Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Steve Austin from his 2,100-acre Broken Skull Ranch in South Texas, each one-hour episode of this series features eight contestants competing against each other in head-to-head physical competitions that test their strength, stamina and endurance, as they vie for the $10,000 cash prize. In each 60-minute episode of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE, eight contestants, including elite athletes as well as everyday men and women, tackle three different events -- like Trench Warfare, The Pulverizer and The Junkyard -- with the losers going home and the winners advancing, until only one contestant remains. But to win the $10,000, the last person standing must finish Austin's half-mile Skullbuster, which features 10 obstacles designed to stop even the most hardcore athletes by progressively breaking the body down. Even though men and women compete in different episodes against contestants of the same gender, everyone's equal at the ranch, as women find themselves subject to the same punishment as men. On Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT, CMT premiered the second season of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE, as once again each week men and women from across the country battle it out in physically and mentally grueling challenges until only one is left standing -- and that person earns the chance to win $10,000 by beating the new and improved Skullbuster, a harrowing obstacle course designed by Austin himself. Season 2 contestants include highly-trained body builders; Jiu Jitsu and MMA fighters; arena football, rugby and CrossFit athletes, along with every day men and women. Plus, Season 1 winner Tommy Hackenbruck returns as the reigning champ to see if any of the new recruits have what it takes to beat his benchmark Skullbuster time. If the final competitors fail to beat the existing benchmark, Hackenbruck will continue to amass winnings. Season 3 of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE premiered on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on CMT, with an 18-episode third season that features world-renowned athletic contenders from across the obstacle course racing world including Spartan and CrossFit, power lifters, professional athletes, MMA fighters and everyday heroes. The new season kicks off with a special military-themed episode as brothers in arms face off in a series of intense challenges. In the end, only one Veteran will make it to the final challenge designed by Steve Austin himself, the Skullbuster. The half-mile obstacle course is the most grueling one yet, and only the toughest of the tough will make it to the end for a shot at winning $10,000. The military Veterans will also compete for a chance to win an additional $10,000 for the charity of his choice. Season 4 of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE premiered on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT on CMT. This season, for the first time ever, the best contenders from all four seasons return to see if they still have what it takes to take on the hardest challenges of their life in order to call themselves the ultimate winner. "We have really ramped it up this season on every level," notes Steve Austin. "Our elite athletes are badass and tough as nails, and our new challenges are brutal, making Broken Skull Challenge the toughest show on TV. And that's the bottom line." On Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 10pm ET/PT, CMT premiered the fifth season of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE. In Season 5, a new set of America's toughest individuals tackle the one and only Steve Austin's Broken Skull Ranch. Each week, STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE features world-renowned athletes and everyday heroes facing off against each other -- and the desert heat -- in a series of intense challenges with only one advancing to the dreaded "Skullbuster," personally designed by Austin.
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On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 10pm ET/PT, CMT premieres "Co-Ed Showdown," the Season 5 finale of STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE. Steve Austin invites back sixteen of his favorite competitors for a special Co-Ed Broken Skull Challenge, where they will take on brand new challenges The Monster and Block Party.