[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by gblake

Third downside to this is that the (reasonably successful) show didn't appear to select entrants based solely on expected performance in the matches.

You have to realize that Battlebots is playing the long game here. They only had 1 season to prove themselves, before they get possibly a longer contract. They selected robots with audience appeal to got the ratings up to allow season 2. Once the show is re-established I believe they will migrate towards battle-ready vs crowd appeal.