Avatar:Earth Rumble

<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Earth Rumble</default></title> <group> <header>General information</header> <label>Leader(s)</label> <label>Notable members</label> <label>Founder(s)</label> <label>Headquarters</label> <label>Affiliation</label> <label>Purpose</label> <label>Engagements</label> <label>Status</label> </group> <group> <header>Chronological information</header> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> </group> <header>Image gallery (0)</header> </infobox> Earth Rumble is an earthbending tournament held underground in a giant earthen arena in the Earth Kingdom town of Gaoling. The competition is a popular event, and the stands are almost always full—except for the front rows, which are regularly destroyed by flying rocks launched from the ring. Xin Fu, a proficient earthbender, served as the host of Earth Rumble VI, which took place in 100 AG.

The rules of Earth Rumble are simple: knock the opposing fighter out of the ring with earthbending to advance to the next round. The fighter who defeats all other competitors must challenge the previous Earth Rumble champion for the title of Earthbending Champion and the coveted Earth Rumble belt. To increase audience excitement, Xin Fu would occasionally offer prize money to any spectator who believed they could defeat the current champion.

Earth Rumble competitions are held in an underground arena illuminated by glowing crystals. The enormous cavern contains seating carved into the surrounding earth, overlooking a central ring encircled by a recessed pit.

History

The Boulder won at least one Earth Rumble tournament prior to 100 AG. The championship later passed to Toph Beifong, competing under the alias "The Blind Bandit".

When Avatar Aang and his friends arrived in Gaoling in search of an earthbending teacher in 100 AG, they learned about Earth Rumble VI from some local earthbending students. Hoping to find a skilled master, they attended the tournament and discovered that Toph was the reigning champion. After she won the event, Xin Fu offered prize money to anyone willing to challenge her. Aang volunteered, hoping for the chance to speak with her, but accidentally defeated her using his airbending. Offended, Toph stormed away and refused to talk to him. Her title as champion was later reinstated.

Sometime after the end of the Hundred Year War, another Earth Rumble tournament was held in which Toph once again faced The Boulder. Despite his dramatic and heartfelt introduction, The Boulder was swiftly defeated.

Known contestants

A number of earthbending competitors participated in Earth Rumble VI.

• Aang (champion)
• Fire Nation Man
• Headhunter
• The Big Bad Hippo
• The Blind Bandit (champion)
• The Boulder (champion)
• The Gecko
• The Gopher
• Xin Fu (manager and champion)

Trivia

• Earth Rumble competitions resemble real-world professional wrestling shows—fighters with extravagant names and distinctive styles battle in matches with a championship belt at stake. This is particularly reminiscent of North American wrestling promotions such as the WWE, with an emphasis on theatrical storylines and exaggerated personalities, or "gimmicks". This similarity is especially notable given that WWE's "Royal Rumble" is one of its largest pay-per-view events. The Earth Rumble roster mirrors several classic wrestling archetypes:
  • The "Evil Foreigner" (Fire Nation Man)
  • The "Big Guy" (The Big Bad Hippo)
  • High-Flying Fighters (The Gecko, The Gopher, and Headhunter)
  • The Star Attraction / Merchandise Driver (The Boulder)
  • The Champion (The Blind Bandit)
• Badgermoles clean up debris in the stadium, similar to how a zamboni maintains an ice rink.
• Earth Rumble is similar in objective to pro-bending.
• Earthbending tournaments with a similar "knock-off-the-platform" objective date back to at least 296 BG.

See also

• Duels
• Organizations in the World of Avatar
• Pro-bending
• Recreation in the World of Avatar