Like a prizefighter that won't stay down, Mark Burnett's boxing competition show The Contender returns to television this week in a new incarnation on Epix. Debuting in 2005 on NBC, the series ran until 2009 on a variety of networks, including ESPN and Versus (now NBCSN) before retiring in 2009. Nine years later, the show has a reprieve and is ready to fight again. "I was excited when Mark approached me about the show returning," revealed series executive producer and showrunner Eric Van Wagenen during a recent conference call. "I was involved with the show in its original form; season one as supervising editor; season two as a supervising producer and editor, and seasons three and four as executive producer and showrunner. It was one of those shows people were passionate about and it had a loyal and devoted fan base."
“The Contender” Is Back in the Ring
![“The Contender” Is Back in the Ring](/media/articles/John_J_Show_Contender.jpg.550x380_q85_box-0%2C0%2C639%2C444_crop.jpg.webp)