This article is about the event Xiaolin Showdown (contest). For other uses, see Xiaolin Showdown. |
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A Xiaolin Showdown, the titular event of the show, occurs whenever the possession of a Shen Gong Wu is in dispute between two or more warriors.
Dojo had a rulebook which the Xiaolin warriors referred to at many points throughout the series.
Rules[]
To participate in the showdown, at least two warriors are needed, and they both/all must touch the Shen Gong Wu they are fighting for at the same time. At which point, the Wu will start to glow. Once the challenge has been verbally issued by one of the participants, both participants wager one Shen Gong Wu. The wagered Wu are the only ones they are allowed to use during the showdown. After the showdown, the winning warrior(s) get to keep the Wu they were fighting over, and the Wu that were wagered as well. The loser must accept the outcome without objection.
The goal for winning a Xiaolin Showdown can be anything that the participants agree to do. The aim is always announced on the spot, and it is often, but not always, inspired by the environment in which the showdown is fought. Common goals include racing to reach a target or fighting to be the last one remaining in the arena. However, many other types of competitions have been set, including combat variations of flashlight tag, ice hockey, and chess. Some showdowns can even have a time limit or point system.
Depending on the type of contest declared, the area around the disputed Shen Gong Wu changes to suit the challenge. The area returns to normal after the showdown is finished. This transformation enhances whatever environmental hazards are present and makes the location more arena-like, even to the extent of providing a suitably-distanced platform for spectators. For example, the first episode featured a race to the last stepping stone in a path, so for the showdown, the stepping stones became massive rock pillars.
The showdown begins by someone, usually both/all participants, calling "Gong Yi Tanpai!".
Most often, one participant chooses the wagered Wu for both warriors, although the other participant does have the right to reject the Wu that their opponent suggested and/or choose a Shen Gong Wu on their own. Using any Shen Gong Wu aside from the ones that were wagered is considered cheating, however no rules exist that would disqualify someone who does. Alternatively, stealing your opponent's Wu and using it yourself is perfectly acceptable. A warrior may also fight without Shen Gong Wu if they prefer.
The warriors do not always have to touch the wanted Wu physically, as seen when Omi used his Shimo Staff to snag a sack of Shen Gong Wu in "The Return of Master Monk Guan".
Earlier in the series, the challenger decides what event is used to compete for the Shen Gong Wu, but now anyone can propose the challenge, even if they're a spectator. It has never been shown what happens if a showdown challenge is denied, nor what happens if neither player accepts a proposed contest.
No rule prohibits modifications of Shen Gong Wu, forced use of it, unfairly manipulating the environment, spectator interference or attacking another player non-competitively. If the contest doesn't involve losing based on proximity to it, a player can leave the arena, either through flight or extradimensional travel. Fixed gambling plays are also not against the rules, and the "Xiaolin Showdown Dive", where one participant loses on purpose, is written in the rules as a legitimate tactic.
Alternate rules[]
Shen Yi Bu Dare[]
Main article: Shen Yi Bu Dare
A Shen Yi Bu Dare is when each participant wagers two Shen Gong Wu instead of one. Either participant can call for a Shen Yi Bu Dare. The number of competitors does not matter; for example, it can be a 2 vs. 2 showdown, with each team sharing their two Wu.
It was first seen in "Shen Yi Bu." According to Master Fung at the end of this episode, there has not been a Shen Yi Bu Dare in many centuries and it is very difficult to win one.
Shen Yi Bu All In[]
According to the rules, one side can go all in by calling a Shen Yi Bu All In. By doing this, both sides agree on betting all their Shen Gong Wu. This can be done in the middle of a showdown, but those who participate can only use one Shen Gong Wu.
It was first seen in "The Return of Master Monk Guan".
Showdown Trio[]
Main article: Showdown Trio
Omi vs. Jack vs. Robo-Jack
A Showdown Trio is when three people reach the Shen Gong Wu at the same time. Each wagers one Shen Gong Wu, fighting a free-for-all to win all items wagered.
It was first seen in "The Shard of Lightning".
Cosmic Clash Showdown[]
Main article: Cosmic Clash Showdown
Omi, Kimiko and Clay vs. Wuya
A Cosmic Clash Showdown is when four participants are fighting in a contest of three against one.
In the event that the group of three each have a Shen Gong Wu, then their one opponent would be allowed to wager three Shen Gong Wu. Alternatively, the group of three could only wager one Wu as a group and their opponents would also only be allowed one Wu.
This type of showdown happened in "The Last Temptation of Raimundo" and "The Dream Stalker".
8-Way Xiaolin Showdown[]
Main article: 8-Way Xiaolin Showdown
Four against four for the Crouching Cougar.
An 8-Way Xiaolin Showdown starts with eight people all touching the same Shen Gong Wu, and each person wagers one Shen Gong Wu. Despite being eight-way, teams can be formed within the showdown, usually four against four. The winner(s) of the showdown get all nine of the Shen Gong Wu. In Finding Omi, no Shen Gong Wu were wagered or fought for, but whoever won would win Omi's freedom.
The rules regarding the 8-Way Xiaolin Showdown are in the supplemental pages of the rule book that came out in the last 200 years.
This type of showdown appeared in "Dreamscape", "The Emperor Scorpion Strikes Back", and "Finding Omi".
Xiaolin Showdown Tsunami[]
A showdown between four warriors.
A Xiaolin Showdown Tsunami is when four people touch a Shen Gong Wu at the same time. Each person wagers one Shen Gong Wu, and can all fight against each other or pair off into teams of two.
This type of showdown appeared in "The Sands of Time" and "Something Jermaine".
See also[]
Did You Know...?[]
- The start call, "Gong Yi Tanpai", is a pseudo-Chinese way of saying, "Ready, Set, Go!". 摊牌／攤牌 (Tanpai) means "showdown" in Chinese, 攻 (Gōng) is Chinese for "begin" (figuratively, as in to attack), and "Yi" can have several meanings, including a/an (一), righteous (义), by (以), and skill (艺), so the full phrase roughly translates as "Begin [the] showdown!".
- According to the showdown rules, you can be played for if you are made up of more than 50% Shen Gong Wu, and look kind of freaky.
- According to the showdown rules, a mystical dragon can be Wuless in a showdown if they have no criminal record.