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"Weapons don't win you a championship - it's all about your drive train."
Its weapons were a vertically-mounted saw blade, which was swapped for a larger, more powerful flywheel from Season 3.0, and a rear wedge. The original Minion featured two saw blades and a rear bumper rather than a wedge. It had six-wheel drive, which gave it tremendous pushing power. Its only weakness was its lack of invertibility, but this was remedied in Season 3.0 when a self-righting mechanism was added to the robot.
Minion was one of the most successful superheavyweights in BattleBots, winning the first ever superheavyweight title, defending it for Season 1.0 on Comedy Central and also reaching the Season 3.0 title decider. However, it suffered premature losses to Atomic Wedgie and Codebreaker in Seasons 2.0 and 5.0 respectively.
In its first fight against S.L.A.M., Minion drove bumper-first at S.L.A.M. while it was still spinning up to speed but missed, allowing S.L.A.M. to reach full speed. Minion then turned around and began to push S.L.A.M. while damaging it with its twin saw blades. It pushed S.L.A.M. into the killsaws, which completely immobilized it. Minion went through to face World Peace.
Minion vs. World Peace
The impact between Minion and World Peace.
The two robots maneuvered around each other at first, looking for an opportune moment to attack. Minion managed to get the first hit in, slamming into the rear of World Peace with its saw blades. World Peace escaped, but Minion pursued it and managed to get another hit in on the rear of World Peace. World Peace drove straight into the arena wall, allowing Minion to attack again, this time getting underneath World Peace and momentarily carrying it around. Eventually, World Peace managed to fight back, getting underneath Minion and pushing it onto the killsaws. After taking a few more attacks, World Peace managed to grip Minion, stopping its saws. It let go after a while and Minion repeatedly reversed into World Peace with its bumper. World Peace drove itself onto the spikes at the end of the fight, immobilizing itself, but the fight still went to a judges' decision, which Minion won 6-3. Minion moved on to the final against Ricon.
Minion vs. Ricon
Minion pushes Ricon on the spikes.
Both robots drove at each other head on, with Minion pushing its way past Ricon. Minion's saws were not working, but they still managed to get inside Ricon, allowing Minion to easily push it around twice. After the second push, the mobility of both Minion and Ricon seemed to be heavily impaired. Fortunately for Minion, Ricon was on the spikes and unable to get off. Minion was still able to push Ricon into hazards, and the fight went to the judges, who ruled 7-2 in favor of Minion, meaning Minion had won its first championship.
Superheavyweight Rumble
Minion also participated the Superheavyweight Rumble at the end of the tournament. After a straight hit on S.L.A.M., Minion was hit by Ginsu and suddenly stopped moving. It played no further part in the rumble, which was eventually won by World Peace.
Season 1.0[]
Minion vs. Gray Matter
Minion pushing Gray Matter.
Returning in Season 1.0 as the reigning superheavyweight champion, Minion was faced with Gray Matter in its first fight. Minion waited for Gray Matter to approach it at first and tried to attack it with the saw, but failed. Gray Matter then managed to push Minion around, sending it into hazards where its saw was ripped clean off, leaving Minion without its saw for not just this fight, but the rest of the competition. Unfazed, Minion used its wedge to engage Gray Matter in a pushing match, where it overcame Gray Matter several times, sending it into the spikestrip on numerous occasions. The match went to the judges who ruled 7-2 in favor of Minion, putting it through to a fight against Grendel.
Minion vs. Grendel
Minion pushing Grendel.
Due to the saw being destroyed by Gray Matter, the motor for it was removed and Christian added a toy chainsaw on the front as a joke. The two slowly approached each other at first, with Minion veering off to the left, before skillfully driving around Grendel, avoiding its axe and getting underneath it with its wedge. Minion used its far superior speed to slam into Grendel. Grendel managed a glancing blow on Minion, allowing Minion to drag it around. After eventually escaping the axe, Minion continued to ram Grendel, avoiding axe blows all the time. The match once again went to the judges, with Minion winning the decision and going through to meet Rammstein.
Minion vs. Rammstein
Minion slams Rammstein against the arena wall.
Both robots once again got off to a slow start, but it was Minion who got the first attack in, charging at Rammstein with its wedge. Rammstein lost all its drive as all of its gear motors for the drive failed, which Minion took full advantage of, getting underneath Rammstein with the wedge against the wall and giving it no room to breathe with consistent slams. Rammstein tried to escape, but Minion stayed in hot pursuit, ramming Rammstein into the walls. One of these attacks immobilized Rammstein, so it was counted out.
Minion vs. DooAll
Minion gets under DooAll.
