American Gladiators Armed for THE INCREDIBLE HULK Battle with Hasbro’s ''HULK SMASH HANDS''

As if their size isn’t intimidating enough, the gladiators up the ante on the June 9 episode of NBC’s American Gladiators by donning Hasbro’s new huge green “HULK SMASH HANDS,” it was announced today. The promotion is part of a special “THE INCREDIBLE HULK”-themed episode of American Gladiators that airs tonight on NBC from 8-9:00 p.m. E.T. The show promotes the launch of Universal Pictures and Marvel Studios’ new action-thriller THE INCREDIBLE HULK, which smashes into theaters on Friday, June 13.

Featured on the program are the popular HULK SMASH HANDS, which contain sound effects — such as growls, wall crashes and a warning to enemies to avoid making you angry — that activate when the fists bash into anything. Gladiators and in-studio audience members alike will “Hulk Out” by wearing the HULK SMASH HANDS and channeling their inner big green Super Hero. The HULK SMASH HANDS are already at stores across the country and have an approximate retail price of $19.99.

Viewers of the June 9 program will also get a very special sneak peek of the new HULK MEGA HANDS — which hit store shelves nationwide in October 2008. The HULK MEGA HANDS, which measure an outrageous 15 inches high, 21 inches wide and 9 inches long, are the ultimate over-the-top accessory for children — and young-at-heart adults — wanting to role-play as the strongest Super Hero in the universe. Simply slip on the oversized hands and dare anyone to make you angry.

Hands down the largest HULK role-playing fists ever created, the HULK MEGA HANDS are worn by American Gladiators’ Titan and Justice as they pummel contestants during the “Gauntlet” competition.

While HULK MEGA HANDS won’t arrive in stores until fall (approximate retail price: $39.99), fans attending San Diego Comic-Con in late July can see them for the first time in person at the Hasbro booth.

Also see: A Look At The Special 'Incredible Hulk' Themed American Gladiators Episode

About The Incredible Hulk

THE INCREDIBLE HULK kicks off an all-new, explosive and action-packed epic of one of the most popular Super Heroes of all time. In the film, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk.

Living in the shadows—cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler)—Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power.

As all three grapple with the secrets that led to The Hulk’s creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination, whose destructive strength exceeds even The Hulk’s own. And on June 13, 2008, one scientist must make an agonizing final choice: accept a peaceful life as Bruce Banner or find heroism in the creature he holds inside—THE INCREDIBLE HULK.