Cylindrical in shape, the overall design of Axe Backwards is unique as its armor doubles up as its primary weapon. While the tubular body spins vertically to attack and cause damage to other robots, it also houses all of its electronics and mechanical components. While this meant Axe Backwards had a relatively heavy spinning weapon, attacks to the drum from more orthodox spinners often caused the electronics to fail, resulting in losses which have plagued Axe Backwards throughout its time on BattleBots.
Axe Backwards during World Championship III hero shots.
Axe Backwards also featured thwacking axes, which would swing overhead when the drum stopped spinning, or hit from the side as the robot turned. Despite its similarities to US live scene competitor REDRUM and Robot Wars competitor Barber-Ous, team captain Kurt Durjan confirmed he took no inspiration from these robots.[1]
"The idea to have the axes on the back that would "thwack" when we rapidly decelerated the drum on impact could not be implemented this season due to weight. But we are adding the Axe Thwackers for the next version."
— Kurt Durjan explaining the axes in a 2018 Reddit AMA[2]
Axe Backwards debuted in World Championship III with chunky wheels and a tall and narrow drum made from 7075 aluminum and AR500 steel, but struggled to take advantage of its unique design. After losing to WAR Hawk in its first ever fight, it suffered two further losses in a rumble, and then in a 1v1 against Monsoon. Despite chalking up a win against a barely functional Ultimo Destructo, Axe Backwards' 1-3 Fight Night record was not enough to reach the Tournament bracket.
Axe Backwards during World Championship IV hero shots.
The team returned for World Championship IV with a longer but more compact drum. Despite using a lighter metal in its construction, the drum still weighed 65lbs.[3] It also featured bi-directional teeth, meaning they could bite no matter which way the drum was spinning. Its wheels were now smaller, with the idea that they would be a smaller surface area for spinners to hit. Aesthetically, Axe Backwards had supports either side of the drum designed to look like pink battle axes. Similar double-sided axes were present on the wheels. Due to issues with the weapon motors destroying the bearing to their drum, Axe Backwards was reduced to a thwackbot for the majority of the tournament, and suffered for it. Axe Backwards went winless that season, losing to four opponents in their respective rookie seasons. The robot also suffered from bolts shearing, meaning a near total rebuild was necessary after most of their battles.
Axe Backwards during World Championship V hero shots.
Axe Backwards also competed in World Championship V, desperate to put an end to their poor run of results. Though the robot appeared largely unchanged from its disastrous previous campaign, the drum had been rebuilt to feature both steel and aluminum material. Kurt Durjan had also worked on the internals of the robot and several different configurations with spinners in mind, including one where the rear supports joined up to form a wedge to deflect horizontal spinners and protect the drum. This was built on-set in just three days, though several teeth on the drum had to be removed to keep Axe Backwards within the weight limit. Though the issues affecting its weapon reliability had seemingly been resolved, Axe Backwards went winless for a second successive year and failed to make the Top 32 as a result.
Axe Backwards competed at the 2019 and 2021 Robot Ruckus events in Orlando, Florida. Due to the nature of the event, Axe Backwards was unable to use its spinning drum, so opted for a curved, pink scoop in many of its fights.
In 2019, it lost to future BattleBots competitor Slap Box by judges' decision. Axe Backwards fought again with the scoop in 2021, but with its twin axe thwackers connected in the middle. It fought non-BattleBots competitor Piranha, but lost by KO after their right-side drive died, and their left wheel became stuck on the outside of the arena.
Robot History[]
World Championship III[]
Axe Backwards vs. WAR Hawk
The two robots collide.
WAR Hawk tears an axe off Axe Backwards.
Axe Backwards' wheel is ripped off by WAR Hawk.
Axe Backwards is tossed into the air by WAR Hawk.
Axe Backwards' first ever fight was against WAR Hawk. The match started somewhat evenly with little more than sparks resulting from early impacts. However, Axe Backwards found itself taking a hit from WAR Hawk's spinning weapon, which left one wheel loose but still somewhat functional. Axe Backwards continued to try and attack, but its main weapon was disabled, leaving it with virtually no attack or defence. It took further damage from WAR Hawk's weapon, losing a decorative axe in the process. The loose wheel eventually came off, leaving Axe Backwards to spin in circles. It was subsequently counted out, giving WAR Hawk the win by KO.
Axe Backwards vs. Deviled Egg vs. Basilisk
Axe Backwards launches Deviled Egg into the air.