Minion was put through to the final, where it faced DooAll. Minion wasted no time in getting underneath DooAll multiple times, with DooAll going straight over Minion and back onto its tracks. One of these attacks knocked DooAll's saw blade off, where it lay on the BattleBox floor for the rest of the match. DooAll never managed to oppose Minion at any point, being pushed around into the walls and hazards with great ease. After sending DooAll into the killsaws one final time, the match went to the judges, who gave Minion its second championship win on a dominant 9-0 decision.
Superheavyweight Royal Rumble
Fresh off its second championship win, Minion also fought in the Superheavyweight Royal Rumble. Despite its deep tournament run, Minion showed no signs of weakness and won the rumble by audience vote.
Season 2.0[]
Minion vs. Atomic Wedgie
Minion is flipped by Atomic Wedgie.
Minion went into its first fight of Season 2.0 as firm favorites against newcomer Atomic Wedgie. Both robots started by trying to get under each other with their wedges, but Minion made the mistake of charging into Atomic Wedgie's tri-foils, which tore the lexan shield off of Minion's wedge, meaning it could not get under Atomic Wedgie. Atomic Wedgie used this advantage to push Minion into the wall, where a combination of the impact of Minion's saw on the wall and Atomic Wedgie's push flipped Minion over, where it could not self-right and was counted out, resulting in a major upset as the two-time champion was eliminated very early on.
Superheavyweight Consolation Rumble
Minion gets flipped by Toro.
Minion came back for the Superheavyweight Consolation Rumble at the end of the tournament and won with Liquid Lunch. Minion later came back for the superheavyweight royal rumble and started out pushing Doom of Babylon against the spikestrip. Minion then started attacking Revision Z with its saw and suddenly stopped moving moments later. With Minion now being immobile, Toro got underneath the side of Minion and flipped it over. Minion was inactive for the remainder of the fight and Toro won overall.
Season 3.0[]
Minion vs. Tortoise
The wedgeless Minion gets hit by Tortoise.
Minion's wedge as a result of the Tortoise fight.
Due to previously competing in Season 2.0, Minion was allowed to skip the preliminary rounds of Season 3.0, where it faced Tortoise. One particular hit sent one of Tortoise's teeth halfway into the lexan of the BattleBox. Despite getting a hard hit from Tortoise, which sent Minion's wedge flying across the BattleBox and getting stuck on the arena wall. Tortoise stopped moving and Minion starts hitting Tortoise with its spinning disc as it was being counted out. Minion won the fight by KO and advanced to the Round of 16, where it faced Ogre.
Minion vs. Ogre
The initial hit between Minion and Ogre.
At the beginning of the match, both bots drove out and Minion hit Ogre with its disc. After Minion got another hit on Ogre with the disc, Ogre got the upper hand and pushed Minion around the BattleBox for a short time. Minion retaliated by hitting Ogre with the disc another time, this hit damaging the "Slam Cam" inside Ogre. Minion began to emit smoke due to the weapon belt's friction against the motor. Ogre tried to push Minion into the pulverizer, but failed to push the Season 1.0 champion. Minion's weapon was rammed by Ogre, but took another hit from the disc. The two robots pushed each other and tried to out-drive one another. Soon after however, Minion collided head-on with the arena piston, the impact of which broke the belt driving Minion’s disc, reverting the fight to a pushing match. Minion was pushed by Ogre onto the ramrods, but Ogre also took a hit from them. Ogre then was pushed onto the hellraisers, but was able to free itself. Minion pushed Ogre towards the pulverizer, but Ogre gained traction and pushed back, and saved itself from the trap. Minion then wedged Ogre, before Ogre wedged one of its spikes into Minion's wheel guards. Minion used the half of its drive train on the floor to try and maneuver away but couldn't. The two robots ended the fight stuck together with Minion impaled on the spikestrip. However, the judges decided on a 23-22 split decision for Minion.
Minion vs. Electric Lunch
Minion gets it's flywheel into Electric Lunch.
