics, tremendous ability to escape tight spots with limited resources
• Notable weaknesses: Has a mullet, prefers non-violent conflict resolution
• The Idiot: Austin Powers
• Known from: Austin Powers movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Sense of humor, espionage
• Notable weaknesses: Questionable taste in fashion, gullibility, highly susceptible to being hit in the groin
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Boromir
• Known from: The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
• Notable weaknesses: Played by Sean Bean, extremely meme-able
• Transportation: The TARDIS
• Known from: Doctor Who

Round 1 Match-up: Team Danvers vs Team Romanoff - Food and Resource Scavenging @ Shopping Mall/Food Truck Lot

Round 1 Result: Fought Team Romanoff to a draw

Round 2 Match-up: Team Romanoff vs Team Indy vs Team Danvers - The Escape Plan @ Airport

Round 2 Result: Won vs Team Indy and Team Romanoff

Finals Match-up: Team Superman vs Team Danvers - All-out War @ Abandoned Amusement Park

Finals Result: Lost vs Team Superman 

TEAM DEADPOOL (Josh Eden)

• The Action Star: Deadpool
• Known from: Deadpool movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Self-awareness, gunplay, practically invincible
• Notable weaknesses: Potty mouth, easily distracted, not someone you can bring home to Mom
• The Evil Genius: John Doe
• Known from: Se7en
• Notable strengths: Highly intelligent, skilled at manipulating law enforcement
• Notable weaknesses: Fundamentally pessimistic and immoral
• The Wild Card: Keyser Soze
• Known from: The Usual Suspects
• Notable strengths: Extremely elusive, keeps identity well-hidden
• Notable weaknesses: May or may not actually exist
• The Specialist: Smart Hulk
• Known from: Avengers: Endgame
• Notable strengths: Superior intelligence, unmatched strength, decent chef
• Notable weaknesses: A bit more passive than his previous, angrier self
• The Idiot: Joey Tribbiani
• Known from: Friends
• Notable strengths: Good friend, ladies man, knowledgeable about any topic that begins with the letter "V"
• Notable weaknesses: Simple-minded, immature, does not share food
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Agatha Trunchbull
• Known from: Matilda
• Notable weaknesses: Heartless, has no friends, can be overcome by large groups of children
• Transportation: Ecto-1
• Known from: Ghostbusters movie franchise

Round 1 Match-up: Team Deadpool vs Team Manhattan - Turf War @ Golden Gate Bridge

Round 1 Result: Lost vs Team Manhattan

TEAM KALADIN (Jesse Maxwell)

• The Action Star: Kaladin Stormblessed
• Known from: The Stormlight Archive book series
• Notable strengths: Natural leader and protector, has a constant desire to help all people, extremely lucky
• Notable weaknesses: Suffers from depression and hopelessness
• The Evil Genius: Professor James Moriarty
• Known from: Sherlock Holmes franchise
• Notable strengths: Genius-level intellect - particularly in math and science, capable of organizing elaborate crimes, decisively ruthless and malicious
• Notable weaknesses: Lacks dexterity, poor physical combat skills, not good with heights
• The Wild Card: Mystique
• Known from: X-Men comics
• Notable strengths: Shape-shifter, accelerated healing
• Notable weaknesses: Cannot mask scent, does not absorb powers/talents when assuming a different appearance
• The Specialist: Chuck Norris
• Known from: Walker Texas Ranger, The Expendables, The Way of the Dragon
• Notable strengths: Martial arts expert, all-around action superstar
• Notable weaknesses: Jokes stopped being funny several years ago
• The Idiot: Sokka
• Known from: Avatar: The Last Airbender
• Notable strengths: Great ability to adapt, reasonably adept in hand-to-hand combat, loyal to friends and allies
• Notable weaknesses: Constantly sarcastic and immature, typically the least skilled member of any group
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Korg
• Known from: Thor: Ragnarok
• Notable weaknesses: Lacks killer instinct, not good at online gaming
• Transportation: The Millennium Falcon
• Known from: Star Wars movie franchise