Repaired from its previous loss, Axe Backwards found itself in a rumble with Basilisk and Deviled Egg. Axe Backwards started strongly, delivering early blows to both Deviled Egg and Basilisk, causing the latter to lose drive completely. Axe Backwards continued to attack and did more damage to Deviled Egg, ripping away some of its decorative plating. Basilisk came back to life, but did little else in the rumble, leaving Axe Backwards and Deviled Egg to fight alone. Axe Backwards' drum stopped working late into the fight, but Deviled Egg's primary weapon remained functional. Time ran out and the judges awarded a split 2-1 decision in favor of Deviled Egg.
Axe Backwards vs. Monsoon
Monsoon strikes Axe Backwards.
Axe Backwards' next fight was up against the British vertical bar spinner, Monsoon. Not long after the fight commenced, Axe Backwards took two big hits from Monsoon, and lost all drive power as a consequence. Though the drum was still functional, its drive was not, and Axe Backwards was counted out. Monsoon won by KO, and Axe Backwards slipped to a 0-3 Fight Night record.
Axe Backwards vs. Ultimo Destructo
Axe Backwards tears into Ultimo Destructo's wedge.
Axe Backwards immobilized Ultimo Destructo with its drum.
Axe Backwards' fourth and final match of the regular season was against Sean Irwin and Ultimo Destructo, who was equipped with their hammer for this fight. Axe Backwards started poorly, as their weapon was unable to cause much damage to Ultimo Destructo, and they were experiencing drive issues. Ultimo Destructo had then pinned it to the side, preventing the drum from spinning up. Once free, Axe Backwards was able to attack again, targeting Ultimo Destructo's front wedge. Later in the fight, Ultimo Destructo lost the use of its primary weapon due to Axe Backwards breaking the hammer's main gear. Axe Backwards took advantage by continuing to tear into Ultimo Destructo's front wedge, detaching it from the one side. Axe Backwards kept working into the final minute of the fight, where it became apparent its opponent had become stuck on its own damaged wedge. As such, Ultimo Destructo was counted out, giving Axe Backwards their first win at the fourth time of asking.
World Championship IV[]
Axe Backwards vs. Mammoth
Axe Backwards is sent out of the arena by Mammoth.
Axe Backwards returned for World Championship IV with a sleek new design, facing newcomer Mammoth in their first fight. Axe Backwards tried its best to maneuver around Mammoth, but it was pushed away and flipped over by the giant robot's rotating trunk. The primary weapon of Axe Backwards was not working, so the team had to resort to aggressive driving to try and defeat Mammoth. As the fight wore on, one of Mammoth's front wheels fell off, though this did not hinder their ability to drive as Ricky Willems' machine had doubled up on wheels for each side. Axe Backwards tried to attack, but got caught in Mammoth's rotating weapon and was dumped on top of the arena barrier. Axe Backwards tried desperately to escape, though Mammoth pushed back and eventually lifted it out of the arena. Axe Backwards was now stuck, immobile and was counted out, giving Mammoth the win by KO.
Axe Backwards vs. Texas Twister
Axe Backwards gets hit by Texas Twister.
Axe Backwards gets torn apart by Texas Twister.
Axe Backwards was next placed against Fuzzy Mauldin'sTexas Twister and opted to add tape to its tires for additional traction. The fight started relatively evenly, though it became apparent that the drum of Axe Backwards was again not working. Left to try and bully its opponent around, it found itself being pushed into the screws. Axe Backwards recovered, but lost a wheel, severly affecting their ability to drive. In spite of the damage, the team instructed Texas Twister to hit them again. Texas Twister obliged, and Axe Backwards had been totally immobilized, with its electronics hanging out and smoke pouring from the robot. Axe Backwards was counted out, giving Texas Twister the win by KO.
Axe Backwards vs. Marvin
Axe Backwards gets tossed into the air by Marvin.
Looking to redeem themselves, Axe Backwards next faced Hannah Rucker and Marvin. The team added new tires to replace the ones damaged in their previous loss, but they found themselves hurt from Marvin's early attacks. The left-side wheel of Axe Backwards had come loose on Axe Backwards, again impeding their drive. Though Marvin's own weaponry was not too damaging, it was at least functional, delivering light hits and pushing Axe Backwards onto the screws. Though Marvin would eventually lose a tooth on their disc, both robots survived the three minutes and Marvin won by a judges' decision.
Axe Backwards vs. Deep Six (Exhibition)
Axe Backwards gets torn apart again by Deep Six.
The knockout blow.
Now 0-3 and desperate not to suffer a winless year, Axe Backwards took part in an exhibition match against newcomer Deep Six. Axe Backwards came in largely unchanged from its fight with Marvin, but was finally able to get their drum working again. As the match was under way, Axe Backwards was slow to move out of its square, allowing Deep Six to spin up their huge bar. Axe Backwards went in for a hit on Deep Six, which took out their drum. Axe Backwards was still fully functional and went in again, but this time, it was thrown into the air and they took visible damage. Deep Six hit Axe Backwards again, resulting in the loss of a wheel and a section of their drum. Unable to move, Axe Backwards was counted out, giving Deep Six the win by KO.