This win put Minion in the quarterfinals, where it faced Electric Lunch. In the match, Both robots went straight at each other and Minion already starts smoking. Both robots were pushing each other and Minion drives Electric Lunch onto the piston. Electric Lunch was pushing the side of Minion, but Minion escapes and Electric Lunch gets caught on the killsaws. Minion then drives up onto Electric Lunch's wedge and Electric Lunch takes Minion towards the pulverizer. One hit from the pulverizer damaged Minion's wedge and Minion escapes. Minion gets its wedge underneath Electric Lunch and pushes it for a little bit. Both robots were pushing each other again and Minion gets its flywheel caught on the killsaws. Minion charges straight at Electric Lunch and gets its flywheel on Electric Lunch's wedge, with sparks flying in the process as the extrusions on Electic Lunch's wedge are worn away. Minion then gets its spinning flywheel on Electric Lunch's side and causes damage. Electric Lunch gets caught on the killsaws and starts pushing Minion again. Minion causes more damage to Electric Lunch's wedge and more sparks were flying. Electric Lunch pushes Minion onto the killsaws and Minion escapes. Minion kept hitting Electric Lunch's wedge with its spinning flywheel and Electric Lunch gets underneath Minion. Electric Lunch tries to push Minion onto the screws, but Minion was against the base of the screw and the time ran out. Minion won the fight on a close 24-21 judges' decision and advanced to the semifinals.
Minion vs. Toro
The initial hit between Minion and Toro.
In the final four, Minion had a rematch against Inertia Labs and their flipper, Toro. As the fight began, Toro went straight at Minion, but as Minion quickly came forward with its spinning disc going full speed, Toro quickly backs away. Toro is trying to go around Minion to get at it under its side, but Minion is pivoting in the center, aiming its spinning disc at Toro. Minion charges at Toro, but misses. Minion gets Toro near the spikestrip and both robots collide. Minion's spinning disc is the first to connect, knocking Toro into the air and sending CO2 shooting out of Toro's body. Toro activates its lifting arm after it's propelled into the air. When Toro lands on the ground, CO2 starts to leak out of Toro. The leak stops and the two robots were driving around the BattleBox. Minion drives over a set of killsaws and Toro started pushing Minion from the front. Toro backs into Minion and started pushing its side against the wall a few times. While Minion struggles with the wall, Toro gets its front under Minion's wedge. Despite Toro's flipping arm not working, Toro pushed Minion around the arena hazards. Minion's spinning disc slams into the screws and later gets caught on the killsaws. Toro puts its rear against Minion and nearly pushes it under the pulverizer before Minion drives away. Minion gets its spinning disc behind Toro and Minion's spinning disc started to smoke. Toro drives over the killsaws and Toro is barely moving. Toro tries to drive toward Minion, but Minion got its spinning disc pointed at Toro. Toro tries to go around and Minion gets caught on the killsaws again. Toro slams into Minion's side, but doesn't appear to have the power to push Minion any more. The time ran out and Minion won the fight on a 27-18 judges' decision.
Minion vs. Vladiator
Vladiator gets underneath Minion.
Minion was now in the superheavyweight finals, where it faced Vladiator. Both robots began by avoiding each other for the first 20 seconds. Shortly after this, Minion tried to put its flywheel into play. In one of Vladiator's charges, Minion managed to strike the front with its disc before Vladiator ran into and impaled itself on the spikestrip. As Vladiator struggled to get free, Minion capitalized, grinding away with its disc to the left side. Minion moved back to bring its disc back to full speed before performing a victory spin as Vladiator was being counted out. However, with just two seconds left, Vladiator managed to free itself, so Minion turned to face it. Minion took a ram from Vladiator, presumably managing to strike the front with its disc off-camera. Before it could spin it back up to full speed, however, Minion got lifted by Vladiator and its disc recoiled, rendering the disc incapacitated for the rest of the fight. Without a working weapon, Minion tried to mount a defense with its wedge as the much quicker Vladiator continued to charge with its spear. In one of the charges, Minion was out-wedged by the spear and got pushed across the BattleBox, where its wedge forks got jammed under the entrance ramp. Minion was held by Vladiator for the full 30 seconds until it was released with only a couple of seconds left in the match. In the end, Vladiator won the fight on a 26-19 judges' decision and Minion was declared the runner-up.
Despite being declared the runner-up, Minion did not participate the Superheavyweight Royal Rumble at the end of the tournament for unknown reasons.
Season 4.0[]
Minion vs. No Apologies
Minion gets axed by No Apologies.
For reaching the finals in Season 3.0, Minion was allowed to skip the preliminary rounds, where it faced No Apologies. At the start of the battle, Minion immediately damaged the wedge of No Apologies with its flywheel, causing sparks to fly. Minion went at the wedge of No Apologies again, as No Apologies fired its axe, missing Minion. No Apologies then finally struck Minion with its axe, so powerful that it punctured through the lexan armor of Minion. No Apologies then lifts the lifeless Minion onto the killsaws, slicing through its right rear tire completely. As No Apologies was driving Minion toward the pulverizer, Team Coolrobots immediately tapped out to prevent further harm to their robot and the arena hazards were shut off, leaving the pulverizer to drop to the floor (though the TV broadcast made it seem like the pulverizer landed a feeble blow). Minion's driver Brian Roe confirmed during the post-match interview that they tapped out because No Apologies hit the very spot where their radio receiver for the drive was located, which immobilized Minion completely and eliminated it from the tournament.
