“Celebrity Deathmatch” is a claymation TV series that pits famous personalities against each other in a wrestling ring, typically culminating in the brutal demise of the loser. The show is notorious for its over-the-top bloodshed and exaggerated physical harm in each bout.

The series was the brainchild of Eric Fogel, with its pilot episodes debuting on MTV on January 1 and 25, 1998. The original run spanned from May 14, 1998, to October 20, 2002, encompassing 75 episodes. An additional special, “Celebrity Deathmatch Hits Germany,” aired on June 21, 2001, but was not included in the episode count. The animated version of professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin served as a guest commentator. In early 2003, MTV announced plans for a film adaptation of the series, but the project was shelved by the year’s end.

In 2005, MTV2 revealed plans to bring back the show as part of their “Sic ‘Em Friday” lineup. Although initially slated for a November 2005 return, the premiere was delayed until June 10, 2006, as part of a new “Sic’emation” block alongside two other animated series, “Where My Dogs At” and “The Adventures of Chico and Guapo.” The fifth season, produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios, premiered to an audience of over 2.5 million, marking MTV2’s most successful season premiere to date.