Round 1 Match-up: Team Kaladin vs Team Superman - Supply Raid @ University Campus/Soccer Stadium
Round 1 Result: Lost vs Team Superman

TEAM SUPERMAN (Austin Christensen)

• The Action Star: Superman
• Known from: DC comics
• Notable strengths: Unparalleled physical strength, superhuman hearing and speed, impeccable morality
• Notable weaknesses: Kryptonite, "whipped" by Lois Lane, hardcore mama's boy
• The Evil Genius: Emperor Palpatine
• Known from: Star Wars movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Highly persuasive, excels at mid-range combat, legendary Force-user
• Notable weaknesses: Hideously ugly, very bad track record in important battles
• The Wild Card: Lanfear (Defected from Team Danvers)
• Known from: The Wheel of Time book series
• Notable strengths: Master of disguise, astonishing beauty, insatiable lust for power, good with animals
• Notable weaknesses: Vastly inflated opinion of self, actively betrays allies
• The Specialist: Bryan Mills
• Known from: Taken movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Expert tracker, crack-shot with firearms, incredible stamina, highly protective of family
• Notable weaknesses: Holds a grudge, likely has serious legal troubles
• The Idiot: Drax
• Known from: Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War
• Notable strengths: Skilled will daggers/swords, blind rage makes him a very good fighter
• Notable weaknesses: Metaphors, stealth
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Mrs. Peacock
• Known from: Clue (1985)
• Notable weaknesses: Social awareness, bad at keeping secrets, once blackmailed for being "thoroughly un-American"
• Transportation: Total Tank
• Known from: The Santa Clause

Round 1 Match-up: Team Superman vs Team Kaladin - Supply Raid @ University Campus/Soccer Stadium

Round 1 Result: Won vs Team Kaladin

Round 2 Match-up: Team Manhattan vs Team Superman - Strategic Warfare @ Sherwood Forest

Round 2 Result: Won vs Team Manhattan

Finals Match-up: Team Superman vs Team Danvers - All-out War @ Abandoned Amusement Park

Finals Result: Won vs Team Danvers

TEAM MANHATTAN (Cody Christensen)

• The Action Star: Doctor Manhattan
• Known from: Watchmen
• Notable strengths: Immortality, flight, shape and size manipulation, subatomic perception and control, clairvoyance
• Notable weaknesses: Highly unpopular public figure, lacks free will, tachyon fog obscures his view of the immediate past and future
• The Evil Genius: Lex Luthor
• Known from: Justice League animated TV series
• Notable strengths: Level 12 intellect, solved the Anti-Life Equation, good with technology, shrewd businessman with nearly limitless resources
• Notable weaknesses: Egotistical, prone to being double-crossed by partners, terminally ill from Kryptonite poisoning
• The Wild Card: Loki
• Known from: Thor movie franchise, Avengers
• Notable strengths: Master of manipulation and deceit, exceedingly mischievous, astral projection/shape-shifting
• Notable weaknesses: Suffers from intense sibling rivalry and jealousy, often overthinks plans
• The Specialist: Daryl Dixon
• Known from: The Walking Dead
• Notable strengths: Crossbow sharpshooter, proficient in hand-to-hand combat, skilled hunter, some experience in post-apocalyptic government
• Notable weaknesses: Suffers from PTSD, occasionally disappears without telling anyone, not a terrific "people person"
• The Idiot: Nacho Libre
• Known from: Nacho Libre
• Notable strengths: Moderately skilled professional wrestler, somewhat talented musician, has "eagle powers"
• Notable weaknesses: Suffers from delusions of grandeur, has feelings for a nun
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Nancy Pelosi
• Known from: American politics
• Notable weaknesses: State of the Union addresses
• Transportation: The Magic School Bus
• Known from: The Magic School Bus