Superheavyweight Consolation Rumble
Minion returned for the Superheavyweight Consolation Rumble at the end of the tournament. It is unknown how well it performed, but it lost overall to Atomic Wedgie and Odin II.
Season 5.0[]
Minion vs. Abaddon
Minion gets underneath Abaddon.
The first fight for Minion in Season 5.0 was Abaddon. Minion was the clear aggressor in the fight, getting under Abaddon with its wedge despite Abaddon fighting back well. Minion won the fight by a 26-19 judges' decision. This win put Minion in the Round of 16, where it faced Codebreaker.
Minion vs. Codebreaker
Codebreaker gets underneath Minion.
Minion and Codebreaker drove straight at each other after getting their weapons up to speed. Codebreaker came at Minion's flywheel and rammed Minion into the Spikestrip, stopping Minion's flywheel temporarily before it got it back up to speed and Minion attempted to attack Codebreaker with it. Codebreaker dodged so Minion swapped tactics and used its wedge to some effect. Minion managed to get underneath Codebreaker but did not push it anywhere. Minion then rammed Codebreaker before deciding to use its flywheel again, causing a great shower of sparks and damage to one of Codebreaker's front panels, tearing off the decal on that side. Codebreaker retaliated by getting underneath Minion again and charging it straight into the wall. Codebreaker then used its drum to grind up the side of Minion before having one of its own side panels bent by Minion's retaliation. Minion was rammed into by Codebreaker and had its rear left tire torn up, reducing grip significantly. Both robots charged into each other repetitively with most of the damage being done to Minion's tires and side panels via Codebreaker's spinning drum. This continued pushing ended up with Minion at a pulverizer and suffering three blows before suffering further punishment from the killsaws. One of the pulverizer attacks struck Minion's weapon motor and disabled it, leaving Minion to fight with just its wedge. Codebreaker took advantage by chewing up Minion's side panel and tires again, tearing them up badly. As the match ended, Minion was left hobbling on its remaining tires. In the end, Codebreaker won the fight on a dominant 32-13 judges' decision, eliminating Minion from the tournament.
Minion did not compete in the Superheavyweight Royal Rumble due to an incident involving Nightmare during the Heavyweight Consolation Rumble.
"Programmed to irritate, debilitate, humiliate and obliterate. From Team Coolrobots at Noth Hollywood, California. It's the 325lb superheavyweight, MINION!"
"Don't be fooled by his good looks. He's a natural born killer. Its MINION!"
"Weighing in at 325 pounds is a triangular terror who leaves no margin for error. He's on a very violent mission and his name is MINION!"
"There's no denying the devastation he's supplying. It's the BattleBots superheavyweight champion MINION!"
"Cancel the ambulance. Call the coroner. Here is MINION!"
"One thing you should know for certain, you'll be left bettered, bruised and hurtin'. Here is MINION!"
"It's a fact and not a stupid opinion that the baddest robot is the murderous MINION!"
"The good news is, you've made it to the finals. The bad news is, you got about 3 minutes to live, according to the watch of MINION!"
"It's not just my opinion. The number 1 ranked superheavyweight is MINION!"
"He'll crush you flatter than a distracted soccer mom in her navigator. Here is MINION!"
Merchandise[]
Any appearances by Minion in merchandise are listed below:
Minion's Season 1.0 stats according to the TV show.
Minion's Season 2.0 stats according to the TV show.
Minion's Season 3.0 stats according to the TV show.
Minion in the pits during Season 5.0.
Minion in the pits during Season 4.0.
Dreadnought and Minion during Season 4.0.
Christian Carlberg poses with Minion during Season 1.0.
The innards of Minion.
Minion and Christian featured in a tech magazine.
The team posing with Minion.
Minion vs. Diesector in a Hasbro Demo battle.
Minion at the Hasbro Showroom arena.
Minion hung on a wall behind Christian and Brian in June 2021.
A forward view of Minion in the pits during Season 5.0.
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Trivia[]
Minion's saw blade from Season 1.0 and 2.0 was the same brand used in The Missing Link, and its position was adjustable. However, this option was never used.
Given that Jason Bardis helped build the original Minion, the saw was likely provided by Infernolab.
The second build of Minion was built with the help of frenZy builder Patrick Campbell.
Minion started in the red square in all but one match - against Codebreaker.
Minion faced Diesector in a special demo bout for Hasbro sometime between Season 2.0 and Season 3.0.
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