World Championship V[]
Axe Backwards vs. Malice
Axe Backwards gets hit by Malice.
Malice delivers the killing blow to Axe Backwards.
Axe Backwards' first fight of the season was against newcomer Malice. At the start of the fight, Axe Backwards quickly lost mobility on one side as its right-side tire took a hit from Malice's drum. This left Axe Backwards above the killsaw slot for a while with its tire destroyed. As damage started to rack up, Axe Backwards' right axe head was shattered, throwing flames into the air before the next impact caused an explosion of fire in the BattleBox. However, Axe Backwards still had enough mobility and a working weapon, so it continued the fight until an attack from Malice immobilized Kurt Durjen's machine. Axe Backwards was counted out, giving Malice the win by KO.
Axe Backwards vs. Captain Shrederator
Both bots come to blows.
Axe Backwards was next pitted against Brian Nave Captain Shrederator - two teams who had suffered more than their fair share of losses in the modern era of BattleBots up to this point. Seeking an opportunity to score their first win since Season 3, Axe Backwards was armed with its new wedge configuration, intending to tank hits from the seasoned shell spinner. Axe Backwards was tentative to start as it drove around the edges of the BattleBox, allowing itself and its opponent to get up to speed. Axe Backwards then went in and took minor damage to its tire. It was then thrown into the screws, but recovered quickly and remained undamaged. With its drive and weapon still working well, Axe Backwards started to control the match with its wedge, but Captain Shrederator remained mobile and dangerous. Axe Backwards was able to get underneath Captain Shrederator, but could not flip it over or capitalize on their dominance. However, by this point, Axe Backwards was noticeably lacking in power and its weapon was slowing down. Axe Backwards got in one final hit with its drum before it lost a wheel, followed by the rest of its mobility. Axe Backwards was counted out, giving Captain Shrederator the win by KO.
BattleBots: Bounty Hunters[]
Axe Backwards vs. Lock-Jaw
Lock-Jaw strikes Axe Backwards.
Axe Backwards faced Lock-Jaw in the first round during BattleBots: Bounty Hunters. Axe Backwards was armed with the same wedge configuration they used against Captain Shrederator, as despite losing, they appeared considerably more competitive with it attached. Axe Backwards headed straight for Lock-Jaw as the fight began, and immediately suffered damage as a result. Axe Backwards began wobbling as it moved, and smoke began to pour out from the machine. Once down to one wheel, Kurt Durjan began taunting Lock-Jaw's driver as they were not attacking, despite no count out being officially started. Finally, Axe Backwards took one final hit from Lock-Jaw's weapon which disabled it for good. Axe Backwards was counted out, giving Lock-Jaw a spot in the next round and eliminating Axe Backwards from the competition.
"It's spinner is deadlier than a game of Russian Roulette. Responsible for more hacks than the KGB. It's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"The government just declared it a UFO, Unidentified Fighting Object. Here comes the abduction of destruction. This is AXE BACKWARDS!"
"This gigantic drum makes a very nice hum, but sounds even worse when it smacks your... face. Prepare to get whacked! It's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"If it were a lumberjack, it would be called Maul Bunyan. Layin' down chops like a mighty blue ox, it's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"It's behind more whacks than the Russian mob. If you have to be next, Soviet. Look behind you, it's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"How do you spell pain backwards? N-I-A-P. I did that off the top of my head. Pretty cool, right? Hahaha! Anyways, it's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"To fight it, you must be out of your mind, because this bot's got an axe to grind... into your behind. Turn around, it's AXE BACKWARDS!"
"Hitchet, hatchet, no way you can match it. It'll alter you like a tailor, saying "Take off your pants and your jacket". It's the Paul Bunyan of nerds, AXE BACKWARDS!"
"From Vero Beach, Florida, it's the ratchet hatchet, AXE BACKWARDS!"
"From Vero Beach, Florida, it's about to step on the speed-o and give you a beat-o. It's AXE BACKWARDS!"
Trivia[]
Axe Backwards during BattleBots: Bounty Hunters.
Axe Backwards is among the robots with the lowest win percentage in modern BattleBots, with 9% as of World Championship V.
Team captain and builder Kurt Durjan originally sketched out the plans for Axe Backwards on a napkin, citing inspiration from a metal barrel he saw while driving. He took this drawing to his team's sponsors to see if they would be able to build it.
When Faruq Tauheed was announcing Axe Backwards for the first time during filming, it took him three times to get the name right.
Axe Backwards had "HI MOM!" written on its wedge attachment ahead of fighting Captain Shrederator during BattleBots: Bounty Hunters.