Round 1 Match-up: Team Manhattan vs Team Deadpool - Turf War @ Golden Gate Bridge

Round 1 Result: Won vs Team Deadpool

Round 2 Match-up: Team Manhattan vs Team Superman - Strategic Warfare @ Sherwood Forest

Round 2 Result: Lost vs Team Superman

TEAM ROMANOFF (Suzzanne Bailey)

• The Action Star: Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff
• Known from: Avengers movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Espionage, hand-to-hand combat, stealth, constantly changes hairstyle
• Notable weaknesses: Is the least popular person at work, didn't get a stand-alone movie after her character had been killed off
• The Evil Genius: Olivia Octavius
• Known from: Into the Spiderverse
• Notable strengths: Science, metal manipulation, skillfully utilizes four extra, mechanical limbs
• Notable weaknesses: Potential mental instability, needs to start using stronger passwords
• The Wild Card: Jayne Cobb
• Known from: Firefly, Serenity
• Notable strengths: Weapons expert, reliable mercenary, nearly fearless, impressively popular in some regions
• Notable weaknesses: Occasionally deterred by self-imposed honor code, is known to place self-interest above group welfare, wears an ugly hat
• The Specialist: Jonathan Pine
• Known from: The Night Manager
• Notable strengths: War veteran, excels at infiltration, combat expert, decent marksman
• Notable weaknesses: Falls in love with the wrong type of women
• The Idiot: Jar Jar Binks
• Known from: Star Wars movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Quite frequently does good things on accident, harbors decent relationships with political figures
• Notable weaknesses: Infinitely annoying, frequently uses made-up words
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Rocket Raccoon
• Known from: Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Endgame
• Notable weaknesses: Itchy trigger finger, irrational temper
• Transportation: The Serenity
• Known from: Firefly

Round 1 Match-up: Team Romanoff vs Team Danvers - Food and Resource Scavenging @ Shopping Mall/Food Truck Lot
Round 1 Result: Fought Team Danvers to a draw

Round 2 Match-up: Team Romanoff vs Team Indy vs Team Danvers - The Escape Plan @ Airport
Round 2 Result: Lost vs Team Danvers 

TEAM RAMBO (Gayle Christensen)

• The Action Star: Rambo
• Known from: Rambo movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Special Forces soldier, unmatched war-survival skills, firearms expert
• Notable weaknesses: Suffers from PTSD, uses violence to solve problems, often acts recklessly and disregards orders
• The Evil Genius: Megatron
• Known from: Transformers franchise
• Notable strengths: Believes in victory by conquest, will attempt anything to achieve goals, skilled with power weapons, frequently resorts to the use of a disguise
• Notable weaknesses: Often feared by subordinates, arrogant yet cowardly, plans lack subtlety
• The Wild Card: Dr. Arliss Loveless
• Known from: Wild Wild West
• Notable strengths: Former soldier, charismatic political leader, knowledgeable in war strategy and tactics, throws lavish parties
• Notable weaknesses: Amputee, permanently confined to a steam-powered wheelchair, wanted for many crimes, often betrays those who trust him
• The Specialist: Q
• Known from: James Bond movie franchise
• Notable strengths: Gadgetry, science, technology
• Notable weaknesses: Old age, prefers to stay in the lab
• The Idiot: Barney Rubble
• Known from: The Flintstones
• Notable strengths: Loyal husband/father, hard-working employee, decent bowler
• Notable weaknesses: Easily pushed around by others, limited physical capability
• The Sacrificial Lamb: Elizabeth Warren
• Known from: American politics
• Notable weaknesses: Other politicians
• Transportation: The Oscar Meyer Weinermobile
• Known from: American pop culture

Round 1 Match-up: Team Rambo vs Team Indy - Save a Dying Teammate @ Frozen Lake
Round 1 Result: Lost vs Team Indy

***

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

Round 1 Results

Round 2 Results

Finals Results